Dr. Sanjay Gupta says, “…having chronic periodontal or gum disease is like living with a low-grade infection that can be linked to heart disease, diabetes, and some kinds of cancer.”

For every person who does not have health insurance, there are two people who do not have dental insurance.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

Dental and periodontal cleanings help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

The bad news is that millions of Americans have lost their jobs along with their dental and health insurance. COBRA benefits are unaffordable for most people who can’t afford to pay out of pocket to see a dental professional even once a year.

The scary news is that there are hundreds of discount dental providers using scare tactics and jockeying to get your money. Know what your money is buying. Read the fine print.

The good news is that AARP’s Dental Insurance Plan offers three (3) free dental or periodontal cleanings every year. Rates average around $43 per month for single coverage with discounted premiums for two people and families. Plan prices, like all dental coverage, vary by state and region. [Read more →]

If you are fortunate enough to have dental insurance, call your insurance company to find out if your policy covers regular cleanings, peridontal cleanings, periodontal treatment, extractions, dentures, etc., and how often annually.

If the procedure you need is covered by your dental policy, bring a dental claim form to your next appointment so the dental office can submit it. It takes weeks, and sometimes months, for a claim to be reviewed and processed by insurance companies.

Never sign a blank insurance paper in a dentist’s office before the work has begun. Only after your dental examination has been completed will it be possible to set a fee for your treatment. You want to see everything your dentist is submitting to your insurance company before you sign the form. Ask for a copy. Get everything in writing. [Read more →]

Dental insurance is a forgotten subset of health insurance. Dental care and dental insurance are issues that must be addressed in the fight for health care reform.

1. Forty-seven million Americans have no insurance; seven million are ages 50-64.
2. People without dental insurance don’t get the care or the teeth they need. If they can’t eat, they get sick and ultimately cost the government more money than they would have if they had gotten proper dental care, defeating the purpose of affordable health care.

When did prevention become unaffordable?

1. Dental disease is as related to overeating as it is to diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and osteoporosis.
2. People who are missing teeth suffer from digestive problems due to the inability to chew, inadequate nutritional intake, and therefore, a decreased quality of life. [Read more →]