Dental insurance is a precious asset. Not only can it help you to maintain a healthy smile, but it can also play a critical role in helping you care for your child’s smile. It can help you save money and protect your precious little one’s quality of life! How can you maximize their benefits? This blog post provides some basic information that can assist you.
Focus on Preventive Care
Just like adult dental coverage, it is common for insurance policies to cover 100% of the cost of preventive services for kids. Your child may be able to attend two cleanings and exams each year with little to no out-of-pocket expense for you. These routine appointments can do much to prevent cavities and support healthy development of your child’s teeth and jaw.
Remember, benefits do not roll over from year to year, so if your child has not yet had their second appointment of 2024, now is a good time to book an appointment!
Find Out if Sealants and Fluoride Are Covered
Fluoride is a key mineral that supports the development of teeth and helps to keep their enamel strong. Sealants are another preventive measure that can shield kids’ teeth from cavities; they serve as a protective barrier on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Fortunately, most dental plans completely cover the cost of these services for minors.
Book Restorative Care Right Away
Cavities are one of the most common childhood health conditions. If you ever find out that your little one has a spot of decay in one of their baby teeth or permanent teeth, your dental insurance is likely to pay for up to 80% of the cost of a filling.
It is important for your child to get treatment in a timely manner. Remember, cavities only tend to get worse over time. Unnecessary delays could allow the problem to worsen to the point where it becomes very expensive to treat (even with insurance).
Consider Requesting an Orthodontic Checkup
Orthodontic coverage is more commonly available for children than it is for adults. Ask your child’s dentist if they should undergo an orthodontic evaluation (this should usually happen around the time they are 6 – 7 years old). Early treatment may prevent the need for braces and other procedures later in life.
Are you getting the most out of your child’s dental coverage? Your efforts to do so can set your little one up for a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Meet the Practice
Under the leadership of Drs. Justin Chan and Sage Yoo, our team provides a range of services for kids and teens. We welcome insurance, and we are in-network with several popular PPO plans. If you are curious about how you can use your family’s benefits in our practice, contact Sprout Dentistry for Kids of McKinney at 469-301-3212.