Dental discount plans have many benefits. Here are some pros and cons of buying a dental discount plan.

Pros

• Most dental discount plans start within the next business day from placing your online order
• You receive a discounted saving for all dental services rendered.
• No waiting periods for needed dental care
• You can use the plan at any plan provider wherever the plan is available.
• Many dental discount plans come with additional savings for vision and RX without additional cost.

Cons

• You have to go to the network plan dentist. There is no outside network savings.
• There may not always be local providers in your area.
• Although you get discounted savings for all dental care (even cosmetic), there is no guarantee that providers will provide all dental services.
• Like with insurance, a dentist/dental office can stop taking the plan if they so choose.

You should review your HMO insurance options if you are on a tight budget or want a more budget-friendly insurance plan. Not only are HMOs the lower-cost insurance plan option, but most base their benefits on a fee schedule that breaks down the cost of each covered service. Hence, this makes it easier to budget your dental care. A downside to HMO plans for some people is that you need to choose a dental provider within the plan network and that there are no benefits available if you go to a dentist that is not a network provider.

Question: Are there any dental insurance plans that provide coverage for dental implants to at least 60 percent of the cost? 

Answer: Although we sell over 100 dental insurance plans nationwide, none offer benefits for implants at 60%. Dental insurance plans typically don’t provide full coverage for dental implants because they are considered a cosmetic procedure and not medically necessary. Additionally, dental implants can be quite expensive, and insurance companies may not want to assume the full cost of the procedure. However, some insurance plans may offer partial coverage for implants, typically around 10 to 15 percent, depending on the individual plan and the specific circumstances of the patient’s case. We also provide dental discount plans to offer 15% -20% off the cost of dental implants if a provider in the plan does that type of dental service.

Not all health insurance plans offer dental care benefits; if they do, they can be limited in coverage. Make sure, along with your health insurance plan, you have a good dental insurance plan that best fits your dental health. According to recent studies, there are direct links between oral health and overall wellness. We provide a broad range of dental insurance plan options. Please call our member service line at 310-534-3444 if you have any questions about our dental insurance plan options, and we will be happy to help.

HMO insurance plans are good for “low-income,” low-cost dental insurance options. They can start as low as only $7.95 a month for individuals—hopefully making insurance affordable for everyone looking for dental insurance on a fixed income. Call our office at 310-534-3444, and we can review all our HMo low-cost plans.

There are several dental insurance plans available for individuals in Southern California. Some popular options include Delta Dental. It’s essential to compare plans and coverage options to find the best fit for your needs and budget. Many plans offer preventative care, such as cleanings and exams, at no cost, while others may have a higher monthly premium but cover more extensive procedures. It’s also worth checking if your preferred dentist is in-network with the insurance plan you are considering. You can call our office at 310-534-3444 Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm, as we would be happy to go over the dental insurance plan we have available.

Although it is essential for everyone, regardless of age, to have proper dental habits and to visit the dentist regularly, seniors have a higher risk of dental health issues due to age. As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, including changes to our teeth and gums. These changes can increase the risk of dental health issues for seniors. For example, seniors may experience receding gums, which can expose the roots of the teeth and increase the risk of decay and infection. Additionally, seniors may be more likely to take medications that cause dry mouth, which can also increase the risk of dental problems. Finally, seniors may have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene due to physical limitations or cognitive decline. These factors can contribute to a higher risk of dental care issues for seniors.

If you are a senior, practice good dental care habits and see your dentist at least twice a year or as advised by your dentist if dental care cost is an issue. Think about buying a low-cost dental insurance plan such as an HMO. HMOs are lower-cost plans and provide preventive dental care at little cost.

Question: I am looking for a personal dental insurance plan. I used to have a group dental plan through work but lost that about four months ago. How do I best find a dental insurance plan for an individual? 

Answer:  One way to find a personal dental insurance plan is to research various insurance providers online and compare their plans and prices. Another option is to consult an insurance agent who can provide personalized recommendations based on your needs and budget. Additionally, you can check with professional organizations or associations you belong to, as they may offer group rates for dental insurance. It’s important to carefully review each plan’s benefits and limitations before deciding to ensure it meets your dental health needs.

You can call our office at 310-534-3444 Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm, as we would be happy to go over the dental insurance plan we have available. 

Question: If I get a dental PPO plan, but the dentist I want to go to is not a provider, can I still use the dental insurance to go to that dentist? 

Answer: When considering getting a dental PPO plan, one of the most common concerns is whether you can still see your preferred dentist, who is not a provider of the PPO plan you are reviewing. Understandably, you have specific preferences regarding your dental care and want to ensure that your dental insurance plan does not limit your choices. 

However, the answer to this question depends on your specific PPO plan. While most PPO plans allow you to go outside their plan provider list, you must carefully review each plan’s details to understand the implications of choosing a non-participating provider. 

It is important to note that some PPO plans may lower or reduce their benefits if you choose to go to a non-participating provider of the plan. This means you may have to pay a higher out-of-pocket cost for dental procedures. Additionally, when you go to a non-participating provider, you are at a higher risk of acquiring UCR (Usual, Customary, and Reasonable) fees, which are the fees charged by a dentist higher than the plan considers reasonable. 

Therefore, before you decide, it is crucial to review the details of the PPO plan carefully and consider your options. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the dental insurance provider’s customer service for assistance.

Question: I like the cost of an HMO, but if my dentist is not a plan provider, can I still go to him and pay a little more? 

Answer: The quick reply would be No. In an HMO dental plan, you must choose a plan dentist who is a part of the network of providers. This dentist will be responsible for providing you with all of your dental care needs. If you choose to see a dentist who is not a part of the plan, you will likely have to pay out-of-pocket for the services you receive. This is because HMO insurance plans will not cover the non-plan provider’s assistance costs.  

You should review a dental PPO plan if you want to stay with your current dentist. PPO plans will let you choose a plan provider or go outside to a nonplan provider. Allowing you to keep the dentist you are currently with. However, you will need to read the plan benefits carefully to verify if a coverage difference exists for non-providers vs. providers of the plan.

Question: I am looking for a dental quote where I do not have to give my whole life history to get information and rates. 

Answer:  When you are looking for dental insurance, it can be frustrating to have to provide a lot of personal information to get a quote. At ConsulateDentalPlans.com, we understand that your time is valuable and your privacy is important. That’s why we only require your zip code to pull up your area’s available dental insurance plan options. 

We believe price is one of the most important factors when choosing a dental insurance plan, so we provide that information upfront. Once we review the available plans and find one that meets your needs and budget, you can buy the plan by providing more information about yourself. 

If you would like to get a quote or learn more about our dental insurance plan options, we invite you to call our office at 310-534-3444 Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Our friendly and knowledgeable representatives will gladly assist you and answer any questions.

I need to understand how dental insurance works. I have a dental insurance PPO plan through my job, but it could be better. I am considering removing it and getting just the medical. Why have insurance if you have to pay the dentist? 

Reply: Medical insurance has a cost paid out by the insured. Dental insurance is designed to make dental care more affordable, not free. You may not think dental care without insurance is so bad, but to give you an example of how, even in preventive care, dental insurance is worth the cost of having it. Say all you need is preventative care. Without insurance, preventive care costs (Office visits, Bite-wing X-rays, Oral Exam, and Basic Cleaning) can range around $200 – $400, keeping in mind most low-cost HMO plans range from $8.00 to $20.00 a month with preventive care typical being free. More extensive dental care is more expensive when you don’t have dental insurance. Without insurance, patients are responsible for covering the entire cost of their dental treatment out-of-pocket.

In addition, dental providers may charge different rates for their services, making it difficult for patients to know exactly how much they will be paying for a particular procedure. For those who require extensive dental work, the cost can be prohibitive, leading many to delay or forego necessary treatment.

Without insurance, patients may also miss out on preventative care, such as regular check-ups and cleanings, which can help identify and address dental issues before they become more serious and require more costly treatment.

Overall, the cost of dental care without insurance can be a significant financial burden for many individuals and families, highlighting the importance of affordable and accessible dental coverage.

Even though the leading cause of foul breath odor comes from food particles trapped in our mouths, bad breath can also be an underlying medical condition of the stomach, lungs, and bloodstream.

What can you do to control bad breath issues:

1) Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal to remove any excess food particles from the mouth.
2) Brush your tongue.
3) Floss your teeth daily to remove any food particles trapped between your teeth and gums.
4) Have regular dental checkups. The dentist can maintain gums and teeth health and check for faulty restorations, overhanging fillings, or loose crowns, which can trap food in the mouth and cause bad breath and dental issues.
5) Chew sugarless gum or even have sugar-free lozenges. Both will help increase the flow of saliva.
6) Drink plenty of water throughout the day
7) Avoid mints and mouthwash that have alcohol since they can make lousy breath problems worse, only temporarily masking bad breath.
8) Caffeine and alcohol can lead to dry mouth, which can cause bad breath.
9) Avoid smoking or chewing. Both will cause bad breath and other health issues.
10) Milk and dairy products can cause many people to have bad breath.
11) Some medicines will cause bad breath; if you have bad breath that is not associated with your diet or oral hygiene and is a constant issue, seek out a doctor to see if there are any other health issues as to why you may have bad breath.

Bad breath can be an indicator of poor oral and dental health. It can be caused by a wide range of factors, including poor brushing and flossing habits, tooth decay, gum disease, dry mouth, or even certain medical conditions. If you are experiencing bad breath, it is important to address the underlying cause.

Some tips for improving your oral and dental health include brushing twice a day, flossing daily, using mouthwash, drinking plenty of water, and visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. By taking proper care of your mouth and teeth, you can help prevent bad breath and promote overall oral and dental health.

If you are experiencing chronic bad breath, it is important to visit your dentist to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Endodontic/Root Canal dental treatment is needed when the pulp (The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development) becomes inflamed or infected.

This inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes, such as deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. Also, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.