How Often Should You See a Dental Professional?
How frequently should you book an appointment to see your dentist and hygienist? The usual recommendation is to see a dental professional twice a year for an exam and cleaning. Scheduling your visits every six months means that your dental team is more likely to detect any issues before they become bigger concerns. If you have a history of cavities or gum and bone disease, your dental professional might recommend coming in for a visit more frequently.
Every person’s dental health and history is unique. Your dental professional will work with you to set up a schedule of checkups and cleanings that best meets your needs and keeps your mouth as healthy as possible. If you think it’s time for your next dental checkup, get in touch with our office today to make an appointment.
If you were to ask a group of nearly 15,000 adults why they didn’t go to the dentist during the past 12 months, most would say that they stayed out of the dentist’s chair because of the cost of treatment, according to a study published in Health Affairs. Dental treatments, such as exams, root canals, crowns, dental implants, bridges, and dentures, can be pricey.
Fortunately, you don’t always have to pay the full cost of dental care up front. Several programs exist which can either reduce your out-of-pocket costs or help you spread the costs out over time.
In St. Petersburg, FL. Klement Family Dental offers patients a range of payment options. We hope to make paying for dental care as worry-free and convenient for our patients as possible. Learn more about how you can cover the cost of a dental cleaning, composite fillings or other dental work.
Dental Insurance
Just as medical insurance covers the cost of certain medical treatments, dental insurance helps cover the cost of certain dental treatments. In exchange for insurance coverage, you pay a premium each month. Some plans also have a deductible, or amount you need to pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in. It’s also common for plans to have an annual coverage limit, meaning you’ll have to pay out of pocket once your dental costs reach a certain amount.
Dental insurance is usually separate from health insurance, although some plans bundle the two together. The good news about dental insurance is that the number of people who have coverage is on in the rise. In 2016, more than 250 million Americans, or about 77 percent of the population, had either private or publicly funded dental insurance, according to the National Association of Dental Plans.
Not every dental office accepts every type of dental insurance plan. If you have dental insurance and are hoping to use it to help pay for the cost of a composite filling or other dental treatment in St. Petersburg, FL, we recommend calling our office to first to ask for a complimentary benefits check. If you’re in the market for insurance, you can also give us a call to find out if your policy allows you to choose your own dentist and come to our office or if you have a plan which restricts the provider you can go to.
Dental Savings Plan
While dental insurance has its advantages, it might not be the best option for every patient. The monthly premium payments might be too expensive, or the coverage provided by the insurance plan might be very limited or you may be very restricted as to which dentist you can go to.
To help make dental treatments more affordable for patients, some dental practices offer a dental savings plan. If you decide to participate in a dental savings plan, you pay an annual fee to become a member of the plan.
Usually, your annual fee gives you access to free preventative dental care. All other dental treatments are significantly discounted. One advantage of a the Klement Family Dental savings plan over dental insurance is that it includes cosmetic dental work as well as general dental treatments. Most insurance plans won’t cover cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening or veneers, implants and some crowns.
Payment Plans and Financing
The idea of having to pay for dental work in one lump sum often keeps people from calling and scheduling an appointment for the treatments they need. Even with a discount plan or insurance, the cost of treatment might still be more than you can afford to pay for all at once.
To help make the cost of treatment in St. Petersburg, FL, more manageable for patients, Klement Family Dental offers several financing and extended payment plans. We’re happy to work with you to create a payment plan that works with your budget. Some of the options include interest-free payment plans and extended payment plans through Care Credit and Lending Club.
Credit Cards
Depending on the interest rate or rewards program offered on your credit card, it might make better financial sense to pay for your dental treatment using an existing card rather than creating a new, separate payment plan. Our practice accepts all major credit cards.
Cost of treatment can be a significant obstacle when it comes to getting the dental care you need. At Klement Family Dental, we’re committed to providing a customized and accommodating experience to all of our patients. If you have any concerns about payment, want to learn more about putting together a payment plan, or you’re thinking about signing up for a dental savings plan, contact our office today.
