Time is Running Out: Don’t Forget Your Annual Dental Benefits

Time is Running Out: Don’t Forget Your Annual Dental Benefits

Can you believe it’s already November? Before you know it, the holidays will be here and we’ll be setting goals for the New Year. Visiting our dentist in Torrey Highlands might be the last thing on your to-do list, but considering your dental insurance are about to expire, it ought to be a priority.

Do I Need to Use the Benefits by the End of the Year?

Yes. Dental insurance plans are set up on a 12-month schedule, with most of them running from January through December. Your plan typically includes a set amount of coverage for that timespan. But if you don’t use it by December 31st, everything expires. Nothing can be rolled over into the next year’s benefits package.

Simply put, if you don’t use your dental benefits, you lose them. Visiting our dentist in San Diego right now can help you maximize the coverage you still have so that you’re not throwing money into the wind. After all, you’re paying into your premium each month. You want to make your investment work in your favor so that your teeth and gums can stay healthy for a lifetime.

If you’ve already met your deductible or you’re close to it, right now is a great time to plan those little to-dos before your plan resets. That way you’re not having to re-pay the entire deductible once you get around to scheduling that filling after the New Year’s holiday.

Should I Use or Lose My Dental Benefits?

Most dental insurance plans are prevention-focused. You typically have access to included, zero-cost dental cleanings and exams twice a year. These preventative care visits help you stay ahead of cavities and gum disease, extending the health of your smile in the years ahead. Depending on your plan, you may be allowed to schedule a cleaning every six months or just twice anytime within a 12-month calendar year. If it’s the latter and you haven’t booked your second cleaning for the year, right now is a great time to go ahead and get a jump-start on your preventative plan.

If you have an active cavity, it’s best to treat it as early as possible. Since cavities can spread deeper into the tooth (and nerve) or adjacent teeth, it’s best to intercept it while it’s smaller. Larger treatments like crowns or root canals should also be managed early, to prevent irreversible tooth damage from everyday biting and chewing.

For care plans with multiple treatment steps, it may be worthwhile to plan the first phase of treatment now, then the second phase immediately after the turn of the new year. That way you can maximize the coverage of two calendar years in only a small window of time. The most pressing procedures can be addressed first, then the secondary therapies can be planned a few weeks later after the benefits reset.

When Should I Schedule an Appointment to Use My Remaining Benefits?

Dr. Brian Davey still has limited appointments now through the end of the year. If you’re due for a checkup or have unscheduled dental treatment, it’s best to go ahead and reserve an appointment with our dentist in San Diego at your earliest opportunity. The remaining openings will fill up quite quickly, especially with the holidays just around the corner.

When your mouth is healthy, your body is too. Untreated dental diseases strain your immune system, placing you at a higher risk for conditions like unmanaged diabetes, pneumonia, heart disease, ED and infertility, and many others. With the given pandemic climate, preventative care is more important than ever.

Plan Your Next Visit Today

Our dentist in Torrey Highlands is currently accepting new patients. If you’re due for a checkup or have a toothache, contact Dr. Brian Davey today to reserve your first visit with us.

Can you believe it’s already November? Before you know it, the holidays will be here and we’ll be setting goals for the New Year. Visiting our dentist in San Diego might be the last thing on your to-do list, but considering your dental insurance are about to expire, it ought to be a priority.

Do I Need to Use the Benefits by the End of the Year?

Yes. Dental insurance plans are set up on a 12-month schedule, with most of them running from January through December. Your plan typically includes a set amount of coverage for that timespan. But if you don’t use it by December 31st, everything expires. Nothing can be rolled over into the next year’s benefits package.

Simply put, if you don’t use your dental benefits, you lose them. Visiting our dentist in San Diego right now can help you maximize the coverage you still have so that you’re not throwing money into the wind. After all, you’re paying into your premium each month. You want to make your investment work in your favor so that your teeth and gums can stay healthy for a lifetime.

If you’ve already met your deductible or you’re close to it, right now is a great time to plan those little to-dos before your plan resets. That way you’re not having to re-pay the entire deductible once you get around to scheduling that filling after the New Year’s holiday.

Should I Use or Lose My Dental Benefits?

Most dental insurance plans are prevention-focused. You typically have access to included, zero-cost dental cleanings and exams twice a year. These preventative care visits help you stay ahead of cavities and gum disease, extending the health of your smile in the years ahead. Depending on your plan, you may be allowed to schedule a cleaning every six months or just twice anytime within a 12-month calendar year. If it’s the latter and you haven’t booked your second cleaning for the year, right now is a great time to go ahead and get a jump-start on your preventative plan.

If you have an active cavity, it’s best to treat it as early as possible. Since cavities can spread deeper into the tooth (and nerve) or adjacent teeth, it’s best to intercept it while it’s smaller. Larger treatments like crowns or root canals should also be managed early, to prevent irreversible tooth damage from everyday biting and chewing.

For care plans with multiple treatment steps, it may be worthwhile to plan the first phase of treatment now, then the second phase immediately after the turn of the new year. That way you can maximize the coverage of two calendar years in only a small window of time. The most pressing procedures can be addressed first, then the secondary therapies can be planned a few weeks later after the benefits reset.

When Should I Schedule an Appointment to Use My Remaining Benefits?

Dr. Brian Davey still has limited appointments now through the end of the year. If you’re due for a checkup or have unscheduled dental treatment, it’s best to go ahead and reserve an appointment with our dentist in San Diego at your earliest opportunity. The remaining openings will fill up quite quickly, especially with the holidays just around the corner.

When your mouth is healthy, your body is too. Untreated dental diseases strain your immune system, placing you at a higher risk for conditions like unmanaged diabetes, pneumonia, heart disease, ED and infertility, and many others. With the given pandemic climate, preventative care is more important than ever.

Plan Your Next Visit Today

Our dentist in Torrey Highlands is currently accepting new patients. If you’re due for a checkup or have a toothache, contact Dr. Brian Davey today to reserve your first visit with us.