Ever heard the phrase, “you’ve gotta be cruel to be kind?” It has never been truer than when referring to gum disease treatments. Periodontal disease affects as much as 80% of US adults, but the way dental practitioners handle periodontal treatments may be part of the problem. Patients avoid periodontal treatment due to lack of treatment urgency, not fully understanding necessary treatments, and money. Many dentists hesitate to fully explain and recommend periodontal therapy because they fear patients will simply cancel appointments due to the added cost. Instead, dentists tend to try the “nice” approach – recommending periodontal appointments every three months but billing them as regular dental cleanings during six month checkups. However, by changing the focus of periodontal disease treatment to communicating clearly, emphasizing assessment and prevention, and working with patients to maximize insurance benefits, dentists can better equip patients to receive the dental care they need.
Continue reading Do Nice Dentists Finish Last? – Do Dentists Have to be Cruel to be Kind?
Tag: dental insurance
Have You Gotten the Most from Your Benefits This Year?
Now that December is here, it won’t be long until we’re taking down our calendars for 2014 and replacing them with ones for 2015. For most, the focus of the month is primarily on gift giving and holiday preparations, but there’s something else you should add to your year-end checklist: one last checkup with your dentist. Why should you include a dental appointment in your December activities? There are a few reasons.
Yearly Maximum
Your insurance company allots a yearly maximum to help you pay for certain kinds of services and procedures. Unfortunately, that money doesn’t rollover from one year to the next. Any amount you don’t use, you will lose at the end of the year.
Deductible
Your deductible will be renewed every year, too. Before your insurance provider will start covering your care, you have to meet your deductible. In many cases, this amount is around $50.
Insurance Fees
Additionally, you may find that your premiums and co-pays from one year to another are different. But without knowing what they’ll be for 2015, it’s a good idea to take advantage of what you already have before it changes.
Another New Year is almost upon us, but there may still be time to schedule an appointment with your local dentist. Call today to see about scheduling an appointment.
Use Your Current Dental Benefits Before the Year Ends
With November underway, there are less than two months until the start of 2013. Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here, and then Christmas and New Year’s. With everything that’s coming, the last thing on the minds of most people is dental insurance. But keeping dental insurance in mind is important. Here are a few reasons why:
Yearly Maximum
Every year, insurance companies help patients by paying for a certain amount of important dental work. But this amount doesn’t rollover at the end of the year. Instead, it’s renewed. That means if you don’t use what you have now, you’ll lose it when 2013 comes.
Deductible
With a new year comes a new deductible. Often, this amount is around $50, and it must be paid before insurance companies will start covering care. Have you paid your deductible for 2012? Make the most of your insurance by reserving an appointment with your dentist today.
Insurance Fees
A new year might also bring difference premiums or co-pays. Because you don’t know what these will be for 2013 yet, it’s a good idea to see your dentist this year. That will allow you to pay this year’s fees instead.
Emergencies
Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to avoid a dental emergency. Other times, though, a regular checkup and cleaning can actually prevent an emergency from happening. Avoid a dental emergency this holiday season by using your benefits to see your dentist now, rather than later.
The New Year is on its way, but there’s still plenty of time to take advantage of your current dental insurance benefits. Call your local dentist today to schedule a visit.
10 Tips for Choosing a Great Dentist
Whether you’re a busy parent, an image-conscious executive, or a senior citizen with special needs, finding a good dentist can be a struggle. Where do you start? You could open the phone book or Google dentists in your city. But then what?
Here are 10 tips to help you make an informed and wise decision. And remember, you’re going to trust your new dentist with your health and your image – and maybe your loved ones. Be smart!
Also, keep in mind that everyone has different needs, priorities, and personalities. For instance, if you want a good family dentist, and you aren’t planning on getting veneers anytime soon, you’ll want to find a general dentist who’s good with kids – not an adult cosmetic dentist. Continue reading 10 Tips for Choosing a Great Dentist