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Dec

Use It or Lose It: How to Maximize Your Dental Benefits Before Year-End

As the year winds down, your schedule is probably filling up with holiday events, school activities, sports seasons, and year-end work deadlines. One thing that often gets overlooked? Your unused dental insurance benefits.

Before the calendar resets, here’s what you should know to make the most of your dental benefits.

Why December is the best time to use your dental benefits

December is one of the busiest months of the year, but it’s also one of the smartest times to schedule dental care. Here’s why:

Many insurance benefits expire at midnight on December 31.
Appointment spots fill quickly as patients try to use remaining coverage.
Taking care of small dental issues now prevents bigger (and more costly) problems later.

If you’ve been meaning to schedule a cleaning or follow-up care, this is the perfect time to use those benefits.

Understanding how your dental benefits work

Most dental insurance plans run on a calendar-year schedule, meaning your benefits reset on January 1.

Your Annual Maximum

Your annual maximum is the total dollar amount your insurance will pay toward your dental care from January 1 to December 31. If you don’t use that money before the year ends, it typically does not roll over.

FSA and HSA Funds

If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), now is the time to check your balance because FSA funds often expire at year-end. You can use these pre-tax dollars on dental care, including treatment plans, appliances, and preventive visits.

Don’t leave money sitting in your account, put it toward the care you need.

Common dental treatments to use before benefits expire

Staying consistent with routine care keeps your smile healthy but it also ensures you use your benefits wisely. December is a great time to schedule:

Routine Cleanings & Exams

If a cleaning or checkup fell off your calendar this year, let December be your reset. These visits help with:

Removing plaque and tartar
Catching early signs of cavities or gum issues
Preventing bigger problems later

Restorative Treatments

If you’ve been putting off recommended care, using your year-end benefits can help cover:

Fillings
Crowns or bridge work
Follow-up or preventative care your dentist recommended earlier this year

Dental Sleep Appliances

If you’ve been considering treatment for sleep-related issues, now may be the perfect time to start.

Using benefits now may reduce your out-of-pocket costs and set you up for a healthier start to the new year.

How Cambridge Family Dental makes year-end care easy

At Cambridge Family Dental, we treat our patients like family with gentle, friendly, and approachable care for all ages. Our team is here to help you:

Understand your benefits
Prioritize treatment
Use your insurance or FSA/HSA funds wisely
Get the care you need in a comfortable, supportive environment

Don’t have dental insurance? Ask us about our Dental Savings Plan — designed to make high-quality care accessible and affordable.

December appointments fill fast

Year-end appointments always go quickly, and we don’t want you to miss the chance to use your benefits before they expire.

Take a moment to check your calendar and schedule now before those last appointment sports fill.

📞 Call our office at 608-423-3615
💻 Or book online — we still have December openings!

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Dr. Angela Bauer Williams

Hello! I’m Dr. Angela Bauer, and I would like to welcome you to my dental practice in beautiful Cambridge, Wisconsin. The most important part of my practice is taking care of my patients in a compassionate and honorable way. I will treat you like I treat my own family and friends, with utmost honesty and your best interests at heart at all times. Because my practice is a locally-owned small business and not a corporation, we can focus on doing the right thing for our patients. We only hire the best people and use the best materials for our patients to ensure healthy, long-lasting, and beautiful treatment. My practice is designed with your comfort in mind, from the inviting waiting room upon entry to the relaxing view with gorgeous landscaping and wildlife from our treatment rooms. We even have blankets and headphones for your comfort.

I utilize only the most modern and proven techniques and materials in treatment. That way, my patients get all the benefits of the best care possible. We have all the latest technologies, including digital scanners for optimal results, digital x-rays for precision, and even intraoral cameras to take pictures of teeth. That way, if you do need treatment, we can show you exactly why, so there is no uncertainty.

I have been in practice for over 20 years, and during that time I have strived to be the best dentist possible for my patients. In 2017 I was honored with a Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry. Just this year, the same Academy awarded me with a Mastership, which only two percent of practicing dentists currently hold. That is my practice! I am Dr. Angela Bauer, and I invite you to come and see why we are different.

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