2022 flew by in the blink of an eye! And while this time of year is full of tidings and joy, make sure you’re taking care of your health by scheduling that end-of-year dental appointment.
Now, if you’re thinking, “What’s the rush, can’t I just go to the dentist next year?” We encourage you to think again. Maximizing your dental insurance benefits means using them wisely before they expire. Instead of letting your hard-earned benefits go to waste, learn the ropes of your plan and what all the technical terms mean.

Dental Benefits Explained

When it comes to understanding your dental benefits, the ins and outs can seem more complicated than necessary. The good news? Your plan can be broken down into bite size pieces: deductibles, annual maximums, and dental premiums. Your deductible, which is typically no more than $50, is what you have to pay before your dental insurance kicks in. Your annual maximum is the maximum amount your insurance will pay yearly and the premium is the amount that you pay every month to be insured. 

Read on for a deep dive into the jargon that makes up your 2022 dental insurance package.

Understanding Your Dental Benefits

Sound oral health is a key component to comprehensive physical health. Your dental insurance allows you to make sure your teeth look and feel their best all year long. While most people understand the overall concept of insurance, the details can get confusing. It’s important to always ask your employer or your primary care dentist to ensure you’re getting the most from your policy.

Annual Maximum

Your annual maximum is just that, the maximum amount that your insurance is willing to spend on you annually. Dental coverage plans can be slightly different depending on what kind of insurance you have, however most annual maximums are somewhere between $1000 and $1500. 

However, there’s a catch. If you don’t use all of it within the year, you lose it. Hence the “use it or lose it” reputation these types of dental insurance packages tend to carry. Annual maximums don’t rollover into the new year. Which is why you should be booking your end of the year appointment and not letting benefits go to waste! 

Book your dental cleaning before time runs out >>

Deductible

Every year your deductible must be renewed. The deductible is the amount that you are responsible for paying before your dental insurance jumps in and covers the cost. You only are required to pay one deductible a year; usually no more than $50, and then the rest of your covered dental visits are included with your insurance plan. In other words, if you pay your deductible for the year but never go back to the dentist, you’re not getting your money’s worth. 

Dental Premium

The last piece of understanding the ins and outs of dental benefits is your dental premium. Your premium is what you pay each month to stay insured, or essentially the cost of insurance. If you have insurance through an employer it’s more than likely premiums are deducted from your pay. Because of this, you should make an effort to actually benefit from your coverage – even if your teeth appear to be healthy. Considering that frequent cleanings and exams are often fully covered, it’s a good idea to take advantage. 

Dental Treatments Typically Covered By Insurance

Here is a list of preventative and protective treatments you can schedule in order to make sure you get the most out of your dental plan! 

• Cleaning and X-Rays
• Fluoride Treatments
• Periodontal Therapy
• Dental Sealants

Maximize Your Dental Benefits Before Ringing In 2023!

The window of opportunity to use your dental benefits is quickly running out. The longer you wait, the less availability there is to choose from. Perimeter Dental is on standby to help you schedule your last appointment of 2022. Contact us today to get something on the books!