Why having regular care by a dental professional is important.

Children and adults should see their dentist as least twice a year or as often as advise by their dentist. Many people think that the twice a year checkup is just about looking for tooth decay and getting a basic cleaning. Yet the dental checkup goes beyond that and the dentist is doing more then just checking your teeth for tooth decay.

During your checkup appointment, your dentist will likely evaluate the health of your gums, examine your mouth for any indications of oral cancer, diabetes or vitamin deficiencies, Your dentist will likely look at your gums, mouth, tongue and throat in addition do not be surprised if your dentist also examines your face, bite, saliva and movement of your lower jaw joints (TMJs)

This is the plan where you choose your own individual or family dentist. The dental insurance plan pays the dental office on a traditional fee-for-service basis. A monthly premium is paid by the client and/or the employer to an insurance company, which then reimburses them for the services rendered.

A dental insurance company usually pays between 50% – 80% of the family or individual dental office fees for a covered procedures; the remaining 50% – 20% is paid by the client. These plans often have a pre-determined or set deductible amount which varies from plan to plan. Indemnity dental plans also can limit the amount of services covered within a given year and pay them based on a variety of fee schedules. Some typical features of these plans:

• High deductibles before coverage begins (well-designed plans don’t apply the deductible to preventive services)
• Probationary periods on certain procedures that last up to a year
• Annual dollar limit on benefits
• Chose your own individual or family dentist
• Your average monthly cost: $55 and up
• Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments

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.

California Dental Insurance plans, The Benefits of Dental Insurance: Dental insurance benefits vary depending on the type of dental insurance plan.  When reviewing the benefits of dental insurance especially when selecting a dental insurance plan, keep in mind there are various policy coverage options, dental plan deductibles, co-payments, limitations, restrictions and exclusions.  It is extremely important that you read the list of benefits provided by the dental insurance provider and be sure you are getting a dental insurance plan if that is what you wanted to purchase.

A reminder discount dental plans are not dental insurance plans. A discount plan partners with specific dentists to provide customers with a savings on visits to the dentist office much the same as dental insurance. The downside to discount dental plans is that they are not regulated and you have limited recourse if you experience dental problems.

California Dental insurance Plans, Front tooth chipped: My front tooth is chipped I chipped it around two month ago but it is now starting to hurt me a little whenever I drink something cold.  I do not have dental insurance so would getting any now at this point be helpful to me now or not?   Not sure what is needed to fix the tooth. Any suggestions?

California Dental Insurance Plans, Are gold dental fillings still done: My mom has three gold filling that was done when she was very young.  I know most people do not get gold filling they get white or sliver.  But what if you want gold?  Are there any dentist that will still use gold for filling?  Just wondering.  Right now I am cavity free.