Not everyone in the US receive dental benefits though their employer.  People that do not receive dental benefits can tend to put off their dental care for themselves and their families.  This mostly due to cost issues.     

However even for families there are low cost dental insurance options that are available and will help make going to the dentist much more affordable for your whole family.  There are HMO insurance plans in most states that run around $30-$40 a month for a family and offer free to very low cost preventive care, such as X-rays, Check ups and cleanings. For just one person those services can up to a $150 or more.  You can see how with a family of four paying $40.00 a month just save you over $500.00 in dental care cost.   

Also people that have dental insurance tend to see the dentist regularly for their preventive care services. By doing so it helps to prevent larger dental issues from start there by also controlling the cost for dental services.

There are some positives – the number of overweight children in California declined slightly and preschool enrollment increased. Yet the overall health picture, especially for California’s low-income kids, is grim according to a new research brief “Trends in the Health of Young Children in California” by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and sponsored by First 5 California.

The brief found that two-thirds of California children are without health insurance are from low-income families. Low-income children utilize community clinics for primary care at three times the rate of higher income children. And the proportion of children enrolled in private health insurance is shrinking – while the reliance on public programs is growing.

“The research suggests there has been a steady erosion of health care and health access for the most vulnerable children,” said David Grant, lead author of the policy research brief and director of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). “As Californians, we have a lot of work to do to reverse the trend.”

The research brief examined trends in health among Californian children from a wide range of ethnicities and economic backgrounds. It is based upon an analysis of data collected by CHIS, the nation’s largest state health survey, in 2001, 2003 and 2005. Conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, CHIS surveys up to 50,000 Californians – including up to 10,000 children – every two years.

“There is no higher priority than the health and well-being of our children,” said Kris Perry, executive director of First 5 California. “This research brief provides a valuable reminder of where our priorities must be, even at a time of scarce resources.”

Researchers drew upon those interviews for “Trends in the Health of Young Children in California.”

Among their findings:

Fewer overweight children: The prevalence of overweight children ages 0-5 dropped slightly in California from 14% in 2001 to 12% in 2005. There were steep drops in Riverside County (16.2% in 2003 to 12.4% in 2005) and San Bernardino County (16.2% in 2003 to 8.4% in 2005). Los Angeles County also dropped (14.3% in 2003 to 12.8% in 2005) as well as Alameda County (13.4% in 2003 to 8.9% in 2005) and San Diego County (12.9% in 2003 to 8.5% in 2005).

No improvement in health insurance coverage: The proportion of children ages 0-5 in California who lacked health insurance for all or part of the previous year – one in ten children – remained unchanged between 2001 and 2005.

Delta Dental provides exceptional service, extensive dentist choice, and substantial claims savings through its affordable dental coverage to over 24 million enrollees. 

Delta Dental’s generosity has enabled more than 750 volunteer dentists and 140 dental laboratories to contribute over $10 million services for over 6,100 vulnerable individuals with seriously neglected problems. Delta Dental is a leader in improving oral health statewide.  Delta Dental has recognized that by treating children’s dental needs, we have improved their overall health and self-esteem.  They offer solutions that expand access to care while preserving the widespread availability and affordability of dental benefits.  In addition, Delta dental plans collectively serve more than 54 million Americans representing more than 90,000 groups. Delta Dental is the oldest and largest dental health carrier in California, covering nearly 20 million Californians. 

Delta Dental’s Customer Service staff speaks English and Spanish, and has access to interpreters for many other languages.  Delta Dental is the largest dental plan system in the United States.  Member companies serve over one-quarter of the estimated 165 million Americans with dental insurance. Delta Dental’s roots go back to 1954 with the formation of dental service corporations in California, Oregon and Washington, which were created by dentists who recognized the need to increase access to oral health care.  Delta Dental companies are actively engaged in many studies, grants and partnerships with dental schools and community health organizations to increase access to professional dental care as well as to research evidence-based dentistry and the efficacy of new benefit designs.

Many PPO and Indemity insurance plan will have a specific dollar deductible.  During a benefit period,(normally per calender year) you personally will have to satisfy a portion of your dental bill before your benefit plan will contribute to your cost of dental treatment. Your plan information will describe how your deductible works. Plans do vary on this point. For instance, some dental plans will apply the deductible to diagnostic or preventive treatments, and others will not.

Did you know that you should be cleaning your child’s mouth even before their teeth come in? For good oral health you want to wipe the gums off after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth or a dampened piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. You can also buy thimble-like, soft rubbery devices (they fit over your index finger) to use for rubbing off excess food.  Doing this will not only keep your child mouth clean but it will also make your baby become accustom to you doing this and then brushing teeth later on becomes easier.

For some people they question whether or not the really need a root canal when they do not have any pain. However it is important to know that many teeth that need root canal therapy will not cause pain. But that does not mean the tooth is okay. Your dentist and or endodontist specialist have ways to see if the tooth’s pulp is damaged or infected. If it is, then you will need root canal treatment, even if the tooth does not hurt.

Therefore if you see something near a damaged tooth that looks like a pimple, see your dentist. The “pimple,” called a fistula, is a tunnel of tissue draining pus from an infection. There is no pain because the fistula keeps pressure from building in the tissue. It can come and go. The infection must be treated, and the tooth probably needs root canal treatment. Without treatment, nearby tissues will become infected.

Question: I do not have dental insurance.  I need two dental crowns for my teeth.  I was also told that I should have a small cavity filled before it becomes a bigger issue.  I just do not have the money needed.  My dentist quoted me $1500.00 for two crowns and fillings.  Where can I go to get the dental work need for half that cost.  Because that is about all the extra money I have right now to spend on my teeth care.

Reply: I would suggest you start with buy an individual dental insurance plan for yourself so it dose help to greatly lower your dental care cost.  Since you currently have major dental service needs you will want to review any HMO dental Insurance plan options and or dental discount plans as these types of plans do not normally have any waiting periods for larger dental care needs.

Question: I am on a tight budget but need some basic dental care that is affordable. I call around to a few dentist for cost of check up, X-rays and cleaning and getting quotes that range form $150 – $250. I like to pay no more then 50-75 since that is about the max I can afford. Where can I get affordable dental care.

Answer: It not really so much where, as much as what you need first is dental insurance. Dental insurance will help make dental care affordable. I suggest a dental HMO insurance plan since it dose not seem as if you are locked into seeing any one dentist. HMO insurance plan are affordable running as low as $8.00 a month to $19.00 a month for an individual. With most HMO dental insurance plans your preventive care such as your check ups, X-rays and cleaning are normally free or at very low cost to you. You can see how this helps make the very dental services you are looking much more affordable.

Question: I want to by dental insurance that offer the best coverage’s you can get.  I do not paying more for the cost of the plan if I can go to my own dentist and have affordable coverage’s.  So far all I seen are a bunch of dental discount plans and a few HMO dental insurance plan. Both plans are cheap but I want better coverage’s.  Also my dentist does not take those type of dental plans.

Reply: If you are wanting and dental insurance plan that lets you choose your own dentist then you would want to look at PPOs and or Indemnity dental insurance plans options.

PPO will let you go outside their network of provider sometime at a reduce coverage so make sure you read the policy terms and conditions.

Indemnity dental insurance plan let you go to any dentist since they do not have a network of providers. This is really good if your dentist is not a provider of any plans. By buying an dental Indemnity plan you are able to see your dentist without the worry of your coverage’s being reduce.

Both of these type of dental plans will normally have waiting periods, yearly dollar max limits, and a deducible so make sure you read the policy terms to know the limitations of the plan.

Periodontal disease is a common condition that ranges from simple gum inflammation to a serious disease causing major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth, and loss of teeth. Periodontal disease has also been linked with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as oral, esophageal, head and neck, pancreatic and lung cancers. Previous studies have suggested that chronic inflammation could provide the link. Risk factors for periodontal disease include genetic predisposition, smoking and hormonal changes in girls and women, which can make gums more sensitive so that it is easier for gingivitis to develop. People with reduced ability to fight infection due to diseases such as diabetes or treatment for cancer are also prone. Medications that limit the flow of saliva can also leave the mouth vulnerable to infections.

If you are wanting to save money on your dental care needs, the first step in doing that is at home. Brushing and flossing every day can save a considerable amount of money. Taking good care of your teeth can prevent costly dental procedures. In addition an affordable dental insurance policy will give you peace of mind. If something happens and you need major dental work, you have an affordable plan to fit your needs.

There are dental clinics throughout the country that offers low to free dental care to low income households. In addition, Dentistry From The Heart has hundreds of events each year, during which free dental care is made available to communities across the country.

If you can not afford dental insurance a dental discount plan may be a good alternative. Dental discount plans are not insurance, however they offer saving by as much as 10% to 60% on a range of dental procedures provided by participating dentists. This website provides both dental insurance as well as dental discount plans for your review.