1. Understand Your Benefit Cycle
Most PPO dental plans follow a calendar-year schedule: deductibles reset January 1, and annual maximums (often $1,200–$1,500) expire December 31. But summer is the perfect midway checkpoint—if you haven’t used your 100 percent preventative coverage or have remaining major–service benefits, now’s the time to act.
2. Check Your Remaining Coverage
- Preventative Perks
• Cleanings, exams, and X-rays are usually covered at 100 percent—use them now to avoid out-of-pocket costs later. - Basic & Major Service Balances
• Most plans cover 80 percent of basic (fillings, simple extractions) and 50 percent of major (crowns, root canals). Log into your insurer’s portal or call customer service to discover your remaining “dental dollars.”
3. Book Preventative Visits—Stat!
A mid-summer cleaning removes plaque and tartar built up from BBQ sauces and sweet treats. Plus, Oceanic Dental’s team will spot tiny issues before they balloon into costly repairs—maximizing your coverage and peace of mind.
4. Plan Summer Smile Makeovers
If you’re eyeing cosmetic or restorative work—think teeth whitening, Invisalign consults, or crowns—lock in your coverage now. Summer weddings, family reunions, and vacation photos are the perfect motivation to use your remaining benefits on treatments often subsidized 50–80 percent by PPO plans.
5. Tap Your FSA/HSA “Smile Fund”
Flexible spending accounts and HSAs let you pay pre-tax for eligible dental services—but unused FSA dollars vanish after year-end in most plans. Consider scheduling procedures now and submitting claims before your employer’s cutoff date.
6. Oceanic Dental Has Your Back
Our Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley offices accept most PPO plans (Aetna, Cigna, Delta PPO/Premier, United HealthCare, and more). We’ll verify your coverage for free, outline your out-of-pocket costs, and help you maximize every cent.
Oceanic Dental – Making Every Smile-Dollar Count.
