Getting dental work done probably isn’t how you imagined you’d be spending your free time during the holiday season. But if you have even a little extra money left over from your annual insurance plan, then it’s worth it to make an appointment for the sake of your oral and financial health. Take full advantage of your annual dental health insurance using up as much of it as you can before the end of year. In all probability, your insurance company most likely won’t allow you to carry over the remaining funds to the following year, so you might as well use them up while you can, even if it’s just for a simple cleaning or checkup. Here are a few reasons why you should consider making a dental appointment in the next few weeks.
Maximize Your Dental Benefits
Even if your oral health is absolutely impeccable and you only go for checkups or cleanings twice a year as recommended by your dentist, it still might be worthwhile for you to schedule at least one dental appointment before the year is over.
With that said, you might as well get as much as you can out of your annual dental health benefits before they expire. Dental care is especially important during this time of year when many people tend to neglect their health by indulging in unhealthy foods and habits.
Understandably, you’re probably extremely busy during this time of year as you try to tie up loose ends at work, attend numerous holiday functions, and spend as much time with relatives and friends. However, that doesn’t mean you should put your oral health completely on the backburner. Set aside an hour or two on the weekend to make an appointment with your dentist, even if it’s just to maintain your oral health.
Why You Should Schedule a Dental Appointment before the End of the Year
There are plenty of valid reasons why you should schedule a dental appointment before the end of the year if you still have some money left on your insurance plan. Dental treatments can be quite expensive when you’re forced to pay out of pocket and if you have any major procedures coming up, then you might want to consider maximizing on your insurance coverage sooner rather than later.
Dental Benefits Are Capped
As you probably already know, dental insurance plans typically have an annual cap, which means there’s only so much coverage you can get in a single year. Most insurance companies cap the coverage at $1,000 to $1,500 per person per year. If you require additional treatment that exceeds that amount, then you’re expected to pay out of pocket for it. Say you have a few hundred dollars left on your plan towards the end of the year and your dentist has told you that you’ll need extensive periodontal work in the new year. It’s better to use up the little bit of money you have left in the current fiscal year than to dip into the funds for the following year. That way, you have more capital left in your insurance plan for the following year to cover your dental procedures. This strategy reduced any out of pocket dental expenses that may come up and it ensures that none of your coverage goes to waste.
Preventative Action Is Better Than Treatment
Even if your teeth are perfectly healthy now, that doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way forever, especially if you fail to take good care of them. Scheduling regular cleanings and checkups at least once every six months can help you avoid potentially serious dental complications in the future. The best part is that most dental plans are extensive enough that they cover several cleanings throughout the year, which means you most likely won’t have to pay out of pocket for one. Also, seeing your dentist on a regular basis means that if a potential problem does arise, they’ll be able to identify, diagnose, and treat it more quickly before it worsens over time. After all, there’s no time like the present to start caring about your oral health.
Dental Treatment Fees May Increase in the New Year
Due to ongoing inflation, the cost of living is constantly on the rise. That means the cost of undergoing dental treatments can also increase as materials and facilities become more expensive. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the maximum cap on your insurance plan will adjust accordingly. If the cost of certain dental procedures increases, but the maximum allowance on your insurance plan remains the same, then you could be required to pay for some procedures partially or completely out of pocket in the future. It’s better to take preventative action while you still can rather than wait.
At Princeview Dental Group, we care greatly about your oral health and your budget. That’s why we encourage all of our patients to take advantage of their dental health benefits as much as possible. To ensure optimal oral health, it’s important to schedule regular checkups and cleanings. We make treatment recommendations based on the needs of our patients and we’ll work closely with your insurance company to help you maximize your coverage. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at our dental clinic in Etobicoke!
