Whether you’re buying insurance for the first time or thinking about starting a family, it’s important to consider how these decisions impact your dental care. This includes understanding how people’s basic oral health needs change as they age and how to cover the costs of visiting a family dentist. This guide offers an overview of what everyone should know about seeking dental treatments.

What to Know Before Visiting the Family Dentist

Typical Dental Care Needs

A baby’s incisor teeth will develop when they are around six months old, so they should begin seeing a family dentist at this age. This allows the oral health professional to monitor the child’s tooth and jaw development for potential issues. Older children, teens, and adults are advised to visit the dentist once every six months for a teeth cleaning and examination. If you break or knock out a tooth or experience persistent pain due to an infection, you may need to see an emergency dentist.

Paying for Dental Care

Dental insurance provides vital assistance in paying for oral health treatments. There are three types of dental plan available:

• PPO Plan: This type of insurance gives you a list of recommended service providers to choose from and covers many of the preventative services offered by family dentists in full. Certain routine procedures like fillings, crowns, and root canals are partially covered. This plan will not cover cosmetic services.
• HMO Plan: This insurance limits your caregiver options to a few providers in the carrier’s network. Like a PPO, this plan typically covers all preventive care services such as X-rays and cleanings, while partially covering basic treatments. HMOs do not cover cosmetic dentistry.
• Discount Plan: This type of insurance allows you to pay an annual premium for discounted services. While many people appreciate knowing what their dental care will cost upfront, these plans usually don’t help with major procedures or cosmetic services.

When you need a family dentist you can trust, choose Ed Struss Family Dentistry in Lexington, KY. Their well-trained staff works hard to create a comfortable environment that helps patients of all ages feel at ease. They offer a range of financing options to make quality care affordable and accessible. Call (859) 278-7434 to schedule an appointment, and visit the practice online to learn more about their full range of treatments.