Most PPO dental plans reset on January 1. Unused cleanings and your remaining annual maximum don't roll over, so whatever you don't use by December 31 is usually gone. Shine Dental in Fremont can check what you have left and help you use it before year-end.
39055 Hastings Street, Suite 203, Fremont, CA 94538 · Open Saturdays · 510-588-7850 · Book online
What you could be leaving on the table
- Your second cleaning and exam. Many plans include two a year, often covered at or near 100%.
- Your annual maximum. The amount your plan will pay this year. It resets to the same amount; it doesn't grow.
- Your deductible. If you've already met it this year, treatment now may cost you less than the same treatment in January.
- FSA dollars. Many flexible spending accounts are use-it-or-lose-it by year-end (check your plan's deadline and any grace period). FSA and HSA funds can pay for dental care.
How to use your benefits before December 31
- Call us with your plan and member ID. We'll look up your remaining maximum, deductible status and what's covered.
- Book your cleaning and exam. Late November and December fill up fast, and Saturday slots go first.
- Finish treatment you've been putting off. A filling or crown your dentist recommended earlier may be covered now.
- Plan larger treatment across two years. Starting in December and finishing in January can let you use two annual maximums.
PPO plans we accept
Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Guardian, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California, and most other PPO plans. See PPO dentist in Fremont.
Frequently asked questions
Does dental insurance reset at the beginning of the year?
Most plans run on the calendar year and reset January 1. Some follow a different plan year, so we'll confirm yours.
Do unused dental benefits roll over?
Usually not. A few plans have rollover features, but most annual maximums simply reset.
Can I use my dental insurance right away?
Preventive care is usually covered immediately. Some plans have waiting periods of several months before covering basic or major treatment. We'll check yours.
Why do some plans make you wait 6 months?
Waiting periods keep people from enrolling only when they need expensive work. They're most common on individual plans; many employer plans have none.
Are you open on Saturdays?
Yes, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
