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Choosing Family Dental Insurance For Your Child

I'm sure you've noticed that you and your child are two distinct people with entirely different needs, including dental health needs. When employers label children as dependents, however, they often see them as extensions of their parents. That means when it comes to awarding family dental benefits, you must be on the same policy. It's important to be sure you select a dental plan that works for both of you. Here are some things to consider when choosing your dental insurance carrier:

• Your child has the right to see a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists are specially trained to address the unique dental needs of young children, such as early preventive care and alleviating dental anxiety. If your family dental insurance plan only allows your child to see a pediatric dental specialist after an unsuccessful visit to a general dentist, consider making a change.
• What is the extent of your preventive care coverage? Children's teeth are in a critical stage of development. Any potential problems should be identified and resolved as early as possible. It's also crucial to establish positive dental care habits right from the start. This means dental exams early and often. If your dental plan puts unreasonable restrictions on a child's early dental care, look for dental coverage elsewhere.
• What other procedures are covered? As mentioned, your child's teeth are only just developing. If they do not grow properly, your child can experience pain or misshapen facial structure. Special care, such as orthodontics, is often required to correct the problem, and is often medically necessary. If your family dental insurance plan considers this specialized care to be cosmetic, and therefore not covered, look for something better.
• What is the extent of your emergency care coverage? Kids have accidents - it's a fact of life. Not only are they generally more active than many adults, playing sports and climbing trees, but many have not yet developed refined coordination. That means plenty of falls or balls to the mouth. If your child loses a tooth or experiences some other sort of dental trauma, be sure your plan allows you to seek immediate emergency care without anybody's permission.
• It's important for you to have a reasonable amount of control over your child's dental care. If your dental insurance company makes it difficult to choose or change dentists when you feel it's necessary, or allows you very little say in whatever treatment is performed, shop around.

Insurance may seem like a costly investment, but a family dental plan that truly fits you and your children's needs is well worth it. The preventive and emergency care you'll receive will ensure all of you will enjoy good oral health for a lifetime.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Dental Health Plans and The New Dentistry - A Partnership for Your Health

A world of opportunities for dental health awaits us in the new dentistry. Using the old dentistry, dentists did their best to provide a high quality of service given the state of knowledge, technology, and dental insurance and dental plan at that time.

Through advancements in treatment, research, and the desire of the dental plan to do more and do it better, the new dentistry has emerged. It is based on a foundation with specific characteristics that are of great benefit to us as consumers.

Efficiency

Your time and your resources are valuable to you, and your dentist recognizes this. New treatment techniques, methods and dental plan options have considerably reduced the amount of time that the dental care now takes. The return on your investment in dental health and your dental insurance is excellent.

Comfort

Not only are the dental chairs and the office environments more comfortable and pleasant, improvements in the use of local anesthetics and new equipment provide more comfort than ever before.

Collaboration

The dental relationship is now based on the value that you can derive from your dental team, what you want for your dental future and maximizing your dental insurance plan benefits rather than just on the techniques and procedures your dentist can do. Through dental continuing education, your dentist has the skills and knowledge to help you make decisions for your dental health in a positive and informed way.

Predictability

New materials and advances in treatment provide you with opportunities to maintain your dental health throughout your life. With the innovative cosmetic dentistry and specialized approaches to reclaiming teeth that formally would be lost, your dental insurance plan can help create and maintain teeth and gums.

Predictable treatment, effective prevention methods, and the longevity of treatment are now part of any treatment plan.

Thoroughness

Advances in assessment and diagnosis now enable dentists to make thorough evaluations of your overall dental and oral health. The outcome is a plan for your health that will give you peace of mind, knowing you can have a well-informed plan in place.

Prevention

This characteristic of the new dentistry has received much publicity in recent years. It has been proven over and over again that there are several measures that you can take as a consumer of dental insurance plans to create and maintain your dental health in collaboration with your dental team.

It bears repeating again - flossing and brushing combined with regular dental hygiene checks are your greatest allies in maintaining your teeth and a bright smile.

Precision

The new dentistry utilizes instruments and technologies that are far advanced from what was available even 15 years ago. Both general dentists and specialists have access to technologies that provide precision in diagnosis and treatment. The value for you is higher quality care.

The dental profession and dental insurance industry has established a strong foundation for a pleasant smile and a healthy dental future for all of us. Improvements are continuously being made to this foundation. You can choose to avail yourself of these improvements by asking your dentist, "What can help me to maintain my dental health?" They have the knowledge and the desire to help you.

By Brian DesRoches, PhD

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.