If you’ve secured a health plan through your employer, you may have the option to use a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for health care services. From co-payments to medications, your FSA can cover a diversity of medical and dental expenses. If it’s been a while since you last went to the dentist, there’s no time like the present to check this task off your year-end to-do list. Most FSA’s need to be used during the plan year—and with 2017 quickly approaching, you only have a few weeks left to take advantage of your dental care benefits.

According to Healthcare.gov, most FSA’s are limited to $2,550 a year per employee. In most cases, your employer will require you to finish your benefits in the given year. However, some employers may provide a grace period of up to 2 ½ months into the new year. If this applies to you, simply book your dentist appointment for January—you don’t have to squeeze it into your schedule amidst Christmas pageants and holiday parties.

Maybe you’re up-to-date on your dental health. What about your spouse or children? You can use funds in your FSA to pay for their dental care as well! Whether you have a husband who dreads the dentist’s chair or a little one who needs to make up for a holiday cookie binge—now is the time to tap into your FSA.

If you’re uncertain about the details regarding your employer’s policy, speak to your Human Resources department as soon as possible. If you have funds left to use for 2016, there’s still time to get those dental checkups in!

Need a last-minute dentist appointment in the Kaneohe, HI, area? AA Windward Dental Group is here to help. With a broad array of dental care services—from whitening to implants—this dentist will keep you and your family smiling all year round. Visit their website or call (808) 247-4118 to make an appointment.