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Understanding the basics of dental insurance and how it can
benefit you.
- Different
Dental Insurance Plans for Different Needs:
Consumers can choose from
an assortment of
dental benefits plans
that accommodate a variety of needs and expectations. The
following factors may influence the type of dental insurance
plan you purchase...
- Cleaning Your Teeth:
Replace your toothbrush
every three or four months or sooner if the bristles become
frayed. A worn toothbrush will not do a good job of
cleaning your teeth.
Children’s toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently
than adults because they can wear out sooner...
- Dental Sealants:
Dental
sealants act as a
barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria.
The sealants are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of
the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most
often...
-
Dentures:
If you’ve lost all of your
natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay
or injury, complete
dentures can replace your
missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will
benefit your appearance and your health...
- Dental
Health:
Based on information gathered
during the 2001 American Dental Association (ADA) annual
session,
dentists report that oral
bacteria, in some studies, have been associated with heart
disease, stroke, diabetes and the birth of pre-term, low-
birth- weight babies...
- Wisdom
Teeth:
Wisdom teeth are a
valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly
positioned. Often, however, problems develop that require
their removal. When the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate
wisdom teeth...
- Tooth Decay:
Although
tooth decay
has declined among young children as a group, it can still be
a problem for individual children, and even teens and
adults...
- Making
Informed Choices: The
law mandates that consumers with dental coverage receive a
fully detailed patient
information handbook
-- a
Description of Benefits -- that clearly outlines coverage,
limitations and exclusions...
- Choosing
a Dentist: Dental benefits plans can be categorized by the
options offered for
selecting a dentist. Some
plans allow you the freedom to choose your own dentist...
- Paying
the Dentist:
When choosing a benefits plan, it
is important to know who pays what to whom. Dental plans can
be categorized into three types based on the
compensation and
treatment provided...
- All
Dental Plans have their Limitations:
Today's health insurance, including your
dental plan, is designed to help you get the care you need at
a
reasonable cost. Because
each person's oral health is different, costs can vary widely.
To control dental treatment costs...
- Annual
Benefits: To help contain costs, your plan may limit your
benefits by number of procedures and/or dollar amount in a
given year. In most cases, particularly if you've been getting
regular
preventive care, these
limitations allow for adequate coverage...
- Getting
the Most out of Your Dental Plan:
To take full advantage of your
dental benefits plan, visit the
dentist regularly and get
the preventive care that will keep your mouth healthy...
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