Starting November 1st, Roots Dental will be going out-of-network with Delta Dental. We want to be upfront with our Bellingham patients about this change, why we’re making it, and — most importantly — what it actually means for your care and your benefits.
The short version: you can absolutely still use your Delta Dental benefits at Roots Dental. Nothing about how you get care here is changing. What’s changing is the relationship between our practice and the insurance company, not your ability to use your coverage.
What Staying “Out-of-Network” Actually Means for Your Care
Going out-of-network with Delta Dental doesn’t mean we stop working with Delta Dental. Our team will continue to:
- Verify your Delta Dental benefits before treatment
- Submit your insurance claims on your behalf
- Handle the entire billing and insurance process for you
The main practical difference is a slight increase in your patient portion — the amount you’re responsible for after insurance pays its share. We’ve built a simple, transparent system around this so there are no surprises.
Our Overpayment Promise
If Delta Dental ever pays us more than expected on a claim, we don’t keep the difference. That overpayment is either refunded directly to you or applied as a credit on your account for future visits — whichever you prefer.
Why We’re Making This Change
Being in-network with Delta Dental means the insurance company — not your dentist — sets the standard of care. In practice, this shows up most clearly with fillings.
At Roots Dental, we use bonded white composite fillings for every patient. We don’t offer the older metal (amalgam) fillings because we don’t believe they represent the best standard of care available today. Delta Dental, however, considers metal fillings the baseline and will downgrade reimbursement for composite fillings to what metal fillings would have cost — even though we never place metal fillings in the first place.
Going out-of-network removes that downgrade pressure. It lets us keep making treatment decisions based on what’s genuinely best for your teeth, not what an insurance company’s fee schedule dictates.
What This Means Going Forward
If you have Delta Dental coverage, here’s what to expect at your next visit:
- We’ll verify your benefits and explain your coverage before treatment, as always
- We’ll file your claims for you — you don’t have to do any paperwork
- Your out-of-pocket portion may be modestly higher than before
- Any overpayment from Delta gets refunded or credited to you automatically
If affordability without insurance is a concern, our in-house membership plan may be a good fit — it’s designed as a straightforward alternative for patients who want predictable pricing without going through insurance at all.
Curious about the composite fillings we use instead of metal? You can read more on our restorative dentistry page.
Questions About Your Coverage?
Every patient’s plan is different, and we know insurance can be confusing. If you have questions about how this affects you specifically, our team is happy to walk through it with you.
Give us a call, fill out our contact form, or request an appointment online — we’ll help you understand exactly what your Delta Dental benefits will look like at Roots Dental going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I still be able to use my Delta Dental insurance at Roots Dental?
Yes. Even though we’re out-of-network, we still verify your benefits, submit claims, and handle billing for you. You keep using your coverage — the process for you doesn’t change.
Why is my cost going to be a little higher?
Out-of-network reimbursement rates differ from in-network rates, which results in a modestly higher patient portion. We keep this transparent and predictable rather than letting it come as a surprise at checkout.
What happens if Delta Dental overpays on my claim?
We refund the overpayment to you or apply it as a credit toward future visits, whichever you prefer.
Why doesn’t Roots Dental use metal fillings?
We use bonded white composite fillings for every patient because we consider them a higher standard of care than metal (amalgam) fillings. Delta Dental’s fee schedule treats metal fillings as the baseline, which conflicts with how we practice.
What if I don’t have dental insurance at all?
Ask us about our in-house membership plan, which offers predictable pricing on preventive and other care without going through an insurance company.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my specific plan?
Call our office, fill out our contact form, or request an appointment online — our team will walk you through exactly what to expect.
