The U.S. Supreme Court has issued an opinion that upholds the Affordable Health Care Act

This includes the individual mandate for coverage.  The case challenged the constitutionality of several parts of the law, including the rule that most people in the U.S. must get health coverage.   We will continue to carry out provisions of the law by thoughtfully implementing the new requirements for customers and members. We will also continue to look for ways to address increasing costs that are crippling our health care system, including: ·      Advancing our partnership with primary care physicians announced earlier this year that we believe will substantially improve quality and member health, and potentially reduce the trend in overall medical costs by as much as 20% by 2015. ·      Coordinating patient care through the use of IBM-Watson technology to promote evidence-based health care and ensure that millions of Americans receive the most effective courses of treatment.  We look forward to continuing our efforts to work with policymakers and other key stakeholders to build a health care delivery system that provides security and affordability to all Americans.

Get your FREE prescription drug discount card  You can save from 10% to 85% on the cost of both brand name and generic prescriptions immediately.

There are no claim forms to fill out and no limits to the number of times you or your family can use the card. Drug discounts are available only at participating pharmacies. The Pharmacy Discount Program provides discounts for its members at certain participating pharmacies for drugs and other healthcare supplies. You can also save on smoking cessation aids and diabetes supplies. These savings are based on the fact that we have over 56,000 pharmacies processing millions of prescriptions annually.

My son is only two months old. So right now he does not have any teeth. My doctor told me I still need to wipe my son gums after each feeding so that he does not have extra milk in his mouth. Then when he gets his teeth in I should take him to see a dentist.

So I have been doing as suggested to me by my doctor. My friend told me about dental wipes and that is what she uses to clean her daughter teeth. She said they work just like brushing but are easier to use when you are dealing with an infant. I though you just brush the teeth when the start to come in. Are dental wipes just as good?

My three year old daughter will need to start going to the dentist. My husband has a very good family dental insurance plan though work. The problem is the dentist we see will not take any children under the age of six. I tried calling other dentist in his plan and get the same reply.  Looking for a dental insurance plan for my daughter please advise.

Fluoride is a trace element found naturally on Earth. It is not usually considered an essential element because people don’t need it to grow, but it does provide huge benefits in the form of preventing tooth decay. The health of the teeth and gums can be an indicator of general health, and tooth decay can even indicate other problems such as heart disease, so it is important to ensure that the teeth and gums remain healthy.

Adding fluoride to drinking water began in 1945. It was discovered by scientists that people living in areas that had water with naturally-occurring fluoride had less cavities. By further studying this concept, scientists found that fluoride could help stop and even reverse tooth decay by rebuilding the enamel on the outside of the teeth. The Michigan town of Grand Rapids contained the first public water system to implement fluoridation, and more than 60 percent of the entire country used fluoridated drinking water by 1992. The Center for Disease Control named fluoridated water one of the most important scientific advancements of the 20th century.

It is unclear even to scientists exactly how fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel, but there is evidence that suggests it has something to do with the amount of minerals in the teeth. Tooth enamel can become corroded by organic acids found in food and drinks, but fluoride that has been absorbed in the body and is contained in the saliva can remineralize the enamel by interacting with phosphate and calcium already present.

The best time for fluoride consumption is during childhood. During this period, the teeth and bones are still forming, and the fluoride added to the diet strengthens them in preparation for the future. Just like any other health concern, it is best to prevent problems in the first place rather than deal with them after they have already occurred. Preventing cavities and decay is the primary goal of fluoridation. Fluoridated drinking water saves people much worry, pain, and money, especially people who may have certain concerns regarding dental insurance.

While many dentists, doctors, and professionals specializing in public health agree that fluoridated drinking water is healthy and helps to prevent tooth decay, there are also many opponents. Some people claim that adding fluoride to public drinking water is “forced medication” and also that it can lead to certain types of cancer, like thyroid cancer. Many independent and government studies have proven that there is no link between fluoridated drinking water and cancer, so those claims remain unsubstantiated by actual studies and evidence. In addition, other studies have shown that a population without fluoridated drinking water shows an increased risk of tooth decay.

The recommended daily intake for fluoride is 2.5 milligrams. Any more than this amount can cause brown or mottled teeth, and any less than this amount will lead to an increased risk for tooth decay. Generally, additional fluoride supplements are not needed, as the required amount is met by drinking the provided amount of fluoridated drinking water.

I have a three year old that should be seeing a dentist but the local general dentist will not see kids under six. I do not have dental insurance and if my son has to see a Pediatric Dentist then I would like to get some dental insurance to help me with the cost. HMO dental insurance plans are about what I can afford so do they offer benefits if you see a Pediatric Dentist?

I live in Texas and have a two year old. I am low income and I would like to start taking my son to the dentist when he is a little older but I do not have any dental benefits only medical right now. Do you offer any low income dental plans? If so how much would it be for just my son ?  He is going on two now and I told he should be seeing a dentist soon.  Please help.

I live in Massachusetts and I like to know how to find all the state dental assistance programs for kids. I not looking for myself although I could use dental care too. Right now I am looking for my five year old that son that has not yet seen a dentist.   I can not afford to take him with what I am making right now. I not sure where to get low cost to free dental care. Can you advise.

Children teeth care and getting a good dental insurance plan. I live in Florida and have a six and a eight year old.  I am making sure every day that they are brushing and flossing correctly.  I want them to have good teeth.

So far they do not have any cavities.  I do not have dental insurance for my family since I do not receive dental benefits though my work.   I would like to get a good dental insurance plan that has good over all coverages.   I am not looking for extremes since my kids and I have good teeth but I would like to not have to pay for preventive dental care if possible.

Dental Insurance dental care for children in Texas: I need help finding a low cost dental plan for myself and two children that is not only affordable but provides good dental care.  I not sure where to start I live  in Dallas Texas and receive no dental benefits though my job.  My kids are due for their dental check up but I can not afford it as things are right now.

Dental Insurance for good health care.  I do not have dental insurance and I am thinking about getting it just to have.  I want to have good dental health care and I think if I got some dental insurance I would use it and therefore see the dentist like I should.  What is a good low cost plan for me to get.

Kids dental care at the dental office.  My son is two and I just got one of  your dental plans for us.  I am going to be making him his frist dental appoint but I do not know what to expect.  What will his first dental appoint be like?  Can I stay with him the whole time?  He tend to act up if I am not within eye site.

Low cost dental care for kids in New Jersey.  I have a seven year old daughter and no dental insurance.  She been to the dentist a few times but not on a regular basis since I can not always afford to take her.   I would like to know where I can go to get affordable dental care for low income household kids.  I not asking for myself but I would think there would be something for kids.   Please advise.

New York Children Dental Insurance for a Special Needs Child.  My wife and I have taken over care of my sister eight year old son.   He is a special needs child and needs a lot of care dental being one of them.  My sister did not take proper care of him at all and let his teeth go bad.   I am glad that they are still baby teeth but he needs a good over all dental plan where he can start getting dental help with his teeth.  I pay more for better benefits but I worry about having waiting periods.   Can you suggest a plan to us.

Florida Family Dental Insurance Plans with no waiting periods. I live in Florida and have a family of five. My husband job drop their dental benefits but is providing better major medical benefits.  Over all it is a good change,  but in June we will no longer have dental benefits .

I would like to find a dental insurance plan that we can by on our own that offers good coverages without all the long term waiting periods.  With children you can never tell when they may need dental care and I do not want them having to wait for any dental service that they may need.  Do you have anything that can help us out?

Children Dental Care, and why you should have Family Dental Insurance. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggest that a child should see a dentist at the cutting of their first tooth and no later then their first birthday.  Yet there is still only around 25 percent of two years old have seen a dentist.  One of the causing factor is cost and the  lack of having dental insurance.

This said many American family and their children are currently without any dental insurance.   Without having dental insurance benefits from work or buying a personal dental insurance plan, the odds are higher that dental care is being put off.

However the problem is your toddler’s teeth are especially susceptible to cavities. In most states there are many good low cost dental insurance plans you can get for your child and your family. Look towards an HMO if you want a lower cost dental plan. There are also dental discount plans in every state which will help reduce all your family dental care cost. There is no need to go without and put your child oral healthcare at a higher risk.

If you have any questions about the availalbe dental plan options that we have to offer please call our member service line at 310-534-3444 CA time 8-5 M-F they be happy to help you.

Kid Dental Care Center for Children’s Dental Health Care. Please help. I have a ten year old son that is starting to have bad teeth. I have not been able to take him to the dentist because I can not afford to. I barely making it by as it is. I live in Georgia and I am trying to find a dental center or clinic for my son needed dental care. I can not seem to find any dentist willing to work on my son teeth for free. What help can you offer me?

Kids Dental Care, Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy. I have a seven year old that can brush and floss on his own but I am still having to stay on top of him all the time to get him to brush and floss like he should. I know that it normal to have to tell you kids to do things but this is every day all the time.

I sometimes catch him playing around when it comes to brushing his teeth and I know he is not doing a good enough job. Short of me having to brush his teeth for him what can I do to get him into better dental care habits.

Family Dental Care, Is going to the dentist twice a year really enough? Around 50 years ago (give or take) American did not take the best proper care of their teeth. There were no guidelines set forth on how often one should see a dentist. In fact at that time many dentist were about fixing dental problems rather then preventing them.

Dental and health care organizations tried to set standards for preventive dental care. Not having any guidelines or much evidence to go by they made the best guess or judgment call they could at the time. Which was that people should see the dentist twice a year for check up and cleanings.

Over time this became the rule of thumb. And for the many people seeing a dentist twice a year still is acceptable.

However there are many reason why you may need to see a dentist more often then just the twice a year suggested average. People with high risk of dental disease may need to visit the dentist three to four times year or more as suggested by their dentist. This high risk group of people could includes

1. Smokers
2. Diabetics
3. People that currently have gum disease or gingivitis
4. People that have a weak immune response to bacterial infection
5. Seniors may need to see dentist more often due to illness and or medications they are taking
6. People who tend to easily get cavities and plaque build up.
7. People that had very poor dental care in the past may also need to see the dentist more often in the future.

By taking good care of your teeth at home you may still be in the group of people that only has to see the dentist twice a year. However, talk to your dentist, and see what is best for you and your dental care. Everyone is different and have different dental needs the rule of seeing a dentist twice a year is still just a good guild line to go by but it is not written in stone.

Choosing the right dentist for your Child. One complaint that I hear about dentist is that they do not seem to listen or they seem to always be in a rush to get to the next person in the waiting room. So when picking a dentist for yourself or your child an important factor to consider is whether you feel comfortable with the dentist you are seeing.

Are you able to explain symptoms and ask all the questions you may have without getting the feeling the dentist is checking his clock. Do you feel like your dentist hear and understands your worries or concerns. If you have dental fears and or anxiety are you able to address them with your dentist? Would you refer a family member or friend to your dentist without thinking they may not like him or her.

Some people feel locked into staying with their dentist even if they feel they are not the best dentist for them. But that does not have to be the case. You are in control over who you see. Even on a dental HMO plan where you have to choose from the plan providers, there is no stopping you from changing dentist if you choose to do so.

Just make sure if you choose a dental HMO insurance plan that it has more then just one local dental office near you. The more options you give yourself the higher likelihood of finding the dentist you like and will see on a regular bases. At the end of the day that what’s important.