Charmaine Johnson DDS Premier Smile Center

Did you know your dental benefits reset every year? That’s right. If you have a dental insurance plan that runs on a calendar year, you will lose out on any unused dental benefits when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st.

Having any insurance, medical or dental, is a true reflection of “YOU’RE DAMNED IF YOU DO AND YOU’RE DAMNED IF YOU DON’T”.

You’re damned if you don’t have it because medical costs are so high. You’re damned if you do because the premiums are so high for so little insurance coverage. Dental insurance has been covering less and less every year and there are even more exclusions or waiting periods.

Basically, there are 2 main types of dental insurance – HMO and PPO. HMO’s assign you to a particular dentist or clinic to go to. PPO’s allow you to be seen at any dentist. Thus PPO’s allow you more flexibility. These insurances have an annual maximum they will pay out. For PPO’s it’s usually anywhere between $500 to $2000. They also cover a percentage of the service provided, leaving you, the patient, a copay to come up with. Each policy has different exclusions like implants, orthodontics, pre-existing conditions and even white fillings! There are often waiting periods between 6 – 12 months.