December has finally arrived and the holiday season is in full swing. Crowds are bustling and you have a lot to get done before the year is over. But amidst the shopping, cooking and traveling, time isn’t the only thing that is limited. Your health insurance renewal date is approaching, which means all your unused benefits for this year will expire soon. Unfortunately, if there is any money left, it does not roll over into the next year.

Most dental insurance plans run on the calendar year, so everything will renew starting January 1st. Take advantage of your benefits by making an appointment to see your local Staten Island dentist at Oakwood Dental. This holiday season, save hundreds of dollars by using your dental benefits before time runs out. This is better than the door buster sales that you camped out for just weeks ago!

Certain dental insurance plans provide a yearly maximum for their clients. The yearly maximum is the most money that your dental insurance plan will pay for services within one full year. The amount varies by insurance company, but the average is around $1,000 per person per year. Take advantage of the amount you have left and do not let it go to waste.

Another payment that renews at the start of the new year is your deductible. This is the amount of money that you must first pay out-of-pocket before your insurance will authorize and pay for any services. The fee also varies from plan to plan. But once the new year starts, you will have to pay the deductible all over again. In addition, you risk having the deductible increasing the next year.

Even if you are not in need of any dental treatment, you should schedule regular dental cleanings to help prevent and detect any early signs of cavities, gum disease, teeth sensitivity, oral cancer and other dental issues. By delaying dental treatment, you are increasing the risk of having to have more extensive and expensive treatments done later on. Do not let a simple cavity turn into an expensive and painful procedure later.

Take advantage of your insurance now. You have already paid for it and it is waiting for you to use. Visit one of the Staten Island dentist offices of Oakwood Dental and use any benefits left before they expire with the end of year!