{"id":240,"date":"2024-10-15T16:40:09","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T16:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bridgemilldentalcare.com\/blog\/?p=240"},"modified":"2026-01-05T22:54:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T22:54:30","slug":"understanding-your-dental-insurance-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bridgemilldentalcare.com\/blog\/2024\/10\/15\/understanding-your-dental-insurance-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Maximize Your Dental Insurance Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Smiling<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

According to the National Association of Dental Plans, 88% of Americans have dental insurance. However, less than 3% of people meet or exceed their annual limits, which accounts for billions of dollars lost in unused dental benefits every year. Dental insurance<\/a> can be confusing, but don’t lose what you’ve paid for. Here’s how to maximize your dental insurance to achieve healthy teeth and gums for minimal out-of-pocket expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Choose an In-Network Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your dental insurance will recommend choosing a dentist in their network to benefit from more coverage. Dental insurance providers have pre-negotiated rates with preferred dental practices for select services to lower the amount their policyholders pay out-of-pocket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can still use your coverage at an out-of-network dentist, but it may cost you more because your dental insurance will cover services at a much lower rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schedule a Cleaning and Checkup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dental insurance focuses on prevention to stop common oral health issues from occurring. As a result, you’re less likely to need costly procedures later. Researchers have found that $1 of preventive care can save up to $50 on emergency and restorative fees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A co-pay allows you to visit your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup, as recommended by the American Dental Association. Dental insurance covers 100% of the costs of preventive dentistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Delay Dental Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

80% of Americans delay dental work, even though they know it will cost them more later. Cost concerns are the most common reason people delay dental treatments. You don’t have to worry about large bills if you have dental insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After meeting your annual deductible, your insurance can pay 50% to 80% of the cost for medically necessary services, like fillings, root canals, and dental crowns. You are given an annual allowance to use toward the cost of dental treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Wait Until It\u2019s Too Late<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your dental coverage does not last forever. Your benefits will expire at the end of the year, and you’ll lose anything you have not used. Nothing will accumulate. You won’t be reimbursed for your premiums or deductibles, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t wait until it is too late to use your dental insurance. Your dentist will help you maximize your coverage to achieve optimal oral health while staying within your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Dr. James Candon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Candon<\/a> achieved his dental degree at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and has continued his education in general dentistry, oral surgery, and cosmetic dentistry. He accepts dental insurance to keep dentistry affordable for everyone. Schedule an appointment<\/a> online or call his office at (803) 219-8684 to maximize your dental benefits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"According to the National Association of Dental Plans, 88% of Americans have dental insurance. However, less than 3% of people meet or exceed their annual limits, which accounts for billions of dollars lost in unused dental benefits every year. Dental insurance can be confusing, but don’t lose what you’ve paid for. Here’s how to maximize your dental insurance to achieve healthy teeth and gums for minimal out-of-pocket expenses. (Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nUnderstanding Your Dental Insurance Benefits<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It\u2019s not too late to use your dental insurance before it expires. 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