After decades of working hard every day, you’ve decided to retire. As soon as you leave your job, dental insurance benefits funded by your employer stop. But Medicare should have you covered, right? Think again! Without insurance to catch them, many retired seniors feel like they have very few options; however, some offices offer dental membership plans to those who don’t have dental insurance benefits.
If you find yourself in this predicament, you may be wondering whether visiting the dentist is even worth it, what you can and cannot get from Medicare, and what is involved with membership plans. Keep reading to get answers to your questions!
Importance of a Healthy Smile at Any Age
Regardless of how “old” or “young” you are, oral health is essential for your well-being. For seniors specifically, keeping your smile healthy and strong should be a main priority. For instance, losing permanent teeth can be a hard knock to your self-esteem as well as your ability to eat, talk, and otherwise function. In this situation, tooth replacement can help you continue to have a healthy diet and give you confidence again.
In addition, hundreds of studies have found countless connections between gum disease and medical issues throughout the body. Essentially, researchers have found those who have untreated gum disease are much more likely to develop Alzheimer’s, heart disease, poorly managed diabetes, organ failure, and certain kinds of cancers. Needless to say, if you want to live a full and happy retirement, the health of your smile matters!
What Medicare Does and Doesn’t Cover
While Medicare eases the financial burden on retired seniors, it falls short when it comes to dental healthcare. In fact, did you know that Medicare doesn’t include preventive care at all? The main services covers emergency care in the hospital (such as tooth extractions) and sometimes dentures.
For many seniors, the choice comes down to paying for preventive dental care and other services completely out-of-pocket or going without care at all.
What to Expect from a Dental Membership Plan
Fortunately, if you are a senior, you have an affordable option available to you. While a dental membership plan is not insurance, it includes many of the same preventive procedures that insurance covers. For a reasonable annual fee, you receive two dental cleanings and exams, and X-rays. Some even give you fluoride treatments! Most of these plans also come with a discount on all other treatments—even on dental implants and cosmetic procedures.
As you start this new chapter in life, make sure you consider all your options. Through a dental membership plan at your dentist’s office, you can continue to keep your smile strong and hopefully look forward to many more years of adventures and rest to come!
About the Author
At Mind Your Mouth, Dr. Katherine Parét welcomes patients with or without dental insurance. Our team is happy to accept and work with your policy, but we also offer two membership plans, depending on your needs. Unlike insurance, the benefits of your plan are effective as soon as you enroll with no waiting period, claims to file, and pre-approvals. If you have questions about our membership plan or want to enroll, you can request an appointment or call our South Portland office at 207-200-4106.