Question:  My job offers me medical but with no real dental benefits. I am looking for a lower-cost dental plan ranging from, at most, $40.00 – $45.00 monthly.

Answer: Yes, we provide dental-only insurance plan options for individuals and families to buy directly. We offer various dental insurance plans from HMO, PPO, and Indemnity. HMO plans are generally lower-cost plans ranging from $8.00 – $20.00 monthly for an individual. PPO plans range from $35.00 – $85.00 an individual, depending on the plan and coverage amount. Then lastly are the Indemnity dental insurance plans. Indemnity plans tend to be more costly but range similar to PPOs. 

Based on your budget, you should review HMO plans as an option or lower-cost PPO plans. You can call our office at 310-534-3444 M-F 8 am -4 pm. We would be happy to help you find a dental insurance plan that fits your budget and dental needs the best. 

Reply: I suggest looking at HMO dental insurance options. They typically range from $7.95 – $25.95 per month for an individual, depending on the plan. HMO dental plans generally cost less than PPO plans because they have a more limited network of dentists and specialists that members can see. HMO plans also often require members to choose a primary care dentist. Additionally, HMO plans typically have lower out-of-pocket costs for members, such as copays and deductibles, making them a more affordable option for those seeking dental insurance coverage.

Here are some benefits of having a dental HMO plan:

1. Lower monthly premiums: HMO dental plans generally have lower monthly premiums than PPO plans, making them a more affordable option for individuals and families.

2. Predictable costs: HMO plans typically have fixed service copayments, which can help members better predict and budget their dental care expenses.

3. No deductibles: Unlike many PPO plans, HMO plans typically do not have an annual deductible that members must meet before their insurance coverage kicks in.

4. No annual maximums: HMO plans may not have a yearly maximum on the amount of benefits that members can receive, which can be beneficial for individuals who require more extensive dental procedures.

5. Preventive care coverage: HMO plans often cover preventive services, such as regular cleanings and exams, at little or no cost to members.

6. No paperwork: HMO plans typically require less paperwork and administrative work than PPO plans, making them a more convenient option for some individuals.

Answer: Since there are different types of dental insurance plans, the cost can significantly vary depending on the type of dental insurance. However, the average HMO dental insurance plan runs around $8.00 – $25.00 a month. For your PPO and Indemnity plans, the cost can also be based on zip code and age; however, for a range, say, around $25 – $75.00 a month.   

Why are PPO’s dental plans more costly than HMO’s dental plans?

The reason why PPO dental plans are generally more expensive than HMO dental plans is that PPO plans typically offer more flexibility and choice when it comes to choosing a dentist. PPO plans allow you to choose any dentist, while HMO plans require selecting a dentist from a pre-approved network. With more choice comes a higher cost, as PPO plans often have higher deductibles and co-pays than HMO plans. Additionally, PPO plans typically cover a more comprehensive range of dental services than HMO plans.

We offer both HMO’s and PPO’s dental insurance plans. We can help you choose the best plan for your dental care needs. Please call our member service line at 310-534-3444. We will 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 overpriced, but they worry about seeing a different dentist. With PPO dental insurance, you can stay with your current dentist. Many people wish to be able to keep their current dentist, and changing is not an option. 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 help you to keep your dental care cost more affordable, you are more likely to visit your dentist as advised.

In short, PPO lets you choose your dentist or choose a new dentist, whether they’re in-network or not.

That’s correct! PPO dental insurance plans allow you to choose your dentist, whether they are in-network or not. Giving you the flexibility to stick with your current dentist or choose a new one without worrying about network restrictions. Even if your preferred dentist is not a provider of the PPO plan, most PPO dental insurance plans still provide benefits for non-network providers. This means you can continue receiving dental care while keeping your costs more affordable.

Preschoolers With a Mouthful of Cavities.

In Washington, a two-and-a-half-year-old had to undergo dental surgery after dental x-rays showed that 11 of his 20 baby teeth had cavities. The pediatric dentist extracted two incisors, performed a root canal on a molar, and gave the rest fillings and crowns. The child’s parents did not even worry about brushing their child’s teeth until they noticed his teeth were discolored. They stated they had too much to consider than brushing his teeth at night. It is not as uncommon as you may first think.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they noted an increase, the first in 40 years, in the number of preschoolers with cavities in a study five years ago. Dentists nationwide say they see more preschoolers at all income levels with 6 to 10 cavities or more. The level of decay is so severe that they often recommend using general anesthesia because young children are unlikely to sit through such extensive procedures while awake.

There are benefits of flavored toothpaste for kids. If your child is fussy about brushing their teeth, it can be that they need to care for the taste of the toothpaste in use. Kid-friendly toothpaste may make your child want to brush longer. Colgate has Colgate Kids in strawberry as well as watermelon flavors. Crest toothpaste offers a bubblegum flavor. Other toothpaste tastes like ice cream. These flavors of toothpaste may make brushing their teeth much more manageable. However, remember that, like any other toothpaste, they are to be kept out of reach of small children and used only for brushing their teeth and not for eating.

Here’s to a bright New Year and a farewell to the old; here’s to the things yet to come and to the memories we hold. We wish you a happy, healthy New Year. May the New Year bless you with health, wealth, and happiness.

Too Much Beaching Your Teeth May Harm Your Health.

It is never good to do anything in excess. When it comes to whitening your teeth, the dentist warns that over-bleaching your teeth could harm your health. Dental health professionals have coined the term Bleachorexia to describe a person with an addictive obsession with bleaching their teeth to the point that it’s affecting their dental health. Correctly beaching your teeth can provide you with the smile you want. However, overuse of over-the-counter whitening products can damage your oral health. Excessively bleaching your teeth can cause them to get translucent, making them look even less white. Other risks of obsessive bleaching include hypersensitivity (making your teeth more sensitive), Oral Irritation, and tooth enamel erosion.

What is Dental Abscess?

A dental abscess begins as a tooth infection or cavity and can become a mouth, face, jaw, or throat condition if left untreated. Bacteria from tooth decay can extend into the gums, cheek, and throat, beneath the tongue, or even into the jaw or facial bones. Periodontal abscesses result from an infection that has moved deeper into gum areas, and a periapical abscess refers to a tooth with an infection of the pulp. With a dental abscess, you may notice pus collecting at the infected site. Usually the condition will become more painful until the abscess either ruptures and drains on its own or is drained surgically. Dental abscesses can also make you generally ill, with nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills, and sweats. Anyone who thinks they may have a dental abscess should immediately see a dentist.

Whitening with Over Counter Teeth-Whitening Kits.

Many over-the-counter teeth whitening products are available. Teeth whitening strips are what some dentists will advise if you are going to whiten your teeth at home since you are less likely to swallow bleach or damage your gums with those types of whitening products. Over-the-counter whitening products are usually the least expensive teeth whitening option; however, a downside is the bleaching solution used in over-the-counter products may be too mild to yield dramatic results or to whiten severely stained teeth.

What is Dental Sealant?

Dental sealants are protective coatings made up of tinted or transparent plastic. Sealants are applied to the chewing areas of the back teeth, where the possibility of cavity formation is higher than in other regions of the teeth. Sealants are used on children’s teeth to prevent cavities at an early age. They are effective in function and affordable and are normally covered by dental insurance as a preventive treatment. Dental sealants cost much less than the amount spent on filling due to cavities.

Hot Tea May Increase the Risk of Throat Cancer.

According to studies done in Britain, drinking scalding tea every day may increase your chance of getting throat cancer. Another study in Iran, which reportedly has the most significant number of oesophageal cancer patients, shows research results on 871 people. It was noticed that around 300 people who drank more than a liter of extremely hot black tea in a day were diagnosed with cancer. The study showed that this group had the habit of drinking hot tea above 65 degrees, putting them in the high-risk zone compared to the others who preferred warm tea below 65 degrees. It was also noticed that those who drank hotter tea, above 70 degrees, bettered their chances of acquiring throat cancer.

Generally, you will have three 20-minute treatments when laser whitening your teeth. With laser teeth whitening treatments, you can walk out of the dental office with your teeth a lot brighter. Laser bleaching puts a barrier around the gums, and strong bleach is placed on your teeth. A laser light activates the bleach to make it work. A downside of laser teeth whitening treatments can be the cost since laser whitening is the most expensive of the teeth-whitening options available.