How to Optimize Your Child’s Oral Health by Maximizing Your Benefits

Your child’s oral health is of the utmost importance. Making sure they get the right form of treatment and maintain healthy teeth and gums is crucial to avoiding many of the most common dental problems. As 2020 comes to a close, you may be wondering if there is anything else you can do to make sure their smile is ready for the new year. A pediatric dentist shares a few ways you can optimize your children’s dental insurance coverage so their teeth and gums will be in good shape for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.

Get Them in for a Second Dental Checkup

If your child is part of your dental insurance plan, they are allowed two preventive checkups and cleanings each year. Since COVID-19 forced many parents to reschedule these visits until dental offices reopened, it’s important that you bring your child in for their second checkup and cleaning before the end of the year. Many insurance companies are waiving their “six months and one day” policy to allow patients the opportunity to see their dentist twice in 2020. So even if their first visit was a few months ago, you can schedule a second appointment before the year is over.

Not only does this visit allow a pediatric dentist to ensure there are no signs of tooth decay or gum disease, but it also allows your little one to get the care they need at little or no cost to you.

Don’t Put Off Advanced Dental Treatments

If your child’s pediatric dentist recommends a more complex method of treatment, don’t wait until 2021 to have it done. Instead, go ahead and have it taken care of it before the end of the year. There are a few reasons why you should do this:

1. Depending on the situation, putting off any kind of complex treatment may cause your child’s symptoms to worsen. For example, if they have an infected tooth and need a dental crown, waiting can cause the infection to spread to the innermost layer (the pulp), resulting in increased pain and more complex treatment, such as pulp therapy.
2. You are provided an annual maximum, which you can use toward the cost of dental treatment throughout the year. If there is a remaining balance come midnight on December 31, it will be returned to the insurance company. As a result, you can lose thousands of dollars. By moving forward with these treatments, you can get your child the help they need and avoid losing valuable money to your insurance company.

Understand Your Pediatric Dentist’s Financial Policy

As a parent, it is your responsibility to understand how your child’s pediatric dental office plans to handle all financial transactions. If they are considered out-of-network, you may wonder how you can save money on your child’s oral healthcare needs. While you are expected to pay in full for services rendered on the day of their appointment, there is likely a cap (i.e., $200 or less). The dental team will offer to file a claim on your behalf and ensure the reimbursement from your insurance company will be sent directly to you.

If you need assistance paying your out-of-pocket expenses, it is possible that your child’s dentist will accept CareCredit, which is a third-party financier that offers low and no interest payment plans to eligible individuals.

By taking these steps to better protect your child’s smile, you will also keep more money in your wallet, allowing both you and your little one to enter into the new year with a reason to smile.

About the Author
Dr. Melissa Rozas is a pediatric dentist in Coppell, TX, who completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston. After finishing her pediatric dental residency at UT/Herman Hospital, she became board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She and her team believe in providing transparent and valuable tips to both parents and children about maintaining good oral health. Part of this includes knowing how to use dental insurance benefits to keep their child’s smile looking and feeling its best. Our team is here to help all parents better understand what to do to get the most out of their policy while also ensuring proper oral health and development for their child’s smile. To learn what you can do to maximize your benefits, contact us at (972) 393-9779.