If you experience anxiety at the dentist, you’re not alone. Many dentists and hygienists understand that patients may fear going to the dentist, but they are here to help.

Below is a letter from Brooke Bodart, certified dental hygienist, to patients who experience anxiety at the dentist.

Dear anxious patient,

First things first, please don’t be afraid to come and see me! As a dental hygienist, my number one concern is making sure you are healthy and well taken care of. If you are really fearful and anxious about coming in, please share those feelings with me. If it helps, write them out and we can talk through them. That way, we can be sure to cover everything and help make you feel more comfortable. Please also know that it is not my intention to ever hurt you, but it is also not within my control sometimes. If you have an unhealthy mouth, I am trying my very best to get it clean for you, which may sometimes be uncomfortable.

I will also need to talk to you about how you care for your teeth at home, so please be honest with me and I will try not to make you feel bad. But remember – it’s a team effort! I can only do so much to keep your mouth healthy, so you must also do your part at home.

I love being a hygienist and without you in my chair, I can’t do the job that I love. So please, come by and see me. If it’s been a long time since you last visited, please be prepared to come see me more often. These appointments are necessary to get your oral health back, so let’s work on it together. I also have a lot of great ideas and ways for you to work on oral health at home, so please give me feedback on what does and doesn’t work for you. It’s not going to be easy, but we can find ways to make it more accessible for you to do.

I’m here to help! Please share with me how I can make this the best experience possible.

Thanks,

Brooke Bodart, RDH

To find a dentist in your area to help alleviate your anxiety, CLICK HERE.

When the year is coming to an end, we think of planning for the holidays and what we’re doing to celebrate the new year. Besides thinking of New Year’s resolutions, take time to review the year-end checklist for your dental coverage. Consider what preventive care services you had during your dental plan year and what other dental work you have coming up.

If you haven’t seen your dentist this year, now’s the time to schedule that appointment. The end of the year marks the busiest time for the health care industry, as people are rushing to maximize their benefits.

Before year’s end, follow our top five to-dos to maximize your dental benefits before the new plan year:

1. See how much you have left in your annual maximum. 

Your annual maximum is the total amount of money your dental benefit provider, like Delta Dental, will pay toward your dental care in one plan year. If your dental plan is based on a calendar year (January through December), your annual maximum will refresh each January. If your plan is based on a contract year (starts and ends during a different 12-month period), your annual maximum will refresh after that plan year.

2. Understand if you have met your deducible.

A deductible is a specific dollar amount you pay before your dental insurance provider begins to contribute toward your dental care. For some plans, cleanings and checkups do not count toward your deductible. Sign in to our member portal to determine if you plan includes CheckUp Plus!

If you’ve met your deductible for this year, take advantage of that. By scheduling dental visits after you’ve met your deductible and before your plan year ends, you’ll save money. If you wait until your plan year starts over again, you’ll have to meet that plan year’s deductible all over again.

3. Put your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) to use.

An FSA is a special account that you may be able to enroll in through your employer. It allows you to save a portion of pre-tax income to help pay for certain medical and dental costs. Usually an employee must forfeit any unused funds at the end of the year, many are scrambling during the last few weeks to spend money still in the account.

Access your online portals for your insurance provider(s) and your FSA administrator to accurately review your spending year-to-date. As you determine what you have left to spend in your FSA account, you can also get an estimate for next year’s enrollment. Click to learn more about dental care and flexible spending accounts.

4. Consider how preventive dental care is covered.

Dental plans are designed to focus on preventive care, and many plans completely cover regular exams and cleanings. Take advantage of this coverage, as preventive care can benefit your oral and overall health and save you money in the long run.

5. Coordinate your dental care.

Are you up to date on your dental care? If so, pat yourself on the back. Maintaining oral health and having dental benefits is proven to save money. If your dentist has recommended more extensive dental treatment, consider the length of that process and if treatment will continue into the next plan year. A new plan year will see your annual maximum and your deductible reset, so take both into consideration when planning dental treatment.

Looking for next steps? Sign into your online dental plan account and get planning!

*Updated 2019