My dental insurance only pays for a teeth cleaning 2 times a year. Why should I have it done more often?
GrandviewDental | August 10, 2009Columbus Dentist answers you dental insurance questions:
Dental insurance isn’t really insurance (a payment to cover the cost of a catastrophic loss) at all. It is actually a money benefit, typically provided by an employer; to help employees pay for routine dental care. The employer usually buys a plan from an insurance company based on the amount of the money benefit and how much the premium costs per month. And the premium for dental coverage is a fraction of the cost of the premium for medical coverage and with all things in life, you get what you pay for. And as you know, there are many Columbus based businesses that invest in decent dental benefit plans for their employees and others that tend to skimp there.
The majority of dental benefit plans are only designed to cover a portion of the total cost of a person’s necessary dental needs. For example, a dentist may recommend a crown for a tooth that has extensive decay, however, the dental plan may only cover the cost of a filling. This does not mean that the patient does not need a crown, only that the benefit is limited to a filling.
While a twice yearly insurance payment toward the cost of teeth cleaning is common, that type of payment arrangement actually has no relationship to what any patient might really need. It’s just how their dental benefits plan was setup.
Many patients need cleanings more frequently. People who have heavy plaque, lots of calculus buildup, or gum disease are prime candidates. Also, people who are generally healthy but have certain types of systemic conditions, such as diabetes, or those taking specific medications, may require more frequent cleanings.
The good news is that with the help of your dental benefits, the amount you have to pay is reduced! If you are looking for a new Columbus dentist, give Beth a call at 614-486-7378 and she can answer all your questions. Or request an appointment online.
