Over the years many patients have told me the same thing: "I haven't been to the dentist because I don't have dental insurance," or "I stopped going when I lost my dental insurance."
It's an understandable situation. Most dental insurance plans help people manage the cost of routine care, and when that benefit disappears, some patients feel like they need to pause their dental visits.
Unfortunately, when regular care stops, small problems can grow into much larger ones. A cavity that could have been repaired with a simple filling may progress into an infected or , and early gum inflammation can develop into more serious periodontal disease.
Addressing problems later often means more expense, more discomfort, and more time than if they had been identified earlier. I never want patients to feel like they have to stop taking care of their health or that is unattainable.
That's why we created the Continuing Care Program inside our Grandville, MI, dental office.
The goal is simple: to give patients without dental insurance a predictable way to stay consistent with preventive and maintenance care while also receiving savings on treatment throughout the year.
Here are a few things patients appreciate most about the program.
Predictable Costs
Dental insurance plans often include deductibles, annual maximums, and unpredictable coverage rules that make costs difficult to predict.
With the Continuing Care Program, your hygiene or periodontal maintenance visits are included, along with any diagnostic X-rays needed throughout the year. This makes it easier to plan for your dental care and stay on track with recommended visits.
Care Based on Your Needs
Every patient's dental health is different. Some patients simply need routine hygiene visits to stay healthy, while others benefit from periodontal maintenance visits to help manage gum health. Our Continuing Care Program allows us to structure ongoing care around what your mouth actually needs, rather than around the limitations of a dental insurance plan.
Savings on Additional Treatment
Members of our Continuing Care Program receive a courtesy savings on treatment recommended during the year.
This includes but isn't limited to restorative dental care such as tooth fillings, dental crowns, and dental implant treatment, as well as cosmetic options like teeth whitening, veneers, or dental bonding, which are services that dental insurance plans typically do not cover.
Focused on Your Health
My role is to help you understand your dental health and guide you toward the care that best protects your teeth long term.
Dental insurance can sometimes help with the cost of care, but it was never designed to determine what treatment is best for you. Treatment decisions should always be based on your health and your goals. Our Continuing Care Program helps patients without dental insurance maintain that focus while keeping their care predictable and accessible.
