Posted by Meghan Weaver on Wed, Sep 01, 2010 @ 12:19 PM
Are you between the ages of 45 and 64 (and part of the “Baby Boomer” generation)? If so, you should take note of something a sizeable majority of your peers fail to see. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, 63% of Baby Boomers fail to recognize the strong connection between oral health and systemic health (i.e. the simple fact that healthy teeth and gums can help them keep many chronic and fatal health problems at bay).
Findings reported in the Journal of Dental Education punctuate the need to integrate oral health and general health care as there are established links between periodontal disease and diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease. That’s why it’s imperative for Boomers to take excellent care of their oral health by practicing healthy dental habits and visiting the dentist regularly.
Is Dental Care Really Necessary?
One of the main keys to maintaining a healthy mouth as you get older is establishing a strong, trust-based doctor-patient relationship with your local Massachusetts dentist. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, almost one-third or (31%) of baby boomers don’t get preventive dental care (i.e. they only go to the dentist when they have any emergency).
We all know how costly dental care is these days (so this statistic probably doesn’t shock you all that much) but the cost of delaying your dentistry takes a much greater toll on both your health and your wallet. Affordable dental insurance alternatives such as discount dental plans put affordable dental care within reach so you can avoid the painful and costly consequences of delayed dentistry. Universal Dental Plan has options for baby boomers as well as those who have already reached retirement age (our senior dental plan) so visit our site and see what you can save.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Aug 24, 2010 @ 12:17 PM
Let’s face it, people put off their dental care and have many excuses for it:
“I’m afraid of the dentist…”, “I don’t have time…” “Will it hurt?”, “It just costs too much!”
Whatever your excuse is (cost being a very common one), there are a few considerations everyone should take on the potential consequences of delayed dentistry.
Waiting until it hurts is never a good strategy for successful dental care. Besides stifling your personal and professional success, delaying dental care can also create a huge burden on your pocketbook.
Preventive care, such as a cleaning and exam ($93 average cost in MA), is significantly cheaper than restorative care. In Massachusetts, restorative care such as a root canal or a crown (i.e. procedures that you’ll probably need if you keep putting of the preventive ones) can cost well over $1,000!
Delayed dentistry runs in the family:
Studies show that among parents who put off their own dental care for financial reasons, 27 percent of their children have delayed dentistry as well. In contrast, only 3 percent of children whose parents have not delayed their dental care have their own dental care delayed.
Although they’re among the largest factors, high costs are just one of the reasons people put off necessary dental treatments. Research states that 15% of our population suffers from some form of anxiety and many others know they must seek out necessary dental treatments but need to find a dentist that they trust. For those who need to find a dentist and an affordable dental plan in Massachusetts, Universal Dental Plan can help.
We’re a discount dental plan and dental insurance alternative. Check us out on the web at www.universaldentalplan.com to learn more and see what you can save.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Jul 20, 2010 @ 12:56 PM
#6 You get a liberal definition of “family” for your family plan:
Unlike many traditional dental insurance plans, discount dental plans don’t limit family plan membership to immediate family only. Anyone living in your household can be added as dependents on your plan. This can include a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. And, since discount dental plans are not insurance, your family dental plan rate will not go up.
Universal Dental Plan members also enjoy a liberal definition for couple dental plans. View more information on our membership tiers here.
#5 They’re light on paperwork:
Discount dental plans operate according to a fee for service model. This means that there are never any claim forms to fill out, making it a lot easier for you and your dentist as well.
# 4 Cosmetic dentistry is covered:
Just like your health insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic surgery, most dental insurance plans view cosmetic dentistry procedures such as tooth whitening, veneers and dental implants as elective. They maintain that these procedures are not required for good oral health and thus should not be covered.
Discount dental plans make no such restrictions and spread their deep dental discounts across all procedures participating network dentists perform (even cosmetic ones).
# 3 No annual limits
Dental insurance plans also come with annual maximums, typically $1,000 more or less for individual coverage. This $1,000 is the cap on what individuals’ dental insurance will pay out each year in benefits, after that, plan subscribers are on their own.
Because discount dental plans are a dental insurance alternative, they don’t have annual limits. Members enjoy the same deep procedural discounts every time they visit a network dentist (regardless of the number of times they’ve visited the dentist that year or how much work they’ve had done).
# 2 No waiting periods
With discount dental plans, members can access full discounts on all procedures (even major work to treat existing dental conditions) because there are no waiting periods. Traditional dental insurance plans have long waiting periods, typically 12 months for major work such as root canals, crowns and dentures is covered.
But let’s face it, we’re all huge procrastinators and no one really buys a dental plan exactly a year to the day before they need a root canal (and for the few that do more power to them). That’s why waiting periods are such a pain and discount dental plans are designed to help you get the care you need, when you need it at a price that’s affordable for all.
# 1 Affordable membership rates
Traditional dental insurance is most commonly purchased by groups and associations, or by employers as an employee benefit. Group buying power makes premiums more affordable but when dental insurance is purchased on an individual basis, it can get pretty expensive. Typical monthly premiums range from $40-50 for an individual (over $100 for families).
Discount dental plans cost less than $10 per-month for individuals and less than $20 per-month for families. With this rate, members obtain access to deep discounts (10-60% depending on the plan) on all procedures performed by any of the plan’s network dentists.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Mon, May 10, 2010 @ 11:22 AM
If you have employer-provided (and paid) dental insurance you can count yourself among the lucky. These plans are an excellent wellness benefit and cover all your routine maintenance from cleanings, to x-rays to fillings. But, as many of us know, dental insurance plans generally have annual maximums (usually anywhere from $1,000-$1,500 per-year) as well as limits on the number of covered procedures you get each year.
Are you fed up with trying to schedule your major dental treatments to coincide with your dental plan renewal (or waiting until next year's renewal to finish the dental work you've started)?
What if you have a condition such as diabetes and need to get more of a certain procedure (i.e. cleanings) than your plan covers. Wouldn't you like an alternative to paying out-of-pocket?
Enter Universal Dental Plan.
Universal Dental Plan is not only a great dental insurance alternative for those that lack affordable options, it's also a great dental insurance supplement that can pick up where your dental benefits run out. Our affordable discount dental plan offers members discounts up to 50% on all dental procedures with no waiting periods, no exclusions, no annual maximums or limits on any type of procedures.
Our plan lets you go to the dentist as much as you need and pay our deeply discounted rates every time. Also, since there are no claim forms to be filed with Universal Dental Plan, your dental savings are immediate!
If you would like more information on how Universal Dental Plan can SAVE for you, please visit our website or call us at 617-859-1777.