BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE COST OF BRACES

PLANTATION, FL (July 31, 2014) --Somewhere between the ages of 6 and 14 studies indicate that more than 4 million* children will go through a rite of passage. No, it’s not prom. It is getting braces. But what used to be referred to as, “tinsel teeth” or “metal mouth,” due to brace’s shining silver framework, can become a color wheel full of choices, or hardly seen at all with advancements in technology with products like Invisalign®.   

“Straight teeth are more than just attractive, they will provide years of smiling, eating, talking, and laughing,” says Bill Chase, vice president of marketing for :DentalPlans.  “We provide affordable dental savings plans for families that include orthodontics, because most families need this as part of their comprehensive dental care.”

And although braces are touted primarily for straightening crooked teeth, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children get a check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7.  By that age, enough permanent teeth have arrived for orthodontists to evaluate the relationships between the teeth and jaws.  Early treatment (while baby teeth are still present) is more about guiding the growth of the jaws than straightening teeth.*

Example savings:

Plan: Careington Care 500 Series

Annual Family Membership Fee: $189.95

Using the Careington Care 500 Series plan, which costs a low annual fee of $189.95, a family could save $1,131.60 on their child’s braces. That’s $941.65 in savings, when including the cost of the plan. *Note: This plan is not insurance.

The biggest hurdle many families struggle with is the cost of braces.  According to an American Dental Association survey of dental fees for 2011, the fee for comprehensive treatment of adolescents ranged from $4,500 to $6,360.  And a little more than half (56 percent) of those seeking care had dental insurance benefits that did not include any cost reimbursement for orthodontics procedures, checkups and braces. Meaning that many families are left finding other ways to fund care.  That’s where dental savings plans, like those from :DentalPlans, differ from dental insurance policies.

Dental savings plans are not insurance plans; they are discount plans. You pay an annual fee and can be treated by the dentists or orthodontists who participate in the plan. The rates are typically much less than what you would pay for treatment without the plan. The benefits of a dental savings plan include savings up to 60 percent off what you would pay without a savings plan or insurance, no waiting to use your plan, no forms to file, no health restrictions, no limit on how often you can use your plan, and open enrollment all yearlong. As a plan member you simply show your membership card when visiting any of the 140,000+ participating dentists (more than 75 percent of the practicing dentists in America) to receive dental procedures at a reduced price that’s up to 10 to 60 percent off. Services may include annual cleanings, x-rays, crowns, root canals, and even cosmetic and orthodontic procedures, which are not typically covered by insurance.  And depending on the plan you choose, savings on vision and prescriptions are available as well.

“When it comes to dental care, we believe getting the right dental savings plan should give you peace of mind, not hassles or worry,” adds Chase. “With :DentalPlans you will rest easy knowing you are getting the best care for the lowest possible price. And more importantly, you will keep you and your family smiling.”

About :DentalPlans
:DentalPlans has successfully been operating as a private exchange since 1999, as the largest dental savings plan marketplace. Similar to a membership at a warehouse club, consumers pay an annual fee and get access to reduced rates on dental services and cosmetic dentistry and orthodontia, as well as vision and pharmacy. Members can choose from more than 40 different plans from trusted healthcare brands, like Aetna, Careington, Signature Wellness, and UNI-CARE, and have access to more than 100,000 dentists in combined networks nationwide. :DentalPlans has affordable plans to fit any need and budget. And, depending on the plan you choose, consumers save 10 to

60 percent off services. Visitors of DentalPlans.com can compare plans by ZIP code or procedure, view sample savings and find a nearby dentist. :DentalPlans is committed to making you smile, by making access to quality oral healthcare affordable and available to everyone nationwide. It’s one of the reasons the company has been on the Inc. 5000 list, 3 years standing. To connect with :DentalPlans visit us at www.dentalplans.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dentalplans.

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For more information:

Melissa Watkins                                             Kelly Cioe

Public Relations Counsel                               Public Relations Counsel

Office: 804-402-5316                                     Office: 603-436-2347

pr@:DentalPlans                                             Kelly@whalenpr.com          

* Source:  American Association of Orthodontists, AAO Patient Census Survey 2012, Members in the United States and Canada.

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