Preventive Dental Care in the New Year
The new year is a great time to schedule dental checkups and cleanings.
With most Delta Dental of Illinois plans, preventive care, like exams and cleanings, is provided at little or no cost to you. Plus, Delta Dental of Illinois and most dental offices make scheduling appointments quick and easy. Check out why preventive care is important, and follow our tips for fitting regular appointments into your busy schedule.
Why Preventive Care Matters
Fitting a dental exam into your busy schedule can be a challenge, but receiving regular preventive dental care benefits both your oral and overall health. At a routine dental checkup, your dentist can diagnose and treat dental disease early on, saving you and your family from more costly dental procedures down the road. In addition, your dentist can help detect over 120 diseases during a regular dental exam, such as heart disease, diabetes, and oral cancer.
Find a Convenient Time
Look for a dentist with a schedule that works for you. Some dental offices may offer hours outside the typical 9-to-5 schedule to accommodate working families. Once you choose a dentist, schedule your appointment at the same time as the rest of your family to avoid the hassle of multiple visits. If you’re scheduling appointments for the full year, pair them with other annual events like spring cleaning or yearly physician visits to build regular checkups into your family’s yearly routines.
Access Scheduling Tools
With Delta Dental of Illinois, you can download a mobile app through the App Store or Google Play to conveniently schedule appointments from your phone.* Additionally, many dental offices will allow you to schedule appointments months in advance. Getting it on the calendar early can help you avoid conflicting events.
Take Advantage of Reminders
A possible culprit for skipping the dentist is forgetting the visit you already scheduled. Luckily, there are lots of tools to help. Remember to program the appointment time into your phone or write it on your calendar. You can also ask the dental office receptionist how your appointment reminder will be sent. Choose the method that’s most convenient for you, such as a text message, email, or friendly phone call. You may even consider requesting a reminder letter from your dental office.
Schedules can get hectic any time of the year. But by scheduling smart, you’ll ensure your smile receives the dental care you need to stay healthy.
*Appointment scheduling is powered by our partners at Brighter™. Availability may vary by geographic area and individual dentist participation in Brighter Schedule™.
