Insurance and Billing
Preventive care benefit
A preventive care benefit is the part of a plan that covers routine checkups, cleanings, X-rays and fluoride, often with little or no cost to you.
Dental plans group services into tiers. Preventive services are the first tier. NADP says they are often paid by the plan without deductibles or co-payments, and they usually include exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants and space maintainers. Some plans call this Class I or Type A.
Preventive care aims to catch problems early. The ADA says regular dental visits help spot problems when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable. Your plan may still apply a frequency limit, such as two cleanings a year.
Compare this with basic services and major services, which usually cost you more. See teeth cleaning, recall visit, and the insurance and financing page.