Dental health is an important part of preserving one's health. A quality dental plan makes economic sense. While most medical issues and treatments are unpredictable, most dental needs are predictable., usually not catastrophic, and are low cost and low risk. Many dental issues are preventable through semi-annual examinations including x-rays. Most dental plans provide such examinations with no additional charge to the patient. The sooner decay or disease is detected and treated, the less expensive that treatment will be as well as avoiding unnecessary pain or discomfort. With many plans, the participating dentist agrees to accept the fees established by the plans for most treatments. For certain more specialized treatments, reduced fees will be accepted by the participating dentist. n the meantime, the patient pays low monthly fees to the plan. Visiting the same dentist for all these services makes not only good economic sense due to the low cost but also for the advantage of being properly followed by a good qualified dentist, interested in your well being, who will, when necessary refer you to specialists appropriate for your individual special needs.



While dental benefit coverage and the cost of a plan is a definite consideration, whether it is managed care or fee for service care, it should not be the deciding factor in determining your choice of treatment or professional care. Managed cared dental plans emphasize cost containment by controlling the level of reimbursement for services. Fee for service dental plans offer freedom of choice arrangements under which a dentist is paid for each service rendered according to an established fee schedule.

Choose your dentist and then choose the dental plan appropriate for you, knowing that you will receive the best care for your dollar as your individual needs require.

With respect to special oral surgical requirements as advised by your dentist for such specialized procedures as crowns, bridges, dental implants, periodontal procedures as well as medically necessary surgical procedures, your dentist can help you decide the direction to take before investing in such procedures. Your dental plan will definitely minimize the costs of the care and treatments that will be certain to provide you with the best dental care, advice and direction for enhancing the quality of your life free from pain, discomfort and aggravation.

The Plan choices are varied. Some are self-funded which reimburse patients according to the cost of the treatment. Some are managed care with set levels of covered fees for various services, such as preventive care, such as semi-annual examinations and periodic x-rays. Coverage also extends to differences treatments for fillings, crowns, root canals, etc., with set fees payable to the dentist, usually with some co-pay from the patient.

Again, it is emphasized that you should first choose your dentist, then the appropriate dental plan according to your individual anticipated needs, and lastly considering the relatively low costs in comparison to medical insurance plans.