{"id":465,"date":"2020-11-03T11:58:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T11:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.randolphdental.com\/blog\/?p=465"},"modified":"2020-12-03T11:58:43","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T11:58:43","slug":"why-dental-insurance-is-different-from-medical-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.randolphdental.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/why-dental-insurance-is-different-from-medical-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Dental Insurance Is Different from Medical Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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After starting a new job a few months ago, you were finally able to register for their insurance benefits program. You were so excited to start saving money on healthcare that you almost didn\u2019t notice something a little unusual: your dental insurance<\/a> is completely separate from your general medical insurance. Why is that? Since your mouth is a part of your body, then shouldn\u2019t it be covered under medical insurance? Continue reading to find out why dental insurance differs, and how you can make the most of your benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Medical vs. Dental Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creating a whole separate insurance plan just for treating the teeth and gums might seem arbitrary at first, but there\u2019s a good reason for it. In general, dental insurance is pro<\/em>active, while medical insurance is re<\/em>active. Medical insurance is designed to be used after a health problem has developed, and dental insurance focuses mainly on preventing these issues in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this has to do with the anatomy of your teeth. The outer layer of your teeth, called enamel, is the strongest substance in the human body, but it\u2019s technically inorganic. Essentially, this means that once enamel has been damaged or lost, it cannot grow back. Because of this, it\u2019s easier, smarter, and more cost-effective to avoid oral health issues than it is to treat them. That\u2019s why your dental insurance primarily covers the cost of preventive care, like checkups and cleanings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Maximizing Your Dental Insurance Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease, oral cancer, cavities, and other oral health problems often don\u2019t come with noticeable symptoms until they\u2019ve some serious damage. By that point, you might require invasive treatment that is less likely to be covered by insurance. If you get two checkups a year, though, your dentist can detect these issues early enough that treatment is still simple and inexpensive. In addition to netting you long-term savings, routine dental visits can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n