When you go to your dentist is he/she and staff members wearing masks, gloves and appropriate eye wear? This should be required and expected when any dental work is performed. Are gloves disposed of between patients?

When you are having dental care services are you seeing that all dental instruments are stored in sealed bags following sterilization? If you are not sure, then ask your dentist about their sterilization practices. Are all questions regarding sterilization answered to your satisfaction? If not you may want to choose another dental provider.

When you go to your dentist, does the dental office present a professional atmosphere and a willingness to address your concerns? Is your medical history thoroughly reviewed prior to treatment or is it an afterthought? Health problems, such as high blood pressure, should be monitored at every dental appointment.  If you are not finding this being done ask your dentist about it and or you may want to change dental providers.

Even with insurance it is a good idea to plan ahead for major dental services. Often many dental insurance plan have waiting periods that can effect when you have major dental care covered under the plan. Maximum limitation should also be taken into account so that if you are wanting to stay with in your plans coverages you may want to brake up your dental services to avoid going over your plan maximum limitation.   

In addition with many dental insurance company you can get a  free estimate, called a “pre-treatment estimate ” based on your records and your dentist’s proposed treatment plan. Your dental insurance company will review your x-rays, diagnosis and coverage, and send a statement back to you and your dentist detailing what they will pay and what your costs will be. By doing this before services are started it will help you better budget for your dental care cost without any surprises. 

It is always important to read and understand your dental insurance plan limitation and exclusions. Dental insurance plans are designed to help with part of your dental expenses and may not always cover all your dental needs.     

The typical dental insurance plan has limitations and exclusions, meaning the plan does not cover every aspect of dental care. This can relate to the type or number of procedures, the number of visits or age limits. These limitations and exclusions are carefully detailed in the plan booklet and warrant your attention. This booklet can help you develop realistic expectations of how your dental insurance plan can work for you.

It is a good idea to have your dentist complete and submit a request for a cost estimate, if your dental care will be extensive.  This will allow you to know in advance what procedures are covered, the amount the benefit your dental insurance plan will pay toward treatment and your financial responsibility.   

However it is important to understand that a pre-treatment estimate is not a guarantee of payment. When the services are complete and a claim is received for payment, to your dental insurance carrier, they will calculate payment based on your current eligibility, amount remaining in your annual maximum limitation minus any deductible requirements.

Many dental insurance plans have a coinsurance provision. A coinsurance means the dental plan pays a predetermined percentage of the cost of your treatment, and you are responsible for paying the balance. What you pay is called the coinsurance, and it is part of your out-of-pocket cost. as an example major services benefits may read as 50% covered so your coinsurance would be the remaining 50%.

Most PPO’s and Indemnity dental insurance plans have a specific dollar deductible.  The deductible works like your auto insurance. During a benefit period, you personally will have to satisfy a portion of your dental bill before your dental insurance plan will contribute to your cost of dental treatment. Your dental insurance plan information will describe how your deductible works. Dental insurance plans do vary on this point. For example, some dental plans will apply the deductible to diagnostic or preventive treatments, and others will not.

When shopping for dental insurance may notice that most PPO and Free choice of provider call Indemnity insurance plans will come with an annual dollar maximum. This is the maximum dollar amount a dental insurance plan will pay toward the cost of dental care within a specific benefit period (usually January through December). You will be personally responsible for paying costs above the annual maximum limitation. Therefore make sure you are buying a dental insurance with the highest maximum limitation you feel will best fit your dental care needs.

One of the best ways to save money on the cost of your dental care is by taking full advantage of your dental insurance plan. Read your dental insurance policy terms and conditions to understand your plans limitation or exclusions. 

Even though many people have dental insurance either though work or they bought their own plan, people have a bad habit of not seeing their dentist regularly.  Not only will dental insurance help you save money on your dental care, seeing your dentist regularly will help to prevent you from having larger more costly dental care needs. 

Lesions at the very back of your mouth could be a sign of oral cancer, which is not exactly common, but it is also not rare. The American Cancer Society estimates that 45,780 new cases of oral cavity or pharynx cancer will be diagnosed in 2015, just over half the number of expected skin cancer cases.  Cancers at the base of the tongue and tonsils (called oropharyngeal cancers) are most commonly caused by the human papillomavirus infection (HPV). Although the lesions can show up anywhere in the mouth, yet they are most likely to develop under the tongue around the base and near your esophagus. Oral cavity and oropharyngeal tumors are twice as likely to develop in men as in women, and the American Cancer Society reports a recent uptick in cases of oropharyngeal cancers linked to HPV

Although rare, it is possible for certain types of acute myeloid leukemia to spread to the gums and cause bleeding, swelling and inflammation. What may tip a dentist offi to this condition is if the gums are bright red and bleed upon touch, but the teeth themselves are immaculately clean with very little plaque. That combined with weakness and weight loss merits a trip to your primary care physician for evaluation.

If you start to notice that you have white patches on your tongue or inne4r cheek this could mean you may have a less-than-stellar immune system. Oral thrush (an overgrowth of the candida fungus, or yeast, in the mouth) can lead to creamy white patches on your tongue or inner cheeks, and it can signal an immune system that is not up to snuff. 

People are much more likely to develop thrush if they are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer or have serious immunosuppression, such as HIV, but a dip in immunity due to a cold, a course of antibiotics or using corticosteroids for conditions like asthma can make someone more vulnerable too.

If you have not flossed for a while and you start getting back into flossing you may notice some bleeding for the first few days, which is normal. However what is not normal is when your gums continuing to bleed every time you floss. Bleeding gums while brushing and flossing on a regular bases could be an indicator that you may be pre-diabetic, diabetic and do not know it, or if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, your blood sugar may not be under control.  

Though it is not exactly clear why diabetes and gum disease are linked, the American Academy of Periodontology says that diabetics may be more likely to develop the disease because the condition makes them more susceptible to infection.

The most likely causes of bad breath is poor oral hygiene or gum disease, but bad breath can also signal a sinus infection, especially if you can still notices the odor when you exhale through your nose.    

Bad breath can also be caused by acid reflux. According to a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, it found a strong association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and bad breath, or sleep apnea, because people with sleep apnea are more likely to breath through their mouths at night, which can lead to dry mouth (another cause of bad breath).

Gingivitis occurs before periodontitis. Gingivitis usually refers to inflammation of your gums, while periodontitis refers to gum disease and the destruction of tissue and/or bone.   Initially, with gingivitis, bacteria plaque accumulates on the surface of the tooth, causing the gums to go red and inflamed, your teeth may bleed when brushing them. Even though the gums are irritated and bothersome, your the teeth are not loose. There is no irreversible damage to bone or surrounding tissue. Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis.

When thinking about buying a dental PPO insurance plan make sure you understand the plans terms and conditions fully. 

There are many benefits to having dental PPO insurance plan. One such benefit is having your dental care at a more affordable cost.   PPO dental insurance plans also have a very large dental provider data base, providing you with more in network dental office options to choose from as well as most PPO dental insurance plans provide benefits to out of network dentist.  Letting you stay with your current dentist even if your dentist is not a provider of the PPO plan.   

However, with that said PPO plans also have some limitations which we talked about in prior posts. Such as waiting periods, maximum limitations and deductible/office co-pays.  By understanding the plans terms and conditions will be able to maximize your plans benefits to fit your dental needs. 

Question: I currently do not have dental insurance I use to have it though my prior job. I would like to keep my same dentist, so I am looking for a Delta Dental PPO plan for individuals.    

Answer: In most state we offer a Delta Dental PPO plan and or plans. To review your plan options just enter your zip code in the quote box provided.  From their you will go to our beef comparison chart of all the dental insurance and dental plan options we provide in your state. To review more plan information just click on the link “Review Plan Details”.    If you should have any questions about our individual/family dental insurance plans just call our member service line at 310-534-3444 as we be happy to help you find the right plan for your dental needs.  

Question: I have this dentist I want to start going to but the office stated that the only accept PPO’s dental insurance plans. What should I know before buying a dental PPO insurance plan.   

Answer:  Dental PPO insurance plans are great plans for staying with or choosing your own dentist.  However, I strongly encourage you to read the plans terms and conditions carefully when buying any PPO dental insurance plan.     

Generally dental PPO plans have waiting periods for both basic and major dental care services provide only preventive dental care at the effective date of the plan. Under most PPO plans there will be a yearly maximum limitation. A maximum limitation is the dollar amount the insurance company going to pay out for dental care services each year.    

Also check to see if the plan has a office co-pay (the dollar amount you pay each time just for going to the dentist such as $20.00 co-pay) or a yearly deductible (the dollar amount you pay before the insurance company provides benefits. generally this would be around $50.00 – $75.00)