Is Dental Insurance Right for You?

As we head into the new year, you might be thinking about changes to your health insurance. Whether you’re considering it for the first time or simply switching to a new company, dental insurance may be a smart choice.

In today’s blog post, let’s consider if dental insurance is right for you.

When it comes to dental insurance, there are a few things to consider. To start, do you need a preventive plan or a comprehensive plan? The answer depends on what kind of coverage you desire and how often you visit the dentist. You should also check to see if your employer provides a low-cost option as part of your overall benefits package. Note that you can buy coverage directly from an insurance company; it will most likely cost more but also offer more coverage.

In general, dental insurance fully covers preventive services, including biannual exams, teeth cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride treatments, if needed. However, policies vary in terms of covered costs for both basic and major services. Insurance policies provide between 50 and 80 percent coverage for basic services (i.e. fillings, root canals, and non-surgical extractions). They usually provide 10 to 50 percent coverage for major services, which include dental crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Many insurance plans refuse coverage for specific treatments, like teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontic appliances. Note that braces may be covered but usually have a lifetime maximum benefit. If your dental insurance plan does include coverage for these services, it will most likely be a smaller percentage than other major services.

While dental insurance pays for many of your services, you will have to cover some of the expense.

The types of costs associated with dental insurance are:

Premium, or what you pay for benefits each month.
Copayment (copay), or the cost you pay for a service under your dental plan.
Deductible, or the dollar amount you pay for covered services before benefits kick in. Oftentimes, your insurance plan will cover preventive procedures without a deductible.
Coinsurance, or the portion you pay for services after you’ve met your deductible and your insurance plan has covered their share.
Annual maximum, or the most your insurance will pay for dental care within your plan each year. Once you hit the maximum, you’ll be responsible for the full cost of treatments for the remainder of the year. Your plan may add part of your unused benefits from the prior year to your annual maximum, allowing you to build a bigger base for unexpected (and costly) dental emergencies.

At Maitland Ave Smile Co., we are always available to help you better understand your dental insurance.

Our staff can assist with estimated costs, insurance claims, and other paperwork. We’re also happy to verify if certain services or treatments are considered in or out of network. We accept most dental insurance and can file your claim electronically immediately following your appointment. Just be sure to bring your insurance information with you on your first visit!

If you do not have dental insurance, we offer an annual in-house dental plan, which includes:

two periodic exams
two cleanings
one set of bitewing X-rays
panoramic/full mouth X-rays every five years
periapical and 3D X-rays as needed
one emergency exam with X-rays
two fluoride treatments
10 percent off all other services, including restorative dentistry, Invisalign, and cosmetic procedures

We hope you’ll choose Maitland Ave Smile Co. for your dental care!

Call us at 407.834.0330 to schedule your appointment today! Check out our Dental Blog to learn more about topics like your family’s dental routine, dental anxiety, and more.