Preventive dental care is often overshadowed by more immediate and dramatic treatment options that resolve urgent issues. However, the benefits of a proactive approach to dental health can lead to more than just a healthy smile — it can significantly reduce the overall cost of dental care. At Cliffside Dental in Scarborough, we believe that preventive dental care is the cornerstone of maintaining not only oral health but also in keeping your dental expenses manageable.
The Power of Prevention
Preventive dentistry includes regular dental check-ups, cleanings, x-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatments. These services are designed to catch potential issues early, prevent the development of serious problems, and maintain overall oral hygiene and health. By investing a little in prevention, you avoid the high costs associated with more complex treatments down the line.
- Regular Check-Ups and Cleanings: These are perhaps the most straightforward aspects of preventive dental care. During a regular visit, dental professionals can remove plaque and tartar that you can’t remove through brushing and flossing alone. This not only helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease but also provides an opportunity for your dentist Scarborough loves to spot early signs of oral health issues before they escalate into major concerns.
- Dental X-Rays: X-rays can detect issues that are not visible to the naked eye, such as impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts, tumors, and decay between the teeth. Early detection leads to early treatment, which is typically less invasive and less costly.
- Sealants and Fluoride Treatments: Dental sealants can prevent decay in the grooves of your teeth, and fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel, making it more resistant to decay. Both treatments are cost-effective ways to protect the teeth against cavities, especially for children and teenagers.
Long-Term Benefits
The long-term benefits of preventive dental care extend beyond just financial savings. Regular dental care promotes better oral health, which contributes to overall health. Poor oral health has been linked to various health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illness. Thus, maintaining oral health through preventive care is an investment in your overall well-being.
Minimizing Emergency Visits
Emergencies often result in procedures that are complex and expensive. Preventive dental care reduces the likelihood of sudden dental emergencies by addressing small issues before they become acute. This means fewer unexpected dental visits and associated costs.
Insurance and Preventive Care
Most dental insurance plans recognize the importance of preventive care. They typically cover 100% of the costs of preventive services, encouraging patients to take advantage of these benefits. This coverage makes preventive care even more affordable and accessible. And a new program is about to become available to help uninsured Canadians get the dental care they need.
What to Know about the CDCP
Uninsured Canadian residents who have paid their taxes and make a family income of less than $90,000 may be eligible for coverage under the new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). As of May 2024, seniors 64 and older are already eligible, and additional groups will be added over the next several months. Oral health coverage under the program will begin in May and vary based on enrollment group.
Children and those with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate will become eligible starting in June, and all remaining Canadian residents who are eligible can apply next year. If you are potentially eligible, you should receive a letter in the mail with a personalized application code and instructions to guide you through the application process.
What Will Be Covered?
Services the CDCP will help cover (some of which will begin in the fall) include:
- Preventive dental care: cleaning, polishing, sealants, fluoride
- Diagnostic services: X-rays and exams
- Restorative services such as fillings
- Endodontic treatment such as root canals
- Prosthodontics such as full and partial removable dentures
- Periodontal services such as deep scaling
- Oral surgeries such as extractions
How Will the CDCP Work?
Oral health providers can enroll as service providers in the CDCP. Patients will not have to seek reimbursement for their coverage because the oral health providers will be able to bill the CDCP directly. The CDCP will cover a percentage of eligible treatment costs, depending on adjusted family net income.
We Look Forward to Seeing You
At Cliffside Dental, we are committed to making sure that preventive dental care is a fundamental part of your dental regime. We offer a wide range of services — from Invisalign and root canal therapy to sleep apnea treatment — that begin with a foundation of strong, preventive care. By focusing on prevention, we help keep your future dental treatments — and their costs — as minimal as possible.
Remember, investing in preventive dental care is investing in your health and your wallet. Don’t find yourself frantically searching “dentist Toronto” when you’re in the middle of an emergency; schedule your next appointment with us today, and let’s work together to keep your smile bright and your dental costs low.
