In the two weeks before the end of the year dentist offices across the country are busy. While we get a lot of college students home for the holiday break, we also get a fair amount of people who are frantic to spend some of the money they have accumulated in their flexible spending accounts.
There are also folks making dentist appointments who want to use some of their dental insurance benefits.
To avoid the possibility of not getting an appointment in those busy weeks before the end of the year, patients should consider seeing their dentist during the fall months of September, October and November.
The majority of dental benefit plans have what is called an annual maximum or dental benefit cap. This means that the insurer only pays up to the annual maximum amount specified. This annual maximum can differ depending on the plan. The annual maximums typically range between $1,000 and $2,000 and National Association of Dental Plans research reveals that only 2.8 percent of people with a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan reach their dental annual maximum each year.1
That means that each year most Americans aren’t getting all the benefits that they are entitled to and their oral health may be suffering because of it. If a patient sees a dentist early in the fall and the dentist identifies that a filling or a crown or some other dental care is needed, the patient has time, and often insurance dollars, to receive the necessary treatment before the end of the year.
If you have a flexible spending account, in some cases, if you don’t use the money in the account by the end of a calendar year, the money you contributed to the account is lost.2 Some plans either allow you up to two-and-a-half months into the next year to use the money before you lose it or they allow you to move up to $550 per year of unused funds from one year into the next year.3
That’s why it important to check to see what the requirements are for your specific flexible spending account. If you are going to lose funds, at a minimum you should schedule a dental hygiene visit.
Again, doing this early in the Fall will allow for time to receive treatment for any issues the dentist identifies.
Fall is also a good time to visit your dentist because of the amount of sugar that is being consumed by Americans each Halloween. Sales of Halloween candy in 2021 exceeded $324 million, which was up 60 percent from pre-pandemic levels according to the National Confectioners Association.4
It’s no secret that sugar is not good for your teeth. Getting a professional dental cleaning after indulging in Halloween treats could save your teeth from harmful bacteria that produce acid in your mouth when they encounter and digest sugar.5 Over time that acid works to break down your tooth enamel. When the enamel is weak it becomes prone to cavity formation.
In between the tailgate parties, the Halloween parties, going to the cider mill and all the other great Fall events, make sure you schedule a visit with your dentist. Your teeth and your wallet will thank you.
Dental Care Anytime of Year
Sedki Dentistry in Commerce is a full-service dental office that meets the needs of everyone in the family. Whether you need general dentistry services, are thinking of cosmetic dentistry to restore your smile or require a dental treatment such as dentures or dental implants, we will provide the dental care you need with safety, care and compassion.
Our dental services are referred throughout the area, for good reason. Call to schedule a Free Dental Consultation and see why!
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1 What is a Dental Insurance Annual Maximum?
Link: https://www.deltadentalwa.com/dental-insurance-101/what-is-a-dental-insurance-annual-maximum
2,3 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) by Michelle P. Scott, 1/13/2022
Link: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/flexiblespendingaccount.asp
4 Americans Are Buying So Much Candy This Halloween It’s Scary by Julia Glum, 10/28/2021
Link: https://money.com/halloween-candy-sales-2021/
5 Your Mouth is a Battleground
Link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-sugar-destroys-teeth#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2