Dental story online

Studies by the National Association of Dental Plans show that at least 68% of all Americans pay too much for their dental insurance. To help you in getting better rates I have done some research and have came up with the following:

1. Find out how many dentists are there in your area

Before you buy any insurance plans, find out how many dentists and dentist specialist are there in your area. Then find out how many of them will accept the plan that you are considering to purchase. Let's do a logical thought process here, what is the use of taking a dental plan if there are no dentists in your area? My advice, do the research!

2. Paying for the insurance

Once you get an insurance plan, you will have the option of paying on a monthly or an annual basis. This is definitely your choice; an annual plan would save you more money than a month to month basis plan.

3. Dental specialists

It is a good idea to get a plan that covers treatments done by specialists. Therefore, choose a plan that covers at least 25% discount on works done by a dental specialist such as Periodontists, Orthodontists, Oral Surgeons and etc. If you live in an area where dental specialists are rare then finding one that accepts discounted plans will be difficult as well. Just beware that there are procedures that normal dentists can perform and do not require specialist treatments such as whitening, implants and root canals, so if your local dentist can do it, let him do it as he will charge you lesser rates.

4. Time Frame

Standard dental insurance will take approximately 7 - 10 days before you can use your benefits. If you need to visit a dentist real soon, then look for a plan that will kick in within 24 hours after joining

This article is only intended as a guideline for to find the best dental insurance plan for you. Talk to friends and family to find out what type of insurance they are using to see how it can benefit you. It takes some time and research, but you w ill be saving money in the long run.

Dental implants have always been one of the most controversial treatment procedures practiced in cosmetic dental medicine. It is a long procedure that would take around a year's waiting even for placing a single implant.

The general procedure of getting a dental implant

1. The primary step involves detailed medical examination. Your dentist would require for a clean chit from your general physician stating that you are physically fit enough to tolerate the treatment and surgeries involved in the procedure. Certain contraindications are abnormal levels of blood sugar, hypertension, hypotension, low immunity, heart troubles, blood conditions, low bone density etc.

2. Once you get the clearance from your general physician, your dentist would take up further screening and investigation to ensure whether your gums and jawbones are fit enough to hold an implant. If you are susceptible to gum infections, then your dentist might disapprove your treatment. In the event of any temporary issue he would prescribe appropriate medication and treatment.

3. After you are dentally cleared for getting an implant, your dentist would fix a date for your dental implant surgery. The surgery is done with local anesthesia. The procedure begins with extensive cleaning using requisite antibacterial and antibody solutions. Then a hole will be drilled through your bare gum into the jaw bone. The measurement of the hole is carefully matched with the size of the titanium implant. After this the implant is fixed inside, and it is screwed into that position. The open incision in the gum is ligated with sutures and the surgery is concluded.

4. The above procedure is followed by an interval of 3 to 4 months during which your gums are left alone to heal around the implant. You would be given oral medication to supplement the healing procedure and also to avoid infections. There would be limitations regarding eating and biting and this would be explained in detail by your surgeon.

5. Once your gums and jaw bones are completely healed, the second part of the treatment begins. This is known as restoration of the implant. In this process, your dentist would restore implant by creating a hole in your gum. This would leave the implant exposed. Then an abutment is fixed to this exposed top portion of the implant. After that your dentist would fix a temporary crown model on to this abutment. Meanwhile, measurement of your teeth structure is taken in order to construct the permanent prosthetic tooth that matches the color, shape and size of your teeth.

6. After the placement of the abutment and temporary tooth, you will be on further medication for proper growth of gum tissues surrounding the entire set of implant and tooth. Once your oral condition is deemed fit for the placement of the final tooth, your dentist removes the temporary tooth and replaces it with the permanent one.

This concludes the basic procedure of your dental implant placement. This is followed by proper care and eating regulations so as to prevent rejection of the implant.

When most people think of good dog grooming they think only of a bath and brushing to help maintain a beautiful coat and reduce shedding. Well there is one more very important task to good grooming and that is keeping your dog's teeth clean and tartar free. Just think what our mouths would resemble if we did not brush our teeth, have regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings.

Dogs are just as susceptible to the same diseases and oral infections in their mouths as we humans. Plaque and tartar buildup in your dog's mouth can lead to:

• Gingivitis - inflammation of your dogs gums resulting from plaque & tartar buildup.
• Periodontal Disease - The next step after Gingivitis, where cavities around the teeth open and allow bacteria to build eventually attacking the bone resulting in tooth lose and worse.
• Pyorrhea - A more advanced stage of periodontal disease. Infection of the bone that leads to tooth lose and bad breath allowing disease and infection to spread to the rest your dog's body eventually infecting every organ.

In order to prevent this cycle of tooth decay and infection incorporating a twice-weekly regiment of brushing your dog's teeth is recommended. There are many favors and styles of dog toothbrushes and toothpastes on the market to help maintain good dog dental hygiene.

If you're like most people finding the time and patients for this task can be challenging. On the market today, you can find several choices to help offset a brushing regiment. Dog Dental Chews, which are marketed as treats, are a great way for you to accomplish this task. They can be given daily or in between brushings. Although the cost for these dog dental chew treats can seem a little pricey, in the long run they are far less expensive than a visit to vet for the treatment of Pyorrhea.

Veterinary appointments for a regular dog visit is at least twice a year. Schedule a teeth cleaning at the same time so your dog will benefit from a professional cleaning. Maintaining your dog's oral hygiene is a vital part of good pet grooming. If you have your dog professionally groomed ask the groomer if they will brush your dogs teeth as well.

Whether you decide on any one particular solution or a combination of all those mentioned become committed to your dog's dental hygiene. Fresh breath and clean teeth will keep your dog healthy and safe.

Finding cheap dental insurance providers has become increasingly important. With many people having "reduced" health insurance plans that do not cover dentistry, and many more having no health insurance to speak of, low-cost dental providers may be the only option.

A large percentage of the population has employer-based insurance plans. This means that your employer pays all or part of your insurance, but it also means you are limited to the plan or plans they make available to you. There are some employers who will offer a health-insurance "offset", meaning if you don't take the plans they offer, they will provide an "offset" payment for you to find your own health insurance with. In those cases, it's imperative to find the cheapest insurance providers possible, as the "offset" rarely covers the cost of the plan, and the balance is going to come out of your pocket.

If you go with an employer-provided plan, you will probably have some options on your coverage. How important is the dental coverage portion? You might have to compromise in order to get the coverage you deem appropriate for you or your family.

For those with dental insurance, it is a matter of finding a dentist or clinic that accepts your insurance plan, within the area you can reach. Most providers, HMO's, etc., provide books listing their member providers. However anyone who has tried to look up a health care provider to make an appointment quickly learns that many of the doctors and such listed in these books either no longer accept that particular plan, or aren't taking new patients.

The reasons for this are often economic. HMO's use their "buying power" to squeeze their providers on the rates they charge, since this comes directly out of the insurer's pocket, so-to-speak. Since these organizations often represent huge patient pools, they have a lot of leverage. But that doesn't mean the particular provider is eager to take patients knowing they may get only a fraction of what their regular fees or rates are.

Assuming you don't already have a plan, or are one of millions in a position to have to find one on your own, you may have to shop around quit a bit in order to find a low-cost provider. Once strategy for finding cheap dental insurance providers, is to look for dentists as if you were paying out-of-pocket, shop around for a low-cost dentist, and ask them what insurance plans they participate in.

In some cases, the best bet is going to be shopping for the least-expensive general plan that allows "out-of-network" doctors. Then, depending on the guidelines of your plan, you go "out-of-network" by getting a referral from a primary care physician. You can usually ask the primary care physician for a referral for a specific dentist that you've already located through your 'shopping around' efforts.

Generally speaking though, searching online will be your best bet in finding cheap dental insurance providers. Make a list of your priorities - distance, type of dentistry, etc. Take advantage of "local search" options to make a list, then contact them directly. You might also look to some of the "rating" sites such as Angie's List, which can give you patient reviews as well.

Health care professions have earned its way to top the most well paid sector amidst the pool of careers. Therefore, threading the path to obtain a dental assistant (DA) certification is definitely a wise option! Obtaining it is important for employment as certified dental assistant, a certified orthodontic (specialist) assistant or a certified dental practice management administrator. Do not let the exam jitters discourage your ability to perform.

1. Examination Format
Ultimately many overlooked its significance to excel in an exam. Knowing what to expect makes you triumphed halfway through the battlefield. Verify the format before the test with your lecturers again to ensure you had the correct visualization.

2. Emotional Empowerment
Being calm and punctual before penning down on papers would very much improve your performance. Place the phrase "I have done my best and whatever happens is out of my control" in your mind and give your best to prevent panic attacks to suffice.

3. Practice makes perfect
As cliché as it seemed, it is very important for a DA to inculcate good infection control in his/her daily routine. Place gloves at a clean disinfected area and organize items in its rightful storage according to essentiality. Then, the habit would come naturally during practical exams.

4. Communication
In "chair assisting", body language and eye contact has a vital role to enable four handed dentistry. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is vital to handle difficult patients and restrain them for treatment. The DA must also show compassion and patience for babies and children.

5. Proactive
In order for a guaranteed certification, adhering to notes and study guides only is not enough. Keep tabs on latest updates and dental hygienist journals while gathering feed backs on your studies from the lecturer.

Remember, perseverance is what you needed to pass with excellence and there would be great prospects lying ahead of you right after.

If your dental insurance offers coverage for dental implants, it may come with the stipulation that you have to have the policy for a set period of time before it will cover this procedure. Additionally, you may have to be free of pre-existing conditions in order for them to pay for the cost of the implants. You need to be very familiar with your current insurance policy before you agree to have dental implant surgery. You do not want to be halfway through the procedure thinking that your insurance will cover it when in all reality, they will not.

Also, dental implants are usually considered cosmetic surgery unless there are extenuating circumstances requiring the procedure. The sad reality of this is that it has been proven that implants are better for your overall health, but the insurance agencies regulating your policy do not see it that way. They prefer that you go with the less expensive solution, even if you've broken or knocked out a tooth that could not be saved.

You can purchase dental implant insurance from a private carrier if you need to, but be aware that the premium could be expensive and that the insurance may only pay for a portion of the procedure. The premiums could be based on a fixed rate per treatment or a percentage of the overall procedure, leaving you with the difference to pay. Always check with your current dental insurance provider to see if they offer this type of coverage. If they do, take it. It will be well worth the money in the event that you need to have a dental implant procedure.

Many people have turned to dental insurance reviews to base their decisions on which insurance package to select. They read policy holders' testimonials regarding the performance of the companies. They also comment on the timeliness of the services offered by these insurance companies. They want to make sure that before they commit their finances to a certain insurance package, they will be informed of the quality of the service that they are expecting. One of the most reviewed insurance companies is Aetna Dental Insurance. For details on the Aetna Dental Insurance, continue reading on.

The good thing about the numerous accounts of reviews is that the reviews are brutally honest. Readers will understand that although the company has a lot of things that it can improve on, it still remains as one of the best insurance policy providers out there. There is no one perfect package and chances are if people keep looking for that ideal package, they will end up with one that is far from perfect. Aetna Dental Insurance testimonials provide an accurate review of the advantages and disadvantages of the package.

One of the good things about Aetna Dental Insurance is that they provide the best support network. If you have any question regarding the payments you have to settle, the coverage of your insurance, the value of the premiums, or any other issue, their support network will shed some light into your concern. They have the best customer support representatives to answer ever inquiry of the policy holders. This is a huge plus for people who want to be continually informed on issues about their policies. One thing they fell short on, on the other hand, is on the timeliness of their payments. Other policy holders have experience receiving past due bills even though they have filed for the payments very early. The insurance company sometimes missed deadlines for payments, which make them quite unattractive to some dentists and dental clinic.

Reading reviews about Aetna Dental Insurance is a good practice so that you will make informed decisions. Investing in insurance is no joke. You must be fully aware of the benefits and the drawbacks of each package. Reading reviews will do just that.

It's not often you think of suing your dentist, but it does happen. In fact, dental malpractice is just as serious as medical malpractice (medmal). This is why most dentists carry malpractice insurance.

Dental malpractice suits generally have smaller damage awards than for medmal. When they happen, they're generally the result of the dentist not having detected or diagnosed certain conditions.

Injuries may include death related to anesthetic use, injuries relating to dental surgery, failure to notice oral cancer or other diseases of the mouth, nerve damage and injuries to the tongue, jaw or lips.

At the root of these cases is the reasonable expectation that the patient has to receive a professional, accurate diagnosis and the correct treatment for it. The same observation may be made when you visit your family physician. This doesn't apply to every thing a dentist does, buy may apply to cases where injuries are severe and/or permanent.

The worst-case scenario would be the death of a dental patient due to the improper use of anesthesia. Infections occurring in the jaw or tooth sockets may also be quite devastating. Losing sensation or taste, having trouble talking, eating or swallowing also rank right up there as injuries that may merit a dental malpractice suit.

Even seemingly routine procedures may cause problems, such as a tooth extraction, particularly if the wrong tooth is removed, or if the patient is taking Fosamax (or any other bone metabolism regulator). The Fosamax may cause a condition called Dead Jaw.

If the dentist doesn't spot periodontal disease or oral cancer, or does something you didn't authorize or give consent for, they may also face a dental malpractice lawsuit.

If you're not sure that you have a dental malpractice suit on your hands, then take the time to talk to a qualified attorney who will look at the situation. S/he will be able to tell you if you have enough cause to file a dental malpractice lawsuit.

[A true story.]

The oral surgeon in New York promised to give a patient a set of perfect teeth. All he needed to do was get 10 dental implants on his upper jaw, and 10 dental implants on his lower jaw. The patient, who never had implants before, agreed. He wanted a beautiful set of teeth. It had been many years since he had good healthy natural teeth, and when he arrived in the oral surgeon's office for that first consultation, he had only seven decaying teeth remaining in his mouth.

WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?

It is usually a titanium screw that gets screwed into the jaw. It creates the foundation upon which a permanent bridge or crown will sit. Once the implant is screwed into the jaw, it takes months to heal. After the healing period, a healing collar is placed around the implant, and then a post is placed on top of the implant. Once a post is put on, a fixed bridge or cap (also known as a crown) can be attached to the post.

THE COST TO PLACE IMPLANTS

My client had been to a few different implant dentists and was told that for six implants it would cost anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000. Since this man did not have the money to pay for these implants, he held off, and continued to use his ill-fitting denture that would fall out at the most inopportune times.

One day, while at work, my client saw an ad by this oral surgeon promising inexpensive dental implants and great results. The ad was intoxicating and held the promise of a great set of teeth for only a fraction of the cost that most other dentists were charging.

"IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE...IT IS"

This patient was quoted a price of $22,500 to put in 10 implants on his upper jaw, and 10 implants on his lower jaw. Twenty implants total. All for the low, low price of $22,500. That price also included the restoration for full porcelain fixed bridges on both upper and lower jaws. What a bargain.

What the patient got instead was botched dental treatment. To begin with, the oral surgeon failed to properly evaluate whether this patient had sufficient bone for all these implants. He failed to identify where the nerves were in relation to where he was going to insert the implants. Unfortunately for the patient, the implants were put in too close together; they were improperly angled; there were too many implants; he put an implant into the patient's sinus and never realized it; he created a hole in the sinus and despite trying to fix it twice, failed.

THE RECORDS DON'T LIE

The doctor's dental records were worse than scribbles. They had no useful information. The notes reflecting the doctor's comments after the dental implant surgery simply said "Observe." That's it. No notes about patient complaints, what type of examination he performed on that visit or any other visit for that matter. No notes about what his treatment plan was. Incredibly, while the patient was having the implants inserted the doctor claimed that he would take one to two intra-operative x-rays to determine if the implants were in the correct place. Once he decided they were in the right place, he would then inexplicably throw away the x-rays he had taken. The doctor attempted to explain that he had no use for the intra-operative x-rays once the implants were embedded into the jaw.

The fact that the x-rays were technically the patient's property had no impact on this oral surgeon.

A DENTIST ABANDONS HIS PATIENTS

Months after the patient had his implants placed into his jaw, he received a letter from this New York dentist announcing that he could no longer continue to provide dental services, giving various excuses. Incredibly, the dentist failed to refer this patient, or any other patient, to another oral surgeon to continue their dental implant care. As a result, this dental victim remained without any teeth in his mouth for two full years.

Calls and letters to this oral surgeon requesting a refund of cash that had been paid went unanswered. All efforts to recoup money for the improper work and unfinished work were ignored.

THE PATIENT FILES A LAWSUIT

This dental malpractice victim sued this New York dentist for failing to properly insert his dental implants. A dental implant expert was prepared to explain to the jury how this New York dentist's planning, execution and post-operative care deviated from good and accepted dental standards here in the State of New York. As a result of those departures from good care, this patient suffered significant dental injury, requiring extensive sinus surgery to correct the hole, and the implant lodged in the sinus. He will require most of the implants to be removed, and will have to start over again. All at an astronomical price. Removing the implants may also cause damage and injury to the jaw and nerves running through his upper and lower jaw.

This patient agreed to settle his case on the day jury selection was scheduled. The successful settlement will now allow this traumatized man the chance to surgically correct the botched dental treatment he received from this oral surgeon. Hopefully in the near future, after all of his dental treatment has been completed, he'll be able to look in the mirror, and for the first time in many years, smile and say "Good morning," without feeling self-conscious and worried what someone will think of a man without teeth.

The Dental Implant Vs Bridge question gets asked quite often in the dental forums. People would like to know which is the better option for them. If you are looking at it from a purely financial angle in the short then dental bridges are a much cheaper option.

But over long term this dental implant vs bridge solution breaks down. The reason is simple bridges are supported on the surrounding good teeth. Over time the load on the these perfectly good teeth causes them to erode. Or you might have to shave down the other teeth in order to get the "bridge" done right. This is the worst aspect of the bridge. It weakens your other teeth while trying to keep your tooth in question. Now, ten years down the line you will be looking at fixing two more teeth. So, it seems like in the dental implant vs bridge question the dental implants are a better option.

But dental implants are not the holy grail too. In the wrong hands your dental implants treatment process can become a nightmare. There are so many things that can wrong - implants might not integrate with your bone, you might lack sufficient bone, your bone grafts may not be accepted by body, your dentist might screw up the whole process, you might eat something hard that can break or loosen your implants.

If you ask a person who has been through such problems about the whole dental implant vs bridge question he might without any hesitation recommend dental bridges as the thing to go for. But in the hands of a good dentist dental implants are in fact a better option as they are long term, save your good teeth and restores the functionality of your old tooth.

In the whole dental implant vs bridge question one more crucial thing to keep in mind is dental insurance. Dental insurance pays for dental bridges as these the more cheaper option. If you go for dental implants then you can't claim for dental insurance money as they are considered merely cosmetic procedure.

Excellent dental hygiene is vitally important. Your teeth require proper care in order to prevent detrimental states, such as cavities and plaque build up, which can result in tooth loss. Keeping your gums in excellent health is essential, as inadequate dental care may possibly result in gum disease, which is characterized by both foul breath and bleeding at the gum line. Brushing alone is not sufficient, as this fails to remove plaque and/or food particles from in between teeth and the gum line. Considering these facts, it becomes clear why flossing may be one of the most important parts in a dental routine.

Dental floss must be used correctly in order to effectively remove food and tartar from the teeth. In order to floss properly, use a several inch long length of floss. Once you have the proper length, wind the majority of the strand around an index finger, and wrap the remainder around the opposite index finger. By doing this, excess floss may be wound up as it is used. Use your thumbs to make the strand taut by pressing.

Gently slide the strand between the teeth and slowly move back and forth using a rubbing motion. Once the floss reaches the gums, curve around the individual tooth and gently press between the tooth and gum line. Utilize slow up and down movements to release the strand from the teeth. When flossing, remember to do so between all teeth, including behind the back teeth - which is often commonly forgotten.

Be aware, slight gum bleeding may occur. This is normal, often occurring from bearing down a little hard and may have lightly cut the gum line. No issues should remain upon rinsing. Beware, bleeding after every floss could be a early signal for gum disease; visit your oral hygienist or dentist for further assistance. If the gum disease is early, proper flossing along with cleaning often clears any problems.

Flossing daily generally is acceptable for healthy gums and teeth. For best results, try flossing after each meal, because tartar build up begins in under 24 hours. Talk with your oral hygienist or dentist for proper toothbrush and dental floss use and demonstrations.

When it comes to dental health care, preventative is of course the best way to secure good oral health. Unfortunately, that does not always work and we need to visit the dentist for dental procedures that will crop up. Unexpected tooth or gum problems can cost the consumer a great amount of money. Even going to the dentist on a regular basis for examinations and cleaning can be very costly. Having a dental insurance plan can alleviate the stress of financial problems that can arise when dental emergencies occur.

Online dental insurance has become more and more recognized as being a good place to shop for it. There are websites that offer discount and considerable savings to the consumer. Some dental providers offer a broad range of plans that work for the individual, family or group that give incredible savings. With the internet it's easy to sign up and have activation of the plan immediately.

There is an array of dental insurance coverage to fit the needs of the consumer. There are individual plans, family plans and group plans. There are discounts that are available for everyone and the process online is straightforward and made easy. There is also full coverage that covers examinations, cleanings, extractions, and fillings to more major procedures. Its best to have extra dental coverage in case of unexpected emergencies that can come up in the future.

Always do your research to find out what dental insurance plan will best work for your needs. By comparing prices and plans you will be able to choose the right one for your budget and your needs.

There are many options available to Americans for health and dental plans. The most common health plan is regular insurance provided by employers, but there are other types of plans that don't cost as much. Dental plans are also usually provided by the workplace, but they are disappearing as employers are trying to cope with rising health costs. 46 million Americans are without health insurance and nearly 50% of this country has no dental insurance. As we live longer and demand more from our health and dental providers, the price tag for these plans will continue to go up.

Health insurance is what everyone is familiar with, but most people don't really know how it works. You and your employer pay the insurance company a regular monthly premium, and you are responsible for a small co-pay when you go see the doctor or get a prescription. Over time, the money you pay the insurance company adds up to much more than the average person will ever use in healthcare. If something tragic happens, you will thank your lucky stars that you have insurance, but even major surgery will not offset a lifetime of paying into the system. Insurance companies only pay the doctor a small percentage of what they bill and the result is multi million dollar insurance companies.

Dental insurance works almost exactly the same way that health insurance does but dental insurance companies are usually much smaller. Like healthcare, you will pay into the system much more than you will ever use for the comfort of having it when you need it. Most employers have stopped offering dental to their employees because it's not as important as health, but still expensive. You can also get a dental plan directly from some dentists that work in a dental chain, but they don't usually cover the big expenses like braces. This leaves most people stuck with nothing and they just pay full price when they need to go to the dentist.

Discount plans like Humana and Ameriplan are the alternative to regular health and dental insurance. With these programs, you pay a very small monthly fee and in return the health and dental providers give you a large discount on their services. The down side to these plans is that 80% off a $100,000 bill is still a $20,000 bill. You pay the discounted price that insurance companies enjoy, but this can still leave you stuck if something really bad happens. Dental is better than health with these programs because no one is going to lose their house over a dental bill. These plans are good for people that have no health or dental at all because something is better than nothing, and the cost is hundreds of dollars less per month.

Each person's situation is different and the plan that's best for them depends on their needs. If you are in good health and don't have any coverage, a discount plan is going to be your best option. This will give you the option to save money for an emergency while enjoying a good discount on your everyday health needs like regular checkups. Another great option for most people is a discount plan combined with catastrophic health insurance. Catastrophic health insurance covers you in case of a big problem, but has a large deductible so it won't help with everyday healthcare. Together you can have good coverage for substantially less than regular health insurance premiums. Health and dental care have a huge impact on your life, and it's in your best interest to learn as much as you can about them so you can get the perfect plan for you.

It is true that most of us do not like to go to the dentist but it is crucial to keep your teeth in good health. Searching for a low cost dental insurance option can take some time but with the right insurance you can have great dental care.

First if you are employed with a place that offers a health insurance plan then you need to talk with the human resource person to find out if they offer a dental coverage option. Many companies do but you may have to ask about it to get the insurance.

Next you need to decide what type of plan will be best for you and your family. If you have good teeth and need just minor cleaning and maintenance then you should be able to find a low cost plan that will fir your budget rather easily.

Finally make sure that you do not neglect your dental hygiene because the longer you put it off then it will only get worse and much more expensive down the road. Your teeth are the only ones you got so you must take care of them so they will last as long as possible.

Remember that getting proper dental care is crucial and the best way to do this is when you have good insurance coverage. Search online to find a good low cost option so that you can make regular dental visits to keep your teeth in good health. You can save a lot of money when you get good dental insurance coverage.

So what does a dental assistant do anyway? The actual job duties vary somewhat from dentist to dentist but in general, a dental assistant is responsible for greeting patients, keeping the examining areas clean and sterilized, handling patient records, assisting in procedures, and any other tasks that the dentist and his staff might need. Does that sound like something you might be interested in? If so, you are in luck because the field of dental assistants is one of the fastest growing segments of the medical field.

Another piece of luck is that it is relatively easy to become qualified to be a dental assistant. Believe it or not, it is still possible to receive all you training on the job because there are no formal certification requirements in some states. You will need to find out if the state you live in requires any type of licensing. Many dentists today prefer to hire dental assistants who have been through some type of training program so you are best off pursuing some type of formal training.

There are many dental assistant certification programs available. They are usually available in one and two year programs and many are quite good. You will need to do a little research to find out what is available in your area. You will also want to match the program with your financial and other constraints. Perhaps you would like to pursue your dental assistant certification at night. There is probably a program in your area that can accommodate you.

Many dental assistants are already working in the field but would like to improve their skills. If you are not yet working in a dentist's office but would like to get your certification then find a job, look for a school that provides placement services.

Your learning is not over once you have completed your certification program. Every dentist has his or her own special way of doing things. Once you are hired, you will need to learn the ins and outs of your particular dentist. Besides, like all medical related fields, equipment and technology is constantly changing. You will need to stay up to date on the latest advances.

If you are good at your job and an eager learner, you may find opportunity for advancement. Some dentists are willing to give dental assistants they trust additional duties. In effect, you become another pair of hands for the dentist to use in taking care of patients. You will be a very important person in the running of the office!

There is a place for you in the world of dentistry. With a high school diploma, a little training, and a lot of desire and ambition you can build yourself a very stable career. Who knows, you may even decide to take your dental assistant job to the next step and continue your training to be a hygienist. There is plenty of room to grow. Luckily, there is also room to have fun and enjoy your job. Good luck!

Increase your earning potential and get a career you can be proud of. Consider a career advancement program: dental assistant training and get your career moving.

How Becoming a Dental Assistant Can Change Your Earning Prospects

It happens to the best of us. You take on a job that you think will only be a temporary situation until you can earn enough money to go to school and work towards a degree in the field you really want to work in. Then, the time just seems to fly. You get caught up in your career. Maybe you get married and have children. The next thing you know, you are saddled with a job you hate, pay that doesn't cover all of the bills, and too many obligations to go back to school full time.

That is where career programs dental assistant training can help. Training as a dental assistant can be done part time and finished up in a matter of months. When you have completed the training, you will be ready to move into a job with a dependable salary that you enjoy.

How Much Do Dental Assistants Earn?

The pay scale for dental assistant work varies very much from town to town and practice to practice. On average, a trained dental assistant can make approximately $30,000 per year. Demand for dental assistants is huge - it is the third fastest growing career field. The increased demand is expected to drive salaries up even further, so you can count on your earning potential increasing as the years pass.

Orthodontic dental treatment is very popular among the young people especially the teenagers. Many parents came under pressure from their kids who want to wear braces and looks good.

Of course the treatment is best done at a young age for better results. The only drawback that makes the parents step back is the cost of the treatment. Orthodontic treatment could cost anywhere between $4000 to $6000 on average.

I try to answer many questions that parents are asking regarding the orthodontic dental treatment cost.

Is there an orthodontic dental insurance coverage?

Yes orthodontic dental insurance is meant to takes care the cost of orthodontic procedures,equipments and general orthodontic care. If you already have dental insurance, your policy might included orthodontic coverage already. If your policy do not cover orthodontic then you may need a supplementary form of dental orthodontic insurance in order to cover your costs. This is very true if you have family members that need braces or orthodontic work.

How does the orthodontic coverage works?

Just like your regular health or dental insurance coverage,you will be required to pay for the monthly or yearly premium. Your insurance provider will normally pay for your orthodontic care up to a maximum amount. How much is the maximum amount covered and what percentage that your provider would pay depend on your insurance plan and insurance company. There are some insurance companies that will cover up to 50% of the orthodontic care costs.

Why do orthodontic dental insurance necessary?

As mentioned above, orthodontic care expenses can run into thousands of dollars per year or until the completion of the treatment.If you have a few family members that need the treatment at the same time, this could be quite a financial burden.

Why do orthodontic care a lot more expensive than regular dental care?

The chunk of the expense are from the equipment cost such as braces,retainers and other additional products. Also the costs of dental x-rays, regular monthly checkups and adjustments that would need to be made.

All of this expenses make the cost of orthodontic care more expensive than the regular dental care.

On the average the basic dental plan only required a provider to cover up to a certain amount of dental care per year. After this maximum yearly amount, you are responsible for all of the dental costs on your own. For orthodontic treatment, braces alone can cost more than $1000. That's the reason why a basic dental coverage normally do not cover orthodontic care. In a lot of cases orthodontic procedures are considered as dental cosmetic, therefore many insurance providers do not cover orthodontic work at all.

For all of the above reasons orthodontic dental insurance seems to make a lot of sense. Even though you have to pay additional premiums on top of your regular dental or health insurance, it is still a wise long term investment.

Orthodontic dental treatment is very popular among the young people especially the teenagers. Many parents came under pressure from their kids who want to wear braces and looks good.

Of course the treatment is best done at a young age for better results. The only drawback that makes the parents step back is the cost of the treatment. Orthodontic treatment could cost anywhere between $4000 to $6000 on average.

I try to answer many questions that parents are asking regarding the orthodontic dental treatment cost.

Is there an orthodontic dental insurance coverage?

Yes orthodontic dental insurance is meant to takes care the cost of orthodontic procedures,equipments and general orthodontic care. If you already have dental insurance, your policy might included orthodontic coverage already. If your policy do not cover orthodontic then you may need a supplementary form of dental orthodontic insurance in order to cover your costs. This is very true if you have family members that need braces or orthodontic work.

How does the orthodontic coverage works?

Just like your regular health or dental insurance coverage,you will be required to pay for the monthly or yearly premium. Your insurance provider will normally pay for your orthodontic care up to a maximum amount. How much is the maximum amount covered and what percentage that your provider would pay depend on your insurance plan and insurance company. There are some insurance companies that will cover up to 50% of the orthodontic care costs.

Why do orthodontic dental insurance necessary?

As mentioned above, orthodontic care expenses can run into thousands of dollars per year or until the completion of the treatment.If you have a few family members that need the treatment at the same time, this could be quite a financial burden.

Why do orthodontic care a lot more expensive than regular dental care?

The chunk of the expense are from the equipment cost such as braces,retainers and other additional products. Also the costs of dental x-rays, regular monthly checkups and adjustments that would need to be made.

All of this expenses make the cost of orthodontic care more expensive than the regular dental care.

On the average the basic dental plan only required a provider to cover up to a certain amount of dental care per year. After this maximum yearly amount, you are responsible for all of the dental costs on your own. For orthodontic treatment, braces alone can cost more than $1000. That's the reason why a basic dental coverage normally do not cover orthodontic care. In a lot of cases orthodontic procedures are considered as dental cosmetic, therefore many insurance providers do not cover orthodontic work at all.

For all of the above reasons orthodontic dental insurance seems to make a lot of sense. Even though you have to pay additional premiums on top of your regular dental or health insurance, it is still a wise long term investment.

Any type of surgery, whether major or minor, can often vary greatly in price depending on a number of factors. Many surgical procedures will be covered, at least in part, by your medical insurance, but unfortunately dental implants are usually not among the procedures covered under regular insurance. This may make it a necessity for the patient to do some serious shopping around and to have all of the facts covered before entering into an agreement for a dental implant procedure.

Here are some of the factors that may end up affecting the cost of the procedure in one way or another and how to give yourself at least a ball park estimate of what a dental implant may end up costing you.

Where You Live

The place you make your home doesn't necessarily sound like something that could have an effect on the general cost of a surgical procedure, but it most certainly does. The cost of almost anything in our lives is affected by our place of residence: homes, milk, gas and taxes all vary depending upon which area of the country you reside and though it may not seem fair the same holds true for surgeries. If you live in New York City or Los Angeles you will most likely be paying more for your dental implant than someone who lives in Knoxville or Boise.

The Difficulty of the Procedure

This is a part of the equation that's very hard to determine, cost wise, before actually seeing the oral care specialist that's going to perform the procedure. There are things that can make the overall procedure more difficult and time consuming that will ultimately run up the price - if there is a good deal of bone and/or gum restoration work that needs to accompany the implant procedure itself, the cost will likely be substantially higher than the average procedure.

The Location of the Implant (which tooth)

Some areas of the mouth are much more difficult to work on than others. The cost for a canine will be different from the cost of an incisor and that of a molar. The more difficult the area of the mouth is to work on, the more time it will require to do the procedure and the more labor it will involve - so in turn the price will go up.

Before entering into an agreement to have a dental implant procedure it's important that you understand everything about what one doctor's price includes as compared to anothers' so there are no surprises once the bill comes. People often obtain a quote for just the implant procedure itself, but fail to realize that the extra charges are piling up throughout the process.

Get detailed quotes from each implant dentist Toronto that you are considering having the procedure performed by, in writing, for everything that will be involved in the process, including: the implant surgery itself, x-rays, anesthesia, subsequent visits and the cost of the crown to go on the implant. By doing this you will ensure two things - that you'll be getting the best price for the work being performed and that you won't keel over once the bill arrives.

On a very, very wide plane - the average dental implant can cost anywhere from $1500.00 all the way up to $6000.00 or more for just the procedure and exponentially more depending upon what else will be involved. Though it's good to shop around to make sure that you are getting a reasonable price for the services being performed, make sure you aren't sacrificing quality to save money - be one hundred percent certain that the procedure is being performed by a qualified professional with plenty of experience in the type of work that you need done.

If you are researching the field of dental health, you can learn dental assisting from some of the best dental assistant schools in the US and Canada. Dental assistants are always in demand to teach preventive dental care, promote general oral health, and to assist dentists in the day-to-day routines of a dental practice.

Dental assistants have an important responsibility as they work side by side with dentists during patient exams and treatments. Professional dentists rely on dental assistants to maintain dental records, to prepare patients for dental treatments, and to keep everyone as comfortable as possible during dental procedures. Dental assistant schools are in the business of teaching both the clinical and administrative expertise expected of dental professionals.

Typically, dental assistant training will cover preparing trays of dental instruments, sterilization procedures, what is expected during oral surgeries and treatments, and how to instruct patients on postoperative oral health. The best dental assistant schools will teach you a variety of patient care duties, such as how to apply topical anesthetics, take dental x-rays, process x-ray film, use computer dental software programs, examine patients, remove sutures, prepare materials for dental impressions, discard hazardous materials, and much more.

A good school for dental assisting should cover human anatomy, dental terminology, preventive care, radiology, anesthesiology, nutrition, diseases, and pathology. Before you can become a certified dental assistant, you will be required to have a fair amount of practical experience in a dental clinic or dental office. In many cases, dental assistant schools will have an on-site dental office to provide students with the necessary hands-on experience.

Oftentimes, the dental assistant is required to do some of the medical office administration duties. At dental assistant school, you will become familiar with the proper procedures for scheduling appointments, keeping patient records, ordering and stocking materials and supplies, and processing insurance claims.

When researching quality schools for dental assisting, one thing to look for is that they are sanctioned by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Admission to dental assistant schools usually requires a high school diploma (or equivalent); a background in sciences and familiarity with computers are also considered to be a helpful starting point. Some dental assistant courses offer certificates or diplomas that will take about one year. You can obtain an Associate Degree in Dental Assisting in eighteen months to two years.

To find out more, contact for accredited Dental Assistant Schools on our website and learn what it takes to become a certified dental assistant.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Hedgehogs are very interesting, fascinating pets to own. These pets are not for everyone though. Before you get one, you need to learn how to take care of them and make sure they are right for you.

Hedgehog fossils have been found that date to as far back as the dinosaurs! They are one of the oldest animals alive today. There are many different types of hedgehogs, but the one that is most commonly kept as a pet is known as the African Whitebellied or the African Pygmy Hedgehog. This species is actually a cross between two other African species, the Pruners and the Algerian hedgehogs. This mixing has created many different color varieties and sizes of the animal.

The first thing you will need for a hedgehog is a cage. The minimum cage size is 24" by 24". If you keep them in a smaller cage then they can become fat, bored, and sick. In the wild, hedgehogs are used to running a lot while hunting so pet hedgehogs still have this urge to run. You should keep a wheel in the cage for them to run on and get the exercise they need. Try to pick a wheel that has a solid surface so that their feet do not fall between bars and get injured.

Hedgehogs cannot tolerate cold climates so be sure you keep them warm. If they are kept in temperatures below seventy degrees then they can become seriously ill or even die. You will also need to provide a shelter for your hedgehog. There are many acceptable shelters sold at pet stores, but you can even use a small box. They will need bedding in the shelter too. Just make sure you do not use cedar, corncob, or clay cat litter for bedding. These can cause health problems. Pine or aspen chips work well, but you can even use recycled newspaper, pelleted prarie hay, or pelleted aspen.

Some hedgehogs can be litter trained, but others cannot. Watch your hedgehog and see if they go to the bathroom in the same spot regularly. If they do, then you can use a litter pan. This makes cleaning much easier. Other hedgehogs may use the bathroom in different places or constantly use the bathroom while running in the wheel.

Your hedgehog will need to have food and water at all times. A water bottle works better than a water bowl because it cannot be knocked over or dirty. There are many commercial hedgehog foods at the pet store to choose from. Try to get a food that has at least 30% protein and 15 to 20% fat. Meat should be in the top few ingredients and it should not have a lot of corn in it.

Hedgehogs also need things to play with and attention or they can become very depressed. Try to get a variety of toys for your hedgehog such as tubes, boxes, balls and ferret toys. You should also spend as much time as you can with your pet.

After you get your cage and accessories, then you are ready to bring home your hedgehog. Hedgehogs do not require as much maintenance as other animals. You will need to clean out the cage at least once a week and occasionally clip their nails. Hedgehogs do not require regular baths, but every now and then, you can give them one so that they will smell nice.

Overall, hedgehogs make great pets. They do not require as much work as many other animals do and are really fun to watch. Just be aware that some hedgehogs can take awhile to get used to being handled. You must have patience and consistently handle your hedgehog.

Brushing you teeth isn't just to help keep them looking great and free from cavities - it helps reduce the risks of gum disease.

There's a bit more to just brushing your teeth twice a day and visiting your dentist every six months. Plaque is the leading cause of gum disease. Since plaque is a film that builds up along the gum line, it causes food and germs to get trapped. Then, the germs attack the gums causing soreness and bleeding. Once the plaque is left on the gums too long, tartar begins to form. Brushing AND flossing can help reduce this build up along with visiting your dentist for professional cleanings.

Most of us have heard of gingivitis. This is the first stage of gum disease. Tenderness and bleeding when brushing and flossing your teeth is generally a good sign of gingivitis. To prevent it, brushing and flossing twice daily is the key. The second stage of gum disease is called periodontitis. This is what happens when gingivitis is not taken care of properly. Periodontitis will not only cause swollen gums, but it will cause gums to actually pull away from your teeth. Left untreated your teeth then begin to loosen and fall out.

It is imperative for this reason to keep up on your dental care. Brushing and flossing are a must. Spending 3 minutes brushing your teeth two times a day is a great habit to get into, while flossing at least one of those times each day. Use a soft bristle toothbrush with a back and forth motion. Most people forget that brushing your gums is part of good dental hygiene, not just brushing your teeth. The surface of the tongue should be brushed as well. This will help prevent germ buildup and therefore help prevent bad breath.

See your dentist, brush and floss regularly, and your chances of having gum disease is almost a slim to none chance.

Brushing you teeth isn't just to help keep them looking great and free from cavities - it helps reduce the risks of gum disease.

There's a bit more to just brushing your teeth twice a day and visiting your dentist every six months. Plaque is the leading cause of gum disease. Since plaque is a film that builds up along the gum line, it causes food and germs to get trapped. Then, the germs attack the gums causing soreness and bleeding. Once the plaque is left on the gums too long, tartar begins to form. Brushing AND flossing can help reduce this build up along with visiting your dentist for professional cleanings.

Most of us have heard of gingivitis. This is the first stage of gum disease. Tenderness and bleeding when brushing and flossing your teeth is generally a good sign of gingivitis. To prevent it, brushing and flossing twice daily is the key. The second stage of gum disease is called periodontitis. This is what happens when gingivitis is not taken care of properly. Periodontitis will not only cause swollen gums, but it will cause gums to actually pull away from your teeth. Left untreated your teeth then begin to loosen and fall out.

It is imperative for this reason to keep up on your dental care. Brushing and flossing are a must. Spending 3 minutes brushing your teeth two times a day is a great habit to get into, while flossing at least one of those times each day. Use a soft bristle toothbrush with a back and forth motion. Most people forget that brushing your gums is part of good dental hygiene, not just brushing your teeth. The surface of the tongue should be brushed as well. This will help prevent germ buildup and therefore help prevent bad breath.

See your dentist, brush and floss regularly, and your chances of having gum disease is almost a slim to none chance.

The Dental Assistant training can be completed in a year or two. It is the type of training that will give you the skills needed to work in a dentist's office. In fact, it is the stepping stone of most dental hygienist or dentist these days.

If you are thinking to become one, you can test the waters by training to become a dental assistant. Being a dentist or a dental hygienist would take four yours or so. But if you choose to become a dental assistant first, you will have the chance to practice the profession while studying to improve your skills.

As a dental assistant, your job is to help in most of the procedures performed in a dental office. Part of your daily task is to sterilize the tools needed and prepare all the items to be used by the hygienist or dentists. You will also be tasked to assist the practitioner as he or she performs the dental procedures. You will also be trained to handle certain dental equipments and tools. In certain states, dental assistants are also taught how to give local anesthesia to patients.

Needless to say, you will have first-hand experience when it comes to the task dentists have to do for their patients. While you don't perform the procedure yourself, you're actually around to see how it works. If you decide to continue with the course, being a dentist or hygienist would become very easy for you. You will be able to observe all the dental works done, which is very essential to your faster learning and comprehension of the dental degree. Careful observation of techniques will be a great learning experience for you. Even if you don't have the license to perform the procedure, you do have the knowledge needed to do the task, which is what's really important.

And if a dental assistant opts to proceed with the formal education required to become a hygienist or dentist, everything they saw at the dental facility they worked for would be indispensable. It would help a lot and they would be able to ace the exams, practical tests, and all other requirements of the course.

What's more, dental assistants are qualified to undergo the continued educational program for aspiring dentists, which would definitely speed up the entire classroom learning process required.

A lot of dentists would rather keep qualified dental assistants who are wishing to be dentists themselves rather than hire another set of newbies for the job. As such, you can almost be sure that the dentists would allow you to work around your class schedule. Some may even offer to shoulder a portion of your school fees in exchange of working for them after completing the course.

So if you really want to be a dentist, consider the Dental Assistant route. Not only you'll get better hands-on experience, you'll also have an edge against all other applicants. You'll have better experience than the rest of them because you have previously worked prior to being a dentist. Surely, a good job offer would come your way easily.

As with most types of jobs, dental hygienist pay rates vary based on a lot of different factors. These include location, the setting of employment, and also how much experience the dental hygienist has.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the dental hygienist salary ranges from the lowest 10% being paid less than $20.42 an hour to the highest 10% being paid more than $43.07 an hour. The median salary for a dental hygienist is $31.21 per hour, or about $64,910 per year for a full time hygienist.

One thing that can affect salaries is the location of the job. The states with the highest mean dental hygienist salary are Alaska ($91,960 per year), Washington ($86,920 per year), California ($81,730 per year), Nevada ($76,240), and Oregon ($74,470). However, make sure you also consider the cost of living when you make salary comparisons, you want to base your decision on how far your salary will go, not just how high it is. California has a higher cost of living than many other states, so it makes sense that the dental hygienist salary there would be on the higher side.

California has four out of five of the metropolitan areas with the highest dental hygienist pay. These are the Santa Rosa-Petaluma metropolitan area, Salinas, Napa, and the Oakland-Fremont-Hayward metropolitan area. The fourth highest paying metropolitan area is Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA.

Besides location, another important factor in the determination of dental hygienist income is years of experience. According to Payscale, the median salary for a dental hygienist with less than one year of experience is $45,379, while that of a dental hygienist with 20 or more years of experience is $50,483, which shows that experience does make a difference.

The level of training that a dental hygienist has had will also affect his or her salary. Someone who has graduated from a training program offering a certificate only will most likely earn less than someone who has earned an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's degree who is working in the same location.

Due to the nature of the employment, dental hygienist pay might be in the form of an hourly rate, a yearly salary, or even on a commission basis. Depending on the employment setting, benefits such as health insurance may or may not be available. Many times a dental hygienist needs to work full time in order to be eligible for benefits. Louis Zhang, Certdentalhygienist dot com

Dental implant surgery is common these days. The whole process, from evaluation to completion, in general takes six to eight months. During this period, most patients do not experience disturbances in their normal business and social activities.

For most patients, the placement of dental implant involves two surgical procedures. Implants are placed surgically under slight sedation in a dentist's office. For the initial three to six months subsequent to surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. Once the implants have bonded to the jawbone, the second phase of the procedure starts. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon uncovers the implants and attaches small posts which act as anchors for the artificial teeth. Like any other surgery, a significant period of recuperation at home or in the hospital is necessary. During this period, the patient requires complete rest and care.

A basic requirement of implant surgery is, it requires time for adequate healing. This is more often than not three to six months. There are certain factors that are connected with the recuperation period. Recovery period depends on the type and number of implants placed and the condition of their oral health before surgery. The dental implant recuperation period is normally short for most patients. Recuperation periods tend to vary from one patient to another. Patients having serious oral health problems need lengthy recuperation periods. It may range from several weeks to months.

After healing of the implant in the bone the prosthetic phase of treatment can be carried on. In several cases this can take from a few weeks to a few months. A positive attitude towards the surgery, as well as, adequate foods and fluids after your surgery will surely reduce the recuperation period.

Knowing the salary range of any position is important. It does not matter what position that you are looking to fill you need to understand the salary ranges before deciding the career choice you are going to make. Knowing what to expect can help you to decide what kind of career you want to step into. That is why knowing the average salary for dental assistant is important information when making the decision to become a dental assistant.

In most areas the dental assistant salary ranges are similar. They can vary slightly based on the different areas that you are located in. However, they will not change that much. The average salary for dental assistants is around $30,000. With additional training you can take the steps that are necessary to help increase the salary you will make.

Choosing to become a registered dental assistant, you will find that your pay range will increase by making this change. By having the title as a registered dental assistant the your pay range will increase. This is one of the most efficient ways of increasing your salary.

As with every type of position there is a pay scale. You have the opportunity to increase your pay grade by adding different certifications and experience to your resume. If you want to find out how to increase the dental assistant salary, you need to look at the different pay grades, and the different pay grades depending on the qualifications that you carry. With each of the position levels, you can easily increase the average salary that you will make.

Dental assistant salary ranges will increase depending on the responsibilities that you take on. As with any job the increased responsibility will help to increase the corresponding pay. You do not have to change your title to change your pay rate. You have to increase the responsibilities.

Being a dental assistant is a very rewarding career choice. Taking the time and effort to learn the job and the skills that are required is one of the best steps that you can take. Often times adding in office manager work will help you to increase the average salary for dental assistant. Many of the dental assistants are required to have some sort of office experience. By taking on the additional office management duties you are going to also increase the salary range that you will make.

Louis Zhang, Dentalassistantstudies dot com

Comparing dental insurance plans is an important first step in purchasing dental coverage for yourself, your family, or your employees. Using an Internet website which specializes in dental insurance plans can help you find the right plan at the right price, even if you live in Florida.

A discount dental insurance plan, is designed to provide you with significant savings on the cost of dental care and procedures. Many plans offer very low rates and provide access to a network of dentists nationwide, and in Florida, who give instant discounts to members.

How much can you save?

A typical dental insurance plan such as Aetna Dental Access will save you 15 to 50% on everything from general dentistry, cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns and x-rays. An adult teeth cleaning would normally cost you about $75, with a dental insurance plan your cost would only be $44. A child teeth cleaning would only cost you $32.

How about a filling? The usual fee for a single white filling is about $121, with your dental membership discount, the cost for a filling is only $71. With over 66,000 dentists to choose from, it's easy to see how a dental insurance plan can save you money and save your teeth too.

Individual and Group Savings

Whether you're a single person, family, or business group there are plans to fit your needs and your budget. You can join a plan today and start using your membership discount within 2 days. There is no waiting period, no health restrictions, and no paperwork hassle!