Key takeaways on how to organize dental insurance:

• Organizing your dental insurance is important because it sets you up for great oral health throughout the year.
• Staying organized helps you make the most of your benefits and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
• Making a checklist, finding an in-network dentist, understanding your coverage, and writing down your appointments are simple ways to organize your dental insurance at the end of each year.

Taking the time to organize dental insurance may not be the most fun activity; however, it’s important to take advantage of your coverage. The end of the year is an especially great time to get organized, since it allows you to wrap up this year’s benefits and get ahead for next year.

As this year of dental coverage wraps up, now’s the perfect time to get a head start on your benefits game plan for next year. Take just 10 minutes to organize your dental insurance and set yourself up for great oral health all year long.

How to organize dental insurance 

The hardest part about organizing anything is getting started. We’ve laid out simple steps that make it easy to get your dental insurance organized.

Make a checklist

Start with the basics. Make a list of preventive services you need. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends you visit the dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup; however, the number may change based on your personal needs.

If you know you’ll need additional dental work, like fillings or crowns, pencil those procedures in too. If you have pain, that’s a pretty good indicator that you’ll need more than just preventive treatment.

Find a dentist

The next step to organize dental insurance is to find a dentist who accepts your Delta Dental of Wisconsin benefits plan.

The Find a Provider tool on our website can help you find a dentist that meets your specific needs, such as a convenient location near your work or your child’s school, having evening and weekend hours, or specializing in treating kids.

Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors for recommendations of good dentists near you. You can also search for online ratings and reviews to help you decide.

Study your coverage

Once you know what procedures you may need and have a dentist in mind, it’s time to familiarize yourself with your dental insurance plan.

Take some time to understand the details of your plan, including your deductible, annual maximum, copayments, and more. Review your benefits contract so you know what’s covered!

Questions? Be sure to reach out to our customer service team to have them answered.

Construct a timeline

Planning at the end of the year helps you look ahead to what care you’ll need in the upcoming one. You will have a better idea of additional services or treatments needed after your first dental appointment of the year. Write down any procedures that must be done this year. If you have treatments that may be expensive, consider spreading them out accordingly to accommodate your budget and plan coverage, if you’re able.

Note: Always listen to the advice of your dentist when it comes to timelines for procedures.

Write it down

A lot can happen in a year! The best way to organize dental insurance is to keep track of upcoming appointments in a calendar or on your smart device. It’s also a good idea to keep track of any insurance victories or speed bumps. This will keep your mind fresh if you want to adjust your plan come next open enrollment season later in the year.

Organize dental insurance to get the most out of your coverage

Organizing your dental insurance may not seem like a typical life hack, but it can help you avoid unnecessary stress and make the most of your benefits. And if you’re heading into the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to take a look at your coverage and start the new year feeling confident and prepared.

A little planning goes a long way toward ensuring a healthy smile and minimizing out-of-pocket costs. Follow these steps to stay on top of your dental insurance and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-organized plan!

Key takeaways about what you should know about your first dental insurance plan:

• Your first dental insurance plan helps you build lifelong habits, maintain oral health, and prevent serious issues before they start.
• From fully covered preventive care to reduced costs for common procedures, dental insurance helps you manage expenses and avoid financial surprises.
• Not all treatments are covered, and not all dentists accept every plan. Knowing the details helps you make the most of your benefits.

Part of adulthood is accepting responsibility for making important decisions about your health, and deciding to enroll in a dental insurance plan is a vital step in taking care of your oral health.

Once you’ve chosen and enrolled in your first dental insurance plan, it’s time to make a timeline to ensure that you are on the right path to take full advantage of your benefits.

Why your first dental insurance plan matters

The opening step in embracing your first dental insurance plan is to recognize its value. Dental insurance plays a key role in maintaining oral health and supporting overall well-being. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• People with dental insurance are more likely to receive regular oral health care.
• Preventive dental visits can help with the detection of oral health diseases, injuries, and nutrition-related problems early.
• Poor oral health is associated with a range of other health issues.

So, even if you have great oral health now, using your first dental insurance plan to maintain regular dental checkups will help prevent any serious problems from happening in the future.

Your first dental insurance plan helps save you money

The best way to get the full value out of your first dental insurance plan is to take advantage of all of its benefits. Dental insurance helps you save money by covering preventive care, such as cleanings, exams, and X-rays. Most plans cover these services, which are designed to help detect any issues early and potentially prevent costly treatments in the future.

Pro tip: It’s important to note that these benefits cannot be taken advantage of if you don’t go to your dental checkups. Be sure to schedule and go to your appointments!

Your first dental insurance plan will also help reduce the cost of common procedures you may need, such as a filling or extraction. These treatments can cost hundreds of dollars without insurance, which can be a strain on your wallet. Dental insurance typically covers between 50- 80% of the cost, depending on your plan.

Because dental plans help limit out-of-pocket expenses, they also make budgeting easier. By becoming familiar with your deductibles, copays, and annual maximums, you can better predict and manage your dental spending.

Your first dental insurance plan doesn’t cover everything

A common misconception about dental insurance is that it will fully or partially cover all dental treatments. Like health insurance, most dental plans don’t cover procedures that are considered cosmetic or not medically necessary.

Pro tip: It’s a good idea to review your first dental insurance plan’s coverage carefully because some plans may offer partial coverage for cosmetic procedures.

Procedures that may not be covered by your first dental insurance plan include:

• Cosmetic procedures
  • Treatments like teeth whitening and veneers are usually excluded. These are considered elective and not medically necessary, so insurers don’t include them in standard coverage.
• Adult orthodontics
  • Braces and other orthodontic treatments are often not fully covered for adults, or may be only partially covered for children. These are seen as corrective rather than essential, and coverage varies widely by plan.
• Dental implants
  • Implants are frequently classified as cosmetic or elective, even though they serve a functional purpose. Some plans may cover parts of the procedure (like the post or abutment), but not the full cost.

If you have questions about coverage, it’s a good idea to reach out to your dental insurance company’s customer experience team before starting a treatment. They can help you fully understand any additional costs that you can expect.

Not every dentist will accept your first dental insurance plan

Another common misconception people have with their first dental insurance plan is that all dentists accept all insurance providers. In reality, acceptance varies, and not every dentist is in-network. If you have a dentist you prefer to see, be sure to confirm whether they accept your dental insurance before you enroll in it.

You will feel more confident when you have your first dental insurance plan

Having dental insurance can make you feel more confident in both your health and finances. It gives you access to regular cleanings and checkups, helping you maintain a healthy, bright smile you’re proud to show. It also reduces the stress of unexpected dental costs, giving you peace of mind that you’re covered if something goes wrong.

You will never regret investing in your first dental insurance plan

Your first dental insurance plan isn’t just a policy; it’s a commitment to your health, confidence, and future. Whether it’s catching issues early, budgeting for treatments, or simply building healthy habits, your first dental insurance plan lays the foundation for long-term wellness. It’s a decision you’ll be glad you made now and for years to come.

A shocking 72 million adults in the United States don’t have dental insurance, according to a recent survey conducted by CareQuest Institute. With roughly half of Americans receiving dental benefits from their employers, that leaves a growing segment of non-traditional freelance, contract, and self-employed workers to search for their own coverage.