The holidays mean many things. Family gatherings, traffic, Christmas music (whether you like it or not), and something you might not have thought about: unused dental benefits. You’ve spent the entire year paying your premiums every month. Your insurance company has already collected that money and is hoping you forget to use your benefits to the fullest. Those unused benefits don’t carry over! When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, whether you’re at home in bed or out having a good time, your remaining coverage resets. So let’s talk about how to plan so that you keep more of your money in your pocket where it belongs.
Your next steps:
- Check your remaining insurance maximum
- Review your deductible status and see whether you’ve met it
- Ask your dentist about any treatments you’ve been postponing
- Make an appointment now, as slots fill up quickly in December
- Call Shiflett Family Dental at (614) 972-1368 to schedule an appointment
- Ask our front desk team for a benefits check, and we’ll verify your coverage status
Understanding Your Dental Insurance Timeline
Most dental insurance plans operate on the principle of an annual maximum. Every January 1st, your benefits reset. Whatever coverage you don’t use over the previous year is gone. It doesn’t transfer.
Your dental plan’s maximum represents the total amount that your insurance will pay towards your dental care. Once you hit that cap, you pay out of pocket for any further treatment. Your deductible also resets at the beginning of the year. Let’s say you meet your deductible on December 1st. That means your insurance pays for your treatment entirely until you hit your maximum. But once the New Year rolls around, you have to start over until you meet your deductible again.
Getting treatment in December means you're more likely to have met your deductible and less likely to pay out of pocket. If you wait until January, you’ll be starting over and are more likely to pay for everything out of pocket. The math is clear and shows you what the right move is: schedule a dental appointment before your benefits reset on January 1st.
Taking Action on Your End-of-Year Dental Benefits
Let’s say that you are now convinced that it’s in your wallet’s best interest to get your needed dental work done before January 1st. Where should you start? Start by calling your dentist in Clintonville to schedule a comprehensive exam. Dr. Shiflett and the team at Shiflett Family Dental will assess your oral health and identify any treatment needs you may have. We’ll work directly with your insurance company to verify your remaining benefits and help you understand what your coverage looks like.
You should prioritize the treatments that most impact your oral health first. For example, if you have a cavity, it’s not going to improve without intervention. If you have damaged teeth, they need attention immediately. So schedule urgent or recommended treatments before the end of the year to get the most out of your 2025 benefits. If you need more treatment than is covered by your maximum, you can start the treatment in December and complete it in January, spreading the cost across two benefit years.
Why Acting Now Protects Your Smile and Wallet
Postponing dental treatment almost always leads to more expensive and complex procedures down the road. A small cavity filling is much cheaper than a root canal and crown. Treating gum disease early prevents tooth loss and more complex restorative work.
Your end-of-the-year dental benefits represent something you’ve already paid for through monthly premiums. You’re simply claiming what you’re owed. Contact Shiflett Family Dental at (614) 972-1368 to schedule your appointment. Our Clintonville team will help you understand your remaining benefits and create a treatment plan that works for your smile and budget. Don’t leave money on the table this year.