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Each year, thousands of patients overlook one simple truth – dental insurance doesn’t necessarily roll over. Most plans restart at the end of the calendar year, so if you don’t use your coverage, you lose it. At Haymarket Dental, we’ve seen many patients rush to schedule last-minute appointments when they realize their benefits are set to expire. The good news? You can remove that anxiety by understanding how “use it or lose it” plans function and by steering clear of a few common dental benefits mistakes.
1. Waiting Too Long to Schedule an Appointment
Most people fail to comprehend how quickly dental offices fill up toward the end of the year. By November and December, most offices are fully scheduled with patients trying to squeeze in cleanings, exams, or fillings. Procrastinating usually means forfeiting your chance altogether.
Booking early not only guarantees that you receive an appointment time that is convenient for you but also gives your dentist sufficient time to complete any treatments before your benefits expire.
2. Skipping Preventive Care
Skipping routine checkups is one of the biggest dental benefit mistakes. Preventive visits, such as exams, cleanings, and X-rays, are typically covered at little or no cost under most dental insurance plans. These appointments detect early signs of cavities, gum issues, or enamel erosion before they turn into bigger problems.
3. Not Knowing Your Dental Coverage
This is where most people lose track of what is available to them. Every dental insurance policy has a dental insurance schedule and an annual maximum (the dollar amount) that the insurer will pay in a year. When that year ends, any unspent funds disappear.
Understanding what your dental insurance covers allows you to plan. From fluoride treatments and sealants to restorative procedures, knowing your benefits allows you to plan your care wisely, not in an emergency. If you’re not sure, a simple call to your provider or our office can confirm what’s covered before your plan runs out.
4. Delaying Advised Treatments
It’s easy to postpone a procedure like a filling or crown, especially if you’re not in pain. However, dental issues rarely improve on their own. Waiting too long can turn a simple fix into a more extensive and expensive treatment later.
Instead of delaying, use your current dental insurance benefits to complete recommended treatments now. You’ll save money and prevent more serious oral health complications down the road.
5. Forgetting the “Use It or Lose It” Rule
The adage may be a cliche, but it’s true. Most dental insurance plans are in a “use it or lose it” format. That is, when the year draws to an end, remaining funds, free cleanings, and preventive allowances vanish.
If you’ve been paying premiums all year, you’ve earned the right to benefit from them. Think of it as claiming what’s already yours – the preventive care, the coverage, and the peace of mind that come with it.
Understanding how your dental plan works allows you to make better decisions for your oral health. Avoiding these common dental benefits mistakes allows you to save money, avoid stress, and maintain a healthy smile all year round.
Do not let your benefits expire without using them at their finest. Call Haymarket Dental today to schedule your appointment before time runs out and make every dollar count towards your health.
