Write a Review
Most dental insurance plans are designed to encourage policyholders to seek preventive care that can make costly restorative work unnecessary, which helps keep rates low for everyone. However, accidents happen, and most plans also incorporate some coverage for dental emergencies. Here’s a quick look at how insurance plans typically work with emergency dental care.
Do Dental Insurance Policies Cover Dental Emergencies?
Dental insurance plans typically offer coverage for dental emergencies that works something like this:
- Up to 100% coverage for one emergency dental visit every year.
- About 80% coverage for minor restorative work like fillings and gum disease treatment.
- About 50% coverage for major restorative work like bridges and dentures.
One patient’s out-of-pocket expenses may differ significantly from that of another with a similar dental emergency depending on the terms of their plans. While one annual emergency appointment will probably be covered, a patient who needs to have an oral infection resolved may receive a greater percentage of coverage than one who needs to have teeth replaced.
What Will Happen During My Emergency Dental Appointment?
It’s best to contact your dentist’s office before you leave for your emergency appointment so you can explain your problem and let them know you are on your way. When you arrive, the staff will check you in and probably ask for your insurance information. When you see the dentist, they will perform a limited exam of your mouth based on your complaints, identify the problem, and determine the best way to resolve it. The staff will be happy to help you understand what kind of insurance coverage you can expect for your treatment before you commit to it.
In some cases, a dentist can address a dental emergency during the same appointment. If a patient needs a separate appointment for treatment, the dentist will schedule it and probably prescribe pain medication to help them stay comfortable until then.
Untreated and persistent dental pain can often lead to serious oral health issues that can be quite costly to resolve. Seeing an emergency dentist promptly when necessary is the best way to preserve your comfort as well as the structure and beauty of your smile.
About the Author
Dr. E. Charles Beliveau earned his dental degree at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and is a proud member of the American Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Society. His office in North Andover offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, dial (978) 687-5900. To learn more about the insurance coverage you can expect during your next appointment, contact the staff with your policy information.