Each year, thousands of dollars in end-of-year dental benefits go unused, whether due to busy schedules or simply because patients forget to book their preventive or restorative visits in time.
As 2025 winds down, chances are your calendar is filling up. Before it gets too packed, it’s important to consider safeguarding your dental health while maximizing your dental benefits. At Lucio H. Kim, DDS, Dr. Kim and our caring team want to help you understand and take full advantage of the coverage you’ve already paid for. Here’s how using your benefits before they expire can protect your smile, your health, and your wallet.
Your Dental Benefits Don’t Roll Over
Many patients don’t realize that dental insurance works on a “use it or lose it” system. Once the year ends, any unused benefits, often worth hundreds of dollars in coverage, simply disappear.
“Use It or Lose It”
Most dental insurance plans operate on a calendar-year basis. That means your annual coverage for cleanings, exams, and restorative care resets on January 1. Insurance providers don’t roll over remaining funds, so any unused benefits simply disappear when the year ends. Scheduling care before December 31 ensures you actually use what you’re paying for.
Annual Maximums and Deductibles
Your plan’s annual maximum (usually between $1,000 and $2,000) is the total your insurance will pay in one year. Once the year closes, that limit resets, along with your deductible, the amount you pay before coverage begins. If you’ve already met your deductible for 2025, now’s the perfect time to schedule procedures like fillings, crowns, or deep cleanings at minimal out-of-pocket cost.
Preventive Visits: The Easiest Way to Save
Regular cleanings and exams aren’t just good for your health; they’re the smartest way to stretch your benefits. Most plans cover these visits at 100%, meaning no out-of-pocket cost for essential preventive care.
100% Coverage for Routine Care
Most dental insurance plans cover routine exams, cleanings, and x-rays at 100%. This means no copay, no deductible, and no financial surprises. These vital routine visits are the simplest and most effective way to use your end-of-year dental benefits while keeping your teeth healthy and bright.
Prevention Beats Restoration
Routine care doesn’t just save money today, it prevents costly problems tomorrow. Cavities, gum disease, and cracked fillings can progress quickly, turning small issues into major problems if left unchecked. Using your remaining benefits for preventive visits now can help you avoid those big bills and time-consuming treatments later.
Timing Matters: Why the End of the Year Is Key
The final months of the year are often the best time to schedule treatment. These visits don’t just help you avoid benefit expiration, but will also minimize your out-of-pocket expense if you’ve already met your deductible.
Beat the Holiday Rush
November and December are among the busiest months for dental offices, as many patients rush to use their remaining benefits before they expire. Booking early at Lucio H. Kim, DDS, means you’ll have more flexibility to fit appointments into your schedule and less stress as the holidays come around.
Combine Care for Maximum Value
If you’ve already had your routine checkup, you can still use your benefits for additional care your dentist has recommended. This could include fillings, crowns, or periodontal maintenance, all of which are covered to varying degrees by most plans. Combining multiple treatments in one year can help you make the most of your coverage and minimize next year’s costs.
Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
If you use a healthcare savings account to cover dental costs, now’s the time to check your balance. Many accounts expire or reset at the start of the new year, so scheduling eligible care before December 31 ensures you don’t leave money behind.
If you contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), now’s the time to check your balance. These funds can often be used for dental expenses, from preventive cleanings to restorative care and even whitening (depending on your plan). Most FSAs don’t roll over either, so using them before December 31 ensures you don’t lose a dime.
Smart Spending, Healthy Smiles
Using FSA or HSA funds toward your oral care is a smart investment in both your smile and your overall health. Oral health is directly linked to heart health, diabetes control, and even immunity, so prioritizing your dental care before year-end is good for more than just your teeth.
Treatments to Consider Before Year-End
From fillings and crowns to whitening or night guards, many dental services can be completed before your benefits reset. Tackling needed care now can prevent more costly and time-consuming procedures down the line.
Restorative and Cosmetic Options
If you’ve been delaying a crown, bridge, or filling, this is the perfect time to complete treatment while your benefits still apply. Even cosmetic improvements like whitening or veneers can often be paired with medically necessary work to maximize your coverage.
Periodontal Maintenance and Deep Cleaning
For patients with gum disease or early inflammation, deep cleanings (scaling and root planing) are crucial to prevent progression. These procedures are typically covered partially by insurance. Completing them now can reset your oral health before the new year begins.
How Lucio H. Kim, DDS, Helps You Maximize Benefits
Our Glendale dental team makes it easy to take full advantage of your remaining coverage. From reviewing your insurance details to prioritizing treatment, we’ll help you finish the year with a healthy, confident smile. Here’s How!
Personalized Treatment Planning
At Lucio H. Kim, DDS, we take a proactive approach to planning care that aligns with your insurance cycle. Our experienced team reviews your benefits, outlines what’s covered, and prioritizes the most cost-effective treatments before your plan resets.
Insurance Coordination Made Easy
Navigating insurance paperwork can be confusing and frustrating. To help out, our team handles the details so you don’t have to! We’ll confirm your remaining benefits, estimate out-of-pocket costs, and help schedule appointments that make the most of your remaining coverage.
Book Early, Smile Brighter
Time is running out to maximize your end-of-year dental benefits before they expire. Whether you’re due for a cleaning or ready to complete that long-delayed treatment, Dr. Lucio H. Kim and our skilled Glendale dental team are here to help you finish the year with a healthier, brighter smile.
Gentle, Effective Dental Care in Glendale, CA
If you’re in Glendale, CA, and want to learn more about using your dental benefits before they expire, or simply want to schedule your year-end exam, contact the friendly and helpful Lucio H. Kim, DDS team today to schedule your next visit!