Dental benefits might not be on the top of your holiday wish list, but there are plenty of reasons it should be!
- Teeth are about more than a pretty smile.
According to a U.S. Surgeon General’s report, working Americans lose an estimated 164 million hours annually to dental disease or dental visits. - Oral health is closely linked to overall health.
Oral health affects some of the body’s most essential functions, including speaking, chewing, and swallowing. Additionally, more than 90% of all systemic diseases are linked to oral health. Poor oral health can lead to and escalate serious overall health issues. - Prevention costs less than treatment.
Most dental insurance plans emphasize prevention and early detection. People with dental insurance visit their dentists more often. Because of this, they’re more likely to avoid painful and expensive oral health problems.
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why dental benefits are important to protect you and your family for a lifetime. So how do you decide what plan is right for your family? What should you consider?
Assess your needs
Dental care needs and dental plan coverage vary. Think about your current care needs, preventive coverage, and potential issues that may arise in the future. Not sure? Check out this cost estimator tool HERE, which can provide estimates of the cost of certain procedures. It’s important to remember too that costs associated with poor oral health extend beyond your mouth. Poor oral health can lead to poor overall health, even potentially raising the odds of contracting certain diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and others.
Ask for recommendations
Do you have a dentist you love? See what insurance they accept. If you don’t have a dentist, ask family and friends for recommendations. Or use our Find-a-Dentist tool HERE, to find a dentist in our network that is close to work or your home.
Next, you’ll want to compare coverage. Look at:
- Annual maximum
- Deductible
- What procedures are covered and at what level
From this point, you and your family can make a more informed decision about a dental plan that better meets your needs and your budget. Click here for more on picking the right dental plan for you and your family.