The Washington State Dental Association and Washington State Dental Laboratory Association worked together to lead a successful legislative effort to implement ADA policy on dental laboratory registration. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed the dental laboratory registration and disclosure bill into law on April 19, which will take effect on January 1, 2020.

Commencing on New Year’s Day, all dental labs serving dentists in Washington state will be required to:
• Register with the state department of health.
• Disclose in writing to the dentist what materials are in each device or prosthetic.
• Disclose in writing to the dentist the city, state, and country where each device or prosthetic was made.
• Have at least one lab technician annually complete 12 hours of continuing education or who is a certified dental technician.
Source: ADA

A Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation will typically include the following:

• Evaluation of periodontal conditions.
• Probing and charting.
• Evaluation and recording of the patient’s dental and medical history.
• General health assessment.

It may also include evaluating and recording dental caries, missing or unerupted teeth, restorations, occlusal relationships, and oral cancer screening.

Detailed And Extensive Oral Evaluation Problem FocusedA detailed and extensive problem-focused evaluation entails extensive diagnostic and cognitive modalities based on the findings of a comprehensive oral evaluation. Integration of more extensive diagnostic modalities to develop a treatment plan for a specific problem is required. The condition requiring this type of evaluation should be described and documented. Examples of conditions requiring this type of evaluation may include dentofacial anomalies, complicated perio-prosthetic conditions, complex temporomandibular dysfunction, facial pain of unknown origin, severe systemic diseases requiring multi-disciplinary consultation, etc.

Dental4Less.com has plans starting at $7.95 a month, which helps to make dental care more affordable. Our lower-cost HMO plans have no waiting periods or maximums annual limitations.

However, we also provide PPO and Indemnity plans to let you stay with your current dentist or choose-your-own dentist. We provide a PPO plan without waiting periods, depending on your state. Check our dental insurance option online today. Just enter your Zip code in the quote box provided to review all our available dental insurance plan options. Have Questions? Call our customer service line at 310-534-3444 M-F 8 am – 4 pm, as we are always happy to assist you with finding the right plan for your dental care needs.

The unexpected findings could pave the way for developing preventative measures in tackling gum by manipulating the normal bacteria in the same way that probiotic yogurt protects the intestine. Researchers at Queen Mary’s Blizard Institute, including Medical Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellow Mark Payne, worked with scientists in the US; they published their findings in the journal Cell Host and Microbe.

If you belong to a professional association, you might be eligible for dental insurance or a discount dental plan. Many associations partner with a PPO to provide their members with dental insurance that offers comprehensive coverage at more affordable prices. Finally, dental schools may offer affordable dental services. Dental schools seem safe, but they can be inconvenient, and treatment for one problem may have to be addressed through multiple office visits.

You can obtain quotes for more affordable dental insurance plans from companies online and through your local insurance agent or broker. Please keep in mind that many websites offer the appearance of selling dental insurance but only offer a dental discount plan, which is not insurance. Your dentist may also have affordable dental plan options available to patients. Ask the receptionist if they partner with a dental plan company and see if one might be right for you.

The most common cause of Gingivitis is the accumulation of bacterial plaque between and around the teeth. Other causes and risk factors are listed below: 

Hormones Changes: This may occur during puberty, menopause, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy. The gingiva might become more sensitive, raising the risk of inflammation. 

Some Diseases: Diseases like Cancer, Diabetes, and HIV are linked to a higher risk of Gingivitis. 

Drugs: Some medications may affect oral health, especially if saliva flow is reduced. Dilantin, an anticonvulsant, and some anti-angina medications can cause abnormal growth of gum tissue. 

Smoking: Regular smokers more commonly develop Gingivitis compared with non-smokers. Age: The risk of Gingivitis increases with age. Family

History: Those whose parents have had Gingivitis have a higher risk of developing it. It is thought to be due to the type of bacteria we acquire during our early life. If you have some of these risk factors, talk them over with your dentist to maintain good dental health care. 

The most common cause of Gingivitis is the accumulation of bacterial plaque between and around the teeth. The plaque triggers an immune response, which, in turn, can eventually lead to the destruction of gingival, or gum, tissue. It may also, eventually, lead to further complications, including bone loss and the loss of teeth.

Dental plaque can cause Tooth decay, Gingivitis, and chronic Periodontitis. Plaque needs to be treated adequately, or it can harden into calculus or tartar near the gums at the base of the teeth. Tartar has a yellow color. Plaque and tartar eventually irritate the gums, causing gum inflammation around the bottom of the teeth, which means that the gums might easily bleed. You can only remove Calculus professionally. It is essential to see your dentist at least twice a year for a basic check-up and cleaning.

Signs of Gingivitis include red and puffy gums that typically bleed easily when the person brushes their teeth. As stated in the prior post, Gingivitis can often be resolved with good oral hygiene, such as more prolonged and frequent brushing and flossing. In addition, an antiseptic mouthwash may help in addition to seeing your dentist for regular dental check-ups and cleanings. A person may not even know they have it in mild cases of Gingivitis because symptoms are mild. However, the condition should be taken seriously and addressed immediately.

A simple saliva test may reveal deadly diseases early enough to treat them. The study, the most comprehensive analysis ever conducted of RNA molecules in human saliva, shows that saliva contains many of the same disease-revealing molecules which are included in the blood. It was published online by the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Chemistry and is published in the journal’s January 2015 special print issue, “Molecular Diagnostics: A Revolution in Progress.”

Is Getting A Root Canal Painful? 

According to research, root canal work is not as bad as people think when compared to other dental procedures. A self-reporting of people’s dental health suggests that patients find the procedure no worse than other dental work, which overturns the widespread belief that root canal work is the most unpleasant dental treatment. 

Question: I will get some medical insurance, but I am unsure if that will include dental care. Do health plans come with dental? How fast can I use the dental if it does? I want something for my dental care now. 

Reply: In many cases, health insurance does come packaged with dental but not always. You would have to read the medical plan to confirm that. If the medical insurance dose comes with dental insurance, how fast will it start, and if there are any waiting periods would again depend on the plan. 

I have no way of advising you about that other than to suggest you carefully read through the information provided. If you want dental insurance without waiting periods at that point, I would advise looking for dental HMO plans, as these are lower-cost insurance plans that typically do not have waiting periods for dental care services. In most states, we offer dental HMO plans and some Dental discount plans that start right away with no waiting periods. Just enter your zip code in the quote box provided to review the dental insurance and options we have available to you 

A swarm of micro-robots, directed by magnets, can break apart and remove dental biofilm, or plaque, from a tooth. The innovation arose from a cross-disciplinary partnership among dentists, biologists, and engineers. A team of engineers, dentists, and biologists from the University of Pennsylvania developed a microscopic robotic cleaning crew. With two types of robotic systems — one designed to work on surfaces and the other to operate inside confined spaces — the scientists showed that robots with catalytic activity could ably destroy biofilms. Such robotic biofilm-removal systems could be valuable in many potential applications, from keeping water pipes and catheters clean to reduce the risk of tooth decay, endodontic infections, and implant contamination. Source: University of Pennsylvania

Question: I know I need to have at least two teeth pulled due to them being broken/decayed. I do not have dental insurance currently, and from what I can tell, there are waiting periods for extractions, and I do not want to continue waiting. So how much do extractions cost? 

Reply: Well, the cost will vary from dentist to dentist. There is no one set price for dental care that all dentist charges. Not knowing your state makes it hard to give some cost range. Depending on the placement of and where the tooth is extracted will also affect the cost of extractions. To try and give you some idea: An average tooth removal (nonsurgical) done by a family/general dentist can range from $75.00 to $300.00 a tooth. A surgical extraction utilizing anesthesia can run around $185.00 to $700.00 a tooth. You can see how the price can vary. I would suggest looking for an HMO insurance plan in your area as they typically do not have waiting periods like many PPO plans, and they will help you save money on the cost of having your needed dental care done by a plan provider.

Other cost-saving options would be a dental discount plan as they typically do not have waiting periods and will help you save money on any needed dental care service provided by a plan dentist. This website sells both HMO and Dental Discount plans in most states. Enter your zip code in the quote box to review all the available dental insurance and plan options. If you have any questions, please call our office at 310-534-3444 M-F 8 am-4 pm

Question: I am shopping for dental insurance but I am past the point of confusion.  I looked at dental discount plans and they do not seem to cover major things like root canals, crowns and extractions. However, full coverage plans like PPO are just to costly for me and I can not afford them.  Is there anything in between some type of insurance that is cheap like a discount plan but offers you better coverage?

Reply:  Not knowing what dental discount plan you may have been looking at, I would say maybe you did not fully understand it.  Dental discount plans, for the most part, will provide reduced or discounted costs for all dental services rendered by a plan provider.  Therefore, things like root canals, crowns and extractions do receive a discount under the plan as well. With regards to PPO plans. Though we do not use the term “full Coverage”, they do provide preventive, basic and major dental care services, but typically with waiting periods on basic and major dental services, and yes, these plans do tend to be more costly, especially when compared to a non-insurance product like a discount dental plan. I would suggest that you may want to review or see if there are any dental HMO insurance plans.  Dental HMO plans are a more affordable cost insurance plan generally without waiting periods. However, you do need to choose a plan provider.

Dental Erosion is When: The enamel (the hard, protective coating of the tooth) is worn away by exposure to acid, when that happens it leaves the sensitive dentine area of the tooth exposed. Dental erosion of the enamel can result in pain, particularly when consuming hot or cold food.

The enamel on the tooth becomes softer and loses mineral content when we eat or drink anything acidic. However, this acidity is canceled out by saliva, which slowly restores the natural balance within the mouth. But if the mouth is not given enough time to repair itself (because these acid attacks are happening too often) the surface of the teeth is worn away.

Soft drinks are the most significant factor in severity of dental erosion, according to a new study published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry. Anything with a pH value (the measure of acidity) lower than 5.5 can damage the teeth. Diet and regular sodas, carbonated drinks, flavored fizzy waters, sports drinks, fruit and fruit juices are all known to be harmful to teeth if they are consumed too often.

If you are going to drink these types of drinks limit the contact they have on your teeth by drinking though a straw. Also think about substituting that type of drink out with water when ever possible. Water is not only good in the fact it causes no damage to your teeth but it also great for your body

Once you find a dentist and or dental office you like and trust it can be very difficult to change providers just because you also want to have dental insurance to help control your dental care cost. However you do not have to do this. There are many good dental insurance plan that let you choose and or stay with your current dentist. These plans are called Indemnity plans.

You will see these types of dental insurance plans on our website as Free Choice – Use Your Own Dentist plans. That because Indemnity dental insurance plans do not have providers they let you choose whatever dentist you want to go to. One thing to keep in mind though with Indemnity dental insurance plans is like PPO’s dental plan they to normally come with waiting periods. So it is best to buy these types of dental insurance plan before you have a toothache to take care of.

Your child dental and oral health is important to maintain not only for healthy teeth and gums but for overall wellness. According to past studies done: In California alone, 504,000 children missed at least one school day in 2007 to a toothache or other oral problems.

Appearing in the September 2012 issue of the American Journal of Public Health: Ostrow researchers had previously documented that 73 percent of disadvantaged kids in Los Angeles have dental caries, the disease responsible for cavities in teeth. The new study shines light on the specific connection between oral health and performance in school for this population, said Roseann Mulligan, chair of the school’s Division of Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry and corresponding author of the study.

Dental insurance coverage for children is an essential health benefit. According to studies dental health is linked to your overall wellness. Also studies have shown that people with dental insurance tend to visit their dentist regularly, maintaining their dental health care needs. Dental care cost is stated as a main factor as to why parents and their kids do not see a dentist as much as maybe they should. Since that is the case having dental insurance help control their family dental care cost, there by making it possible for them see their dentist regularly.

We can provide you with more the just one company one type of dental insurance plan. In most states we provide dental insurance plans though several companies offering PPO’s, Indemnity and HMO’s insurance plans in addition to dental discount plans as a low cost alternative. You are able to get free dental plan quotes from our website in order to compare many different plans and choice the plan and plan type you feel is best for you and your family. We also provide a member service line 310-534-3444 for you to call if you have any questions about the plans we have to offer.

There is a children’s dental crisis currently going on in this country. Many children are not going to the dentist because their parents can not find affordable dental care. That is a unfortunate because basic dental checkups, cleanings, fluoride applications, and sealants can help to prevent early tooth decay and gum disease in children.

However one of the main ways to make dental care more affordable is by having dental insurance in place. As a family dental insurance is important part of keeping your dental care cost low. If you do not receive dental benefits for you and your family though work, there still many good low cost dental insurance and dental plan options to choose from. Review what our website has to offer and if you have any questions about our dental insurance and dental plans options call our member service line at 310-534-3444 as we be happy to help you pick the right plan for you and your family.

Question: Are there any dental plans for a child only? Need dental insurance for my fourteen year old.

Answer: Few dental insurance companies will let you buy their plans for only a minor. So it really depends on the plan you are reviewing. Such as our PPO plan though Standard Life dental insurance and our HMO plan though California dental will write a child only on the plan where as our other dental insurance plan required at least one adult which means buying a couple plan. You may also wish to review our dental discount plans though Aetna as they too will let you have the plan for only a minor child. If after reviewing our dental plan options you have any questions please call our member services at 310-534-3444 as they would be happy to help.

After our last post you may be wondering how do you safely store your toothbrush. Here are some tips you may want to practice.

1) Make sure to rinse your toothbrush well after brushing your teeth. Before putting your toothbrush away give it a good rinse with tap water, making sure not to leave any toothpaste or debris in the brush

2) Put your toothbrush upright, in a cup or a holder, this will allow the water to drain away from the head of the brush. You want the toothbrush to air dry thoroughly. So make sure it has access to good air circulation, and is not suffocating in a small drawer or cabinet when not in use

3) Keep your toothbrush away from other people’s toothbrushes. Even if you are all family members do not let your toothbrush touch another toothbrush. Bacteria on one brush can cross-contaminate another.

4) Avoid keeping your toothbrush too close to the toilet and sink. In tip two we tell you to keep your toothbrush out in the open for it to air dry thoroughly. However you want to make sure it is not too close to the sink. You do not want it to get splashed with dirty or soapy water when family members are washing their hands. Likewise, keep the brush at least four feet away from the toilet. (Remember our prior post about this on 6/29/15) If you have a small bathroom that dose not let you keep this distance store your toothbrush in a different room away from your bathroom

5) Sanitize or Not. Although you can buy toothbrush sanitizers (usually a small counter top device), there is no evidence that these make a difference to your health. They can, however, provide you with a safe zone for storing your brush. Also, there has been no study that shows soaking your brush in an antibacterial mouth rinse makes a difference.