How Insurance Works

Coverage for Basic Dental Care

Dental Insurance is a contract between your employer and the dental insurance company. The benefits that you will receive are based on the terms of the contract that were negotiated between your employer and the dental insurance company - not your dental office. The goal of most dental insurance policies is to provide only basic care for specific dental services.

Regardless of the coverage you receive from your dental insurance company, Deer Valley Dental Care always provides a high-quality and complete result. We base our treatment plans on what you need, not on what your dental plan covers. This is why so many dental patients become confused about their dental insurance. Dental insurance companies rarely cover 100% of any dental fee and, in many cases, cover less than 50% ... or nothing at all.

Another fact that most dental patients do not realize is that each dental insurance plan has a dollar amount limitation each year. Quite simply, this means that once the preset limit is reached, no other services will be covered by your dental insurance company - no matter how essential the service may be to your dental health. We do not want you to compromise your care based on restraints placed by the insurance company.

Excluded Treatment

Services that typically aren't covered by dental insurance companies include: cosmetic dentistry, implants, occlusion or bite redesign, and a variety of other services. Although your dental insurance company may not agree that these are important dental services, each one is routinely used to greatly enhance the quality of life for our patients.

Any time you have a question about your dental insurance, please feel free to ask us! But please be aware that what your dental plan covers is based on what costs them the least, not what is necessarily best for you. Sometimes these two things are the same, but sometimes there is a wide gap. Remember that they have never seen your teeth, and their interest is in their company's profitability, which is diminished the more generous they are with you. Deer Valley Dental Care's best advice is to think long term and consider what is best for your dental health. If you receive inadequate treatment now, you will pay more in the long run if it fails prematurely.

Pre-Determination Policies

Many insurance companies try to control the amount of dentistry you receive by requiring authorization for procedures in advance. Our office will do everything possible to help you maximize the insurance benefits to which you are entitled.

In most cases, we can begin treatment prior to receiving an authorization from the dental insurance company. However, patients need to understand that in the event the dental insurance company refuses to pay for treatment, you are responsible for all the associated fees. Naturally, we always provide you with pricing in advance, so that you are aware of the full cost of treatment.

Like you, we recognize that the authorization process by your insurance company is often lengthy and time consuming. But please be aware that their ultimate decision regarding your dental coverage doesn't eliminate your need for a variety of treatment plans.