Think of your dental insurance and benefits as a ticking clock. Every day that passes brings you closer to the end of the year and, with it, the end of your benefits. It’s a scenario that often goes overlooked with the hectic day-to-day, especially in the upcoming holiday season. However, it’s one that can have lasting consequences for both your wallet and your well-being.
Arkansas Family Dental is here to help you make the most out of your dental insurance. Your smile deserves attention. Don’t let it suffer by letting valuable benefits go to waste.
Benefits of Regular Dental Care
A healthy smile is more than just aesthetics. As a reflection of your overall health, regular checkups and professional cleanings are essential for maintaining both oral hygiene and general wellbeing. Gum disease, cavities, and other oral health issues can lead to more severe issues if they go unnoticed or untreated. Ultimately, it could cost you far more in the long run.
Routine dental visits do more than keep you smiling– they save you and your family pain, time, and money. Arkansas Family Dental is committed to helping you take advantage of your insurance benefits to ensure your smile stays in top shape.
Unmasking the Mysteries of Dental Insurance & Benefits
Covered procedures
Your insurance plan is your dental superhero, covering the basics like cleanings, fillings, and X-rays. But do you know the extent of its powers?
Preventative Work
A majority of insurance will provide total coverage for preventive work, apart from copayments in either dollar amounts or percentages of service (DHMOs or DPPOs). This means that most general care like checkups, oral evaluations, cleanings, X-rays, and fillings are typically covered under most insurance policies. These preventive services are essential to maintaining oral health and detecting issues early on. Many plans also cover health services like fluoride treatments, sealants, and certain restorative procedures like tooth extractions.
Other Procedures
However, insurance can be tricky. While preventive care is often fully covered, some procedures like root canals are a bit trickier. Some insurances may cover them mostly or entirely. However, others may classify them as a major procedure, which may not fall directly under your coverage plan.
Others like crowns, orthodontics, and some cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening or veneers are sometimes only partially covered. This leaves you responsible for a portion of the cost. In some cases, procedures like orthodontic care must be pre-authorized by your insurance provider. Unfortunately, they may only be covered for certain age groups or under specific conditions.
However, these procedures are often beneficial or even crucial to your overall health. With a little extra help from your insurance, there’s no reason to let the cost scare you away.
Use It or Lose It!
Your dental benefits are a limited-time offer. Most dental insurance plans reset yearly, meaning that any benefits that go unused will be lost. Free cleanings, dental exams, and additional valuable treatments either at low or no additional cost tend to operate on a ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ basis, meaning they will not roll over into the new year. Functionally, it’s leaving a stack of money on the table that will likely disappear on December 31st.
More than that, using these benefits actually saves your family money in the long run. Children who received preventive dental care had the lowest Medicaid expenditures and additional care costs, according to studies. Your insurance premiums have already paid for these crucial services– why not make the most of them?
Avoid Future Problems
Neglecting your dental health is like playing Russian roulette with your health. Small issues like plaque buildup or a minor cavity can quickly snowball into major health concerns, like gum disease, tooth decay, or losing teeth altogether. Regular checkups and in-office dental evaluations catch issues early on and prevent them from escalating. Which will spare you both pain and expenses.
Dentists act as a vital line of defense for your greater health. Beyond the benefits of general maintenance, regular visits may allow them to potentially identify signs of other systemic health problems before they develop. Patients with coronary artery disease or diabetes have been found to not only save money through consistent and regular preventative dental care, but also are significantly less likely to be hospitalized with major health complications that might have otherwise not been caught or treated.
Finding Your Perfect Dental Superhero
In-Network vs. Out-of-Network:
When it comes to dental insurance, in-network dentists are your secret weapon. In-network means that a provider is under agreement with your insurance company to offer services at reduced cost so you pay less out-of-pocket. When you go out-of-network, you may be responsible for a larger portion—or even the full cost—of the treatment.
Arkansas Family Dental is proud to be in-network with most major insurance providers, working with patients to maximize your coverage benefits and help reduce your dental care costs.
How to Find In-Network Dentists:
Finding an in-network dentist is easier than you might think. While the initial search may feel daunting, most insurance companies offer directories, whether online or over-the-phone, of in-network providers. Local dentists offices may also be able to help confirm whether or not they fall under your plan’s coverage through email or phone call.
Scheduling an appointment:
Don't wait until it's a dental emergency to use your benefits. Taking a proactive approach helps your health and your wallet in the long-run, as insurance may not cover dental problems as they grow bigger. Your benefits are there to help, and using them is the best way to ensure both your well-being and finances are secure.
Schedule an appointment today to take advantage of your remaining benefits. If you’re thinking about making an appointment with us, or are looking to confirm whether we at Arkansas Family Dental are in-network for your insurance, contact us today.
Your Smile Awaits
As the year races to a close, remember that your dental benefits are a valuable resource for you and your family. They allow you to maintain your oral health, save money, and avoid future dental problems which may wind up costing more, without the added benefit of protection by your insurance. Now is the perfect time to review your plan and make sure you’re not missing out before the year and your insurance reset.
Don't let your dental benefits go to waste. Schedule an appointment with Arkansas Family Dental today. Your smile deserves a superhero.
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