The Truth About Dental Insurance

Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance has yearly maximums. This means you have a limited window to use those benefits. Once the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, any unused coverage for the year is gone. So before the clock runs out, let’s talk about how you can make the most of your dental insurance.

Here are 4 Truths Dental Insurance Companies Hope You Never Learn:

1. Yearly Maximums: Most dental insurance plans have a yearly maximum between $1,000 and $2,000. If you don’t use it by the end of the year, you lose it. This allowance doesn’t roll over to the next year, so make sure to maximize it before it’s gone for good.

2. Preventive Care is Fully Covered: Most insurance plans fully cover preventive care like cleanings and exams. Preventive care helps catch issues early, like cavities, before they turn into more costly problems. Take full advantage of this coverage—preventive care is the most effective way to keep your smile healthy. Schedule your appointments in advance for the year, so you’ll receive reminders when they’re due and won’t risk forgetting them in your busy schedule.

3. Major Treatments are Partially Covered: Expensive procedures like crowns, fillings, and root canals are often only partially covered but covered nonetheless. Insurance can still significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost. If you need this type of work, don’t wait—let your insurance help cover some of the costs.

4. Don’t Let Insurance Companies Win: As we mentioned, dental insurance companies count on patients forgetting to use their benefits—as many do. What most people don’t realize is that, unlike medical or car insurance, your dental benefits are not sitting around waiting to be used. Every time you delay treatment or skip a checkup, you’re leaving your hard-earned money on the table—money that goes straight into the insurance company’s pockets. So, who’s really winning in this situation?