Although you may think you will never need to schedule an emergency dental visit for your child, it can be helpful to know whom you can call should an accident happen. Mouth-related injuries come in all shapes and sizes, and many require professional treatment to fix (i.e., knocked-out tooth, broken or cracked tooth, etc.), but when an incident occurs, do you know if your dental insurance plan will be there to help? Keep reading to discover how much you might be able to save if your child needs professional care for a sudden injury.
Are Dental Emergencies Covered by Insurance Companies?
It depends. If your child is part of your dental insurance plan, it’s possible one emergency exam will be covered by your insurer; however, this is not always the case. This is why it’s important that you review your policy beforehand.
It’s possible that you will be responsible for a co-pay or deductible, so make sure you are prepared to cover the cost of these fees.
The bulk of your cost, however, will come from the restorative care your child needs. Based on the examination provided by their pediatric dentist, the type of treatment they’ll require will determine how much you can expect to pay out of pocket.
What Kinds of Services Are Covered by Dental Insurance?
When it comes to emergency services, your child will likely fall under the same type of price breakdown, which is 100-80-50.
While preventive care is usually covered at 100%, minor and major restorative services are covered at 50-80% of the total cost. This means that if your child needs a dental filling, dental crown, pulp treatment, or other complex forms of similar care.
Whatever your dental insurance does not pay, you’ll be required to pay out of pocket. These costs can still be too high for some families, which is why it’s beneficial to ask about alternative payment options.
What Are the Potential Problems if You Ignore Your Child’s Dental Damage?
Although it can be nerve-wracking when discovering that your child’s teeth, gums, jaw, or face have sustained injuries, you may also be just as bothered by the idea of having to pay for treatment. Instead of assuming everything will be okay and will grow back together normally, it’s best to get your child scheduled for a dental appointment so they can get the care they need.
Avoiding treatment will only heighten the chances of serious dental issues, such as cavities, gum disease, additional damage, tooth loss, and more.
If you are unsure about the kind of coverage your child receives as part of your dental insurance plan, don’t hesitate to reach out to a team member at their pediatric dental office for help.
About the Author
Dr. Sheh Vahid is a board-certified pediatric dentist who comes from a long line of healthcare professionals. She completed her dental degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and the University of Rochester Eastman Dental Center. As the owner of Woodland Pediatric Dentistry, she follows a clear vision when it comes to delivering pediatric dental care. If a child sustains a dental injury, our team can identify the most effective ways to save money while using your dental insurance and/or alternative methods of treatment. Visit our website or call us to learn more about how we can help your child enjoy life with a damage-free smile.