For complex subjects and industries, it’s difficult to fully understand them unless you dedicate substantial time and effort. However, you don’t have to be a brain surgeon or rocket scientist to get some of the basics. When it comes to coverage for your child, you don’t have to be a dental insurance guru to grasp the important information you need to know. Here are some of the main points that can help you understand the basics of dental insurance for your kiddo!
Preventive Care Is Typically Covered in Full for Kids.
Have you heard the expression that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? It’s definitely true when it comes to your child’s dental health. A small cost to keep their growing smile healthy doesn’t compare to the avoidable cost of treating problems. As a result, dental insurance companies happily pay for preventive services like cleanings and checkups as well as fluoride treatments to help your child’s mouth stay cavity free—and therefore save everyone money.
Dental Sealants Are Usually Covered for Kids.
Did you know that about 80 percent of cavities can be prevented with dental sealants? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chewing surfaces of premolars and molars are where most cavities occur for kids, which is why many dental insurance plans will pay for kids to receive sealants as soon as these adult teeth erupt. Again, although variations in coverage may occur from plan to plan, dental insurance companies are generally eager to stop cavities and other issues before they happen. Keep in mind that this generous coverage typically only applies to children, so if you want to take advantage of sealants, do so early in their development.
Early, Less Invasive Treatment Gets More Coverage.
Sometimes, even with every preventive measure taken, dental damage—whether through decay or injury—can happen to your child. At first, you may think that putting off treatment could delay or lessen the cost, but the reality is that dental issues only get worse the longer you wait to resolve them, and coverage only decreases with the severity of the issue. In other words, a small cavity that requires just a filling today could turn into a larger problem that necessitates a more expensive crown later.
Some Policies Include Coverage for Clear Aligners.
For decades, dental insurance plans have paid for part of the cost for braces, especially for kids and teens. It’s only recently that clear aligners have been added to some policies. Before opting for Invisalign or any other clear aligner, you’ll need to double check that your insurance will pay toward the overall cost.
Like other complicated subjects, there is much more to learn about dental insurance, but knowing these simple concepts can help you understand the important points and take the most advantage of your coverage for your child.
About the Practice
At Main Street Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Danville, we focus primarily on serving children. As our board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Santiago has been trained and is experienced in working with patients ranging in age from infancy all the way through teenage years. Our practice is in-network with many major plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and MetLife, and others. If you have questions about using your dental insurance for your child here, contact us online or call our office at 925-575-8878.