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At Dr. Egger’s, we’re all about helping our patients keep the healthiest smiles while having to spend the least amount of money to do so. That’s why we’re so big on coming in twice every year for our professional cleanings and exams. We can catch anything going on before it becomes a big deal, and that makes things much easier to address.

In line with that, we don’t want our patients to leave any of their insurance dollars out there unused. Those big companies don’t need the holiday bonus! So, in this blog, let’s get into that a bit and get you in here to use what is allotted to you.

This could be especially important during this oddest of years. We’ve noticed during this COVID-19 pandemic that many patients have avoided coming in for their twice-yearly professional exams and cleanings with Dr. Egger and our team. This isn’t a good idea for your dental health, as missing these appointments is how dental problems, such as gum disease, get a foothold. We can’t see you, so we can’t diagnose these issues when they are new and easy to reverse.

Plus, if you haven’t been in, you’re probably also leaving dental insurance dollars unused, and these typically don’t rollover into the new year. Here are a couple things to consider before the year end.

About that insurance

If you have dental insurance, it’s quite different from your regular health plan. Most dental plans have a yearly maximum that the company will pay for your dental work within one full year. The average amount is usually $1,000 per year, per person. After you reach that amount, you have to pay for everything. If you have unused benefits, these won’t rollover into next year, so you should take advantage of them before 2020 comes to a close.

Deductible

Deductibles on most dental plans are $50. If you’ve already had something done this year, say the first of your twice-yearly exams and cleanings, you’ve met your deductible. Having something done before the end of the year saves you from paying that $50 again. And $50 is $50, right?

Come on in

So, what should you do with your unused dental insurance dollars? Here are a couple ideas:

• Professional cleaning and exam

As we mentioned above, many of our patients have skipped their twice-yearly professional cleanings and exams this year. Know that our safety protocols at Dr. Egger’s are aimed solely at keeping our patients safe. There’s no reason to neglect your dental health because you’re worried about contracting the virus. From masks across the board to intense cleaning and disinfecting, this is a safe environment. So, if you haven’t been in, this is a great use of your dental insurance dollars, and it’s a great way to keep your dental health on track.

• Replacing an amalgam filling

If you have an old silver amalgam filling that you’d like to replace with composite resin, this is a great way to use up your dental insurance, as well. No one likes having a bunch of silver and mercury in their teeth, and we replace these fillings with composite resin that is virtually invisible when it is in your tooth. It will look as if you don’t have a filling there any longer.

Need to use your dental insurance before the year ends? Call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 to schedule your appointment.