Around age 7 your dentist may suggest your child visit an orthodontist to assess future needs. If your child is likely to need braces, you may want a plan that partially pays for major dental work and orthodontics.
All Rights Reserved. Privacy Statement Terms of Use. My member dashboard Edit your profile Change your password My dentist dashboard Edit your profile Change your password Sign out. Home Protect my smile Corporate dental benefits Dental insurance A guide to dental insurance for infants and children. A guide to dental insurance for infants and children. A guide to dental insurance for infants and children When a child is born, getting medical coverage is a priority.
When and why to get coverage Babies usually start getting teeth around 6 months of age and cavities can develop as quickly as teeth appear, 1 so consider getting dental insurance as early as possible. Dental insurance can help make dental care affordable for adults, but is it a good option for children?
Generally, employer-based dental insurance will cover either the employee, the employee and a spouse, or an employee, spouse and children. Changing coverage options can typically be done either during the annual enrollment period or after a major life event such as marriage or the birth of a child.
Dental insurance coverage can vary significantly. Some policies provide no coverage for children. Others do but require the child to be signed up at birth.
Still, others let you enroll your child at any age. But even if your dental insurance covers your child, do you want to enroll him or her in your plan? Dental insurance can help reduce dental costs. Coverage levels vary based on the type of procedure performed. As they get more teeth, and then their permanent teeth, their dental costs can start to add up. Assuming, of course, that the policy will cover sealants or orthodontia. Ask the dental practice for the estimated cost of various treatments to see how a typical year of expenses will compare to an insurance premium.
A big difference in dollar amounts will make the decision to add your child to dental insurance, or not, an easy one. Parents should also read policy details carefully to know what services are and are not covered. It is important to check whether their chosen dentist accepts their insurance plan. Many parents of young children opt for a pediatric dentist who specializes in the treatment of small children. How old a baby is relative to enrollment timeframes for a dental insurance policy may determine whether to add the child or wait a year.
A baby born in the fall would not need coverage for the current year. They might even be able to skip coverage for the following year if they have a birthday late in the year. Even if they are ready for their first dentist visit in November or December, the cost of the visit will probably be less than insurance premiums for the whole year.
Once the child has passed their first birthday, parents may want to revisit the issue. As regular dental visits and potential problems are more common, dental insurance might make more sense. If you need to find a dentist for your child, we have an online tool that makes it easy. Several factors should go into choosing one who is right for your child. Most importantly, your child should feel comfortable, whether you choose a pediatric dentist or a family dentist with experience treating kids.
Dental visits can be a positive experience, without anxiety or fear. Next, ask your dentist about costs and insurance.
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