As we approach the end of the year, one of the most important conversations we have with patients at Melko Dental in Sunnyvale, CA is this:
Have you used your dental benefits yet?
Many people don’t realize that most dental insurance plans operate on a calendar year. That means when December 31st passes, your unused benefits typically disappear. They don’t roll over. They don’t carry forward. They simply reset.
And that’s why we say: use it or lose it.
I’m Dr. Shamiram Melko, and I want to walk you through what that really means — and how you can take full advantage of your benefits before the year ends. And if you don’t currently have dental insurance, I also want you to know: you still have options.
How Dental Insurance Works (And Why It Resets)
Dental insurance can feel complicated, but the basics are straightforward.
Annual Maximums
Most dental plans have what’s called an annual maximum — typically somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 per year. This is the maximum amount your insurance company will contribute toward your dental care annually.
If you don’t use those benefits before the year ends, they don’t roll over into the next year.
So if you’ve only used half of your benefits, the remaining amount simply disappears on January 1st.
That’s money you’ve already paid for through premiums — gone.
Deductibles Reset
If you’ve already met your deductible this year, that’s excellent. It means your insurance is now contributing at a higher level.
But come January, your deductible resets. You start from zero again.
That’s why completing recommended treatment before year-end often makes financial sense.
Frequency Limits
Most plans also cover:
- Two cleanings per year
- Two exams per year
- Annual or periodic x-rays
If you haven’t scheduled your second cleaning or exam, now is the time. Preventive visits are not just about maintaining your smile — they are how we catch small problems before they turn into larger, more expensive ones.
What Should You Schedule Before Year-End?
At Melko Dental in Sunnyvale, we encourage patients to review any outstanding treatment before December 31st.
Preventive Care
If you haven’t had:
- Your second cleaning
- Your comprehensive exam
- Updated x-rays
Let’s get that on the schedule.
Preventive care is the foundation of long-term dental health.
Pending Treatment
If we’ve discussed:
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Root canal treatment
- Gum therapy
This may be the ideal time to complete it while your benefits are still active.
Delaying treatment often leads to:
- Larger cavities
- Increased sensitivity
- Infection
- Dental emergencies
And emergencies are always more stressful — emotionally and financially.
Why Acting Now Prevents Bigger Problems
One of the things we emphasize in our Sunnyvale office is proactive care.
When we see you regularly, we can detect:
- Small cavities before they cause pain
- Early gum inflammation
- Minor cracks before they fracture
Early treatment is simpler. It’s more affordable. And it’s far less stressful.
Waiting often turns something manageable into something urgent.
What If You Don’t Have Dental Insurance?
This is something I care deeply about.
Over the years, we’ve seen many patients who don’t have insurance — whether due to job transitions, self-employment, or market changes. Some patients assume that without insurance, they simply can’t afford dental care.
That’s not true.
At Melko Dental, we created something specifically for patients in this situation.
Introducing Our Holistic Smile Membership Plan
We also call it our Holistic Smile Plan because that’s truly our goal — comprehensive, uninterrupted care for our patients.
I was inspired to create this plan after seeing patients struggle with:
- Waiting periods
- Deductibles
- Annual maximums
- Claim denials
- Insurance red tape
We wanted a better solution.
Our membership plan allows patients to receive high-quality dental care in our Sunnyvale office — with no waiting period, no deductibles, and no annual caps.
What’s Included in the Membership Plan?
Our Holistic Smile Membership Plan includes:
- Two professional cleanings per year
- Two comprehensive exams per year
- Necessary dental x-rays
- Generous discounts on any additional treatment needed
There are:
- No waiting periods
- No annual maximums
- No claim forms
- No surprises
It’s straightforward, transparent, and designed to give you peace of mind.
Immediate Access to Care
One of the biggest frustrations patients share about traditional insurance is waiting.
Some plans require months before major treatment is covered. Others have limitations that prevent patients from addressing urgent needs immediately.
With our membership plan, you can start treatment right away.
There’s no interruption. No delay.
And that matters.
A Real Patient Story
Recently, we had a wonderful patient in her 30s who experienced serious job interruptions. She came into our Sunnyvale office in pain, overwhelmed, and honestly in tears.
She had multiple cavities and was afraid she couldn’t afford the treatment she needed. She was anxious about whether she could even begin.
When we explained our membership plan — that she could start care immediately, without waiting periods or insurance obstacles — you could see the relief on her face.
We created a staged, affordable treatment plan. She began with a cleaning and exam. Then she returned for additional visits to address her cavities.
Today, she’s healthy. She’s smiling confidently. And she no longer carries the stress she walked in with.
Moments like that are exactly why we created this program.
The Financial Advantage
For many patients, the numbers are eye-opening.
The cost of our membership plan can be as low as $2 per day for the entire year.
That includes your cleanings, exams, x-rays, and access to discounted treatment.
Instead of navigating unpredictable insurance limitations, you know exactly what you’re contributing each month.
There’s clarity. There’s predictability. There’s reassurance.
Insurance vs. Membership: Which Is Better?
If you have insurance, absolutely use it before year-end.
If you don’t — or if your insurance has significant limitations — our membership plan can often be a better solution.
Insurance:
- Annual maximums
- Deductibles
- Waiting periods
- Coverage restrictions
Membership Plan:
- No caps
- No waiting
- No deductibles
- Immediate care
Both options can work — it simply depends on your situation. And we’re always happy to walk through that with you.
Why Membership Plans Represent the Future of Dentistry
I truly believe membership-based dentistry is shaping the future in a positive way.
It strengthens the relationship between patient and doctor.
It removes red tape.
It allows us to focus on what matters most — your health.
You’re not limited by an insurance company’s policies. You’re guided by a comprehensive, personalized plan tailored to your needs.
At Melko Dental in Sunnyvale, CA, comprehensive dentistry means we look at the full picture — your wants, your needs, and your long-term goals.
Comprehensive Dentistry, Without Interruption
Whether you’re using insurance benefits before they expire or enrolling in our Holistic Smile Membership Plan, our mission is the same:
- Prevent emergencies
- Detect problems early
- Provide high-quality cleanings
- Offer thorough exams
- Create personalized treatment plans
Dental care should not feel out of reach.
It should feel accessible, proactive, and supportive.
Your Year-End Action Plan
If You Have Dental Insurance:
- Schedule your second cleaning
- Complete recommended treatment
- Use remaining annual maximum benefits
- Avoid losing unused funds
If You Don’t Have Dental Insurance:
- Join our Holistic Smile Membership Plan
- Get immediate access to care
- Start treatment before problems worsen
- Invest in predictable, affordable care
Don’t Wait Until January
Appointments fill quickly toward the end of the year.
If you’ve been postponing treatment or haven’t scheduled your preventive visits, now is the time.
At Melko Dental, we are here to help you maximize your benefits and protect your smile.
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
Whether you want to:
- Use your dental insurance before it resets
- Explore our Holistic Smile Membership Plan
- Start overdue treatment
- Prevent future emergencies
We’re ready to help.
Call Melko Dental at (408) 720-1123
Conveniently located in Sunnyvale, CA
Let’s make sure you don’t leave your benefits — or your dental health — behind this year.
We look forward to seeing you soon.