Question: I have old partials and I would like news one but I need dental insurance first. So I am looking at the plans but do not know where to find dentures and partial coverages information on the fee schedule when reviewing an HMO insurance plan. I want to make sure I would have coverage for what I need.

Answer: Dentures can normally be found under the Prosthetics services. I have taken the time to list some ADA codes for dentures hope it helps you.

5110/5120 Complete upper or lower denture
5130/5140 Immediate upper or lower denture
5211/5212 Upper or lower partial denture, resin base
5213/5214 Upper or lower partial denture, cast metal framework with resin denture bases

5410/5411 Adjust denture
5421/5422 Adjust partial denture
5820/5821 Interim partial denture, upper or lower

Affordable Dental Plans in California

According to the National Association of Dental Plans, approximately half of the U.S. population does not have an affordable dental plan. The cost for affordable dental insurance can vary. Therefore, it is important to understand all your options in obtaining the most affordable dental plan coverage.

The company where you work may provide the most affordable dental insurance plan options. Dental insurance plans for individual and families are usually an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or a PPO (Preferred Provided Organization) and operate much like traditional health insurance organizations.

In California our website offers over 40 different dental insurance and dental plans though several different companies. We continue to provide more dental insurance plans as they become available so that you have more choices to choose from so that you are able to pick the best dental insurance and or plan for your own dental care needs.

Question: Looking for an Individual dental insurance plan in California that is no more then $20.00 a month, since that is all I can afford.

Answer: I would suggest looking at our HMO dental insurance options we have that range from $7.95 – $18.95 a month though PrimeCare and California Dental. To see these plan options just enter your zip code in the quote box provided on our website.

Question: What is the average cost of dental insurance for an individual in California?

Answer: Since there are different types of dental insurance plans cost can greatly very depending on type of dental insurance.  However, on average for HMO dental insurance plans around $8.00 – $25.00 a month. For your PPO and Indemnity plans cost can also be based on zip code and age, however for a range say around $25 – $75.00 a monthly.

In order to review the dental insurance plan options we provide just enter your zip code in the quote box provided. If you should have any questions about any of our dental insurance plans please call our member service line at 310-534-3444 we be happy to help.

Question: I need dental care treatment but have very little money with no dental insurance.

Answer: You may want to check to see if there is any low income dental clinics in your area. You many want to look into getting a low cost HMO dental insurance or a dental discount plan. They will help cut the cost of dental services.

Question: I know I will need some major dental care services. The dentist I want to go to takes only Delta Dental PPO plans. I see that Delta Dental PPO plans have 12 months waiting period for major services. Is there a way not to have the waiting periods?

Answer: Delta Dental like most PPO insurance plans do come with plan waiting periods. Six months for basic services and twelve months for major services which is pretty common waiting periods though some plans may have shorter or even longer waiting periods.

We do provide in California one Indemnity plan that would let you choose your own dentist though Madison Nation with a 1000 maximum limitation that does not have any waiting periods but does ten to be more costly then the Delta dental options with the same maximum limitation. However, you may want to review that plan and compare it with our Delta Dental options.

Question: I have poor dental health right now and I know will need a lot of dental care in fixing my teeth. Looking for a good dental insurance plan in California that will help with the cost have having my teeth fixed.

Answer: Our website offer many good dental insurance plan choices.  However since it sound as if you will need larger dental care issue address I would advise reviewing HMO insurance plan options though California Dental and PrimeCare Dental.  Since these plans do not have any waiting periods for larger dental care needs.   They are also the more affordable dental insurance plan type.

Call our member service line (310-534-3444)  if you should have any questions about the available dental insurance plans options we provide as we will be happy to help you find the best plan for your dental care needs.

Bad Breath – What are the Natural Treatments?

Having bad breath is a common complaint that afflicts many people. It is caused by the presence of bacteria in the oral cavity. Bacterial growth can occur due to many reasons, and in many places that may cause a foul odor to emanate from your mouth. Usually the most common reason is infrequent brushing leading to bacterial decomposition of leftover food particles in your mouth and in between your teeth.

Also, certain kinds of food like garlic and onion tend to make your mouth smell as they themselves have strong odors. The disintegrating food particles may cause foul odors to emanate from your mouth, from the skin of your tongue, the gaps in your teeth from under the gums.

Bad breath is caused by a variety of factors, the primary one being the breakdown of proteins from food particles in the mouth by bacteria. Certain kinds of food and drink are also responsible as they have strong smells as well, like onions, cheese, tobacco, and garlic.

Bad breath may also be caused by throat infections, dental decay, worms in the intestinal tract, constipation, gum diseases, gastritis, and accumulation of food between the teeth. In short, any sort of bacterial build up in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to bad breath.

f you do not currently have dental insurance, this is a good time of the year to start thinking about buying dental insurance to help save money on your dental care needs. The number one reason sited by people who do not visit the dentist regularly is that they can’t not afford the ever increasing cost of dental care.  With the New Year just around the corner make your dental health care a part of your New Year Resolution.  Dental health care dose not have to be costly when you think again and by a dental insurance plan that best fits your dental care needs.

Do you have a dentist that you trust and like going to?  One main reason why people do not visit a dentist regularly is that they do not trust their dentist or they feel their dentist is over priced but worry about seeing a different dentist.   With a PPO dental insurance you are able to stay with your current dentist. For many people that is an important issue that is not changeable.

Yet even if your dentist is not a provider of a PPO plan most PPO dental insurance plans do provide benefits for non network providers.  And because PPO dental insurance plans helps you to keep your dental care cost more affordable your are more likely to visit your dentist as advised.

When thinking about buying a dental PPO insurance plan make sure you understand the plans terms and conditions fully.  There are many benefits to having dental PPO insurance plan. One such benefit is having your dental care at a more affordable cost.

PPO dental insurance plans also have a very large dental provider data base, providing you with more in network dental office options to choose from as well as most PPO dental insurance plans provide benefits to out of network dentist.  Letting you stay with your current dentist even if your dentist is not a provider of the PPO plan.

However, with that said PPO plans also have some limitations which we talked about in prior posts. Such as waiting periods, maximum limitations and deductible/office co-pays.  By understanding the plans terms and conditions will be able to maximize your plans benefits to fit your dental needs

Question: I want to whiten my teeth but without going to a dentist, parents won’t pay for me to get my teeth whiten.

Answer:  I can understand parents not wanting to spend extra money on whiten treatment. Here are a few suggestions, but make sure you run them by your parents first before trying any of them.

1) See if  your parents would be willing to have you brush with toothpaste with whiten. That is normally not any more expensive then toothpaste without whiten

2) See if your parents would be willing to spend around 45.00 to 60.00 for over the counter whiten strips.

3) Keep in mind if you really want white teeth avoid staining them in the first place.

4) Do not smoke or chew

5) Drink staining drinks  (coffee, soda, tea etc.) though straws.

6) Brush after eating whenever possible. When you can not brush right after try chewing whiten gum.

7) There is also mouthwash with whiten you can use that is over the counter as well.

8 ) Finally as my mom would say,  start saving your pennies for when you can afford to have your teeth whiten by a dentist and are able to pay for it yourself.

Question:  I brush my teeth with a hard bristle brush so that I get my teeth clean but then when I do my gums bleed. I brush hard because I tend to have bad breath and I want to make sure that my breath dose not stink. What can I do to have healthy teeth and gums?
 
Answer: You may be brushing too hard. Changing to a soft bristle may help you. You also may want to look into getting products that have gum care included. You can find this in tooth paste as well as mouth wash.

Question: I currently do not have dental insurance I use to have it though my prior job. I would like to keep my same dentist, so I am looking for a Delta Dental PPO plan for individuals.

Answer: In most state we offer a Delta Dental PPO plan and or plans. To review your plan options just enter your zip code in the quote box provided.  From their you will go to our beef comparison chart of all the dental insurance and dental plan options we provide in your state. To review more plan information just click on the link “Review Plan Details”.    If you should have any questions about our individual/family dental insurance plans just call our member service line at 310-534-3444 as we be happy to help you find the right plan for your dental needs.

Question: I thinking about buying a dental discount plan just wanting to have a better understanding on how they work.

Answer: Most individual dental insurance plans require you to satisfy waiting periods and deductibles before having major and sometimes even minor restorative work done. Discount dental plans help make maintaining good oral health a lot more affordable. And, with no waiting periods or complicated coverage procedures, dental discount plans are about as simple as you can get.

How do discount dental plans work? As we become aware about our oral health, there has been a demand for affordable dental care. Discount dental plans are the newest option for those without coverage. These dental discount plans are much cheaper than traditional dental insurance, and also offer almost equal coverage for all dental work, even cosmetic procedures not covered by standard indemnity dental plans.

The thing to keep in mind,  is that dental discount plans are not  insurance. They work more like club memberships, where the cost of membership (your “premium”) earns a steep discount on any club service (dental work) you buy. The discount normally applies to all dental office services performed by an approved “plan” dentist, but no procedure is covered completely

Question: I have this dentist I want to start going to but the office stated that the only accept PPO’s dental insurance plans. What should I know before buying a dental PPO insurance plan.

Answer:  Dental PPO insurance plans are great plans for staying with or choosing your own dentist.  However, I strongly encourage you to read the plans terms and conditions carefully when buying any PPO dental insurance plan.

Generally dental PPO plans have waiting periods for both basic and major dental care services provide only preventive dental care at the effective date of the plan. Under most PPO plans there will be a yearly maximum limitation. A maximum limitation is the dollar amount the insurance company going to pay out for dental care services each year.

Also check to see if the plan has a office co-pay (the dollar amount you pay each time just for going to the dentist such as $20.00 co-pay) or a yearly deductible (the dollar amount you pay before the insurance company provides benefits. generally this would be around $50.00 – $75.00)

Question: I would like to know does it hurt to get a root canal?

Answer: Your dentist will make it so that while he/she is doing the root canal you have little or no pain. Your dentist does not want to hurt you. They will advise you to let them know if do feel any pain so they can numb the area more to stop any pain you may be having. Do not be scared about this process they will make it as easy a possible for you.

Question: I am currently looking for either a dental insurance or dental discount plan. I am not picky but would like to get the better of the plan option. I have not been to the dentist in over three years so it time to a least get a check up.

Answer: In a prior post “Dental Plan or Dental Insurance”  We addressed some of the basic differences. However no one plan is better then the other. Meaning what is best really depends on your own current dental needs.   I suggest calling our member services line at 310-534-3444.  They will be able to go over your current dental needs and help you choose the best plan type for your needs.

Question: I am thinking about buying a dental plan but a few people say buying dental insurance is not worth it. Is that true.

Answer: Our standard answer would be no that is not true. After all we do sell dental insurance as well as dental discount plans. However, sometime when, why and who, can have an effect on whether or not you think it is worth buying insurance.

When: When you buy dental insurance is important because depending on the dental insurance plan type you may have to deal with plan waiting periods.  You will want to keep that in mind. Plans such as PPO and Indemnity insurance plan will normally have waiting periods. Where as HMO and dental discount plans will normally not have plan waiting periods.

Why: Why you want dental insurance deal with what type of dental care you may need. Again waiting periods come into play.  If your current dental needs is just for preventive dental care such as X-ray office visits and cleaning’s you could buy either type of dental plans and be okay. However if you need fillings, crowns, extractions etc., waiting periods will once again come into play with effectiveness.

Who: Who really refers to what dental office you wish to go to for your dental care. If you are wanting to stay with a current dental office then buying dental insurance will depend on what that dental office accepts.  Dental plan types such and HMO and Discount plans required you stay in or choose a dentist within their plan network of providers. If the dentist you want to go is not a provider of these types of plans then it limits you to PPO and or Indemnity dental insurance plans in order to stay with said provider.

Go over what you want in an insurance plan and how it can best fit your needs to see if buying one is worth it to you. Our website offers many different plan types and we are here to help.  Please call our member service line at 310-534-3444 if you should have any questions about our dental insurance and plan options, we are always happy to help.