Dental insurance pays part of your dental care costs, reducing the need to pay for them out of pocket. It covers regular checkups, cleanings, cavity fillings, and tooth extractions.

The year is almost coming to an end, and this means that dental insurance plans are about to expire. Now is the perfect time to make the most of your plan's benefits. But how do you go about it?

1. Schedule Dental Visits in Advance

It is advisable to see your family dentist regularly regardless of your overall dental health. During the visit, the dentist will perform a thorough cleaning and examination.

Scheduling these visits in advance can allow you to maximize your dental insurance. Also, you will not have to wait a few more months if the dentist has many bookings.

2. Maximize all Your Dental Exams and Cleanings

Dental exams and cleanings help identify oral health problems like gum and tooth disease early. Early diagnosis is best since treating them is easy. During the exams, your dentist can inform you about the best oral care practices for your gums and teeth.

Most dental insurance plans allow a maximum of two exams and cleanings each year. You should therefore seek them every six months before your plan expires.

3. Seek Treatment for Oral Problems Early

If your family dentist recommends treatment for a tooth problem, you should seek it when your dental insurance plan is still active. Delaying the treatment may force you to incur out-of-pocket costs once your plan expires and you are not in a position to renew it.

Dental insurance plans follow the "100-80-50" rule. Under this rule, you can use 100 percent of your plan's coverage on preventative care (cleanings and exams), and 80 percent on basic procedures like cavity filling. The remaining 50 percent of the coverage can go to extensive treatments such as tooth extractions and root canals.

4. Match the Maximum Payout Limit

A maximum payout limit on dental insurance is the maximum amount your insurer pays toward dental costs in a year. Each time you submit your dental claim, your insurer subtracts the total amount paid towards your dental costs from your maximum payout. And once you reach the 12-month maximum, you will have to pay for any further dental costs out-of-pocket. 

Therefore, consult your insurer about your maximum payout limit for each year before it expires. Also, talk to your family dentist about the dental procedures or treatments that can help you get the most out of your maximum payout limit.