Navigating dental insurance can often feel like wading through a maze of paperwork, fine print, and confusing terminology. At Soft Touch Dental, we believe that getting the dental care you need shouldn’t come with unnecessary stress or uncertainty. That’s why we take pride in making your experience with us as smooth and transparent as possible, especially when it comes to understanding your insurance coverage. We’re committed to helping you make the most of your dental benefits while delivering the high-quality care you and your family deserve.
We accept a wide range of insurance plans—over 50 in-network options, to be exact—because we know that affordability and accessibility matter. Whether you’re covered by Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, Guardian, UnitedHealthCare, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Blue Cross Blue Shield, we’re here to make sure your benefits work for you. Our knowledgeable team is always ready to answer your questions, handle the paperwork, and clarify your coverage so you can focus on your health, not the hassles of insurance.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using dental insurance at Soft Touch Dental, from understanding how dental insurance works to what you can expect as a patient in our care. We want to empower you with the knowledge to feel confident every time you visit us.
Dental insurance operates differently from medical insurance, and understanding these differences can help you maximize your benefits. Most dental insurance plans are designed to encourage preventive care, which means they often cover routine exams, cleanings, and X-rays at little to no out-of-pocket cost. This proactive approach helps catch problems early before they develop into more complex and costly conditions.
Typically, dental insurance plans fall into three categories of coverage: preventive, basic, and major. Preventive care is usually fully covered, while basic procedures like fillings or simple extractions may be covered at around 70% to 80%. Major procedures, including crowns, bridges, or root canals, are often covered at 50%. Of course, the specifics depend on your individual plan and insurance provider, which is why we take the time to review your benefits with you and explain what is or isn’t included.
One of the most common features of dental insurance is the annual maximum—the total amount your insurance will pay in a calendar year. Unlike medical insurance, which may cover costs once you meet a deductible, dental insurance is capped annually, and unused benefits typically don’t roll over. That’s why we encourage our patients to schedule routine care early and make full use of their coverage before the year ends.
Choosing a dental office that is in-network with your insurance provider can make a significant difference in what you pay and how easily your claims are processed. At Soft Touch Dental, we are proudly in-network with over 50 major insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, Guardian, UnitedHealthCare, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Being in-network means we’ve negotiated preferred rates with these insurance companies, which translates to lower out-of-pocket costs for you.
When you visit an out-of-network provider, you may be responsible for the difference between the provider’s charges and what your insurance deems reasonable. But as an in-network provider, we follow set fee schedules, which gives you predictability and cost savings. Our team verifies your benefits in advance and provides clear estimates so there are no surprises when it’s time to pay your bill.
Additionally, working with an in-network provider helps streamline claims processing. We handle the submission and tracking of your insurance claims, reducing your paperwork and the likelihood of billing errors. It’s just one more way we try to make your dental experience stress-free and efficient.
From the moment you walk into our practice, our goal is to make you feel informed and supported—especially when it comes to your insurance. If it’s your first visit to Soft Touch Dental, we recommend bringing your insurance card and relevant documentation so we can verify your coverage quickly and accurately.
Before a treatment begins, our front desk team will review your insurance benefits and explain how they apply to your visit. We’ll go over what your plan covers, what it may not, and provide a breakdown of the expected out-of-pocket costs. We believe in full transparency, and we’ll never begin treatment without discussing your options.
For routine preventive care like cleanings and exams, most insurance plans will cover the full cost. If we identify additional treatment needs—such as a cavity that requires filling or a tooth that needs a crown—we’ll review the coverage details with you and help prioritize your care based on urgency and your benefits. Our ultimate goal is to help you achieve long-term oral health while working within your insurance budget.
Dental insurance can feel like learning a new language, but we’re here to translate. Knowing a few key terms can help you better understand your coverage and make informed decisions about your dental care.
Deductible: The amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts covering services beyond preventive care. Once your deductible is met, your plan begins to pay a percentage of the covered procedures.
Annual Maximum: The total dollar amount your insurance will contribute toward your dental treatment in a year. Once this limit is reached, you are responsible for additional costs until your benefits reset.
Co-insurance: The percentage you pay after your deductible is met. For example, if your insurance covers 80% of a filling, you’re responsible for the remaining 20%.
Waiting Period: The time you must wait before certain procedures are covered under a new plan. Not all plans have this, but if yours does, we’ll explain which services may be delayed and help you plan accordingly.
Our team is always happy to break these terms down and apply them to your specific plan. We never want you to feel like you’re navigating insurance on your own. Whether you’re brand new to dental insurance or simply unsure about your policy, we’re here to guide you through it all.
Dental benefits typically operate on a calendar-year basis, which means your coverage resets on January 1st. Unused benefits are forfeited at the end of the year, which is why it’s important to stay proactive with your care. At Soft Touch Dental, we help you stay ahead by reminding you of expiring benefits and working with your schedule to ensure you receive the care you need in time.
If you haven’t used your full annual maximum, now might be the right time to take care of lingering dental needs. Whether it’s a crown you’ve been putting off or a deep cleaning you’ve delayed, we’ll help you prioritize treatments that fit within your coverage and minimize out-of-pocket costs.
It’s also worth noting that some dental issues, when addressed early, can save you money in the long run. A small cavity today could turn into a root canal tomorrow, and insurance coverage for preventive or basic procedures is often more generous than for major ones. Planning wisely with your benefits can help preserve both your oral health and your financial well-being.
At Soft Touch Dental, we’ve built strong relationships with many of the nation’s top dental insurance carriers. Our office is in-network with a wide array of plans, and we’re constantly updating our list to better serve our patients. Some of the most common providers we work with include Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, Guardian, UnitedHealthCare, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
By working directly with these companies, we’re able to ensure accurate claims processing, minimize delays, and offer you the convenience of hassle-free dental visits. If you’re unsure whether your plan is in-network, just give us a call. Chances are, we’re already partnered with your provider—and if not, we’ll still do everything we can to help you access care affordably.
We also understand that our patients are covered under employer-sponsored group plans or family plans with varying coverage levels. Our experience working with more than 50 insurance plans means we’re well-equipped to handle a wide range of policies and scenarios, from basic cleanings to complex restorative work.
For more complex or costly treatments—like crowns, implants, or full-mouth restorations—it’s especially important to understand how your insurance benefits apply. Our team will walk you through the process step-by-step, from verifying eligibility to providing written estimates so you know what to expect before a treatment begins.
We can also help you schedule treatment in phases, spreading it across multiple benefit years when possible, to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. For instance, if your insurance resets in January and you’re approaching your annual maximum, we may be able to start a procedure in December and complete it in the new year to take advantage of renewed coverage. We want you to get the care you need without the financial stress. In addition to working with your insurance, we also offer flexible payment options and financing solutions for patients who prefer to spread out costs over time. Your oral health is a long-term investment, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
One of the things that sets Soft Touch Dental apart is our commitment to personalized service, especially when it comes to navigating insurance. We don’t believe in handing you a clipboard and wishing you luck. From the moment you schedule your appointment, we’re actively working on your behalf—confirming coverage, estimating costs, and making sure everything is in order so your visit goes smoothly.
If your insurance requires pre-authorization for certain procedures, we’ll handle the paperwork. If a claim is denied, we’ll help you appeal it. And if you ever have a question, no matter how big or small, we’re just a phone call or a visit away. You shouldn’t have to choose between understanding your insurance and getting the care you need. With us, you can have both.
At Soft Touch Dental, we know that dental insurance can feel complicated—but it doesn’t have to be. With over 50 in-network insurance plans and a team that’s committed to making coverage easy to understand and easy to use, we’re here to simplify your experience every step of the way. Whether you’re coming in for a routine checkup or a more involved procedure, you can rest assured that we’ll help you make the most of your benefits while delivering exceptional care tailored to your needs.
If you have questions about your plan, are unsure about what’s covered, or just need help getting started, our team is ready to help. We’re proud to serve families and individuals with a wide range of dental insurance options, and we look forward to showing you just how easy and supportive your dental experience can be with the right team by your side. Your smile is our priority—and with the right coverage, your care has never been more accessible.