WHAT THE FL*SS!? Your Policy, Your Power: Make Informed Choices About Your Oral Health
WHAT THE FL*SS!? Your Policy, Your Power: Make Informed Choices About Your Oral Health
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Keeping your chops in tip-top shape can also help save you $$$ down the road.
If you call your insurance provider and ask, "How many cleanings do I get per year?" you will likely be misinformed because a "cleaning" isn't actually a term they use.
Here are two simple questions to help you understand your coverage for dental cleanings:
- How many units of scaling do I get per year?
- How many units of polishing do I get per year?
I know what you’re thinking: WHAT THE FL*SS does that even mean?
🦷Scaling (tartar removal, aka scraping) and polishing (stain removal, aka gritty polish or air polishing) are billed in units of time: 1 unit = 15 minutes.
🦷A typical adult visit usually takes between 30-45 minutes of scaling (2-3 units of time) and 0.5-1 unit of polishing.
🦷So, if your plan covers 12 units of scaling, you likely have enough for 3-4 visits a year, depending on your needs.
🦷Generally, polishing is limited to a yearly or semi-annual occurrence, but scaling units are yours to use whenever you’d like (P.S. stains can be removed with scaling!).
🦷It may also be helpful to know if you're covered for fluoride treatments, desensitizing treatments, and X-rays (which aren’t measured in units of time). This information is likely in your booklet or app, but units of scaling/polishing may not be!
How often should you visit a dental hygienist?
You could likely benefit from 3-4 visits in a 12-month period if you:
🦷 Have a history of heart disease, diabetes, or another chronic health condition
🦷 Have a history of periodontal disease
🦷 Experience bleeding during brushing/flossing
🦷 Struggle to build a flossing habit
🦷 Long for that squeaky-clean feeling or the confidence that comes with knowing your oral health is in check (aka because you just want to!)
Your next appointment…
Equipping yourself with the right info and understanding your policy can help you have more informed conversations about your oral health care!
Just a heads up: there’s a chance your recommended treatment may exceed your coverage for dental cleanings. Your dental hygienist can help you understand your needs, risk factors for dental disease, and guide you toward a daily dental hygiene routine that works for you.
About the Author
Nicole Kielly is a dental hygienist and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the dental field. She is the owner of The Dental Hygiene Studio in Logy Bay, a dental hygiene clinic with spa-like vibes and no dentists on-site. Nicole offers free oral health presentations for workplaces and schools and is the incoming president of the NLDHA. She also helps 22 dental hygiene clinics across Canada connect with their communities and stand out in person and online through her marketing company, Word of Mouth Marketing.
-Nicole Kielly, Registered Dental Hygienist, Social Media Manager, Clinic Owner
We LOVE helping our patients maximize their benefits while improving and maintaining their oral health!
Let’s chat: (709) 330-4867
Let’s chat: (709) 330-4867
