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Dental Allowance Versus Coinsurance/Maximum Benefit

Dental Shop Staff Writer | May 2, 2023

Dental insurance can be a complicated subject, with a variety of options to choose from. Two common options that are often offered are dental allowances and coinsurance/maximum benefits. In this blog article, we will go over the differences between the two, and which one might be the best choice for you. What is a dental allowance? A dental allowance is a set amount of money that your dental insurance will pay towards your dental treatment. For example, your plan may offer a $1,000 annual dental allowance, which can be used for any dental procedure you need. You can choose to use this allowance on one big procedure or spread it out over multiple smaller procedures throughout the year.

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What is a Dental Maximum Annual Benefit?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | April 17, 2023

Dental insurance plans are different than your typical health insurance plan. On a typical health insurance plan, you have an out-of-pocket maximum, whereas a dental insurance plan will have a maximum annual benefit. In both cases, you need to meet a deductible, although the deductibles on dental plans are much lower than on health plans. The maximum annual benefit is the most that a dental plan will pay out for covered services in a given year.

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10 Reasons to Choose Spirit Dental

Dental Shop Staff Writer | April 13, 2022

Dental Insurance Shop offers a wide range of plans, so you’ll be certain to find a plan that fits your needs. Spirit Dental offers benefits that cover many different dental needs. Spirit continues to offer many plans that are some of the best available on the market. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider Spirit Dental.

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Primestar Dental Plan Review

Dental Shop Staff Writer | July 8, 2021

Here at Dental Insurance Shop, we offer a multitude of plans from a wide range of companies, all of which offer different coverages. One of the companies that we offer plans from is Ameritas. The Ameritas Primestar plans are some of our best-selling plans. We offer the Primestar Protect Network 1000 PPO and 2000 PPO, as well as the Protect 1000 and 2000 indemnity plans. The Primestar Protect Network plans have a set network of dentists.

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How to Find a Dentist Near Me for My Dental Plan?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | June 30, 2021

Understand your type of dental plan and what the benefits are. Knowing your network type based on your type of plan is also an important starting point. Utilizing your plan's network gives you the greatest savings under coverage. There are other factors that go into this decision as well.

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What are the best dental insurance plans for individuals?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | June 17, 2021

Individual dental plans are good for those looking for a way to cover basic dental (cleanings, x-rays, fillings) as well as those looking to get major dental work covered (crowns, implants, root canals). There are multiple different factors that you should consider when selecting your dental insurance plan.

Category: Individual Dental
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Waterpik vs. Flossing: which is better?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | June 9, 2021

Waterpiks, also known as water flossers, dental water jets, or oral irrigators, are made up of a motor with a pump, a water reservoir, and a water flosser tip. A Waterpik works by having a stream of pressurized water flow out of the water flosser tip to remove food debris, bacteria, and plaque. It works to clean in between teeth, along and under the gumline, and other hard-to-reach places. However, it is important to remember that a water flosser is not a replacement for brushing or flossing.

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Which is Better, a Manual or An Electric Toothbrush?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | June 3, 2021

Oral health is highly important, as it has an effect on your overall health. This means that choosing the correct toothbrush is also highly important. As more companies produce electric toothbrushes, more people begin to wonder, is my manual toothbrush doing enough? It probably isn’t, as it has been found that electric toothbrushes do a far better job at cleaning your teeth, gums, and tongue. This leads to healthier teeth and gums, as well as a decrease in tooth decay and bad bacteria in the mouth.

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7 Things You Should Know About Deep Dental Cleaning

Dental Shop Staff Writer | August 5, 2020

Deep dental cleaning is also commonly known as periodontal scaling, root planing, or SRP. Deep dental cleanings are used to combat gum and periodontal disease. 1. Deep dental cleaning consists of scaling and root planing. Scaling: Remove tartar from the tooth surface and the space in between the teeth and gums, also known as the pockets. Root Planing: Remove plaque and tartar from the roots of the teeth.

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Stannous Fluoride vs Sodium Fluoride: What's the Difference?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | June 19, 2020

Pros of Stannous Fluoride: Easy to get- available over-the-counter, reduces tooth sensitivity, gingivitis, reduces plaque, whitens teeth, fights bad breath Cons of Stannous Fluoride: Treatments of Stannous Fluoride at the dentist, have a small chance of slightly staining your teeth, does not remineralize your teeth

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What does High Fluoride Toothpaste do?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | June 8, 2020

Over-the-counter fluoride toothpaste contains an amount of fluoride that is not harmful if ingested by children. However, this low concentration of fluoride is not enough to remineralize teeth. In order to get a toothpaste that has a high enough fluoride concentration the strengthen teeth, you will need a prescription. High concentration fluoride toothpaste is damaging to developing teeth if swallowed. High fluoride toothpaste works to remineralize your teeth. Enamel cannot be rebuilt, but minerals can be added back into your teeth to strengthen them.

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Are Electric Toothbrushes better than Manual Toothbrushes?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | April 20, 2020

Studies have shown that because of the oscillating bristles, electric toothbrushes are more successful at removing plaque. Electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer to ensure you brush for the full 2 minutes.

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Ameritas Dental Network Expansion

Dental Shop Staff Writer | February 25, 2020

Starting on February 1st, 2020, Ameritas will be expanding their Ameritas Classic and Classic/Plus Dental Networks. More than 9,000 dental care providers will be added to their network. In addition to the February expansion, on March 1st, 2020, the Ameritas Classic Dental Network will expand yet again. This additional expansion will add just over 11,000 dental providers, making Ameritas's network have over 128,000 dental providers.

Why do dental plans have waiting periods?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | February 17, 2020

A waiting period is the delay in between the time of the enrollment effective date and when coverage starts for select services. For instance, there may be a 6-12 month time period before the dental insurance company will pay for a major service.

In-Network vs Out-of-Network Dental Insurance Coverage

Dental Shop Staff Writer | August 29, 2019

What is an in-network dental provider? An in-network dental provider is a provider who has accepted the insurance companies fee schedule and has agreed to have a discounted maximum allowable charge for covered services as long as the member uses a provider within the network. Choosing a dentist within a network will limit your options. What is an out-of-network dental provider? Out-of-network providers are not a part of an insurance company's network of dental providers.

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5 facts to consider when thinking about dental implants

Dental Shop Staff Writer | July 16, 2019

A dental implant is placed into the patient’s mouth as an artificial root, made from titanium, to support a dental crown, denture, or bridge. Currently, this is one of the best ways for long-term tooth replacement. If you are missing a tooth, read these 5 things to consider when thinking about getting a dental implant.

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Should I COBRA or buy an individual dental insurance plan?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | July 10, 2019

Deciding whether to COBRA your employer's dental insurance plan or to purchase your own plan can depend on a few different things including: cost of the plans, coverage available (including if the new plan has waiting periods), the amount of benefits remaining on your current plan, whether your dentist is in-network for a new plan, and if you are actually going to use the dental plan in the 18 month window that COBRA allows you to stay on the plan.

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Can I buy an individual dental plan in addition to my work plan?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | July 10, 2019

Yes – you can buy an individual plan in addition to your work plan. This situation is referred to as dual coverage. Dual coverage is when multiple dental plans cover a single patient's dental treatment. This does not “double” your coverage but can significantly reduce your out of pocket expenses.

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PrimeStar dental insurance plans with immediate coverage now available in most states!

Dental Shop Staff Writer | August 1, 2018

The Dental Insurance Shop is happy to announce we have added a new dental insurance company with great plans and immediate coverage available! PrimeStar dental and vision insurance plans offer affordable coverage with instant free online quotes, coverage for individuals 18+ (including seniors), no online enrollment fees and the Ameritas dental network.

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What are Dental Veneers and does insurance cover them?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | June 14, 2018

Dental veneers are thin pieces of tooth-colored porcelain cemented to the front surfaces of your natural teeth, and are an easy way to address a variety of physical and aesthetic problems. Because they're also permanent, however, you'll need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of the procedure before you decide to get them. Here are a few things to consider before purchasing dental veneers.

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What is the difference between an immediate coverage plan and a plan with no waiting periods?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | March 15, 2018

When shopping for dental insurance you will probably hear the words "No waiting periods" and "Immediate coverage" a lot. Sometimes consumers think that these mean the same thing but there are some very important differences between the two. Continue reading below to learn more about the differences between a plan that has no waiting periods and a plan that has immediate coverage.

Category: Individual Dental
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Can a cheap dental insurance plan be full coverage?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | February 14, 2018

A cheap dental insurance plan may still be a full coverage plan, but it may not offer a high percentage of coverage for services, or it may have a low maximum annual dental benefit. These are all things you need to consider when shopping around for a full coverage dental insurance plan. One other thing you may have to deal with is waiting periods for specific dental services.

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Scaling and Root Planing: What is it?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | August 1, 2017

Dental deep cleaning is commonly associated with scaling and root planning. It is used to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. It cleans between the gums and the teeth all the way down to the roots. Anesthetic is necessary to numb your gums during this procedure. The procedure can be done either with an ultrasonic tool or the standard scraping tool. You may need antibiotic fibers placed between your teeth and gums in order to help healing and limit the risk of infection. These fibers need to be removed by a dentist about a week after the procedure. After the treatment there should be little discomfort.

Category: Individual Dental
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Dental Implants or Bridgework? What is best for you?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | July 18, 2017

Losing teeth can be a stressful time, but thankfully there are ways your dentist can regain your smile. No matter the amount of teeth, dental implants for fixed bridgework can be the answer. There are a few things to consider when making the correct choice for your teeth and your budget.

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Choosing the Perfect Toothbrush

Dental Shop Staff Writer | July 12, 2017

One of the most impactful decisions in oral health and keeping your teeth clean is choosing the right toothbrush. It can be overbearing with so many options of toothbrushes that you can choose to purchase. However, you must also use your toothbrush correctly along with the right toothbrush.

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Review of Costco Dental Insurance Plan

Dental Shop Staff Writer | April 6, 2017

The Costco Dental Insurance plan is only offered to Costco members who live in the states of California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Costco partners with Delta Dental to offer a dental discount plan. It is important to note that this is a dental discount plan and not dental insurance. Click here to learn more about the difference between the two.

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What is Endodontics?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | February 6, 2017

When scrolling through many plans and brochures for information on dental insurance plans, there are many terms that come up that you may not now. These terms are important in selecting the best dental insurance plan for you. Endodontics is often one of these terms that may arise confusion. To start to understand it, it stems from Greek and can be broken down into two parts, endo “inside” and odons “tooth”. Endodonitcs is a specialization of dentistry that focuses on dental pulp. If you have had a root canal that falls under endodontics and is the most known example and common of endodontic procedures.

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What is a Dentist vs. a Periodontist?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | February 3, 2017

It is important to see a Dentist regularly if you want to maintain good oral and overall health. Dentists are the general experts when it comes to your mouth. But, if your dentist detects any complicated gum issues during a routine check-up, they will either work closely with or refer you to a periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the structures that surround and support the teeth; they evaluate the gum, bone, and connecting tissue of each tooth. Most full coverage dental insurance plans will cover periodontic services as a major service.

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Why is Dental Insurance Important?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | January 19, 2017

The Affordable Care Act requires that all children 18 and younger carry dental insurance, however it leaves adults to fend for themselves when it comes to oral health. There is a major connection between good oral health and overall good health, and it is well documented. When the legislatures left dental coverage off the list of essential health benefits it sent the wrong message about the important of good oral health.

Dental Insurance Shop Merit Scholarship Program

Dental Shop Staff Writer | September 15, 2016

Are you a high school senior? Do you excel in school academically, but could use some extra financial assistance when it comes to paying for college? The Dental Insurance Shop is proud to announce that they will be offering a $1,000 scholarship to one eligible high school senior who applies before the June 30, 2017 deadline.

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PPO Dental Insurance Plans

Dental Shop Staff Writer | September 14, 2016

PPO, or Preferred Provider Organization, are the most popular type of dental insurance plans that are sold in the country. They are preferred to their indemnity counter parts because you generally pay less in premiums for a PPO plan, and they typically offer higher benefits than an indemnity plan.

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Find a dentist – What to consider when looking for a new dentist

Dental Shop Staff Writer | August 31, 2016

Dental care is a top priority when it comes to health and hygiene maintenance. In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth daily, your teeth should be professionally cleaned by a dentist from time to time. It is recommended that you see the same dentist on a regular basis so that you can establish a comfortable relationship as the dentist develops an understanding of your individual needs. You will ultimately form a partnership with a dentist so that you are able to track any mouth issues and take care of them right away.

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Looking to retire and need dental insurance?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | July 20, 2016

When people reach retirement, they often lose eligibility for their benefits package from their employer. Oftentimes early retirees think that, like health insurance, personal dental insurance costs will be high when they are faced with buying their own coverage. There are many affordable personal dental insurance plans available for those looking to buy their own plans when they retire. Also when they turn 65, they enroll into Medicare. Medicare includes hospital and medical insurance with Part A and Part B, but generally lacks traditional dental benefits.

Category: Senior Dental
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What Is A Missing Tooth Clause?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | June 23, 2016

In dental insurance, a majority of companies will include a missing tooth clause or a replacement clause in their policy contracts. If your contract has a missing tooth clause, it means that if a tooth was lost before purchasing your new plan, your new dental insurance company holds no responsibility to replace the tooth or cover the cost of the tooth's replacement. If your contract has a replacement clause, your dental insurance company will more than likely hold a waiting period that must pass with the policy in effect before any coverage towards the procedure can be applied.

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My child's first trip to the dentist

Dental Shop Staff Writer | May 26, 2016

As children develop their first set of baby teeth, parents are left wondering when they should make the first trip to a dentist. Should you bring your child to the dentist as soon as you see their first tooth, as soon as their first birthday approaches, or later on down the road when they have developed more teeth and engage in riskier behaviors, such as sucking on their thumb or bottle at night?

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I'm an adult and I need braces. Now what?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | May 16, 2016

If you've been shopping the dental insurance market, it should be no surprise that adult orthodontic coverage is hard to find. Most adult orthodontic procedures are considered part of an elective process because you're choosing to have the work done, which is in a separate category than preventative care such as teeth cleanings. It's helpful to know that even though orthodontic procedures are elective, the Dental Insurance Shop still offers affordable dental plans that provide some orthodontic coverage for not just adults but for all ages.

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Things to look for when purchasing a dental insurance plan

Dental Shop Staff Writer | April 12, 2016

When buying dental insurance, there are many factors to consider in order to ensure that you are getting a plan that fits your needs. Buying a dental insurance plan can be confusing, but here are some tips to know what to look for. First, be aware of what the plan’s network is. Is it big or small? And if you prefer to keep your dentist, are they included in the network? You should also take into account how often you go to the dentist and what work you usually get done at the dentist. Look at what the plan covers and if it covers what you usually get done.

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Review of Spirit Dental Insurance

Dental Shop Staff Writer | January 12, 2016

Spirit Dental has several dental insurance plans throughout the United States offering a variety of benefits. You may choose plans with annual benefits up to $5,000, three cleanings per year, and coverage for implants with no waiting period. These plans also have extensive coverage for major dental services, and are all reasonably priced. Spirit Dental has dental insurance policies for individuals, families, and seniors.

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Dental Implant FAQ

Dental Shop Staff Writer | January 8, 2016

What is a Dental Implant? Implants take many shapes and sizes depending on the patient’s needs. Most are made of titanium, a very hard and durable metal. This metal has been shown to be 100% compatible with the human body. Dental Implants are not transplants taken from another human. Therefore there are no problems with the rejection reactions associated with transplants such as lungs, or kidneys. In fact, there has never been a case reported in the scientific literature where the body has rejected the materials that are used in today’s advanced Dental Implants. Since they are made of metal and undergo rigorous sterilization procedures approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is absolutely no possibility of disease transmission.

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How to avoid waiting periods for dental insurance plans

Dental Shop Staff Writer | September 15, 2015

If you have not had dental insurance for awhile and are currently looking to purchase a dental insurance plan you are probably running into a lot of different plans that have waiting periods. Waiting periods are the period of time when your dental plan will not cover a specific service or benefits. These waiting periods are established to protect the dental insurance companies. They do not want people to wait until they need to get work done, then once they need the work to purchase a dental policy and get hundreds or thousands of dollars of work to just cancel the policy the next month. There are a few different ways of finding a plan that either has no waiting periods or can allow you to waive the waiting periods.

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Cigna Dental Insurance Plans Now Available!

Dental Shop Staff Writer | July 16, 2015

The Dental Insurance Shop is proud to announce that Cigna Dental is the latest carrier to join dentalinsuranceshop.com. Dental Insurance Shop is a multi-carrier platform which offers the capability to get an instant online quote from multiple carriers and compare them side-by-side. This helps ensure that the customer is getting the perfect plan to match their needs and budget.

What is Full Coverage Dental Insurance?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | May 12, 2015

If you are looking for full coverage dental insurance you are probably expecting to find a dental plan that will cover a full spectrum of dental issues, from basic cleanings and exams to more complicated procedures like dental implants or crowns. Read the information below to find out how to use the Dental Insurance Shop's free online quoting tool to find a great full coverage dental insurance plan.

Affordable Family Dental Insurance

Dental Shop Staff Writer | May 4, 2015

Deciding on an affordable dental insurance plan for your family can be difficult because of the number available options and the variety of coverages within each plan. In addition, there are important things to consider such as deductibles, maximum annual limitations, waiting periods, and dental networks. Understanding these variations will help you to purchase the plan that best fits your family's needs.

Dental Care for Seniors

Dental Shop Staff Writer | April 6, 2015

As we age, our dental care needs change. Seniors may need more restorative care to ensure a healthy smile. Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of dental and oral health problems, such as:

How do no waiting dental insurance plans work?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | March 25, 2015

Many dental insurance plans now have "waiting periods", which is the time required before certain benefits may be available to a consumer. Many people believe that all services are covered as soon as their plan goes into effect, and this can cause a lot of problems for people. Waiting periods are established by the dental insurance companies to protect themselves from individuals who only want to use the coverage when they are going to incur a large dental expense.

Hitting Medicare Age What Are My Dental Options

Dental Shop Staff Writer | February 23, 2015

Are you approaching Medicare age or are you currently enrolled in Medicare and wondering what your options are for senior dental insurance coverage? Medicare will not cover dental care that you need primarily for the health of your teeth, such as cleanings fillings, root canals and dentures – Medicare covered dental services. This is a very common question as seniors retire, and are required to take care of your own dental expenses. There are basically 3 options: Buy your own personal dental insurance plan, possible have coverage as part of your Medicare Advantage plan, or self insure.

What to consider when buying dental implant insurance

Dental Shop Staff Writer | February 18, 2015

Despite improvements in technology and dental care, millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss every year - and most of it is from a few major factors: gingivitis (Gum Disease), tooth decay, or injury. For a long time the only option available to people who were missing teeth was to get dentures and bridges. But now we have dental implants available. Dental implants are a replacement for tooth roots. They provide a foundation for removable or fixed replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth.

Are there dental insurance plans that cover major services without a waiting period?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | February 17, 2015

Yes there are! Here are the Dental Insurance Shop we offer many dental plans that have no waiting periods! Major dental work can be very expensive, and it gets even more expensive if you don't have insurance.

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Differences between PPO and Indemnity dental insurance plans

Dental Shop Staff Writer | October 13, 2014

When trying to buy the best dental insurance plan to fit you, PPO and indemnity are terms that often cause shoppers uncertainty. Learning the differences between the two types can make the buying process easier and can increase your overall satisfaction with the plan you choose.

Should seniors buy dental insurance

Dental Shop Staff Writer | October 4, 2014

Those enrolling for Medicare in the upcoming open enrollment period should consider how they are going to handle paying for dental services. Those seniors covered by Medicare, the national health insurance plan for those over 65, have specific benefits varying by which Medicare plan they are enrolled in. Nevertheless, these plans offer little in the way of dental insurance benefits. Retired people are the least likely to have dental benefits according to the National Association of Dental Plans. Medicare offers only specific dental services

Dental Insurance requirements under ACA

Dental Shop Staff Writer | October 3, 2014

There are many misconceptions about the ACA, especially how it relates to dental and vision coverage. Brokers and insurance consultants such as those at the Dental Insurance Shop can provide individuals with reliable information they can use to educate themselves about the effect of Affordable Care Act (ACA) will have on their dental insurance benefits.

Should I go with my company dental insurance plan or purchase my own?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | October 3, 2014

There are several factors that go into the decision as whether someone would want elect the dental coverage offered by their employer vs purchasing a personal individual or family dental insurance plan. The main factors include, coverage, network of dentists included in the employer plan, and of course cost.

I have a dental emergency, what can I do?

Dental Shop Staff Writer | October 3, 2014

Need to have a dental procedure now? Don’t want to pay full price out-of-pocket to have it done? If the “wait and hope it goes away” option isn’t panning out, don't worry you have plenty of options. From going to a free clinic to purchasing dental insurance there are multiple ways to cover a dental emergency.

Is pediatric dental required under ACA

Dental Shop Staff Writer | October 3, 2014

Tooth decay is one of the most widespread problems among today’s youth. The problem only worsens when kids get older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 68 percent of teens ages 16 through 19 have decay in their permanent adult teeth. This epidemic could be caused by the sugary diet of youth in this day and age or it could be result of inadequate pediatric dental coverage. In a recent change, The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that health plans sold on the private market and on state-based health insurance cover pediatric dental services. The law is directed at children who get coverage through private plans because dental services are already a benefit for children covered