Benefit Schedule Vs. Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR) 

When you review dental insurance plans that show benefits on a fee schedule (like an HMO dental insurance plan), the list’s schedule shows the amount you pay for each treatment or dental service rendered under the insurance plan. Thus letting you know your cost for each dental service covered under the dental plan. When you are reviewing insurance plans that pay coverages based on usual, customary and reasonable (like PPO dental insurance plans), charges will not specify an amount; it provides benefits up to the reasonable and customary charge (the prevailing or average fee charged by a dentist for the service in the area) Coverages usually are paid by a percentage ( Example: 100% for preventive 80% for basic and 50% for major dental services up to UCR )

Know how to identify a cavity. 

When brushing your child’s teeth, you should take a closer look each time and check for the signs of tooth decay. Prevention is the key, and if you can start to spot warning signs early on, you will be able to have any dental issues addressed by your dentist that much sooner. In most toddlers, cavities will be one of the standard places. Between teeth, the chewing surface of molars, the gum, or the tooth line. Cavities in between teeth may be harder to spot. You want to look out for white-chalky lines on the tooth. White chalky lines are an early stage of cavities forming. It is a mixture of plaque, bacteria, and sugars, planning an assault on the tooth’s surface. If left untreated by a dentist, plaque will turn brown and black, decaying the tooth. At that point, you are looking at some major dental care treatments and higher dental costs. With a mindful eye on your child’s dental care and regular dental healthcare checkups by your family dentist, your child is on the right track to good oral healthcare.

Why Having Dental Insurance is Important. 

The American Dental Association suggest that a child should see a dentist at the first tooth or no later than their first birthday. That said, while around 80 percent of family dentists treat children, only 25 percent of two-year-olds have seen a dentist. One of the leading causing factors is the lack of dental insurance. Many American families and their children currently lack dental insurance or benefits. Without dental insurance, the higher the odds of dental care getting put off. 

However, the problem is your toddler’s teeth are especially susceptible to cavities. In most states, you can get many good, low-cost dental insurance plans for your child and your family. Look towards an HMO if you want a lower-cost dental plan. Dental discount plans in almost every state will help reduce all your family’s dental care costs. There is no need to go without and put your child’s oral healthcare at a higher risk.

Dental Insurance for New or Replacement Dentures. Plenty of dental insurance plans will cover dentures, but you need to plan ahead. Many but not all dental insurance plans have waiting periods from 6-18 months. For example, replacing teeth with dentures is classified as major dental service. The average benefit is 50% co-insurance for your dentures. When replacing dentures, the dental company may require proof that you had the prior dentures for X amount of years before providing coverage for new dentures. Make sure you read the plan terms and conditions on this.

Another dental plan type you may want to review when getting new dentures or replacing old dentures would be a dental discount plan. Dental discount plans are low-cost plans that do not have waiting periods or restrictions on how long you may have had prior dentures. You will get the saving available to you under the plan. They usually start within the next business day of your online enrollment. Remember, discount dental plans are not insurance dental plans.

How does one go about finding a good baby dentist?

I will be taking my daughter to her first dental appointment. My problem is my dentist does not see babies. How can I find a dental office that will take a one-year-old? How do I know if they are any good? I do not have any friends that have babies to get referrals. What should I look out for when choosing a dentist for my daughter?

Reply: You will want to take the same step in choosing a dental office for yourself. Only in this case, you want to call a Pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists are dentists for young kids, much like a Pediatrician is a medical practitioner specializing in children. 

Do a little research by asking questions like how long they have been in business hours of operations and any questions you may have that are important to you in choosing a dentist. You can go online and check reviews on the dental office that interests you. If you have dental insurance, call the insurance company and see if they have any pediatric dentists they can refer you to. 

Can I stay with my baby? 

I need to take my almost two-year-old son to the dentist. Can I stay with my son while the dentist looks at his teeth? My current dentist will not let me do so. I have been calling other local dentists, and they will not let me do that either. It is not that I do not trust the dentist, but I do not want to leave my son. I need clarification on why this is a problem. I stay with my son when I take him to see the doctor. Why does the dentist not want me to stay with him? My dentist said I would need to wait in the waiting room. Is that common?  

Reply: That seems odd. The dentist should not have an issue with staying with your son, as that typically helps the child stay calm. Are you calling Pediatric Dentists? If not, that may be the problem. You want your child to see a Pediatric Dentist compared to a general/family dentist. Keep calling around until you find a dentist to let you stay with your son. 

Understanding Supplemental Dental Insurance. 

Supplemental dental insurance is an individual or family insurance policy purchased to cover some dental costs. Supplemental dental insurance will typically only cover part of the dental care procedure. The supplemental dental policy typically covers the remaining dental bill if you have a primary dental insurance plan that you purchased or your employer-provided. For example, if the dental plan policy covers half of the dental cost, the secondary or supplement dental insurance plan should cover the remaining balance of your dental procedure. A supplement dental insurance plan may also be purchased to cover the dental charges when there are annual dental benefit plan limits or exclusions.

Knowing the signs of Gingivitis is essential for preventive dental care.

Some of the classic signs and symptoms of Gingivitis include swollen and red gums, tender or sore gums, and gums that bleed when brushing your teeth. Other more significant signs of gum disease would be: Receding gums or gums pulled away from your teeth. Gum disease can cause pockets to form between your teeth and gums. When this happens, plaque and food debris can collect in these pockets. If you have any of these signs or the starting signs, go to your dentist. A dentist can confirm and treat any gums and teeth issues. Preventive gum disease is easily done by brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing daily, and regularly visiting your dentist for checkups and cleanings.

Compare and Save on Dental Insurance and or Dental Plans. 

When shopping for either dental insurance or a dental discount plan, one key thing to do is compare the plan and the benefits. Some mistakes made are just buying a dental plan based on monthly costs without comparing coverages and the price for dental services. Buying low-cost dental plans does not always mean less coverage. The same goes for purchasing a high-cost dental insurance plan, which only sometimes means more or higher benefits. You want to review all factors to save money on your dental insurance or dental plan—cost vs. coverage. Make sure to read the plan’s terms and conditions. Having a full understanding of the dental plan you are buying will save you grief and hassle in the long run.

Does Dental Insurance cover you for Adult Braces?

More and more adults want to correct their teeth with braces. Yet many dental insurance plans either do not offer benefits for braces or do not offer benefits for adult braces. That is why knowing your dental insurance plan is essential. Many people get their dental benefits through employment, so when their dental plan does not offer adult braces, they feel stuck since they will not cancel their current dental plan. However, there are other choices. You can buy dental insurance on your own that offers adult braces. Many HMO plans provide adult braces; however, they are generally for your basic metal braces. As an adult, you may want something less noticeable. Therefore, reviewing a dental discount plan may be a good option for getting the dental savings you want for adult braces at a reduced cost. Please don’t pay the full cost for adult braces. Please take a moment to review our dental plan options for your adult braces needs.