When buying dental insurance try researching a few different companies in order to narrow down your choices. You will want to look for important things like available features, tools, costs and co-pay prices. A few things you will also want to look for can include:  

*  Customer service options: Do they have an FAQ section, email addresses, telephone numbers and online chat options to better serve their customers?

*  The amount of information available on their website: The more informed you are, the better able you are to make a wise decision.  

*  Secure website: It is important that your information is protected as you apply for coverage. A secure site shows that a company cares about their customers’ privacy.

One way to start when searching for dental insurance is by composing a list. Create a list of dental insurance companies you might be interested in. This is as easy as researching online and finding the most popular companies. You can also receive recommendations from friends, co-workers or family members. Try to list between around five companies that you may want to seek coverage from.

Also if you are trying to stay with a current dentist and or dental office ask them want plans they are a provider of so that you can search out information and buy the one you feel would be best for you and your family.

Ask about online services that may be available though the insurance company. Often times you will be able to access online information about benefits, claims, and the dental plans dental network of providers. Plus, online enrollment can save time and as well as money.

One common mistake that is made when buying dental insurance is not reading the plans limitations and exclusions. It is important to be aware of what the dental insurance plan excludes. Typically, plans can have up to 20 to 30 exclusions, limitations and restrictions. One example of an exclusion can be: Extractions or x-rays for orthodontic purposes which is typically excluded under many dental insurance plans.

Question: Two days ago I went in for my regular dental cleaning, check up visit.  My dentist told me that I needed to have a deep cleaning.  I told him I would look into it and see if I can afford to have it done after speaking with my insurance company.   I called my dental insurance company that stated that without the ADA codes they could not tell me my cost for the service.  I told them it is just a deep cleaning but they said it was not enough information for them to tell me cost.  What are ADA codes and where do I get them? 

Answer: You would get the ADA codes from the dentist that you are going to. There are many different types of deep cleaning codes depending on what your dentist feels would be best for you.  That is why some insurance company will not quote out a rate for dental services without knowing the ADA codes. The insurance company does not want to give you the wrong cost information. To give you an idea of codes for periodontics dental work I listed some of those codes for your review. 

4210 Gingivectomy/gingivoplasty, per quad
4211 Gingivectomy/gingivoplasty, per tooth
4250 Mucogingival surgery, per quad
4260 Osseous surgery, per quad
4341 Periodontal scaling & root planing, per quad
4355 Full mouth debridement
4381 Delivery of chemotherapeutic agent
4910 Perio maintenance (following active therapy)
4999 Initial perio charting for moderate or advanced cases

My teeth seem to be fine but my gums in the back bottom of my mouth look to be swollen and are a little sore.

Reply: The most common cause of gum swelling is gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum lining at the base of the teeth. Mild cases of gingivitis will respond to increased dental hygiene (regularly, daily brushing and flossing) to remove bacteria and food debris between the gum and the teeth. More severe cases may require a deeper dental cleaning, which can be performed at your dentist’s office.

Question: My child is three and is going to the dentist for the first time what can I do to make it less scary for her.

Answer: Since your child is old enough to understand about going to the dentist, there are several things you can do to ease any anxiety she may have. Such as:

• Give her a sneak peek. Take her with you to your next checkup to get her used to the sights and sounds, and let her watch you as you have your mouth check and or teeth cleaned. She will see that though the tooth polisher is noisy, it does not hurt.
• Make sure to choose a kid-friendly dentist. Pediatric dentists are trained in child development and understand how to make kids comfortable. Besides having an upbeat, patient manner, the dentist should add kid-friendly elements to the exam. Some provide sunglasses to block out the bright examining lights and toys to keep their minds off their mouths. Others use puppets to teach proper brushing, and offer post-exam treats like stickers. Ask your pediatrician for a referral.
• Make sure book the dental appointment at a time when you and your child are well rested. If you need to rush back to work or she is tired, the visit will be off to a bad start before you even arrive.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry they recommend that you take your child in for an initial dental visit at around 12 months. Other experts recommend waiting until she’s closer to two. Talk with your pediatrician about what is best for your child. Once she starts going to the dentist, you should aim for a checkup twice a year. Just remember: The main goal is establishing good habits early.

Normally babies get their first tooth around six months, but it can appear as early as three months or as late as 14 months. Typically, babies get teeth in pairs and they generally emerge in this order:   

*  The bottom front teeth (incisors)  
*  The top front teeth (incisors)  
*  The bottom side teeth (incisors) and the upper side ones   
*  The first molars (grinding teeth at the back of the mouth)  
*  The canines (pointed teeth next to incisors)  
*  The second molars  But every child is different. By age two 1/2, most children will have about 20 teeth.

Cutting a tooth does not always go hand in hand with discomfort and sleepless nights. Many parents scarcely notice their child is teething until they spot a tiny pearl poking through their baby’s red gum. But some babies provide plenty of warning that teeth are on the way. Common symptoms in the weeks before teeth sprout include excessive crankiness, frequent crying, a change in appetite, lots of drooling, gnawing, and even ear pulling. Swelling in the gums is the source of the pain. You can alleviate your baby’s discomfort by providing something to chomp on, such as chilled washcloth, cold teething toys, or rings filled with water. Distraction can also work. Give your baby a little extra one-on-one playtime, and lots of cuddling.

A pacifier can be very soothing to a teething baby. But sucking on a pacifier past age of three can make a bad overbite or cross bite worse. Also, some experts think that children with speech impediments (like lisps) should avoid pacifiers altogether since they may aggravate the situation. To figure out what is best for your child, talk with your baby dentist.

When buying a dental insurance plan make sure to look at the carrier’s dental “in-network providers.” Ask how many dentists are in the network of approved providers. You want a wide selection of professionals in your region, so that if your want to change providers you will have that option available to you.

With dental insurance you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on the cost of your dental care needs. However, there is no reason to pay more than needed to ensure adequate coverage. When comparing individual/family dental insurance and dental discount plans consumers can save money.

By simply entering a zip code at the top of the page individuals can receive dental insurance quotes for their state. If you have any questions please call our member service line at 310-534-3444

It is important to know where to go for answers in case of emergencies. Dental emergencies can happen at any time. To ensure you get the most from your individual dental insurance plan, you should program your dentist’s and insurance carrier’s customer service phone numbers into your mobile contact lists and bookmark important sites in their mobile browsers. In addition, when traveling, consumers should know how to quickly find a local dentist that is covered by their plan if needed.

With PPO’s and Indemnities dental insurance plan they tend to brake down the coverage’s in three main categories.

1) Preventive/Diagnostic: Generally includes – Office Visits, Oral evoulations, Bitewing X-Rays and Basic Cleaning
2) Basic Restorative: Generally includes – Fillings and Dental sealants
3) Major Restorative: Generally includes – Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Oral surgery and treatment of Gum Disease

Some plans provide a fourth category which would typically be braces/orthodontic services and some limited cosmetic

However it is still important to review each plan coverage’s carefully to verify under that plan benefit what fall under want category for that plan.

One way to control your expenses is by having a “predetermination” or “pre-treatment” review. Consumers who are considering an expensive dental treatment are wise to have their dental carrier confirm coverage in advance. Often, dentists’ receptionists are able to do this for patients during their visits. Not only will consumers know in advance what portion of the costs their dental plan will pay, but the carrier or dentist may also be able to recommend less costly options.

Dental insurance plans such as PPOs normally have waiting periods before certain dental services are covered under the plan, as well as annual maximum limitations. To avoid avoid exceeding annual maximum benefits or having services before benefits are effective try delaying dental work, if advisable by your dentist.  

As part of dental planning, consumers should consult with their dentists and, if possible, delay work that would push costs over what they are covered for by their dental insurance plan. Individual dental insurance plans may work on a calendar year basis or they may be subject to other start and end dates. Consumers should check with specific carriers for details.

Your dentists should be able to develop a personalized dental plan that goes beyond regularly scheduled checkups and exams. A personal dental plan may be as simple as brushing and flossing on a regular basis, or it may include corrective care and the steps needed to carry it out efficiently and effectively within the terms of the consumer’s current or anticipated dental plan.

Understand the your dental insurance benefits to get the most for your money. As with all investments, it is in consumers’ best interests to understand what they are paying for. Fortunately, the law requires that consumers with dental coverage receive a description of their benefits. They can therefore fully research the coverage, limitations, and exclusions of their plans and use the benefits to the maximum.

Dental insurance is rarely for emergencies dental services only. After selecting an individual dental insurance plan, the most basic way to ensure you get the most from your dental insurance, is to visit your dentist regularly. by maintaining regular dental visits, it will help to ensure you get the preventive care needed to stay healthy.