Question: Is there any requirement to get dental insurance in the state of California.  I really need so dental care but I do not want to wait forever to be approved. 

Answer: Most off are dental insurance plans start the first of next month depending on the enrollment cut off. (Example: plan starts the first of next month if order by the 20th of this  month.) You will also see we provide a few dental discount plans that start the next business day from placing your order on line.  Yet is is important to  understand that some dental insurance plans may of waiting periods before certain benefits are effective so make sure you read each plans terms and conditions before choosing one.

Question: My teeth are in very bad shape and it is effecting my overall health. My teeth hurt and then gives me headaches.  My medical insurance helps with some issues but my doctor told me that I need to see a dentist to take care of the dental issues that are effective my health. Can I get something low cost but will still help I do not have much money. 

Answer:  I would suggest reviewing either our dental HMO insurance plans and or our dental discount plan options.  These are the lower cost plan types and they do help to reduce your dental care cost so that is is much more affordable.  Call our member service line at 310-534-3444 if you have any questions about our dental insurance and plan options as we will be happy to help.

Question: Can I get a dental that is only dental and not health.  My job offers me medical but with no real dental benefits.  

Answer: Yes. On our website DentalInsuranceKids.com we provide dental only insurance plan options for individuals and families to buy directly.  In order to review our dental insurance options just enter your zip code in the quote box provide

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 Delta Dental 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. 

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.

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 Delta Dental HMO.  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 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.

If 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.

Many parent do encourage their children to practice proper dental care habits at home.  But having the right dental health care products for your children to use is important as well.    

For children who do not brush their teeth on their own yet, you may want to avoid toothpaste with fluoride until they know not to swallow.  However for older children, the Center for Disease Control recommends that parents get their children toothpaste that contains fluoride in order to protect their teeth.  

Also with regards to using mouthwash parents may want to avoid using mouthwash that contain alcohol.  There are many kid friendly mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol just read the label to make sure.    Flossing is an important part of dental care, however your child needs to know how to floss correctly.  Make sure you or your dentist correctly shows your child how to floss.  A parent should floss their child teeth until they are able to do so on their own.

More then 130 million Americans do not have dental insurance.  Those that are lacking insurance tend to put of dental care due to cost. 

Even though early childhood is a critical time period for kids to learn effective dental health care habits, many parents can not afford their needed dental care.  

Many schools in effort to help children build strong dental health care habits, reach out to volunteer dental hygienists and dentist that are willing to visit their school and provide dental education and free dental screenings.  See if your child school is active in having such programs available.  

Having good dental care habits established early on could help avoid dental issues in the future.  Good oral health care is more the just having healthy teeth. According to the Surgeon General oral health is integral to general health care. However, sadly many parents may not realize proper dental care, like traditional medical care should begin in infancy to prevent the development of disease.   

The American Dental Association advise new parent to have the first dental visit before the child first birthday. Pediatric dentist are specialist in treating children dental care needs. The dentist has the same goal in mind for your child dental health care “Prevention” With maintenance, routine check-ups and cleanings on a regular basis it will help prevent larger dental care needs.

It is important to understand that your family dentist is not a mind reader.  You have an obligation to be truthful with your dentist.  What you do not reveal they can not know.  If you have additional information tell them and do not hold back on your opinions and or feeling this go for positive as well as negative.  Keep in mind most dentist want you to be happy.  If you do not let them know you are displeased about something how can they take measures to correct the issue.

When taking your child to see a dentist here are some tips that you should know.  Make sure that the dentist provide you complete information about any dental care services being advised.  Make that the dentist explains things to you in a language you can under stand.  (Note Many dentist have their own language “dental talk” that many people may not completely understand)      

Make sure the dentist is providing you with all available options. It is hard to make an informed choice unless you know all your available options.  Ask you dentist to understand why they are suggesting one option over another.    

Don’t forget you always have the right for a second opinion any time you want additional information from another source.  Do not be afraid to get a second opinion a good dentist will not get insulted.   Make sure you have a dentist that treats you and your child with respect at all times.  A dentist should not be rude because you are asking questions about your child dental care and or dental treatments. 

Respect also includes the privacy and security of your records and the privacy of your discussions with the dentist and staff members.   It should go without saying but the dental office that you choose to go to for you and your family dental care should be clean. Cleanliness and sterility is what you are looking for if you do not see that leave.  

It is important that children’s dental and oral health care needs are met.  Having healthy teeth and gums is also important to a child over all health care. In order to meet a child dental care goals it is important to have proper preventive dental care habits at home, as well as a dental care provider. 

Seeing a dentist regularly is just as important as seeing your doctor regularly.   Talk to your child dentist, go over some healthy dental care habits to have a maintain from home. 

CHIP or Children’s Health Insurance Program helps to provide free or low-cost health coverage for more than 7 million children up to age 19. CHIP provides coverages to U.S. citizens and eligible immigrants.   

CHIP is Available in Every State and in general children in families with incomes up to $44,100 year (for a family of four) are likely to be eligible for coverage. However, in many states, families can have higher incomes and their children can still qualify.     

Each state designs its own CHIP program, which includes eligibility, benefits, premiums and cost-sharing, and application and renewal procedures. States can decide on the benefits provided under CHIP, but all states cover routine check-ups, immunizations, hospital care, dental care, and lab and x-ray services.  Children get free preventive care, but low premiums and other cost-sharing may be required for other services.

There are many people that have worries about dental x-rays being taken on an annual basis. This worries are compounded if they had recent medical x-rays also taken.  

It may help to understand that a complete series of dental X-rays emits as much radiation as does an hour in the sun. Many dental offices now offer digital x-rays which produce 1/10 the radiation that the old style x-rays produced. 

However, if x-rays are not taken, the dentist can examine only about 50% of the tooth structure. It would be like asking the dentist to work with one hand tied behind their back. However, talk to your dentist about any X-rays worries you may have. If you have a history of good teeth they may be able to do X-rays less often.

A course it goes almost without saying that smoking or chewing tobacco is in no way good for your health.  However with regards to oral health, if you smoke or chew you have a high risk of gum disease and oral cancer.  Men are affected twice as often as women and 95 percent of oral cancers occur in those over 40 years of age. 

More then 8000 people die each year form oral an pharyngeal diseases. If you use tobacco it is very important to see a dentist frequently though out the year.  Your dentist can perform a thorough screening for oral cancel to help ensure your mouth remains healthy.

Men oral health care is just as important as women oral health care however, men are less likely then women to take care of their oral health needs.  Even though good oral health as been linked with longevity, the common factors associated with infrequent dental checkups is just being male.  Men are less likely then women to seek preventive dental care from a dentist and often neglect their oral health for years.  Only visiting a dentist when larger dental issues arises from neglect.  According to oral health statistics men will lose 5.4 teeth by the age of 72 and are more likely to develop oral and throat cancer as well as periodontal disease.