Preventive Services are Usually Covered 100% by Your Dental Plan

Your dental health insurance probably covers most preventive services 100 percent after you meet your deductible, so make sure you get checkups and cleanings twice yearly.

Every dental plan is different, so if you are covered by a private or employer-provided all care dental plan, check your benefits book or call your insurance provider. The terms and definitions in your benefits book can be confusing, so ask questions until you get answers you understand.

Here is an outline of the most commonly covered dental procedures and services, and what those services will give you when you visit your dentist:

Oral examinations: No, this isn�t when you stand in front of an audience and defend your PhD thesis. During an oral examination, your dentist will not only give your mouth a good once-over, she will answer any questions you have and address your concerns.

She will take a complete dental history if you are a new patient, or update her notes if you have been in before. Then, she will look at the surface of each and every tooth, and examine any fillings, crowns or caps you currently have to make sure they are still in good working order. She will also use a pigtail tool to look for calculus deposits.

Cleanings: Most dental insurance plans cover 100 percent of a cleaning once the deductible is met. After a thorough oral examination, your hygienist cleans each tooth both below the gum line and between the teeth. Then, she polishes with toothpaste or a combination of soda and water.

Fluoride treatments: If the patient is under the age of 14, a fluoride treatment is recommended, even if you live in a community with fluoridated water. Check your plan details to make sure this step is covered.

Sealant applications: Sealants are recommended for kids to protect the teeth from decay, plaque and buildup. Most dental health insurance plans recognize the value of sealants for kids� teeth, because it saves a significant amount of money on potential damage repair. Check with your dentist whether she recommends this procedure for your kids.

X-rays: The first time you visit, your dentist will probably recommend a set of x-rays to serve as a baseline reference. If you have x-rays from a previous dentist, bring them with you if they are fairly recent so you can avoid having another x-ray if you don�t need it. Tooth decay and deeper problems that can�t be detected on a visual exam show up on x-rays, so these are necessary part of your treatment plan.

Your dentist will try to maximize your dental health while meeting your goals and expectations with every visit. Always ask questions, and ask for recommendations on how you can improve your dental health between visits.