Florida Dental Plans and Dental Insurance - DentalPlansFL.com

All About Dental Fear and Dental Phobia

noreply@blogger.com (Dr.A) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:34:00 +0000

Dental fear refers to the fear of dentistry and of receiving dental care. A pathological form of this fear (specific phobia) is variously called dental phobia, odontophobia, dentophobia, dentist phobia, or dental anxiety.

It is estimated that as many as 75% of US adults experiences some degree of dental fear, from mild to severe. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of U.S. adults are considered to experience dental phobia; that is, they are so fearful of receiving dental treatment that they avoid dental care at all costs. Many dentally fearful people will only seek dental care when they have a dental emergency, such as a toothache or dental abscess. People who are very fearful of dental care often experience a “cycle of avoidance,” in which they avoid dental care due to fear until they experience a dental emergency requiring invasive treatment, which can reinforce their fear of dentistry.

Women tend to report more dental fear than men, and younger people tend to report being more dentally fearful than older individuals. People tend to report being more fearful of more invasive procedures, such as oral surgery, than they are of less invasive treatment, such as professional dental cleanings, or prophylaxis.

Cause of Dental Fear

Many people report that their dental fear began after a traumatic, difficult, and/or painful dental experience. Dental fear may also develop as people hear about others' traumatic experiences or negative views of dentistry.

Treatments for dental fear often include a combination of behavioral and pharmacological techniques. Specialized dental fear clinics, such as those at the University of Washington in Seattle and Göteborg University in Sweden, use both psychologists and dentists to help people learn to manage and decrease their fear of dental treatment. The goal of these clinics is to provide individuals with the fear management skills necessary for them to receive regular dental care with a minimum of fear or anxiety. Although specialized clinics exist to help individuals manage and overcome their fear of dentistry, many dental providers outside of such clinics use similar behavioral and cognitive strategies to help patients reduce their fear.

Treatment

Behavioral treatments include teaching individuals relaxation techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, as well as cognitive, or thought-based techniques, such as cognitive restructuring and guided imagery. Both relaxation and cognitive strategies have been shown to significantly reduce dental fear. One example of a behavioral technique is systematic desensitization, a method used in psychology to overcome phobias and other anxiety disorders. This is also sometimes called graduated exposure therapy or gradual exposure. For example, for a patient who is fearful of dental injections, the therapist first teaches relaxation skills to the patient, then gradually introduces the feared object (in this case, the needle and/or syringe) to the patient, encouraging the patient to manage his/her fear using the relaxation skills previously taught. The patient progresses through the steps of receiving a dental injection while using the relaxation skills, until the patient is able to successfully receive a dental injection while experiencing little to no fear. This method has been shown to be effective in treating fear of dental injections. cognitive restructuring , if applied in a non-threatening situation, might be an useful alternative as a first step after years of avoidance of dental care and less threatening than immediate exposure to the feared stimuli.

Pharmacological techniques to manage dental fear range from mild sedation to general anesthesia, and are often used by dentists in conjunction with behavioral techniques. One common anxiety-reducing medication used in dentistry is nitrous oxide (also known as “laughing gas”), which is inhaled through a mask worn on the nose and causes feelings of relaxation and dissociation. Dentists may prescribe an oral sedative, such as a benzodiazepine like alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), or triazolam (Halcion). While these sedatives may help people feel calmer and sometimes drowsy during dental treatment, patients are still conscious and able to communicate with the dental staff. Intravenous sedation uses benzodiazepines administered directly intravenously into a patient’s arm or hand. IV sedation is often referred to as “conscious sedation” as opposed to general anesthesia (GA), In IV sedation, patients breathe on their own while their breathing and heart rate are monitored. In GA, patients are more deeply sedated.

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Tips to Reduce Teeth Stains by Common Drinks

noreply@blogger.com (Dr.A) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:24:00 +0000

by Dr. Hisham S. Ayoub, DMD
www.dradental.com

111 N Pine Island Rd
suite 101
Plantation, FL

One of the fastest growing areas of dentistry these days has to be tooth whitening products; including strips, rinses, toothpastes, bleaching trays, whitening lasers such as ZOOM, and many more. But what I personally do not like about whitening products is that it provides you with a quick fix. This makes you less likely to worry about what you are eating or drinking, and how that affects your teeth.
Whitening products are usually bleach based. Bleach is a pretty potent chemical, and how it works on teeth might surprise a lot of you. The idea is that the acid pokes microscopic holes in the enamel, the outer protective surface of your teeth, so that the whitening penetrates to the deeper layers of your teeth.

So what's the problem? Over time, these microscopic holes also make it easier for fluids to penetrate the enamel surface as well! This not only induces stronger sensitivity to cold or hot drinks, but also makes it more likely that you will stain!
The more you stain, the more likely you will use whitening products, the more likely you will stain, and so on...

I am not downplaying bleaching producs, but I would like to offer preventative tips so that you are less likely to stain, and less likely to overuse whitening products.

Coffee
It is interesting to note how whitening prodcuts in the U.S. became more popular as Starbucks expanded! I guess dentists owe Starbucks a whole lot. Joking aside, coffee is one of the biggest causes of tooth staining.

So what can you do? I have three words, Milk, milk, milk. A latte is a shot of espresso with the rest of the cup made of milk. This greatly lowers the staining power of the espresso. And lactose intolerance is not an excuse anymore. There are many milk alternativers, including soy milk. What if you don't like milk? Than you should have a bottle of water on hand and rinse (read on).

Tea
There are many alternatives to black tea, which is very potent in staining teeth. Even green tea can have a strong staining effect. What you should drink are herbal teas. White tea is also a great alternative. White tea is made from amateur green tea leaves.

Wine
We all know the staining power of red wine, especially on couches and cocktail dresses! So if you enjoy your wine on a daily basis, then try to stick to white wine as much as possible. Do you still favour red wine? Then, rinse (Read on).

Fruit Juice
Surprised! Some fruit juices can stain your teeth, such as cranberries, blackberries, and carrots. Stick to lighter juices, such as apples, pineapples, and melons.

Soda
Stick to soda with a lighter shade, such as gingerale, Sprite, and try to keep away from darker sodas such as Pepsi, Coke, and Root Beer. But, regardless of the staining effect, sodas are carbonated, which can over time cause the breakdown of enamel.

Lemonade
Lemonade is high in acidity, and usually high in sugars. This combination is very potent. So please, no lemonade!

Water
Relax, water does not stain, but it does deserve its own section here because it can be the greatest tool in your arsenal against tooth stains. Whenever I am drinking coffee, tea, or wine I always have a bottle or glass of water on hand. It has now become a habit of mine to rinse my mouth with water after a few sips of whatever I'm drinking. This minimizes the staining effect of these drinks since it lowers the amount of time they are coating my teeth.

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Dr. Hisham S. Ayoub, DMD is a general dentist practicing in Plantation, Florida. Visit his site at www.dradental.com

Why DentalPlansFL.com?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr.A) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:04:00 +0000

DentalPlansFL.com has become the definitive online source for discount dental plans in Florida by offering our members significant savings, excellent customer service and an extensive selection of comprehensive plans. Join a discount dental plan today and see how we keep thousands of satisfied customers smiling.

Start Saving Money on Quality Dental Care

Every discount dental plan we offer features savings of 10% to 60% on most dental procedures. When visiting a participating dental provider, you will be charged according to your plan’s discounted schedule fee. The savings really add up when you join one of our popular family plans. Become a DentalPlans.com member and start saving today!

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DentalPlansFL.com strives to make using your discount dental plan as easy as possible. With this in mind, we provide our members with immediate online enrollment and quick activation. Once you join any one of our money-saving discount dental plans, you are instantly provided with a complete Online Membership Package (OMP) in your DentalPlans.com Member’s Area. This package includes your membership card(s), welcome letter and a detailed discounted fee schedule for most plans. We provide an easy-to-use and cost-effective alternative to dental insurance without any health restrictions or unnecessary paperwork. Our discount dental plan experts are standing by to assist you in finding an affordable dental plan and a participating provider in your area. Saving money on your smile has never been so easy!

Enjoy Our Selection of Comprehensive Dental Plans

DentalPlansFL.com assists individuals, families, small businesses and other groups in finding affordable dental care. We are the largest and most experienced online provider of discount dental plans, featuring an extensive network of 100,000+ dentists in more than 30 national and regional plans. Participating dental specialists, including orthodontists, oral surgeons, periodontists, endodontists and pediatric dentists, are also included in most plans.

What's the Difference between Dental Insurance and Dental Plans?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr.A) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:01:00 +0000

Maintaining good oral health, as well as correcting dental problems, is essential to a healthy lifestyle. However, a growing number of Americans are finding themselves without effective dental coverage to treat and maintain their dental health needs. This is due in part to businesses increasingly cutting back on dental benefits for their employees. As a result, people have started looking online to explore their dental benefit options. The main question people are asking is, “What’s the difference between Dental Insurance and Discount Dental Plans?”

There are distinct differences between the way “traditional dental insurance plans” and “discount dental plans” work. As a general rule, dental insurance is utilized by large groups and businesses to cover their employee’s dental care. Dental insurance requires paying monthly premiums for defined coverage. Dental insurance is not readily accessible to individuals and families, unless provided by their employer. Some drawbacks of dental insurance include annual spending maximums, deductibles, waiting periods for certain procedures, and limitations and exclusions on care. There are also tedious claims forms to fill out and submit. Dental insurance usually covers the cost of preventive services (such as cleanings and exams) only after deductibles are met. Annual deductibles vary from $25 to $50 per covered individual, depending on the policy. The cost of deductibles should be considered when calculating the overall costs associated with dental insurance. While you are able to use any dentist, the monthly premiums for dental insurance may be as much as $30 per month for individuals and over $100 per month for family plans.

Discount dental plans, on the other hand, are available for the millions of Americans that do not receive dental benefits through their work or business. Discount dental plans are designed to provide consumers access to dental networks at reduced rates. These plans, are commonly known as “referral” or “reduced fee” plans, and are not considered an insured dental plan. Discount dental plans are affordable to join and are the most widely available dental programs for individuals and families. These discount plans work differently than dental insurance plans, yet provide consumers with real and substantial savings on most dental procedures. Discount dental plans are membership-based programs that usually provide coverage on an annual basis. Consumers pay a membership fee in exchange for secured discounts on most dental services, such as dental exams, routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, dentures, crowns, and braces. These plans typically save our members 10% to 60% on most dental procedures when visiting a participating network provider. Most discount dental plans provide a “fee schedule” with the discounted fees listed out in the membership materials to ensure consumers will receive their promised savings.

What are Discount Dental Plans?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr.A) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:42:00 +0000

Discount dental plans are designed for individuals, families and groups looking to save money on their dental care needs. Participating dental care providers have agreed to accept a discounted fee from plan members as payment-in-full for services performed. As a plan member, you simply show your membership card when visiting any participating plan provider to receive dental services at discounted fees.

Note: Discount dental plans offered through DentalPlans.com are NOT insurance plans, but discount programs.

Why Join a Discount Dental Plan
with DentalPlansFL.com?

Joining a discount dental plan will allow you to save money on quality dental care. Protect and preserve your family’s smile and overall health with one of our popular family plans. Our qualified Customer Service Representatives will assist you in finding the right plan and participating provider in your area.

Some of the many benefits of our discount dental plans include:

Savings of 10% to 60% on most dental procedures
Choose from 100,000+ participating dentists in more than 30 combined regional and national dental networks
Immediate online enrollment and quick plan activation
Easy-to-use search tools and plan comparison charts
Qualified Customer Service Representatives to assist you
No unnecessary paperwork hassles
Discounts on dental specialties available with most plans
No health restrictions
These are just a few of the ways we save America money on quality dental care … one smile at a time!

Choosing the Best Discount Dental Plan for You

Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to make an informed decision when choosing a discount dental plan. Our easy-to-use website allows you to conveniently browse our extensive selection of national and regional plans. Then you can compare the benefits and savings offered by each dental plan in your area with our convenient comparison chart. Many of our plans even offer additional benefits to help you save on prescription, vision, chiropractic and hearing expenses as well.

Once you find the plan that is best for you, joining is quick and easy. Purchase your plan online or by phone with a credit card or electronic check. Then access your DentalPlans.com Member’s Area to receive your Online Membership Package instantly.

Start Saving with Your Discount Dental Plan

Once you’ve joined the discount dental plan that’s right for you, you can start saving on quality dental care right away. Most plans activate within two business days after enrollment.

Once you’ve printed out your membership card and Online Membership Package in the DentalPlans.com Member’s Area, use our dentist search to find a participating dental care provider in your area and make an appointment. Be sure to mention the dental plan listed on your membership card when contacting the participating provider. Simply present your membership card when you arrive to your appointment to ensure that you are charged discounted fees according to your dental plan. Payment for services performed is due at the time of service, and there are no paperwork hassles or tedious claim forms to worry about. Saving money on your smile has never been so easy!

Take the first step toward a healthier smile with our search below. Start saving money on quality dental care today!