Tomayto, tomahto. Potayto, potahto. Medical, dental. What’s the difference? Should we just call the whole thing off?
The truth is, just as dentists and doctors care for you in different ways, dental and medical plans are designed differently in order to be effective.
• Medical Benefits
FOCUS: Unexpected Care
Medical insurance focuses more on covering consequences of injury and illness after they happen. And because medical care can be quite costly, medical coverage is designed to protect you from the burden of large expenses.
• Dental Benefits
FOCUS: Preventive Care
Dental benefits are all about stopping problems before they begin. Dental insurance is meant to cover some of the costs associated with your dental care. Routine dental care, like regular check-ups and cleanings, are key to a healthy smile (and can even spot the early signs of some systemic diseases).
Many people don’t realize that regular dentist visits can help avoid costly and painful dental problems down the road. In fact, cavities are almost 100% preventable.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take Ben Franklin’s advice and use your preventive dental benefits! If you have dental coverage from Delta Dental of Colorado, you can check your benefits online at deltadentalco.com. Often, preventive dental care is covered at no cost to you, so check your plan to make sure.