Submitted by Pam Deaton, HealthMarkets
I love visiting the dentist. Yes, I said it. I actually get excited when those biannual check-ups pop up on my calendar, signifying that my pearly whites will soon be all squeaky clean again. There’s something to be said for having a great smile.
Smile, and the world smiles with you, right?
Needless to say, I’m a strong advocate of dental health care, which means I’m a strong advocate of dental insurance. And dentists, too. They are heroes to me.
And, in return for their aid, I strive to be the best patient I can possibly be. I floss every single day (because, as a dentist once told me, “You don’t have to floss all your teeth… just the ones you want to keep”). I brush with a toothbrush to help reduce plaque and gum recession. And I even spread good dental karma each year at Christmas when family members receive the latest oral hygiene gadgets from yours truly (though they are never as excited as I’d like them to be).
I firmly believe oral care isn’t just important to your smile—it’s critical to your overall health. Your oral health may affect, be affected by, or contribute to a range of diseases and conditions, including: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, respiratory disease, osteoporosis and HIV. In fact, Aetna has found that its members who coordinate dental and medical care have improved their overall health as well as reduced their medical costs.
Good oral health is definitely easier to maintain with dental insurance. I rest easier knowing I’m protected should anything disastrous happen. Whether it’s covering a regular check-up or helping to offset the costs of a filling, having dental insurance has saved me a lot of money over the years. While all dental plans are different, most cover basic preventative care, such as routine oral exams, cleanings, and x-rays, as well as a range of diagnostic and restorative services.
The good news is that you don’t have to be insured through your employer to get access to a dental insurance plan. Lots of insurance carriers offer dental plans and for most people they are very affordable. If you don’t have dental insurance check out your options today!
Please contact Pam Deaton, your local HealthMarkets agent, located at 405 W. Front Street, Suite A, Bloomington, IL 61701 or call her at 309-287-3518.
