Dental Health, Overall Health and Dental Insurance

The Link Between Overall Health and Dental Health

The World Health Organization defines health as, “a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and not just the absence of infirmity.” We humans are complex organisms. Keeping our bodies, minds and spirits healthy and serene takes some level of care and awareness.

Research has shown links between poor dental health and physical and emotional illnesses, such as:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• stroke
• adverse pregnancy outcomes
• poor nutrition
• poor self-image leading to depression, feelings of shame and decreased social interaction

A National Institute of Health study says, “At the start of the twentieth century, most Americans expected to be toothless by age 45, and most were. Expectations have changed, and most people now assume that they will maintain their teeth over their lifetime, and take active measures to do so.”

Dental Technology has greatly advanced, especially in the field of Prosthodontics, and has proven to greatly benefit one’s overall health. Thanks to continued research, more insurance companies are providing coverage for treatments like Dental Implants, which were once considered merely cosmetic but have been shown to improve overall health and well-being.

A Short History of Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance has been around since 1954, when the state of California established the first official dental plans. The demand for dental policies grew in the 1960s and by the 1970s Dental Insurance plans became more readily available. The plans were given a boost when labor unions asked for Dental Insurance for employees as part of their collective bargaining agreements.

Most plans were initially designed to cover preventive care, like check-ups and cleanings, and minor procedures, like fillings. Insurance Plans have begun to respond to the many studies that show how our Dental Health affects our overall well being.

In a Huffington Post article, Dr. Thomas P. Connelly, a practicing dentist in New York, said the cap on Dental Insurance in 1972 was $1,000. “And $1,000 bought a lot of dental care in 1972.” Dr. Connelly wrote, “Today, the average cap on dental plans is … $1,000.”

Dental Care is not as profitable as medical care for insurance companies, but consumer demand has led to the increase in the availability of policies that cover dental implants, crowns, dentures and other services.

It’s human nature to put off going to the dentist…until there’s a problem. That may save money in the short term, but very costly in the long term, for both the patient and the insurance company.

Maintaining Optimum Dental and Overall Health

Twice yearly checkups and good oral hygiene at home are important for maintaining optimal oral and overall health. Finding reasonable, affordable Dental Insurance may be a challenge, but doing your research and asking the advice of your dentist (especially the staff that deals with insurance) is a good place to start.

There are payment plans, like CareCredit, to help patients set up payment plans to  pay for dental care. Check out our website for a list of the insurance companies we are “in-network” with. We submit all claims, as a courtesy to our patients, to help them receive maximum benefits from their insurance carrier.

Dr. Stone’s blog has information about preventive care and the services we provide.
Please contact us to make an appointment, or if you have any questions about how we can help you maintain your optimal Dental Health.