Get the Most Out of Your Dental Benefits

When your dental health is directly linked to caring for your overall health, making sure you have comprehensive dental coverage should be on the top of the priority list.

But just having the coverage isn’t enough – you need to use it!  

Preventative dental care can affect so much more than just your mouth. Research shows that oral health contributes to your overall health, with links to heart disease, brain diseases, respiratory health, and more. Making sure that you’re taking care of your oral health can go a long way in making sure you’re staying healthy in other ways too.  

According to a new national poll, an overwhelming majority of Americans agree – reporting that having dental insurance provides significant overall health and financial benefits. In fact, two of the top-cited benefits of having dental insurance include its ability to enable Americans to lead a healthy lifestyle (86%) and encourage better oral health habits (86%). 

A substantial majority also know that having dental insurance saves them money in the long run (80%); is worth the cost (75%); and provides discounts pre-negotiated with their dentist (71%).   
 

This means that preventive care has long term value to both your health and your wallet.  

While at a routine check-up, your dentist can scan for illnesses that manifest near the mouth or jaw. They can check for any dental diseases and intervene before they may affect other parts of your health. Having dental coverage allows you the freedom to be proactive in caring for your health, and treat concerns early on, so they don’t cost you more down the road. 

While every plan is different, and you should consult your plan details for more information, most dental plans will typically cover the entire cost of preventative care, which includes checkups, cleanings and x-rays. More intensive procedures like fillings, extractions, crowns, root canals, dentures, bridges, and implants may be partially covered, depending on the plan.  

If you haven’t yet talked to your dentist about scheduling an appointment this year, make sure to do so as soon as possible. Many providers are also doing virtual visits and are working hard to minimize any risk from receiving dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

If you have any questions, it is always best to consult your dentist and your coverage provider about the best option for you. Delta Dental members can also log into the member portal to check the status of their plan anytime.