Use Your 2026 Dental Benefits Before December 31: A Guide for Arlington Patients

If you have dental insurance, the last weeks of the year are a good time to look at what your plan still covers. Many dental plans run on the calendar year, so the yearly maximum and any unused cleanings reset on January 1. Benefits you do not use by December 31 usually do not carry over.

At Sonría Dentista of Arlington, our front desk can check your plan with you, so you know what is left before the year ends.

What resets on January 1

Every plan is different, but on many calendar-year plans these items start over in January:

• Yearly maximum: the most your plan pays toward your care in one year. Any amount you do not use is usually lost.
• Deductible: the amount you pay before your plan starts paying. Once you have met it this year, more care before December 31 may cost you less than the same care in January.
• Preventive visits: many plans cover two exams and cleanings a year. If you have only used one, the second may be waiting for you.

Some plans renew on a different date, such as the anniversary of when you joined or your employer's plan year. Your plan documents, or a quick call to us, will tell you which one applies.

Three steps to use your benefits in time

1. Check what is left on your plan

Call our Arlington office at (682) 284-1120. With your insurance card, our team can look up your remaining maximum, your deductible and whether your next cleaning is due. You can also see the plans we work with on our insurance page.

2. Book your cleaning and exam

If your second preventive visit of the year is still open, book it soon. December fills quickly as other patients do the same. Our exams and cleanings page explains what a visit includes.

3. Finish treatment that is already planned

If your dentist has already recommended a filling, a crown or other care, finishing it this year can use the benefits you have left. For treatment that takes more than one visit, ask how the visits can be planned around the end of the year. Small problems also tend to get more involved, and more costly, when they wait.

Insurance we accept in Arlington

Our Arlington office is in-network with these PPO plans: Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, TeamCare, UnitedHealthcare and Humana PPO. We do not accept HMO or DHMO plans. We also accept Humana Medicare Advantage, and our Arlington office accepts Medicaid and CHIP.

Coverage always depends on your plan, so our team checks your benefits before treatment and explains your share of the cost.

No insurance? You still have options

New patients at our Arlington office can ask about the $79.99 new patient special, which includes a comprehensive exam, digital X-rays and a personalized consultation.

For care all year, the Sonría Smile Club covers cleanings, exams and X-rays for one yearly price, plus 20% off other treatment. To spread out the cost of larger treatment, you can apply for CareCredit or Cherry financing.

Saturday visits in Arlington

Busy weekdays make it harder to fit in a visit before the holidays. Our Arlington office is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm, at 2024 Baird Farm Rd, Suite 100. Our front desk team speaks English and Spanish.

Frequently asked questions

Do unused dental benefits roll over to next year?

On most plans they do not. Unused yearly benefits usually end on your plan's renewal date, which is January 1 for many plans. A few plans have rollover features, so check your plan or ask our team.

How do I know how much I have left on my plan?

Call our Arlington office at (682) 284-1120 with your insurance card. Our team can check your remaining yearly maximum and deductible with your plan.

Is it too late to book before the end of the year?

Not yet, but December books up quickly. Call or send a request through our contact page as soon as you can, and ask about Saturday times. You can also request an appointment online.