Will my dental insurance pay for this? It’s a common question we hear at Hale Family Dentistry. Like most insurance plans, they are never as straightforward as we’d like. Luckily, we have been doing this for a long time and can help you sort through it.

Contrary to popular belief, medical and dental insurances are not the same. They vary widely in terms of benefits and coverages. One of the distinguishing factors is the yearly maximum.

Most people are unaware that dental benefits include a yearly maximum. Typically, most dental insurance plans only cover $1000 to $1500 worth of dental treatment per year. However, we have seen plans as little at $500 to as big as $3000 per year coverages. In layman’s terms, that means that once your dental insurance company pays that amount, they will not cover anymore. Medical insurances rarely have maximums. You can think about dental insurance as a medical insurance deductible. Except once your deductible is met, everything beyond that is out-of-pocket.  

The great thing about dental insurance is that they most likely cover preventable services such as cleanings and exams. Each plan is different, but it is common for dental insurances to cover 100% of routine cleanings and exams. In most cases, you will not pay any out of pocket for this. It may as well be free! (Except that you likely pay for this through your employer or individual plan). Moreover, preventive care (cleanings and check-ups) is the most important thing you can do for your oral health.