Monthly Archives: January 2015

Affordable Dentist

Losing money with dental insurance

I got dental insurance, but feel like I’m losing money with it. I can’t figure out how to navigate all the loopholes and filing deadlines.  Is there a better way to save money with dental work?

Terri B. – Kansas

Terri,

I’m sorry for your frustration. There’s nothing worse than paying for insurance in order to make your dentistry more affordable, but not knowing how to get full value for it.

However, I must say that I don’t think your dentist is doing his job.  It is your dental office’s job to understand dental insurance in order to get you all the value you can.  They should be filing your insurance for you.

If your dentist won’t help you with it, you’d be better served switching practices.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Affordable Dentist

How can I get dental implants when poor?

What do you do if you really want dental implants but don’t have the money?

Stacey A. – Oklahoma

Stacey,

It’s one thing to want a pleasurable item you can’t afford. It’s fairly easy to live with that. But, when you can’t afford something that would be best for your health, that is very hard to take.

You do have options. Many dentists find ways to give affordable dental care in situations like yours. One option, depending on the number of implants you need, would be phased treatment.

You could get one or two implants, while using a temporary treatment for your other teeth until you can save up more.

Many dentists have payment plans that would let you spread out the cost.  Some have zero interest.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

 

Emergency Dentist

Ignored loose tooth

I was at a neighborhood play area where there are a lot of tubes. One of the boys got accidentally kicked in the mouth. He was crying pretty stoutly and there was an impressive amount of blood. The mom went over there, looked him over, said “Yay! A loose tooth.”, brushed him off, and sent him back into the tubes.  Is that OK or will there be permanent problems with his teeth? Should she have taken him to the emergency room?

Emile P.- San Francisco

Emile,

It is always easy to look at a situation we’re not directly involved in and make judgments. It’s also easy for us to judge ourselves in hindsight.  However, answering your question will depend on how old the child was, or more specifically, what kind of tooth was affected.

If it was a young child, there is less of a chance it was a true dental emergency. Likely, it was just a baby tooth. The blood is not uncommon either. The mouth does bleed easily.  That was more likely blood from his mouth being cut by his tooth, than it was blood from the tooth area itself.

An older child could mean that an adult tooth was knocked loose. In that case they would need to be seen right away. The tooth will need to be stabalized so it doesn’t fall out.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.