{"id":275,"date":"2026-05-18T14:49:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wolfedental.com\/blog\/?p=275"},"modified":"2026-05-18T14:53:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:53:19","slug":"4-important-facts-about-dental-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wolfedental.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/18\/4-important-facts-about-dental-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Important Things to Remember About Dental Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Whether you\u2019re starting a new job, or just planning ahead for open enrollment, if you\u2019re thinking about purchasing dental insurance<\/a>, it\u2019s safe to say you\u2019re probably interested in how to make the most of your coverage. Here are four important things to keep in mind when picking your new plan, so you can protect your smile and<\/em> your wallet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1.     Dental Insurance is Meant to Be Preventive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike your medical insurance, your dental insurance coverage was designed to prevent problems, not correct them after they\u2019ve occurred. That\u2019s why things like your regular checkups and cleanings and dental X-rays are typically covered at a higher rate. The idea is that by preventing painful and expensive things like cavities and gum disease now, you\u2019ll save both you and your provider money later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although your dental insurance likely still will cover some emergency and restorative care, like fillings and root canals, these are typically paid at a lower percentage (known as coinsurance) meaning you\u2019ll pay more out of pocket for those services if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.     Your Dental Insurance Benefits Won\u2019t Roll Over<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, if you don\u2019t use your dental insurance benefits during the year, they will not roll over into the new year. While most plans run from January 1 to December 31, they may not always follow this schedule, so it is also important to know the dates your coverage is active. However, if you don\u2019t see the dentist during the year and a new year begins, your plan will reset and you\u2019ll lose all the benefits from the previous year. Thus, to make the most of your investment, don\u2019t skip your routine exams and cleanings every six months!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.     Some Dental Insurance Plans May Have a Waiting Period<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you begin a new job, some employers do not offer benefits like dental insurance for the first 30 to 90 days. However, in some cases, your dental insurance may also have a waiting period once your plan becomes available. Typically, you can begin immediately using your coverage for preventive cleanings and exams; however, you may need to wait around three months for it to pay for restorative or emergency care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.     Always Read the Fine Print<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you make the final decision on your dental insurance plan, be sure to familiarize yourself with its coverage. Unfortunately, once you\u2019ve purchased a plan for the year, it may be difficult to cancel or change it. Some key items to look out for include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n