Dental story online

Atlanta, the state capital and largest city in Georgia, has several accredited dental schools. They aim to educate dental students in order to improve the overall health of the society. Georgia Medical Institute, DDS Emory University, Bauder College, Westwood College, Sanford-Brown Institute, and Penn Foster Career School are among the best dental institutes in Atlanta; they all offer quality dental education programs. Atlanta dental schools' education programs provide you with a wide range of career options in dentistry.

Candidates with a B.S. or B.A. degree are eligible to apply for dental courses. In order to apply, you have to take the Dental Admissions Test. Even though many graduates take the test, only the best students can get through this admission test. Through Atlanta dental schools, one can attain either a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or D.M.D (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. The students are required to take National Board's part I and II examinations. Only those who pass these examinations are awarded with the D.D.S or D.M.D degree. Also, potential dentists need to pass exams conducted by state dental boards. After passing the examination, you can apply for a state license.

The majority of Atlanta dental schools offer dental assistant programs as well. Dental assistants are trained to perform chair-side assisting methods, patient care, and laboratory and office duties. They normally work under the guidance of a licensed dentist. Dental assistants are given training in using laboratory equipment such as amalgamators, dental units and chairs, model trimmers, oral evacuation equipment, and more.

Most Atlanta dental schools offer an autonomous curriculum, designed exclusively to meet all the academic needs of students. Atlanta dental schools run clinics of their own to provide practice-oriented training.

Many people have the debate of whether or not they should pay for dental insurance or take the gamble and assume that they won’t need a significant amount of dental care.

Admittedly the cost of dental insurance can appear quite high and when there are so many other monthly bills to settle it is understandably tempting to push dental insurance to the bottom of the pile.

However, despite the cost of dental insurance, there are a few good reasons why you shouldn’t ignore the importance of having good dental insurance or a dental care plan.

• Firstly, we are all learning to recognise the need for good dental care and without dental insurance it is very tempting to skip those all important dental checkups and hygiene appointments. With each visit to the dentist the cost hurts, even without any kind of major dental work being carried out and it’s tempting to divert the cash to what is perceived at the time to being something of greater priority. With dental insurance, the cost of regular dental care is covered in monthly premiums, thus encouraging people to make good use of a service for which they have already paid.

• Secondly, emergency work can prove very expensive with the cost of Xrays, extractions, root treatments and dental crowns all mounting up. Although not all cosmetic dentistry is covered by dental insurance most of the necessities are, which greatly reduces the risk of any significant unexpected dental bills.

• If you have the opportunity to join an employers’ dental insurance scheme then the cost can be substantially less than a personal dental insurance policy and well worth checking out.

• Most dental problems are preventable so making use of a good dental insurance or dental care plan to ensure you get regular routine care can reduce the risk of major dental work being required. The cost of uninsured cosmetic dentistry such as dental implants and veneers can run into thousands of dollars or more!

Obviously like most things in life dental insurance has its limitations. When you first take out insurance cover there will undoubtedly be an initial period of time during which the insurance policy won’t pay out, there is generally a limit to the amount that will be paid out in any given year, not all dental work will be covered especially cosmetic dentistry for appearance sake and usually dental insurance policies have deductibles.

Reading the daily newspapers and magazines will help to make you aware of the number of accidents that happen around you every single day. This is what makes holding a health insurance plan so important nowadays. These insurance policies will come in handy in the event of an emergency.

Dental science is an area which has grown with tremendous developments in recent years. A lot of recent, innovative techniques and instruments are employed to bring out powerful effects in the various treatments provided.

The gadgets and infrastructure used in dentistry are imported from various countries. Dental treatments are very expensive nowadays. So it is always wise to have some sort of dental insurance policies.

There are many insurance companies worldwide that offer dental insurance policies. Delta Dental, United Concordia, MetLife, and OmniChoice are some of the leading health insurance companies that offer dental insurance.

Supplemental dental insurance companies are those who get their royalties from the leading dental insurance companies to provide insurance policies. Getting supplemental dental insurance is possible in few steps. Just log onto any broker?s URL on the Internet, browse, and compare their plans and choose the one that is best suited to fit your needs.

The policies of supplemental dental insurance plans will offer you discounts on various dental treatments. To avail these policies, you must choose one plan from the various plans available with the company. It is enough if you pay a small amount from your pocket as premiums, every month.

Supplemental dental insurance policies are available for individuals, families, and groups. You can have group policies that include your friends and relatives. Family dental insurance policies will enable you to claim dental treatments of anyone in your family.

Supplemental dental insurance covers the costs from periodic dental check-up to major dental surgeries. This insurance is valid to individuals and groups and also valid for people who already have other dental insurance policies.

It is always advisable to take supplemental dental insurance policy to help you at the time of emergencies.

Everyday on the news you hear about yet another lawsuit with multi-million dollar settlements. And these are just the big, newsworthy lawsuits. But in court houses around the country, thousands of new lawsuits are being filed each and every week by ordinary people looking for ordinary compensation for injuries and damages. Some of the more common lawsuits are for medical malpractice. But medical malpractice encompasses more than just suing a doctor for damages. Medical malpractice covers things like hospital, dental, and chiropractic malpractice.

Most people have heard some of the horror stories of medical malpractice. Like the one where a patient goes into the hospital for a leg amputation. But when they awaken from anesthesia, they find that the wrong leg has been amputated. Or the patient with the abdominal pain after routine surgey. An x-ray shows surgical instruments left inside the patient. Of course, these are the extremes, and these people have every right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit and receive fair compensation for the pain and suffering they went through.

Hospital malpractice is when a patient is harmed in the hospital and seeks compensation from the hospital. This can be a case where a patient is given the wrong medication. It may be difficult to pinpoint exactly who is to blame: did the pharmacy put the wrong medication in the cup? Did the nurse administer the wrong medication to the wrong patient? Or did the doctor simply prescribe the wrong medication? In this case, a lawyer will more than likely file a hospital malpractice lawsuit.

Dental malpractice is when a dental procedure goes wrong. For example, you go to the dentist to have a filing and he extracts a tooth. Or he drills the wrong tooth and fills the one next to the decayed tooth. In these cases, you have been a victim of dental malpractice.

Chiropractic malpractice is similar to the above examples except, in this case, you have been harmed by a chiropractor. Perhaps you were treated by a chiropractor for lower back pain and he inadvertently causes neck pain. Or, a chiropractor may tell you that his adjustments to your spine will reverse hair loss. You may be able to file a chiropractic malpractice lawsuit in cases like these.

So, as you can see in the above examples, medical malpractice covers more than just a doctor making a mistake. It can cover dentists, chiropractors, and even entire hospitals. If you have been injured by a medical professional, your first step would be to contact a lawyer who specializes in malpractice lawsuits. They will be better able to inform you whether or not you have any legal rights under the law to recoup damages.

Insurance is a method by which an individual tries to reduce the financial risk of unexpected events. Individual dental insurance is a type of insurance wherein an individual buys an individual dental insurance plan from an insurance company by paying a monthly or annual premium. If during the insurance coverage period, the individual incurs costs on dental treatment, then the insurance company reimburses that costs to the individual.

There are a variety of dental insurance plans available in the market. A search on the internet will give hundreds of results. It is easy to get confused with so many options. However there are basic principles of insurance which when applied can reduce the overall costs to the individual. Some of them are explained below.

Deductibles. When you take dental treatment while under the coverage of a dental insurance plan, you can claim the bill from the insurance company. The company will deduct the deductible and pay the rest to you. Deductible is predefined, so choose a dental insurance plan giving due thought to deductible. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium.

Co-insurance. Co-insurance is the percentage of the dental costs that you will pay and the rest is paid by the insurance company. The higher the co-insurance the lower is the premium.

Individual dental insurance plans are available to individuals only and not through employers, hence they tend to be expensive. If you are a frequent visitor to the dentist, then keep co-insurance and deductibles low, but if you are an occasional visitor, select a plan which has co-insurance and deductibles on the higher side and premium on the lower side.

Individual dental insurance plans are available to lawyers, artists, writers, software freelance programmers, small businessmen, self-employed etc.

The numbers are in and there's no longer any argument. Dental discount plan sales are through the roof because, finally, most Americans have seen the value associated with joining a discount dental network, compared to buying traditional dental insurance.

Discount dental plans cost less than dental insurance and provide greater savings, especially if you need to see a dentist immediately. This is because dental insurance, like any other type of insurance, does not provide payment benefits for any condition that already existed at the time you bought your new policy. Although most dental insurance plans will eventually begin to provide coverage for pre-existing conditions you'll still have to go through a one year (mandatory) waiting period. After this they will begin to provide you with a limited amount of coverage, but it's not very much at all.

Dental discount plan sales have gradually increased over the past 15 years and now many health insurance agents will recommend these plans over or in addition to a traditional dental insurance policy. These plans require no co-pay or deductible. You have a specific network of dentists that you are allowed to visit in order to receive your discounted rate. All that you need to do is show them your discount dental card at the time of your visit and pay that discounted fee at the time of your visit. Super easy, super great service and you'll save as much as 60% off the usual cost of dental care.

If you need to see a dentist in the near future you really should get more information about dental discount plan sales and see how becoming a member of one of these excellent plans can help you and your family save money on dental care.

Admit it – most of us hate going to the dentist. Sure, when we were kids we were scared of the pain, but as adults? We are scared of the cost! Also, many employers who offer health insurance packages do not offer dental health insurance, and just like they are not required to offer health insurance, they are not required to offer dental insurance, either. This means you are left to find cheap dental health insurance on your own.

So, how can you find cheap dental health insurance? You may be surprised to know that you can purchase dental health insurance coverage for as little as $100 a year when using one of these four dental health insurance plans.

1. The most common type of dental insurance plan is the Indemnity Plan (IP). The coverage is limited to a certain amount, but you usually have the option of choosing your own dentist, which can save you money in the long run.

2. With a Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO), you can not choose your own dentist, but you are guaranteed a certain number of visits to the dentist each year after paying one annual premium.

3. By using a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), you can choose your own dentist within a particular network, and will be offered discounted services because you will be insured through the PPO.

4. A Dental Discount Plan (DDP) is not a traditional dental health insurance plan, per say, but certain dentists will agree to offer discounted dental health care to a particular group. You won’t have a limit to worry about, and you can choose your own dentist within the DDP. Although DDPs aren’t as common as IPs, they are definitely growing in popularity at an accelerated rate.

So you see, visiting the dentist does not have to be as scary as it once was! That is, as long as you can get past the pain!

In today’s world every one wants to save their wealth, people of today keep on search for different insurance plans or policies to secure their money, no matter what field a person selects, peoples needs to get themselves and there family insured, as to avoid any uncertainty in the future.

Uncertainty can happen at any place and at any point of time; it can be on physical health or dental health. We all are well versed about keeping good care for the dental health, is an expensive these days. People keep on search for low costs or cheap dental care policies and at that time peoples opt for discount or cheap dental plans, since they provide heavy discounts over your dentistry bills and can be easily taken in hold.

Low cost dental plan as the name signify that it provides you with dental care treatment at a very relaxed rate, peoples can get dental care cover at an affordable price.

Before opting for any low cost dental care plan, you should be keep in mind, is your dental care cover provider is offering you all your preventive and necessary dental care needs, the plan should come over all your requirements, and needs for dental care.

Are you be allowed to visit your dentists on a regular basis, is there a provision for the peoples to select the dentists of there own choice, is your discount dental plan will provide cover for all the peoples, is pre existing dental problem is included under discount dental plan or not.

Registering for the low costs, or discount dental plan will provide you with the membership card, and by showing your card you will be provided with discounts on all your dental care expense.

Discount dental plan saves your money and your time, as there is no waiting required for long in getting reimbursement of your dentist’s bill, there is any need to fill claims in order to get your money back as required in dental insurance.

Low costs dental plan or discount dental plan is much better and more beneficial then dental insurance, as it will require enough time to get dental insurance, there is no need to fill out confusing forms, and there is no need to fill or submit claims to get dental care treatment sum reimbursed, as needed in dental insurance.

Today across the United States, 7 out of 10 people go without dental care. Due to the high cost of coverage, one of the first benefits that are usually dropped by employers is dental. It is then left up to the employee to fund the cost of dental from his or her own pocket.

A single crown can cost over a thousand dollars. A root canal can be between $700-$900. An initial oral exam can be over $100. What is the average family of four without dental coverage to do?

In 2002 The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average household income of a family of four was $36,764. This showed an increase over 2001 by 1.5%. If we optimistically compute a continuous increase of 1.5 % per year, we find today's average income is estimated at $39,605.27. That figure amounts to less than $830 a week before taxes. After housing, utilities, transportation, food and clothing is calculated very little is available to take care of little Nancy's sore tooth or her need for orthodontics.

In fact, even if dental care is available, it is often turned down by lower income employees. The income earner in the family must determine and prioritize the expenditure of household income and that sometimes means that Nancy will not get the braces she needs.

Fortunately there is an answer. There are excellent discount plans that are now available to save on dental coverage. Some even carry additional benefits, such as vision, prescription and chiropractic. Today, through discount plans, options are available to allow everyone to have the important dental coverage that their family needs.

Dental implants are a specialized part of dentistry. Naturally, there are specialists for dental implants. What they do is to “implant” teeth, if you have lost one, due to any reason. Whatever may be the reason, loosing teeth has tremendous psychological and physical impact on a person. Besides your appearance, you lose the functionality of that particular tooth. One may feel low on confidence and self-esteem, too.

People who have lost a tooth need not despair anymore, thanks to the advent of dental implants. If you are in Philadelphia, you have many a dentist and hospital which offer this service. People who lose a tooth can rectify their situation through dental bridgework. A dental bridge is nothing but a false tooth, held together by a set of crowns on the adjacent sides. In most cases, where one has lost one tooth, the adjacent teeth also are prepared by drilling to accommodate the new tooth. Although some are comfortable with this treatment, many others may feel uncomfortable with the dental bridges. This is where dental implants can help you.

Dental implants have gained popularity over dental bridges in recent times. Dental implants are essentially a titanium screw that is fused with the bone tissue and is anchored into the jaw bone. Once the implant is fused firmly with the jawbone, a porcelain crown is fastened onto the exposed portion of the dental implant. And voila, you have a brand new artificial tooth that looks and feels like a real thing. Moreover, unlike in the case of dental bridges, the adjacent teeth need not be affected.

Philadelphia has a number of dentists who can offer you dental implants. They are among the most renowned physicians in the implant dentistry. You can locate them through the local yellow pages or through online resources.

Looking for a good a dental plan? Here's how to buy a discount dental plan online from a top-rated company and get the very best price.

Dental Plan

A dental plan, sometimes called a discount dental plan, is a service whereby members get access to a network of participating dentists and dental specialists who provide their services at a discount. These plans offer a simple and affordable alternative to dental insurance plans, and are available to individuals, families, groups, and businesses.

Dental Plan vs. Dental Insurance

Unlike dental insurance, dental plans have no pre-existing conditions, no annual limits on coverage, no health restrictions, and no paperwork hassles to deal with. Many plans even cover cosmetic dentistry which most other types of insurance plans do not cover.

Dental Plan Benefits

Some plans let you choose from more than 30 dental plans and more than 100,000 dentists and dental specialists (see link below).

Plans start at less than $80 a year, and you'll receive discounts from 10% to 60% on dental procedures including cosmetic dental procedures.

After you join a discount dental plan you can see a dentist within one to three days, and most plans offer 24-hour, toll-free telephone customer support.

Dental Plan Coverage

Dental plans cover most dental procedures including the following:

* Preventative and restorative care such as check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and crowns.

* Orthodontics and prosthodontic procedures like retainers, braces, dentures, and bridges.

* Endodontic and peridontal procedures such as root canals, root planing, gum surgery, and scaling.

* Cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, and veneers.

Americans' obsession with their pearly whites has created a tremendous demand for professionally trained dental assistants and dental hygienists.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the dental assistant profession is expected to grow about 42 percent by 2012. This is good news for the thousands of dentists who rely on certified dental assistants or dental hygienists to help with patient care.

Dental assistants, who train in various dental assisting programs across the nation, are usually the first and last people patients see at the dentist's office. They assist with routine cleanings and dental x-rays, prepare equipment, and perform other tasks requested by the dentist.

"We have come a long way from just scheduling appointments and putting on a patient bib," said Mary Frohn, CDA, CDPMA, EFDA, B.S., a professor in the Massasoit Community College Dental Assistant Program. After eleven years working in a clinical setting, Frohn now trains the next generation of dental auxiliary students to enter the field.

"I get great satisfaction from taking students from not knowing anything about dental assisting on their first day of class, to help make them dental career professionals in less than a year," Frohn said.

Growing trends – including promoting good dental hygiene, increases in cosmetic dentistry, a rising number of employers offering dental insurance and more government-subsidized dental hygiene programs – are all responsible for increasing the demand for dental services and filling seats in her dental assistant program.

Unlike with some jobs that are amiable to on-the-job training, dental assistants should be trained and credentialed to work in the dental assisting profession.

"It’s impossible to learn everything you need to know while you work on the job from eight to five," said Frohn. "From a consumer aspect, training is necessary because we want to know the auxiliary using radiation on us to take our x-rays, or place a dental sealant, is properly credentialed."

There are more benefits to being certified than just gaining consumer trust. According to a 2004 survey published by the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB), certified dental assistants stay in the profession for 14.4 years on average and earn more than dental assistants who lack certification.

"A dental assistant with credentials has negotiating power. The more credentials an assistant has, the greater the power in negotiating a fair and equitable salary," said Betty Finkbeiner in the DANB survey results. Finkbeiner, CDA, RDA, M.S., is chairperson of the Dental Assisting Program at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Certified dental assistants – whether certified by their state board of dental registration, the Dental Assistant National Board, or some other registered dental assistant certifying body – are enjoying the increased demand for their services in a variety of emerging specialized areas. Among them is aesthetic dentistry, which includes bleaching and digital imaging services.

As technology changes the face of dentistry, dental assisting training will become a necessity. Dental assisting schools and dental hygienist programs will continue to provide training to meet the demand for those who want to become a dental assistant. And a promising career is always something to smile about.

For more information about dental assisting schools, visit the Dental Career site.

Hello all you wonderful people out there. Have you ever thought, “If I had known then what I know now….” or “If I had my life to live over again I would change…...”?

Actually there is not too much I, personally would have done differently. But there is definitely one health related subject I would like to have known more about and adhered to: early childhood hygiene practices.

I had problems with my teeth from the minute go. I had to have fillings, root canal work, tooth extractions. You name it, I had it. Even eating all those taffy apples and other candy (especially at Halloween) would have been alright if only I had known about and practiced proper (and I mean proper) gum and health hygiene. Call it hindsight.

Ironically, at this stage in my life I frantically take care of the few teeth I can still call my own. I brush my teeth (and gums) as soon as I get up in the morning and after every meal. I use mouthwash regularly. I go for biannual dental checkups. I make it a point to get to a dentist as soon as I suspect the slightest dental problem.

In our day and age anything can happen. My next statement may sound a little bizarre - like something out of science fiction - but so did reaching the moon fifty years ago. I visualize people in this lifetime cutting a third set of teeth. Wouldn’t that be something! So let’s not waste time. Let’s brush up on gum and mouth hygiene practices. Let’s promote dental hygiene whether through annual dental hygiene week for kids or dental hygiene shirts or whatever.

And don’t forget folks– keep smiling!

Dental plans are not included in basic health insurance plans as most of the dental treatments are elective and to a degree, cosmetic. Some medical plans take account of dental coverage as an added feature. Dental disease is often preventable; with the exclusion of injury or damage due to an accident. Only the initial diagnostic procedures such as exams and x-rays in dental treatment are relatively low-cost. Otherwise the treatments are considered to be expensive.

Low cost dental insurance is necessary for anyone who cares about their teeth and also doesn?t like paying the full price for dental work. You will have peace of mind with a low cost dental health insurance as you can be safe in the knowledge that you and your family are covered for any eventuality and will obtain the best dental care, whenever you need it for a relatively small monthly or annual payment. Low cost dental health insurance is available from top rated companies like Blue Cross and Blue Shield, PacifiCare, MetLife Dental, HealthNet and Kaiser. You should identify how your plan is designed, since this can considerably affect the plan's coverage and your out-of-pocket expenses.

A low cost dental health insurance has many different levels of cover. You can opt for basic dental health maintenance which will cover a portion or in certain cases the whole cost incurred of dental procedures such as fillings, root canal work and general maintenance. Other affordable extensive policies that cover periodontics, orthodontics, all sorts of filling, tooth and bridge work, as well as check-ups and cleaning are also available. Each low cost dental plan is different. Accordingly it is advisable to check the terms, conditions and coverage of each prospective insurer before taking a decision. With several options available, you can choose a low cost dental health insurance that is right for you and your family.

Most people when thinking about malpractice suits are not aware that there are also dental malpractice suits filed. Dental malpractice suits are in their own category but just as any other person in the medical field, dentists are liable for improper treatment services.

The frequency of the number of claims in dental malpractice is pretty steady. The claims are smaller of course than in the medical field. Here is a range of injuries, due to improper dental treatment that can lead to a dental malpractice claim: injuries to jaw, lip and tongue nerves, injuries related to anesthesia and death.

If a dentist for example fails to detect oral cancer, and other oral diseases he is liable. A dentist has to make sure that there are no prior medical conditions that may require special treatment for example before giving anesthesia.

The most obvious dental malpractice case is when a patient dies from the dental procedure. This can happen for example by administering improper anesthesia or by improper treatment of gum infections. Here are some other reasons for a person to be able to file a dental malpractice suit:

1. Permanent nerve damage due to complications from an oral surgery.

2. Sometimes a root canal can result in permanent numbness.

3. When a person may be injured from what is called a dental extraction (making a mistake by accidentally removing a good tooth)

Dentists are just like other physicians liable for any injury due to improper treatment or wrong diagnosis. By law, dentists are held to a certain standard of care when rendering services to their patients.

Here are some real cases of dental malpractice:

1. A case of periodontal abscess caused by defective bridge not properly treated: a $24,000 settlement.

2. A woman had a procedure done but it was done with improper contoured crowns and bridges, negligence: a $47,500 settlement.

3. A patient had a permanently numbed tongue following a rather routine wisdom tooth extraction: a $140.000 settlement.

4. A young man who sustained nerve injury in his mouth as a result of a dental procedure: a $54,000 settlement,

5. A woman with painful numb lip and chin after a routine dental treatment: a $100.000 settlement.

While it is not quite clear how many cases of dental malpractice are filed every year in the United States alone, according to some statistics the numbers are rising. There are countless cases of people that have suffered due to improper dental procedures and negligence and all too often these cases are not reported. Often, people may not be aware that they can file a dental malpractice suit. While dentists are people and therefore can make mistakes, making an error that results in a permanent injury that could have been avoided is not acceptable.

If you feel that you have experienced any of the injuries above or some others, it may be time for you to search for a lawyer that is familiar with dental malpractice lawsuits and that can help and advise you.

The time that you may spend searching for such a lawyer could make a difference in your life or the life of one of your family members. It is only right to get justice when injured through careless dental treatments or negligence.

It is always great when someone decides to go back to school and learn a new trade. This is especially true of individuals who have been in the workforce for several years in a minimum wage job and are looking for a rewarding career. Dental assistants schools are a way to help them break free from that minimum wage lifestyle and become a dedicated professional. But do you know the difference between the types of programs and colleges?

A big trend is for college dental assistant programs to be offered. These are traditional four year colleges that offer dental hygienist and assistant courses. A hygienist is someone who has taken more classes and can assist in oral surgery.

They are not surgical technologists so make sure you do not confuse them because you do not want to get through the program and suddenly find out that you have made a mistake. You can, however, get your certification and later go back and take additional courses to get those degrees and become certified surgical techs or hygienists.

Some people elect to take four hour programs each day for a year. This works well if you have to work full time and cannot take the time to devote to a full class load. The down side is that the program takes longer. You will also have to factor in the time for internship at the end of the program.

Usually, an internship requires that you be on the job for a full eight hours each day. Dental assistants schools that are online can save you time because they allow you to do your coursework from home at your own pace.

You can find financial aid to help offset the cost of tuition and books for the program. You will have to provide your income information and your income tax forms from the previous year. The financial aid officer of the school can help you fill out the forms.

Any excess aid can help you make your bills while you are in school. You may not be eligible for federal student aid, such as Pell Grants, if you are attending an online school, so take this into consideration before applying.

Dental assistants schools are a great way to change the outcome of your life. You no longer have to be confined to a job that you hate. You can learn a valuable trade that is important to the healthcare system. Once you complete the dental assistant program you will leave the school a certified dental assistant and start your new career and life.

Think of the word ‘health insurance’ and the idea formed in your mind is of covering serious diseases through insurance plans. Yet dental insurance, in many ways, is different from health insurance.

Health insurance plans usually provide coverage for serious diseases that by their very nature can be unpredictable and catastrophic. Medical treatment can be extremely expensive and a purchased individual health insurance plan can help relieve tension to some extent. This is not say that health insurance plans do not cover routine check-ups and common ailments. The point is that even if companies provide group insurance plans, it is better to safeguard yourself for the future. Most plans provide limited coverage and if you decide to opt for the ones with greater benefits, the cost factor might become an issue.

This is a situation that calls for utmost discretion and it is for you to perform the balancing act between cost and coverage- you cannot go beyond the budget, but good health too is of utmost importance.

Dental insurance is different from health insurance in that the dental problems are neither unpredictable nor catastrophic. Most dental treatment is preventive by the nature and good hygiene, to a large extent, can prove to be a panacea for your dental ailments.

That said, dental insurance is cheaper than health insurance. The reason for this again lies in the difference in the seriousness of diseases. Visiting charges to a dentist can prove to be cheaper than the monthly premiums paid for a dental coverage policies. This is why there are fewer companies in the market providing dental insurance as compared to those selling health insurance policies.

Most companies provide group dental insurance coverage to their employees as a major perk to keep their employees happy. Because of the large number of employees, the insurance companies are able to provide greater coverage at reduced rates. People with group dental insurance plans do not require additional individual dental coverage.

This is not so with health insurance. Even if the company provides medical coverage, buying individual health insurance is a safer option that will prove beneficial in the long run.

If you are a self-employed person and have had the misfortune of visiting a dentist, you will immediately realize the importance of buying individual dental insurance coverage. The same also holds true for people whose companies do not provide group plan coverage for dental insurance.

If you have group dental insurance, then there is no need for buying individual dental insurance. This is because dental insurance is designed to cover costs that help prevent a dental disease. This usually entails regular check-ups, cleanings, and fillings. As a result, there is really no need to buy individual insurance. Otherwise, buying an individual dental coverage should be considered a wise step to keep your bills in control.

Individual dental plans fall into two categories- Preferred Provider Plans (PPO) plans and Indemnity Plans. The major difference between these plans lies in the individual’s freedom of choosing a dentist for the treatment. Compared to indemnity plans, PPO provides coverage at a lower rate, but then the individual’s freedom of choosing a dentist becomes restricted to the ones listed in the plan’s network.

In the case that a person wants to consult a doctor outside this network, he or she would have to pay a higher cost that will not be covered by the plan. The indemnity plans are more expensive, but then the patient has the freedom to opt for a dentist of his or her choice.

Individual dental insurance is designed to cover both the policyholder and their family, It makes sense to get a cover for the entire family because regular dental check-ups are usually covered by plans, and this preventive measure can eliminate chances of complications to a large extent.

Also, before buying dental coverage, it is essential to do a comparative study of the plans and see how much they cover in terms of diagnostic, preventive and emergency treatment. With this done, the person should try the balancing act between the cost and coverage and then buy the plan that best covers their needs.

Getting dental benefit insurance coverage is often not an easy thing to do. I would suggest looking into dental plans, if you are looking for dental coverage. Dental plans are amazingly cheap and very convenient.

Dental plans usually cost less than $200. Yes, you can get dental care coverage this cheap. Dental plans are designed for those who are not covered by their employer at great prices. Plans do differ in cost, as the more comprehensive plans will cost a bit more, usually not over $300. The cost alone of these plans make them well worth looking into, how can they not. I wish I would have learned about dental plans a long time ago, as it would have saved me lots of money.

You can often have your first appointment in a week! Once you're enrolled in a plan you will be able to schedule your first appointment usually within a week. This is great if you're looking for urgent dental care. If you haven't been to dentist in awhile don't worry. Did you know that 65% of the population don't have dental coverage. The rise in dental plans should help get more people covered, as more people learn what dental plans offer.

Dental plans will cover your entire family. Most dental plans will cover all members of your family, which is a necessity for most people. You will even be covered for your children to see a orthodontist and care for braces. Many plans are also designed for individual coverage as well. I believe that the benefits of dental plans are definitely worth looking into.

Health and dental treatment costs are skyrocketing on an everyday basis. A mishap or an accident can leave you financially broken and can potentially destroy all the savings of your life. Health and dental risk is a risk that every one of us faces. However there are methods to obtain peace of mind. The universal method for financial risk mitigation is insurance.

Health and dental insurance is universally available and a large majority of people in developed and developing countries take coverage in health and dental insurance plans.

A health and dental insurance plan is a plan by which you pay a small premium to a health and dental insurance provider periodically, usually monthly or annually. In turn the health and dental insurance provider bears the costs of your health and dental costs. There are two types of health and dental insurance plans available in the United States today.

Indemnity Health & Dental Insurance Plans. In these plans, you have the flexibility to visit any doctor or dentist whom you want to visit. The bill is paid by you and later you can claim the reimbursement from the insurance company. The insurance company will deduct the deductible and coinsurance from your bill and reimburse the rest to you. However this should not lead one to think that the insurance company will pay any medical or dental bill you submit. The insurance company pays the bill according to UCR (Usual, Customary and Reasonable) rate for services. It involves more paper work and is relatively expensive.

Managed Care Health & Dental Insurance Plans. In these plans, you have to visit the doctor, dentist or hospital which are part of the plan. The insurance company has a tie up with a group of doctors, dentist and hospitals for medical and dental care. You can visit a specialist only on reference from the Primary Care Physician (PCP). The PCP is the doctor/dentist of the insurance company. In these plans the paper work is less and the doctor will claim the costs incurred, from the insurance company. There are flexible plans also available by which you can visit a dentist/doctor of your liking. However they are relatively expensive and you have to pay co-insurance and deductibles.

The field of dentistry is growing by leaps and bounds. This is primarily due to the fact that dental care, like other medical care fields, is currently seeing a rise in the number of patients accessing treatment. The dental hygienist plays a key role in providing this treatment. A hygienist can now expect a good salary, has flexible working hours and is able to access numerous benefits. So what does a dental hygienist do and what kind of training do they need?

Anyone, regardless of race, gender or ethnic background can become a dental hygienist. The education required includes a high school diploma, followed by at least two years of college education that blends clinical instruction and classroom studies. A dental hygienist can work in a number of environments, including dental offices, orthodontic offices, county health departments, and school districts.

A dental hygienist provides true hands-on care for both adults and children as patients, and is one of the most important members of a dental office team. He or she can educate, while providing certain levels of dental care to patients. It is often the hygienist’s role to show patients how to properly care for teeth and gums, and to explain approved methods of brushing and flossing along with other dental care procedures that are performed in the home.

A dental hygienist works closely with a dentist to provide oral care for patients. She or he is trained to take and develop x-rays and clean teeth, removing dental plaque buildup from teeth. A dental hygienist can also apply either sealants or fluoride treatments to patients' teeth as well as instruct patients on the proper diet and nutrition for optimum dental care. A dental hygienist is also trained to make cast models of patients' teeth for preparation for other procedures, including application of braces, fittings for dental bridges and dentures. Often, the hygienist is the first and last person a patient sees when visiting a dentist. He or she will take a medical or dental history if needed, answer questions and make sure the dentist is aware of why the patient is sitting the in dentist's chair.

A career as a dental hygienist offers variety amid the routine of each day. Each new patient offers an opportunity to provide service. Hygienists can gain personal satisfaction while working closely with people of all ages and walks of life, and can rest assured that their service is a necessary and valuable one.

Today, there is a great demand for dental hygienists, as can be seen in the employment opportunities section of any newspaper. The position offers great benefits, including job security, insurance and vacation time. If you like to work with people, want the security of a stable position, and enjoy a variety of experiences, perhaps a career as a dental hygienist would be a good choice for you.

A new horizon of the medical field cropping out in India is Dental implants surgery(which comes in cosmetic dentistry). This industry is growing very rapidly. It is one of the parts of cosmetic dentistry. Dental implant surgery is a medical treatment in which an artificial tooth root is implanted for replacing the missing teeth. They are considered to be the best treatment by the dental professionals. It is made up of synthetic material. They don't rely on neighboring teeth for any kind of support. These implants looks and feel like natural teeth. They are permanent and long term replacements solution. Dental implants are made up of different materials like metallic, ceramic that can be compatible to body tissue. Every year many international patients come to visit India for dental implants surgery.

Types of Dental Implants surgery procedures:

• Root Form Implant : This implant is shaped like the root of a tooth.

• Plate Form Implant : It is shaped in a plate form

• Subperiosteal Implants

Merits:

• Those who have problems to eat, they can restore proper chewing function by the implants.

• You can feel more confident after your implants.

• You can enjoy eating once again.

• You can eliminate painful gums.

• Dental implants help stop the progressive bone loss.

Demerits:

• Your implant site can get infected.

• Your surrounding structures can get damaged such as teeth or nasal cavity.

• Nerve damage, which can cause pain.

• You can have sinus problems.

The total cost of Dental implants surgery in India is very low. The cost of implants in India depends on the type of implants that is being performed. Medical tourism is a growing industry for international patients considering less price for surgery. After having Dental implants surgery in India you can get back to your country in a few days.

Want to know where to find inexpensive dental plans? Here's how to find the cheapest and the best plans online.

Dental Plans

A dental plan is an agreement between you and a dental plan company that gives you discounts on your dental procedures. Dental plans are amazingly cheap and offer huge savings for all your dental needs.

Dental Plans Features

* Dental plans give you discounts of 10% to 60%, saving you hundreds, even thousands of dollars per year on all types of dental work. This includes exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, braces, bridges, dentures, crowns, braces, and even cosmetic dentistry.

* Unlike traditional dental insurance, dental plans have no annual coverage limits, no health restrictions, and no paperwork hassles.

* Dental plans are much cheaper than dental insurance, with premiums starting at $79.95 per year for a one person, and $129.95 a year for a family.

* Unlike dental insurance, there are no 3-to-12-month waiting periods before you can have work done. With most plans you can sign up today, and see a participating dentist tomorrow.

Where to Find Inexpensive Dental Plans

The best place to find an inexpensive dental plan with a reputable company is at a dental plan comparison website. There you can check out the various dental plans in your area, including prices and discounts, then choose a plan that's best for you and your family.

The best of these sites even have a toll-free telephone service where you can ask questions and get information from a dental plan specialist. (See link below.)

Becoming a dental assistant offers one of the fastest educational paths to entering the rapidly expanding healthcare field.

Dental Assistant Job Description

Dental assistants provide support functions for dentists including assisting with dental procedures, lab work and office functions.

When helping with patient’s dental procedures, a dental assistant may be involved with:

• Preparing dental instruments
• Gathering patient’s dental records
• Handing instruments to dentist during patient procedures Keeping the patient’s mouth dry during procedures Instructing patients on proper oral healthcare
• Taking and preparing x-rays
• Applying anesthetics

Lab duties of dental assistants include making casts of teeth, creating temporary crowns and cleaning dental prosthetics.

Office support includes scheduling appointments, receiving patients in the office, billing, ordering supplies and keeping patient records.

Most dental assistants work in dentist’s offices. A small portion may work in hospitals or doctor’s offices. Similar to dental hygienists, up to one third of dental assistants work part-time.

Salary Ranges / Job Outlook for Dental Assistants

Like many healthcare fields, the demand for dental assistants is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

The median hourly pay rate for dental assistants is $13.10 and the high and low range of the scale is $8.45 at the low end and $19.41 at the high end.

Advancement in this career is limited due to the low education requirements. Some dental assistants advance to office management or product sales representatives. Others go to school for an additional year to become a dental hygienist. Dental assisting is very much an entry level position, but experience in the field and additional education can be very lucrative.

Education / Getting Started

Several educational paths exist to become a dental assistant. Most dental assistants learn on the job, however more and more dentists hire assistants with formal training. The American Dental Association accredits one and two year dental assistant programs leading to certificates or associate’s degrees. Some schools offer four to six month dental assisting programs, but these are not accredited. A clinical rotation is part of the training.

Most States require dental assistants to be registered or licensed. Dental assistants who perform x-rays may be regulated by their State as well. The Dental Assisting National Board offers certification that meets the registration requirements in over 30 states. CPR training and continuing education may be a requirement of a dental assistant.

Dental Assistant Summary

Training to be a dental assistant is a great way to get into the healthcare field. It offers a great employment outlook, but additional education is needed to get into more lucrative jobs.

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Malpractice committed by the dental health care providers is called dental malpractice. It is expected of Dentists and Oral Surgeons to ensure a decent standard of care while giving dental services to the patients. The standard of care is measured on the service provided by other professions in the same geographical area or practitioner specializing in the dental field. Like the doctors and physicians, the dentists and oral surgeons have to treat their patients who trust their services and duties. But when the dental professionals breach their duty, inflicting injury, damage and loss, dentists and oral surgeons commit dental malpractice - for which they can be sued by the patients. For instance, if a patient who approaches the dentist with a tooth ache finds himself losing sense in the tongue due to some mistake made by the dentist, he has the right to question the malpractice and register a complaint against the practitioner.

Often the patient or client tries to resolve the issue by informing their dentist first. Still if they are not satisfied with the remedial steps taken by the dentist, the client can file a case against the dental professional for their negligence or dental malpractice. The damages caused to the patient may be temporary or permanent, affecting the nerves of tongue, mouth, chin, lips, or of course teeth. The patient may hold the dental professional responsible if they fail to detect oral cancer or injure the patient in surgery. Thus the complaints often vary from services or fees paid for improper treatment.

A dental practitioner maintains the record of his or her patient, along with their case history, before proceeding to treat the patient for dental care. If the patient feels that damage has been caused in the process of treatment, then he or she can take actions with the help of their attorney. The attorney, an expert in the field, evaluates the case as being valid to recover the damage. The patient may even place a complaint with the State License Board. The license boards, on the other hand, will review and begin investigations based on the complaint received. In such a situation the dental practitioner can face suspension, fee restitution, fine, and even revocation of license.