Spirit Dental Resources

Maybe you’re new in town. Maybe someone in your family is experiencing new issues with their dental health and you’re wondering if your current dentist is up to the challenge. Whatever your reasons for seeking out a new dentist, now is NOT the time to rush into a new relationship. A great dentist should be a long-term partner in your overall health, comfort and appearance. Finding the dentist that best for you can be a daunting task. But don’t worry. We’ve taken the guesswork out of the process. Simply follow these important steps and make the choice that’s right for you and your family. 1. Ask Your Friends: Get Recommendations Ask the people you trust the following four questions: Who is their Dentist? Would they strongly recommend them? What kinds of work have they had done? Anything they don’t like about their dentist? 2. Research Online: Learn the Basic Facts about the Dentists on Your List: How many years has the dentist been practicing? How do they stay abreast of the newest developments in dental health and treatment? Are they affiliated with a teaching institution? Don’t bother calling an 800 number. The dentists “recommended” by those services have paid to be listed there. You won’t be getting an objective referral. 3. Call the Dentist’s Office. Ask these questions: Do not be afraid to talk about money. Do they take your insurance? What do they charge for basic and major procedures? Do they refer to a team of local specialists? If so, get names and research those specialists, too. If not, strongly consider passing on this dentist. You want a dentist who isn’t trying to be the best at everything. Who does the cleaning? You’re looking for a dentist who has invested in highly trained professional hygienists, not a dentist who does the cleaning him or herself. Do their location and office hours fit your busy schedule? 4. If Steps 1-4 Check Out, Make an Initial Consultation Your best friend’s dentist might be perfect for them but the only way to know if they’re right for you is to visit them in their office and ask the right questions. Was it easy to make that appointment? Was the receptionist friendly and professional? Is the office clean and welcoming? Treat the consultation like an interview, asking the dentist the following questions: How much experience do they have treating any of your or your family member’s special conditions? Ask to see before and after pictures of patients treated for those conditions. Do you feel comfortable with this dentist’s recommended course of action for your teeth? Finally, trust your gut reaction. Do you feel at ease with this dentist? Are they someone in whom you’re willing to invest your trust? 5. Talk to your Insurance Company: Be sure you understand what your – and who – your insurance plan covers. Are you required to choose a dentist in their network? Unfortunately, many insurance plans cover only their networks of dentists. If your preferred dentist is in that network, great! But if they’re not, it may be time to start looking for an insurance carrier who lets you go to the dentist you want. Will treatments and services be fully covered -- or will you be expected to pay the difference yourself? If you have an indemnity plan, review your dentist’s fees with your insurance company and be sure you know what is covered 100%. Are you fully covered right now? Or are you in a waiting period for certain procedures? Most dental insurance plans require waiting periods for major procedures. What are the annual maximums? Today, many insurance companies have annual maximums as low as $1,000. Often, families feel forced to delay much-needed treatments simply because they reach their annual maximum before year-end and cannot afford to pay out of pocket. If your current dental insurance doesn’t cover the dentist you believe is best for you and your family, maybe it’s time to find better dental insurance. At Spirit Dental, you can find the affordable dental insurance that fits your needs. We have $3,500 annual maximums, next day coverage, and no waiting periods – even for major work! Even better, you can go to the dentist you choose. Click here to get a free 15-second quote and find out how easy and cost effective it can be to get YOUR preferred dentist covered, effective immediately.

When shopping for dental insurance, you may encounter a number of terms that are unfamiliar to you. Understanding what these terms mean and how they affect your coverage is important if you want to make sure that you get the most for your money. Annual Maximum This is the maximum amount in dollars that an insurance plan will pay towards dental care for an individual or family enrolled in a plan during a calendar year. Co-Payment This is the portion of the fee for care that you are obliged to pay, either before or after your insurance company has paid its agreed-upon portion. Coinsurance This is your responsibility, expressed as a fixed percentage, of the cost of care. For example, a 20 percent coinsurance rate means that your insurance company covers 80 percent and you pay for the remaining 20 percent. This applies after your deductible has been reached. Covered Services These are the services performed by a dentist that your insurance company has agreed to cover as a part of your policy. Deductible This is the amount in dollars that you are responsible for paying for dental care before the insurance company will begin to pay benefits. For example, if your policy has a $1000 deductible, you will only receive benefits from your insurer after you have paid for $1000 of care. This amount is reset at the beginning of the year. Diagnostic and Preventive Services These are basic dental services that include such procedures as cleanings, examinations, and X-rays. Most insurance plans cover all or almost all of the cost of such services. Explanation of Benefits This document explains which services were covered and how much coverage was applied to an individual claim. Lifetime Maximum This is a maximum amount of benefits that will be paid for certain services during the life of the enrollee. This most commonly applies to orthodontic treatment. Limitations and Exclusions Most dental insurance does not cover every possible form of dental treatment. A particular policy will limit the amount of coverage it provides and list procedures that are excluded from coverage. These may be based on the frequency of care or the type of procedure that is performed. Network This is a group of providers who participate in a certain dental insurance plan. Seeing an in-network dentist means that the plan will cover more of the cost of care. If you see an out-of-network dentist, your insurance company may pay less of the cost of treatment, or you may have to pay for the entire cost out of your own pocket. Out-of-pocket Costs These are costs that you must pay on your own, such as co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Once you have reached your annual maximum, for instance, you will have to pay any further costs out of your own pocket. Waiting Period This is the length of time that you have to wait after you enroll in a plan before you can begin to receive benefits.

Updated June 2023 When it comes to dental insurance, there are several types of plans available to consumers. Two common options are PPO and indemnity plans. Understanding the differences between PPO vs indemnity plans is crucial to making an informed decision about which one is right for you. Many people are confused about their dental insurance options and end up choosing no dental insurance. The common notion is that dental health is expensive, and it is better to pay for dental fees upfront, whenever they need it, rather than pay for something that they feel they won’t be able to make use of. The truth is, it's the other way around. With the right dental insurance plan, you can bring more value to your money and be able to have bigger savings at the same time. In this article, we'll compare and contrast the features of a dental indemnity plan vs PPO and help you make an informed decision about which one is best suited for your dental insurance needs. Whether you're seeking coverage for yourself or your family, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of these plans and comparing dental insurance can help you get the most out of your dental insurance. What is PPO dental insurance? PPO dental insurance is a type of dental insurance plan that operates on a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network. Some of the benefits of a PPO vs indemnity include: Lower out-of-pocket costs: Patients who choose an in-network dentist typically receive a discounted rate on services provided by that dentist, resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs for the patient. Higher level of coverage for preventive care: PPO plans often offer a higher level of coverage for preventive care services like routine cleanings and checkups, making it easier and more affordable for patients to maintain good oral health. No need to submit claims: Patients who choose an in-network dentist typically do not need to submit claims for reimbursement, as the dentist will bill the insurance company directly for covered services. Coverage for a wide range of dental services: PPO plans typically offer coverage for a wide range of dental services, including basic and major restorative services like fillings, root canals, and crowns, as well as orthodontic services. What is a dental indemnity plan? Indemnity plans, on the other hand, do not have network provisions at all. Indemnity plans are known as fee-for-service plans, which means that the policyholder will pay for their dental services upfront and then submit a claim to the insurance company for reimbursement. When you’re comparing an indemnity plan vs. a PPO plan, there are many advantages to an indemnity plan, including: More flexibility in choosing a dentist: With an indemnity plan, patients can see any licensed dentist of their choice, without being restricted to a network of preferred providers. No restrictions on out-of-network care: Patients who choose an indemnity plan are not limited to in-network dentists, and can receive care from any licensed dentist, with the plan covering a percentage of the cost based on a fee-for-service model. No referral requirements: Indemnity plans do not require referrals from a primary care dentist to see a specialist, providing greater freedom of choice and easier access to specialized care. Greater predictability of costs: Indemnity plans often have a fixed fee schedule for covered services, which can make it easier to predict and budget for out-of-pocket expenses. Indemnity plans generally offer greater flexibility, but they may require patients to pay a greater portion of the cost of their dental care upfront and may have higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs than other types of dental insurance plans. Trust Spirit Dental to help you understand PPO vs indemnity and find the right plan for you Understanding what your needs are and comparing indemnity vs PPO dental insurance will help you determine which plan works well for you, and not just for your budget, but for your expectations and requirements overall. If you’re curious about your insurance options and what Spirit Dental & Vision can offer you, contact us and get a dental insurance quote today.

Most people have their first experience with an orthodontist as a child. Getting orthodontic work done before the jaw is fully developed is much quicker, and involves less pain for the patient. Plus, it's best to get jaw, and teeth abnormalities fixed before the problem is forgotten. Many remember the braces of their youth before considering their own child getting a pair. Braces used to be heavy, thick with metal, and tight to the point of discomfort. Patients are now experiencing the teeth straightening process in a whole new way. Plus, if you have dental insurance that covers braces, you'll save money now and in the long run.  Say Goodbye To Those Tick, Old Metals. Yes, metals are used in braces. However, much less is used then in the past, and better types. Your child will have a variety of materials binding their teeth in the right direction. Braces now consist of materials that add comfort, but won't subtract from quality. Ceramic, stainless steel and plastic are common materials used. "Will My Child's Whole Mouth Be Consumed In Metal?" When you were a kid, you probably remember being called a metal mouth. Today, metal isn't the first impression people will get when someone's sporting braces. Braces used to take up the whole tooth in order to manipulate the shape. They're are now small, usually, square pieces of metal that only cover a fraction of the crown. Some dentists will even place the metal fraction of the braces on the back of the tooth. This makes them less noticeable. "Is Invisalign The Right Option For My Child?" Many adolescents, and children are worried greatly about their personal appearance. They're concerned that braces may impact the way they look to their friends, or in school pictures. Invisalign is a suggested solution to children with these quarrels. However, it might not be the best solution when all things are considered. Invisalign is a more expensive option than regular braces. While they can manipulate the shape of the mouth and teeth, this is a much slower process then the one carried out by a traditional pair of braces. It can add another six months or more onto your child's treatment plan. Your Child's Rubber Bands. Many parents find it difficult to get their kids to wear rubber bands. They're needed when more force is required to move a tooth, or part of the jaw, in the desired location. Getting your child to wear his rubber bands can mean a shorter treatment time. This is often a great motivation for kids to wear them. Children often choose the color of the rubber bands. Many pick their school colors, or colors that correspond with an upcoming holiday. TADs May Be Used. If more force than a rubber band can supply is needed, an orthodontist may choose to put a TAD in place. A TAD is a temporary anchorage device. They're placed above the tooth, and usually measure 6 to 12 milliliters. These devices provide a fixed point at which to apply pressure to the tooth in question. Expensive, But Worth It. Getting this problem sorted is worth the few thousand dollars in the long run. A misshapen jaw, or misplaced tooth can impact your child's life physically, socially, and emotionally.

You can locate and benefit from affordable dental insurance no matter who you are. It may be overwhelming to deal with the sheer number of options, though after weighing the top candidates it becomes clear what to do. A couple of ideas to help you find what you need will be presented here. One way to find insurance that you are able to afford is to look into what is offered by contacting your local dentists. Ask the people at the office what they accept, and then you can do some further digging into what these companies are like. Figure out what kind of coverage they offer and how people feel about their services before making your decision. Some of the coverage plans you can get are expensive because they include things you do not really need covered. Find out what you can drop and what the basic plans include. If you don't need a lot of work done at this time, then there is no reason to be covered for complicated procedures that drive up the cost of your insurance. You may find that you don't need certain kinds of coverage until much later. By getting regular cleanings, you can find out what you are faced with when it comes to dental issues. Then it becomes possible to add more to your coverage a good amount of time before the procedure so that you are able to get it done. Before you work with any insurance company, even if you seem to be pleased with their pricing, contact their customer service representatives to learn more. You may find that they are offering a deal for new sign ups, or they may have changed their pricing in recent days. Being cautious and ask a lot of questions if you wish to get a good plan and save money.

Not all insurance companies are created equally. Did you know that after completing an application to receive dental insurance, there are quite a few insurance companies that will make you wait before you can receive the coverage that you desperately need? Most people do not have time to wait to see the dentist, especially if they are dealing with serious dental concerns, such as a severe toothache or decay. If clients have to deal with a frustrating waiting period, they may not be able to get the treatment that they need right at that moment. Waiting around for several weeks to receive dental treatment is problematic in more than just one way. The patient would remain in pain for a long time. Although the pain may be intolerable, it is not the only problem the patient would likely deal with. The dental problem that the patient suffers from could start to get a whole lot worse, causing a serious infection or other major medical concerns. As a result of those medical problems, the patient could end up in the emergency room all because the insurance company was not willing to provide immediate coverage. Serious dental problems could be prevented if they are taken care of when they first begin. When you are choosing an insurance plan for dental coverage, you need to make sure that you choose a company that is not going to make you wait and will easily provide you with next day coverage instead. Spirit Dental & Vision believes that you should not have to wait to have your teeth cared for at the dental office. There are plenty of good reasons for you to get coverage as soon as possible, which is why Spirit is willing to offer such a convenient option that most other insurance companies do not.