The end of the year sneaks up fast in Mount Pleasant. Between football playoffs, Thanksgiving with family and getting ready for Christmas, a dental visit is easy to push to January. But if you have dental insurance, December can be one of the best months to get care on the books.
Why the end of the year matters
Many dental plans run on a calendar year. That usually means two things reset on January 1: your yearly maximum (the most your plan will pay in a year) and your deductible (what you pay before some coverage kicks in). If you have already met your deductible this year, or you still have benefits left, using them before the reset can lower what you pay out of pocket.
Not every plan works the same way. Some run on a different benefit year, and coverage for each type of treatment varies. The best first step is to check your plan or give us a call. We accept most major dental insurance, help file your claims, and can look at your benefits before your visit.
A simple year-end checklist
- Book your cleaning and checkup. Many plans cover preventive visits, and if you are due for your second visit of the year, now is the time.
- Finish treatment you put off. If your dentist recommended a filling, crown or other work earlier this year, ask whether it makes sense to schedule it before the new year.
- Look at your flexible spending account. Some FSAs have a use-it-or-lose-it deadline. Check with your employer so those dollars do not go to waste.
- Schedule the kids. Christmas break is a handy time for checkups and sealants, since nobody has to miss school.
- Ask about a plan for next year. If you need more work than this year's benefits will cover, we can help you split treatment across two benefit years.
Book early, because December fills up
A lot of people in East Texas have the same idea in the last few weeks of the year, so open times can get scarce around the holidays. Calling in November gives you more choices for days and times, and it leaves room to finish any follow-up visits before the year ends.
If you are a new patient, bring your insurance card and a list of any medicines you take. That helps us check your coverage and get you seen without extra back and forth.
What if you do not have insurance?
You do not need insurance to get care that keeps your family healthy. Our team will explain costs before any treatment starts, and payment plans with Cherry financing are available. A checkup and cleaning now can also catch small problems before they turn into bigger, more costly ones.
Care for the whole family in one place
From a toddler's first visit to grandparents' crowns and dentures, our family dentistry team handles checkups, cleanings, fillings, sealants and gum care for every age. Families from Mount Pleasant, Pittsburg, Mount Vernon and nearby towns can often line up visits back to back so everyone is taken care of in one trip.
Holiday treats are part of the season, too. Pecan pie, candy canes and sweet tea are all fine in moderation. Drinking water after sweets, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day go a long way until your next visit.
Ready to make the most of this year?
Give us a call at 903-572-4141 and we will check your benefits and find a time that works, or request an appointment online. Pleasant Smiles Dental is at 204 W 19th St in Mount Pleasant, and new patients are always welcome.
