Do you have a new dental insurance plan for 2026? You may be eager to use it to help your child enjoy a healthy smile. However, there might be some terms of your policy that are not easy to understand. For example, you are likely subject to waiting periods. What exactly are dental insurance waiting periods, how do they work, and how might they affect your child’s dental care? This blog post shares what you should know.
Dental Insurance Waiting Periods: An Overview
Simply put, a dental insurance waiting period is a specific amount of time that you need to hold your policy before you can use certain benefits. For example, many companies enforce a waiting period of 6 months before patients can use their plan to pay for basic restorative services, such as fillings. A 12-month waiting period is often applied to more extensive services, like crowns.
Why Do Dental Insurance Plans Have Waiting Periods?
Waiting periods can feel like a hassle, especially if your child needs dental care right away. However, it is important to understand that dental insurance companies are simply trying to protect themselves. They do not want people to sign up for coverage, get the needed work, and then cancel their policy right away. That could lead to greatly increased premiums for long-term subscribers to dental insurance.
Are Any Services Exempt from Waiting Periods?
Yes, very often, dental insurance companies do not enforce waiting periods for preventive services. Therefore, starting on day one of your policy, you can bring your child to their dentist for things like checkups, cleanings, routine X-rays, and fluoride treatments.
Also, if you recently switched from a different insurance company, your new company might waive your waiting periods if you held your previous policy for at least a full year.
What If Your Child Needs Care Before the Waiting Period Ends?
Some minor dental services can safely wait for a while. For example, a small cavity is usually not urgent; if you help your child keep up with oral hygiene, your dentist might tell you it is safe to wait for a filling until insurance will help you cover the cost.
But what if the need for a procedure is urgent? Do not delay necessary care for your child. Ask your dental practice about provisions that can help you afford the treatment right away. For example, you may qualify for a low-interest payment plan.
Waiting periods are a key component of many dental insurance plans! Get to know the details of your policy so you can use it to your greatest advantage.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Matt Strumpf is an experienced care provider and an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He and our team understand that many families are concerned about the cost of care, so we are happy to assist with dental insurance claims. We also welcome financing through CareCredit. To learn more about us or to set up an appointment for your child, contact Mighty Molars in Inver Grove Heights at 651-450-6111.