Most people are not aware that their dental benefits can be a “use it or lose it” scenario. If you have been paying into your dental insurance throughout the year, you will want to make the most of it before its expiration. This not only allows you to protect your smile but also stay on top of any possible dental problems.

Since the year is quickly coming to a close, it’s time now to think about your dental coverage and make smart use of it. You don’t want to lose benefits that you have paid for. Let us take a close look at why using your dental benefits before they expire is a smart choice for both your wallet and your health.

How Does Dental Coverage Work?

Dental insurance, like most insurance, runs annually. Your benefits usually restart at the beginning of each new year, so unused benefits do not roll over. Preventive services, such as cleanings, exams, and checkups, are usually covered in full, with minimal to no out-of-pocket expenses. However, if you don’t make these appointments, you may be leaving that coverage on the table.

The majority of dental insurance plans impose a limit on the amount of money they will pay within a year, and those are dollars that belong to you. If you do not use them, they expire when the year expires, so it is in your best interest to make use of them before they do.

Preventive Care: The Key to Avoiding Bigger Problems

One of the smartest ways to use your dental benefits is to take full advantage of preventive care. These visits usually include regular cleanings, exams, and X-rays. While they might seem like simple procedures, these appointments can catch issues before they’ve had a chance to develop into major problems.

For example, a small cavity discovered during a checkup can be filled, preventing bigger and more costly procedures in the future, like a root canal. Early detection of gum disease or other oral issues can save you from bigger treatments, which can be much more expensive. Preventive care not only saves you money – it keeps your smile in its best shape.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Booking your dental appointments early in the year guarantees you have enough time to use your dental benefits. Most dental offices get busier towards the end of the year, with patients rushing to make appointments before their benefits run out. Waiting too long might make you lose an available appointment time, and your benefits go unused.

What If You Don’t Use Your Benefits?

If you do not use your dental benefits by the cut-off date, then those benefits are simply forfeited. That is money down the drain in the form of premiums that you have been paying all year round. It is like paying for a gym membership and never visiting.

Ignoring your oral health today can also result in expensive treatments down the road. Small, preventable issues can escalate into big problems, which are more expensive to repair. In addition, poor oral health can have an even more significant impact on your general health, like heart disease and diabetes.

Using your benefits today allows you to stay proactive, protect your health, and avoid more invasive dental procedures down the road.

Maximize Your Dental Insurance Timeline

It is important to know the timing of your dental benefits. The dental insurance timeline usually follows your plan renewal date, most commonly January 1st. This allows you time until December 31st to use up any remaining benefits.

For those with complex dental needs, you can also strategically schedule treatments over two benefit periods. As an example, if you need a crown or deep cleaning, starting the process in December and finishing it in January allows you to use both years’ coverage to its fullest. This can be completed to minimize out-of-pocket costs and receive the care that is needed.

Now that you know why it’s important to use your dental benefits before they expire, don’t wait until it’s too late. Give your dentist a call and schedule your appointment today, and make sure you’re getting the most out of your dental coverage.

At Wisconsin Dental Wellness, we are here to help you make the most of your insurance, keep a healthy smile, and not lose your dental benefits. Time is running out, so do not miss the care you require.