Its Time to Schedule End of Year Exams!

There is no denying that we are heading into a busy season with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner. Perhaps you are thinking, I just want to get through the holidays, and then I will give my teeth the attention they need. It’s easy to want to push off that recommended treatment last time you were in, but the expensive truth is that you could be missing out on this year’s dental benefits.

You’ve already invested in those benefits, so we want you to get your full use out of them! Putting off today’s treatment till January could mean that you are giving away this year’s money to eat up much of your next year’s benefits.

I Hate To Lose My Dental Benefits, But My Teeth Are Healthy…

Perhaps you don’t have decay that needs fixing. Fortunately, dental benefits include many things other than dental fillings such as:

• Dental cleanings – Routine dental cleanings help keep your teeth and gums healthy by controlling the bacteria in these areas.
• X-rays – Typically, radiographs are taken yearly to check for cavities.We also recommend that a full mouth series of x-rays be taken about every five years as this will help us evaluate your mouth and teeth in detail.
• Crowns – Large fillings can jeopardize the structure of a tooth. Large fillings often benefit from a crown as it helps to structurally support the tooth from fractures.
• Sealants – Sealants are a preventative service that can help protect deep grooves from getting cavities.
• Fluoride – These treatments can help to build up strong, healthy teeth.
• Orthodontics – Could you benefit from straightening your teeth?

Many flexible saving accounts cover these above services and may even include additional things such as an electric toothbrush or whitening trays purchased from your dental office. Again, covered services can vary from plan-to-plan so make sure you look into your unique policy.

Routine Dental Exams And Cleaning Appointments

Speaking of benefits, one of the best ways to stay on top of your dental health is through routine dental exams and cleanings. Have you had your teeth looked at twice this year?

Our dentists strongly recommend routine services because it is better for your teeth and your overall health. Your body is interconnected from head to toe. Bacteria in your mouth can lead to cavities, but bacteria can also lead to:

• Gum Disease
• Heart Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Diabetes

Staying on top of your dental health will be better for your mouth and your body! If you haven’t visited us in 6 months, call our office today to schedule your next routine dental exam and cleaning.

Deductibles

Many dental procedures also have deductibles that must be met before your insurance will start paying for a service. If you have already met your deductible for the year, it can be great to get in any work that is a covered benefit yet during 2021. As soon as 2022 hits, your deductible will start over, and again your will need to meet your deductible before your insurance helps cover specific services.

Schedule Now!

Most dental insurance and flexible saving accounts are based on the calendar year. This means that you have from January 1 till December 31 to utilize your dental benefits. Anything not used as of the end of December 31 will be lost. Lost? Yeah, gone forever!

Not sure when your dental benefits expire? Call your insurance company or your human resource department, and they can let you know eligibility dates on your specific policy or flex savings account. They can also help answer any specific questions you may have about the types of covered services.

Since many patients think alike in that they too have dental benefits to use up, the schedule can start to fill up. Once the schedule is full, future appointments will be scheduled for 2022. We suggest calling soon to schedule your next appointment. Don’t wait too long, or you may lose out on your 2021 benefits!