Merion Village Dental Blog

Updated November 2026

This year has flown right by, and 2027 is right around the corner. And in the bustle of the holidays, you may have forgotten to get that last dental appointment of the year on the books.

With the new year approaching, you’re probably wondering how the new calendar will affect your dental benefits. How do dental benefits work, and when do dental benefits reset? These are questions you’ve probably been asking yourself lately.

Most Dental Benefits Will Expire

The short answer: yes. For most dental plans, unused benefits will not carry over into the new year. Most plans run on a calendar year and reset on January 1st, though some follow an employer’s plan year instead.

At this point in the year, many patients will have reached their deductible, which is how much they need to pay out of pocket before dental benefits kick in. For most plans, once the new year begins, that deductible resets, putting you back to square one in terms of what you must pay before insurance covers the rest.

In other words, if you don’t use it, you lose it. Some plans, including some Delta Dental plans, offer a rollover feature that carries part of your unused maximum forward, so check your plan details.

Understanding Yearly Maximums

Dental coverage plans often include an annual maximum, which is the most the insurance company will pay toward your care during a benefit year.

How this works is that once you reach your deductible, your plan pays its share of covered care up to that maximum. Any claims over the maximum come out of your own wallet, and whatever you don’t use expires when your plan resets.

Keep Your Personal Records Current

Unless you have a grasp of how much you’ve already spent on dental care this year, your annual maximum won’t be of much use. It’s helpful to keep an up-to-date tally of your dental expenses.

Thankfully, this is easier to do than ever. After each visit, your insurer sends an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) showing what your plan paid and what you owe. You can also check your remaining benefits on your insurance provider’s website or over the phone, or ask our team to help you look it up.

Avoid Potential Painful & Worsening Issues

Another reason to schedule before the new year is to catch dental issues early. If you’re experiencing an oral health issue, even one that seems small now, it could develop into something more serious down the road. A cavity that needs a simple filling today can need a crown or root canal later. The last thing you’ll want to do is spend the holidays with a bad toothache, or worse.

In addition to smaller dental issues developing into more serious ones, the cost of treatment can rise as well. If we catch a problem early, chances are you’ll avoid a more extensive procedure.

How to Use Your Remaining Benefits

With only a few weeks left in the year, a little planning goes a long way. Here are a few simple ways to make the most of what’s left on your plan:

• Schedule your cleaning and exam: Preventive care like cleanings and digital X-rays is often covered fully or with a small copay. Many plans require about six months between cleanings, so ask us whether you’re due before the year ends.
• Finish recommended treatment: If you’ve been told you need fillings, a crown, or gum disease treatment, completing it before December 31 uses this year’s benefits.
• Spread out larger treatment plans: If you need several procedures, finishing some this year and the rest after your plan resets can let you use two years of benefits. Insurers generally count a procedure in the year it’s completed, so ask us how to time your treatment.
• Check that your dentist is in-network: Merion Village Dental is in-network with Delta Dental, and we welcome patients with other insurance plans too.

Not sure which of these applies to you? Our team can help you look up your remaining benefits and plan your care so you get the most out of your coverage before it resets.

Don’t Forget Your FSA

If you have a health flexible spending account (FSA), check its year-end rules too. For 2026, the IRS set the health FSA contribution limit at $3,400, and FSA money is generally use-it-or-lose-it. Your employer may let you carry over up to $680 into 2027 or give you a short grace period, but not every plan offers either. Health savings account (HSA) funds roll over from year to year, so they have no year-end deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does dental insurance reset?

Most dental plans reset on January 1st. Some employer plans reset at the start of the company’s plan year instead. Your plan documents or your insurer’s portal will list your reset date.

Do dental benefits renew every year?

Yes. As long as you stay enrolled, your annual maximum and deductible start fresh at the beginning of each benefit year. If you get coverage through work, open enrollment is when you confirm or change your plan for the next year.

What does floating months mean in dental insurance?

Plans don’t all use the term the same way. It usually comes up around frequency limits, which on many plans run on a rolling window from your last visit (such as one cleaning every six months) instead of resetting every January. Frequency limits vary by plan, and some insurers have changed them in recent years, so ask your insurer or our team how your plan counts visits.

Beat the Clock Before the Ball Drops

The time remaining to take advantage of your 2026 dental benefits is growing short, but there is still time to make an appointment. Our staff at Merion Village Dental will do whatever we can to get you onto the calendar, so schedule online, or call or text us today at (614)443-4400 before your benefits reset.