Will you be losing your dental insurance through your employer when you retire? Prepare your teeth for retirement by taking full advantage of your dental insurance coverage while you still have it.

As you prepare for retirement, you are undoubtedly thinking about finances, where you will live, and what you will do when you have more time. But there is one more area that you need to think about: your mouth.

If you have dental insurance through your work, it will no longer be there when you retire. So, now is the time to prepare your teeth for retirement.

Let Your Dentist Know You’ll Be Losing Your Insurance

First, talk to your dentist well in advance.

Ideally, you should mention your plans a few years before. If you tell them you are retiring in a month, that might not be enough time to do all the necessary treatments.

In addition, most insurance policies have a yearly maximum. If you have large old fillings that are breaking down, start getting them replaced or crowned about five years before your retirement day. This should give your dentist a reasonable amount of time to do all the work necessary and to use your insurance coverage wisely.

Here is the recommended schedule:

• 3 to 5 years before retirement: Talk to your dentist about your upcoming retirement. Mention your time frame. Ask for a thorough checkup. Based on the results of your checkup, ask the dentist for a treatment plan that will accommodate your schedule and allow you to maximize your insurance. Then follow your dentist’s recommendation.
• 1 year before retirement: Verify with your dentist that you are on track. Make any necessary adjustments.
• 1 month before retirement: Schedule a checkup appointment to allow the time to take care of any last-minute needs and get your teeth cleaned one last time with your insurance benefits.

By following this schedule, you can take full advantage of your insurance coverage while you have it. You already paid for your dental insurance; now use it.

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• Don’t Fall for These Dental Scams
• What You Should Know About Medicare Before Age 65
• Getting Physically and Financially Fit To Retire

Reviewed January 2024