When you glance at your paycheck, you notice a portion has been removed to pay for your dental insurance. You might be wondering: is it really worth paying a premium every month? After all, you haven’t had a toothache or any obvious oral health trouble recently. The truth is, in most cases, dental insurance is definitely worth it. Keep reading below to find out why.
#1: Insurance Makes Dental Care More Affordable
Do you like saving money? Who doesn’t! Insurance helps make dental care more affordable by reducing the out-of-pocket costs for many procedures. Without a dental plan, you would be responsible for the full cost of many treatments. While every plan is different, most providers follow the “100-80-50” model of coverage:
- Preventive Services: 100% covered, including cleanings, checks, and X-rays.
- Basic Dental Services: 80% covered, such as fillings, root canals, extractions, and periodontal therapy.
- Advanced Dental Services: 50% covered, like crowns, bridges, and dentures.
#2: You Are More Likely to Get Essential Preventive Care
According to the American Dental Association, oral diseases result in more than 2.1 million emergency room visits nationwide each year. Many of those oral diseases are often preventable but have been allowed to go untreated, perhaps due to financial concerns. Families with dental insurance are almost twice as likely to get preventive oral care as those without it. Catching oral diseases early on is critical to avoiding serious problems that require expensive treatment.
#3: It’s Good for Your Overall Health
A healthy smile is an important part of a healthy body. Research has shown that oral health complications can be associated with serious bodily health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and more. During every dental checkup, your dentist will evaluate your mouth for signs of more than 120 diseases, including oral cancer.
Use It or Lose It
Want to take advantage of your dental insurance coverage? You should be aware that your benefits do not roll over from year to year. Most dental insurance plans have what is called an annual maximum, which is the highest dollar amount it will pay for care in the calendar year. Depending on the policy, this amount can range from about $1,000 to $1,500. Whether you have $50 or $500 left on your annual maximum, if it’s not used by the time the year ends, it instantly goes back to the insurance company, and the amount is reset.
As you’ve just read above, dental insurance helps keep your mouth and body healthy while also saving you money. So, don’t let your monthly investment go to waste! Talk to your dentist today about setting up a dental exam or starting needed treatment before the end of the year.
About the Author
Dr. Craig Baginski has over 30 years of experience providing quality oral care to patients in Garland. He is in-network with most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, MetLife and more. For more information on why dental insurance coverage is so important, visit the Dentistry by Brand website or call 972-495-9009.