As a parent, you want what is best for your child, but it can come at a cost, one that many families struggle to provide financially. However, with dental insurance, your young one can enjoy better oral health year-round while you spend less on treatment. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your child’s benefits, learn how to fully use your plan before the end of the year.
What Child-Friendly Services Will Your Dental Insurance Cover?
If your child is on your dental insurance plan, it’s important to know whether preventive and restorative treatment options are fully or partially covered. Like anyone else, children need regular dental checkups and cleanings twice a year, which are considered preventive. They may accidentally knock out a tooth or develop a cavity, which will require restorative care.
You’ll want to know what is included in your plan so that their basic and potentially more advanced needs are met. Most companies cover X-rays, dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatment, and dental sealants at 100%, but dental fillings, crowns, and pulp therapy may receive only 50-80% coverage.
When Should You Add Your Child to Your Dental Insurance?
Experts agree you should add your child to your dental insurance plan before their first dental visit. This may be when they lose their first tooth or by the age of 1. Regular biannual appointments allow your child’s dentist to monitor oral and facial development and more, decreasing the risk of serious problems as they get older.
Since these visits are usually covered at 100%, you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket costs. As your child ages, they may develop cavities or sustain injuries, but dental insurance can help you save while they get the restorative care they need.
What is the Most Effective Way to Utilize Your Child’s Dental Insurance Benefits?
Most dental insurance benefits are good for one year. Money that is available for you or your child to use will not roll over into the new year, so you’ll want to maximize these funds while you still have them. Once you meet the deductible, your plan will begin to pay more for treatment.
This may include having your child receive a dental filling that was previously recommended but put off. It can also mean scheduling your child’s twice-yearly appointments within the calendar year.
Understanding your child’s dental insurance benefits doesn’t have to be a headache. If you have questions, ask your dental team; they will be happy to answer them and help you get the most out of your plan.
About the Practice
Led by Dr. Donna Barefield, many of our Duncanville pediatric dentists are board-certified and go above and beyond to help young patients develop healthy smiles. At Barefield Pediatric Dentistry, we make dental care affordable so that parents can focus on their child’s oral health needs, not high out-of-pocket costs. We welcome most major PPO insurance plans and will maximize available benefits to help you save, but if you have any questions, visit our website or call (972) 298–7560 to schedule an appointment.