Question: I need to find a family dental plan where we can all go to the dentist whenever we need to and pay the dental office bills after the dental insurance company pays their part before making us pay our share of the cost.

In the past, we had plans to pay the dentist upfront for the total cost of our dental services and wait for the insurance company to refund us. In this day and age, who can afford to do that? I know we can not. 

Those types of dental insurance plans keep us from going to the dentist, and at that point, I do not see paying $120 a month for a dental insurance plan we do not even use because we can not pay upfront for dental services. What options are left for us that would be more affordable?

Reply: Welcome! I hope you are doing well today. I want to discuss dental insurance plans and how claims are processed. I can understand why the claims process can be upsetting, particularly regarding how claims are paid. Let me assure you that you are not alone. Many people have questions about dental insurance plans and how they work.

Based on what you have told me, you have either a dental PPO or an Indemnity dental insurance plan. If you like the plan benefits and coverages overall and it is just about how claims are paid, consider talking to your dentist. With dental PPO and Indemnity plans, the payment process and how the dentist gets paid is really up to the dental office. It does not typically come from your insurance company.

The dentist can choose to submit the claim and get paid by the insurance company before billing out any remaining balances to their patient. In the past, many dental offices processed claims that way. However, sadly, many patients would fail to pay their part, and then the dentist’s office would have to chase them down for payment. This is why many dental offices have started billing their patients in full and making them file claims to the insurance company to get paid back (refunded) the part due them.

Some dental offices charge you what they think your part of the cost would be based on your policy coverages, then bill or credit you depending on the outcome. However, few dentists still do this, as it can still be an issue of fully getting paid for services already rendered.

Based on what we have discussed, it is not an issue with the insurance plan per se but more of knowing how your dentist is willing to file claims and how they expect you to pay for services. Therefore, if you are still facing issues with your dental insurance plan, you may need to change your dental office, not your dental insurance plan. I hope this information was helpful to you. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

I do not have current dental insurance and very little money. My dentist told me I needed dental work on my teeth, so I started looking for dental insurance. Right now, insurance seems too costly for me, but some friends tell me to avoid dental discount plans because they are not insurance. Is this true?

Reply: That is correct. Dental discount plans are not insurance. Dental discount plans help you save money on your dental care cost as long as you go to a dentist who is a provider of the plan. Discount plans are an excellent way to help make dental care more affordable at a low cost. If you want dental insurance, consider reviewing dental HMO plans. Dental HMO plans are the more affordable dental insurance option.

What Dental PPO and Indemnity plans have to offer. Dental PPOs and Indemnity plans allow you to choose your dentist, and for many people, that can be a deciding factor in buying those types of dental insurance plans. For people who want to stay with their current dentist or to be able to choose their dental provider, these types of insurance plans are for that. Dental PPO and Indemnity plans are usually more costly than HMO’s dental insurance plans. Are dental PPOs and Indemnity insurance plans worth the cost? The answer is yes. If you know your dental needs and understand the terms and conditions of the insurance plan, many people are happy with their PPO plans. Trouble comes when you fully understand dental insurance plan’s limitations.

I need to understand how dental insurance works. I have a dental insurance PPO plan through my job, but it could be better. I am considering removing it and getting just the medical. Why have insurance if you have to pay the dentist?

Reply: Medical insurance has a cost paid out by the insured, too. Dental insurance is designed to make dental care more affordable, not necessarily free. You may not think dental care without insurance is so bad, but to give you an example of how even in preventive care, dental insurance is worth the cost. Say all you need is preventative care.

Without insurance, preventive care costs (Office visits, Bite-wing X-rays, Oral Exam, and Basic Cleaning) can range around $200 – $400, keeping in mind most low-cost HMOs plan range from $8.00 to $20.00 a month with preventive care typical being free. More extensive dental care services become expensive when you don’t have dental insurance.

For some people shopping for dental insurance can become confusing. They do not know if the dental services they want are covered under the plan they may be reviewing. How can you ensure that you buy a dental plan that covers the dental service you may need? Know your ADA codes. ADA codes are codes used by the dentist and the dental insurance company so that the insurance company knows what dental services are being provided. So when shopping for dental insurance, ask your dentist for the dental ADA codes they may be quoting for you whenever possible. Also, not all the ADA codes may be listed on the company fee schedule so if you do not see call the company and confirm if it is covered before buying the plan.

Our website offers a dental discount plan through Aetna. Dental discount plans are a good low-cost dental plan option. They do not have many limitations that dental insurance plans may have. Many of our dental discount plans start within the next business day of your online enrollment, which is very good for those in dental pain since they can see a dentist immediately. Dental discount plans are not for everyone. But they are a good way to reduce all your dental needs at a very affordable cost.

When deciding between dental discount plans, carefully review their fee schedules. The fee schedules show the discount prices on what you pay for each dental service listed. You also want to make sure there is a dentist in the dental plan you want to go to. There is no outside network benefits. I suggest calling the dentist listed and confirming they are still accepting the plan and new members.

When you have a dental insurance plan where you are dealing with the filing of claims, it is important to understand the claims process. Know how your insurance company handles claims and how the dentist your pick files out your claims. Problems arise when you do not clearly understand your dental insurance and how claims are paid. As well as when you do not know how the dental office is going to make you pay and how they file out claims.

Many PPO plans or free choice of dentist plans state they pay out a certain percentage for preventive, basic and major services. However, that percentage is normally up to the UCR or MAC rates for dental companies. Knowing that is important and a good idea is to submit dental services to the claims department as a quote only before any dental work is started. That way you always know your true cost for the dental services before committing to it. It is equally important to know how the dental office is going to file your claim.

Do not assume that the dentist will not charge you the full amount for the dental services. Making you wait for your refund back from the dental office. This is a mistake often made and normally, it is after the fact. Causing many people to be upset. Ask the dentist what they expect you to pay and how before work is started. Do they file the claims for you, or do you need to file them? Knowing all this ahead of time will keep you from any unexpected billings and from

When looking for what they think is “Full Coverage Dental Insurance” it is essential to determine what “Full Coverage” means to you. Full coverage can mean different things to different people. So what does “Full Coverage” mean to many other people I talk to and me? Simply put, I would pay X dollar monthly (whatever that would be), and all my dental services would be paid in full. There would be no dental service rendered that would not be covered, and I only have to pay the monthly cost for the plan. I have yet to find a dental insurance plan that works this way. However, if you do, I would love to know about it.

That is why I never use the term Full Coverage when talking to people about dental insurance. Instead, I try to find out what the person feels are their current and future dental needs and try to fit dental insurance or dental discount plan that will best address their dental needs. My best advice when looking for dental insurance is to read, then read, some more. Make sure you know what you will get from the dental plan. If there is still something you do not understand, then call the company up and ask all the needed questions so you can feel good about the dental plan you decide to get. Forget about looking for full coverage and instead look for a dental plan that will fit your dental needs the best. Sometimes to do that, you may have to get more the just one dental plan. You may want to combine plans that make the best sense for your needs. We are here to help you with any dental insurance and or dental plan that this website offers in your state. If you have questions, we look forward to your calls. So please call member services at 310-534-3444 CA time 8-5 M-F. We be happy to help

Did you know if you are missing one or more teeth, you may see a difference in your chewing and speaking? You may even notice a difference in your face and profile. For many people missing teeth can cause low self-esteem. Making people smile and laugh less for fear of people seeing their teeth. Proper dental care can and will help fix your teeth. Bridges will not only improve the gap caused by missing teeth but will restore the shape of your face and alleviate the difference in your bite. A dentist could also advise fixed or partial dentures when needed. Bridges and partial will look just like your regular teeth and give you back a smile you want to have.

Another is dental implants which is usually more costly but would be dental implants. Dental implants are artificial teeth that attach directly to the jaw. Not everyone can have implants, but a dentist can advise if that is an option for you. Talk to a dentist about your dental options and see which one you feel will be best for you. Most dental insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost for dental bridges, partials, and or dentures. At this time, it is still hard to find dental insurance that offers coverage for dental implants. Therefore when it comes to implants, you may want to review dental discount plans for cost savings. However, read your dental insurance plan terms and conditions, and when in doubt, call the company so you can know for sure what you are and are not covered for. Keep us in mind for any of your dental insurance dental plans needs. We are here to help you get the best dental plan for your current dental needs.

Many people are dealing with Gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a common condition. Acid Reflux is when stomach acid is refluxed up, which may cause problems to your esophagus, oral health, and teeth if left untreated. Regarding oral health care, acid reflux can cause enamel erosion, which can lead to tooth decay and other dental issues. Acid reflux can also cause bad breath issues. So it is not only essential to speak to a doctor when dealing with acid reflux but also talk to your dentist. Let your dentist know that you are dealing with acid reflux. That way, they will learn to check more carefully for signs of tooth enamel erosion and wear on fillings. You may want to see a dentist more the just twice a year if you have constant acid reflux issues. Stomach acid will quickly damage teeth if you do not stay on top of your oral health care. You will want to see a doctor to control your acid reflux and see a dentist regularly to maintain your teeth’ health. Also, here is a good tip that may help you when acid reflux comes up in your mouth. Immediately after, do not brush but rinse with baking soda. Baking soda will help neutralize the effects of the stomach acid that comes up into your mouth. Keep a record of food that makes you more sensitive to getting acid reflux and try to limit yourself on those foods.

Although fillings can last many years, they may not always last forever. Without knowing, you can wear down a filling by constant pressure from chewing when eating. Other people also may grind or clench their teeth knowingly or not, which will also cause wear on fillings. People who grind their teeth when they sleep should wear a night guard to protect their teeth. You may not be able to see the wearing down on your fillings, but a dentist can. Usually, a dentist can spot weaknesses in fillings during your regular checkups.

Without regular checkups filling wear will go unnoticed. If the seal between the tooth and the filling breaks down, you are leaving your tooth open to new decay, which can get under your filling. If left untreated, the decay can progress to the dental pulp and may cause infection or abscess. Dental decay can lead to more significant dental services, such as a root canal. You can see the importance of regular dental visits. Many times, people do not know this is going on until they start tooth pain. Preventive dental care not only saves you from unwanted dental pain but, in the long run, will save you from having higher-cost dental services. Keep in mind that many low-cost dental insurance plans, such as HMO, offer free office visits, checkups, X-rays, and cleanings. By buying and using dental insurance, you can save money and help keep a beautiful smile.

Teething at Four Months – Dental 4 Less

Question: My son turned four months old, and I think he is already teething. He is our first child, so we are not sure when a baby will generally start teething. Can they have teeth at four months? Should I take him to see a dentist or a doctor? 

Reply: Some babies start to teeth as soon as three months, so do not worry if your baby is teething at four months. Some signs of teething would be: Drooling, Sucking on their hands and fists, fussing more, sleeping less, and all kinds of good stuff. There are teething products you can get at most stores, or if you have it, Baby R Us is a good place to go too. If you are worried about the teething process, you can either go to your baby’s doctor or pediatric dentist either one should be able to help you. Go to the one you feel is the best 

Most dental insurance plans cover preventive dental services such as general or basic cleanings at no cost. The standard dental term used for this type of cleaning is dental prophylaxis, a scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains.

Question: I went to the dentist the other day and had no cavities, which I thought was good since I had not seen a dentist in many years prior to this point. I was told by the dentist that I do have gum disease and that I need to see a Periodontist. Why would I need to see a Periodontist? I am not sure what that is, but I am guessing it has to do with my gums. Why can not the dentist do a deep cleaning that I thought you would get when people have gum issues? I do not have dental insurance, and I know if I go to one of those Periodontist people, it will cost me way more than I can afford. Is it all that important that I go? After all, my teeth are fine, and my gums do not hurt me. 

Reply: One thing you may want to keep in mind is that when you go to a dentist, the dentist is not thinking about whether or not you can afford to do what they suggest. The dentist is telling you only what they feel is the best thing for your oral health care. A dentist would not refer you to a specialist if they did not believe that would be the best thing for you. 

You need to tell the dentist that you can not afford to go to a specialist right now, so you need to do the next best thing. The dentist may tell you how important it is to see a specialist. However, if it comes down to it, they know it would be better for them to do what you can afford to have done than for you to do nothing. Dentists can not read your mind. If you do not explain to them what you can and can not afford to do, then do not get upset because they are telling you something costly, and you can not afford it.

Why should you see a dentist for regular dental checkups?

Your dental checkups consist of more than just X-rays and cleanings. The dentist is looking at more than whether or not you have any cavities or if you have been flossing well enough. Dental checkups also include oral cancer screenings. The dentist or hygienist will also check for any signs of oral cancer. 

Oral cancer is a severe dental disease that claims lives daily. However, it is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages. Many people do not have regular dental checkups due to a lack of dental benefits through their jobs or the cost of dental services and feeling they can not afford to go to the dentist. 

Sometimes, you can not afford not to go to the dentist. On this website and in every state, we offer low-cost dental plan options, either by providing low-cost dental insurance plans or dental discount plans. Both will make dental care more affordable.

If you have Gum Disease and no dental insurance currently, you may want to look into buying a dental HMO insurance plan. Dental HMOs are typically a lower-cost insurance plan option. More importantly, however, they generally do not have waiting periods. Having no waiting periods is essential for gum disease, as you will want to treat it as soon as possible before it becomes an even more significant dental care issue.

A growing body of evidence suggests gum disease could also play a role in a surprising range of seemingly unrelated health problems. 

Heart Disease: Although not everyone with heart disease has gum disease, and not everyone with gum disease has heart disease, there does appear to be a correlation. Whether gum disease is an independent risk factor for heart disease is still being discussed, and there are some theories on how the two might be related. 

Cancer: Gum disease and cancer do not, on the surface, appear to have much in common. According to a study published in 2008 which investigated tooth loss and cancer in 48,375 men, the authors concluded that there was a link between gum disease and cancer. Another study involving more than 68,000 adults found a strong association between gum disease and cancer risk. The link was also significant between gum disease and pancreatic cancer.

If you have gum disease, it is important to have dental insurance in place to help you with the cost of dental care. If you want to stay with your current dentist, a dental PPO plan will let you do that. However, remember that many PPO plans to have waiting periods for major dental care services and treatment of gum disease, in most cases, fall into major services. Therefore you need to beware of the plan’s waiting periods or buy one with no waiting periods. PPO plans without waiting periods tend to be more costly than those that do, so get what best makes sense to you and your budget

In California, many good dental discount plans are available.

On our website, we offer a discount plan through Aetna. Dental discount plans are an excellent low-cost dental plan option. They do not have many limitations that dental insurance plans may have. Many dental discount plans start within the next business day of your online enrollment, which is very good for those in dental pain since they can see a dentist immediately.

Dental discount plans are not for everyone. But they are an excellent way to reduce all your dental needs at a very affordable cost. When deciding between dental discount plans, carefully review their fee schedules. The fee schedules show the discount prices on what you pay for each dental service listed. You also want to ensure a dentist in the dental plan you want to see since there are no outside network benefits. I suggest calling the dentist listed and confirming they are still accepting the program and new members.

Affordable Dental Plans – HMO’s Insurance and Dental Discount Plans

Affordable dental insurance plans from an HMO have a limited pool of dentists to select from, but it is a more affordable insurance plan. A discount dental plan may be an alternative if you are self-employed and looking for a more affordable dental plan. 

Discount dental plans are not dental insurance plans. A discount plan partners with dentists to give customers savings on visits to the dentist’s office. Discount dental plans are not regulated, and you have limited recourse if you experience dental plan problems.

Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. It commonly occurs because of a film of plaque, or bacteria, that can accumulates on a person’s teeth. Gingivitis is a non-destructive periodontal disease, but untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis is more severe and can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. By having good at-home dental care habits i.e: brushing and flossing daily, and seeing your dentist for preventive dental care services twice a year, you can generally avoid gingivitis issues

Question: I have been searching online for a dental insurance plan, and I notice that many websites seem to have many of the same dental insurance plans, yet they do not all have the same price. How can I make sure I am receiving the best dental insurance quote? I do not want to pay more than I have to. 

Reply: Understandably, you do not wish to pay more for the same dental insurance plan. However, even though many dental insurance plans may seem the same, they are more likely not if the price is not the same. Insurance rates are filed with the Department of Insurance; therefore, a plan’s monthly or annual cost does not change due to who may be selling it. Assuming it is, in fact, the “same plan.” There may be a difference in fees if the selling agent adds any charges on their end. So look for fees costs. That said, you want to review each plan carefully. For example, Just because you saw a Delta dental plan offered on one website does not mean it is the same one you saw on a prior site. Delta Dental has many different insurance plan choices, and not everyone is selling the same plan that Delta dental may offer.

Question: I am looking for a dental insurance plan that would cost no more than $30.00 a month. Are there any dental insurance plans that would fit within my budget 

Answer: I would say most HMO dental insurance plans would fit that budget for an individual. We offer dental HMO plans in most states. Check out what we have available to you by Calling our office at 310-534-3444 M-F 8 am – 4 pm 

At Home Teeth Whitening, Putting Teen’s Dental Health At Risk Dentists are worried that teenagers are putting their teeth and health at risk by trying dangerous do-it-yourself (DIY) teeth-whitening techniques found on the Internet. Children mixing up quantities of chemicals and applying them for long periods are at risk of eroding tooth enamel, damaging gums, and increasing the chances of infection. Ironically the erosion may expose the yellow-colored dentin that lies beneath the enamel.

In a study of blacks with normal kidney function, those with severe periodontal disease developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) at four times the rate of those without severe periodontal disease. The study was presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014, November 11-16, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.