The first two months of the new year are nearly behind us, and that means you’ve used up one-sixth of your dental insurance benefits without even thinking about it! If you haven’t scheduled your first appointment of the year yet, now is the perfect time to be proactive about your oral health and maximize what you’re already paying for each month.

Why This Dental Insurance Reminder Matters

Your dental insurance operates on an annual cycle, which means your coverage reset happened on January 1st. Most plans include an annual maximum—typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,000—that represents the total amount your insurance will pay toward your dental care within the year. Here’s the catch: if you don’t use your dental benefits before December 31st, those dollars simply disappear. This “use it or lose it” reality means waiting too long to schedule a dental visit could leave money on the table.

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

Understanding your plan helps you make smarter decisions about when to schedule a dental visit. Most insurance plans work on a tiered system:

Preventive Care (Usually 100% Covered)

  • Two cleanings per year
  • Annual or biannual X-rays
  • Routine dental check-up and exam
  • Fluoride treatment (often for children, sometimes adults)

Basic Procedures (Typically 70-80% Covered After Deductible)

Major Procedures (Usually 50% Covered After Deductible)

Whether you have a PPO or HMO plan matters too. With an in-network dentist like Dr. Mohammad Al-Asadi at Cottage Hill Dental Care, you’ll enjoy lower out-of-pocket costs and simplified claims processing compared to going out-of-network.

How To Maximize Your Dental Insurance This Year

The smartest approach is scheduling early. By booking your cleaning and exam now, you accomplish several things:

First, you lock in your preventive care benefits before your calendar fills up. Second, if Dr. Al-Asadi identifies any issues during your examination, you’ll have the entire year to plan and complete treatment without rushing at year-end. Treatment planning early in the year means spreading procedures across multiple visits and maximizing your annual maximum efficiently.

Don’t forget about waiting periods if you recently changed jobs or insurance plans. Many policies require you to wait several months before covering major procedures, so understanding these timelines helps you plan accordingly.

What Happens If I Don’t Use My Dental Benefits?

Beyond losing unused benefits, skipping regular dental visits often leads to bigger problems down the road. A small cavity caught during a routine check-up might only require a simple filling with minimal copay. Left untreated, that same cavity could evolve into a root canal or crown—procedures that cost significantly more, even with insurance coverage.

Additionally, if you’re contributing to a flexible spending account or HSA, these funds can complement your dental insurance to further reduce your costs. Learn more about financing options that work alongside your benefits.

Take Action Today

You’re already paying for these benefits through your premiums or employer-sponsored plan. Why not use them? Contact Cottage Hill Dental Care at (630) 530-7998 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Mohammad Al-Asadi. Our Elmhurst office makes it easy to verify your coverage and understand your deductible before your visit. Don’t let another month slip away—make 2026 the year you truly use your dental benefits to their fullest potential.