09/04/2026
Wishing all of our patients and families a happy, healthy, and safe school year!
As everyone settles back into the school routine, we wanted to share an important reminder about your child’s dental insurance, along with some fun fall updates from Children’s Dental Specialties.
A Back-to-School Dental Insurance Reminder
Some local school districts offer dental programs that provide services such as cleanings and other preventive care during the school day. These programs can be a wonderful resource for children who do not otherwise have access to regular dental care.
However, “free dental care” at school does not always mean that the service is free to your dental insurance plan. In many cases, the school dental program will bill your child’s dental insurance or MassHealth for the services provided.
Why does this matter?
Most dental plans place limits on how often certain services are covered. For example, a plan may cover only two cleanings during a 12-month period. If your child receives a cleaning through a school dental program, that cleaning may count toward your child’s insurance benefit. When your child later comes to our office for their regularly scheduled visit, insurance may not cover another cleaning and you could be responsible for some or all of the cost.
This is a good reminder that understanding how and when your dental benefits are being used can help prevent unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
If your child already sees us regularly for preventive care, you may wish to opt out of dental services offered through school. If you are unsure how a school dental program could affect your child’s benefits, please feel free to contact our office before enrolling or receiving treatment. We are happy to help you understand what questions to ask.
