Dental Insurance
Insurance Plans
Different plans offer different coverage, just like automobile insurance. Our office can help you determine the benefits your plan offers and what your payment responsibility will be for different procedures. You can call or text our office staff at 806-794-0091 and we will be happy to help. You can also contact your insurance company directly or visit their website in most cases to get more information on your plan.
Insurance Filing
At Streetman Family Dental we file claims with the primary and secondary provider as a courtesy to our patients. We will submit preoperative X-rays and pictures, as well as narratives and Dr. notes, with your Insurance claim to try to secure the benefits you pay them for and reduce your out of pocket costs.
Insurance Appeals
If your insurance denies the claim we will appeal the decision on your behalf. We will work with the Insurance company and provide them all the additional information needed or requested to try and achieve a positive result. In some cases Insurance companies want to hear directly from you. We will provide you with a copy of the claim and all the information you need to contact them and advocate for yourself.
Insurance Denials
If your insurance denies the claim the balance will be your responsibility. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but in some cases it happens.
Insurance Truths
A predetermination is no guarantee that Insurance will pay. Dental Insurance companies employ adjusters just like any other Insurance company. The adjuster's job is to save the Insurance company money.
The Insurance company's adjuster is not your Doctor, however they will make their own determination of what benefits they should provide. Fair or not? This is how they work.
The contract is between you and your insurance company. Sometimes your voice is the strongest voice!
Insurance companies are in business to make money and will try to pay as little as possible.
Most Insurance plans provide certain yearly benefits. If you don't utilize the benefits before the end of the year you lose what you are paying for!
Insurance Criteria
Insurance companies often deny recommended treatment if it does not meet their criteria. At Streetman Family Dental, Dr. Streetman and our hygienist will recommend treatment based on what is best for the patient's long term health. We will explain the benefit of starting the treatment early and answer the questions you may have.
Some insurance companies will not cover a procedure until the symptoms are advanced/severe. Dr Streetman and our hygienist can recognize symptoms early and recommend treatment to stop the advancement or slow the progression.
Hygiene and Prevention
Brushing Tips
It is important that you use a soft toothbrush that will not irritate your gums or cause the enamel on your teeth to erode. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a hard toothbrush is necessary for keeping teeth clean, but this is not the case. As long as you brush correctly a soft toothbrush will work equally well without damaging your teeth. Be sure to brush your teeth in a circular pattern, starting at the gum line and working your way towards the center of your mouth. This will move food particles, bacteria, and plaque away from your gum line. Brush your teeth in quadrants and be sure to brush each section for at least thirty seconds. While brushing you should apply even pressure but not be too aggressive. You should also use fluoride toothpaste since this will provide additional protection from cavities. We recommend that you brush three times a day – morning, after lunch, and before bed. This will keep your mouth clean without causing irritation from over-brushing. Additionally, be sure to buy a new toothbrush every three months or sooner if your bristles are frayed or your toothbrush is stained or smelling.
Flossing is Essential
At Streetman Family Dental, we remind our patients that it is critical to floss on a daily basis. If you live in the Lubbock area and have not been to the dentist lately, we invite you to schedule an appointment so that we can clean your teeth and remove the plaque and bacteria from hard to reach places. Afterward, it is up to you to floss on a daily basis to remove food particles and plaque from in between your teeth. If they remain in place, you can develop gum disease which is both uncomfortable and dangerous to your oral and overall health. Gum disease occurs when plaque forms underneath the gum line and not flossing can increase your risk. If you do not particularly enjoy flossing, buy a plastic flossing tool that you can hold and throw away once done. This makes it easier to get the job done!
Select the Right Mouthwash
When you use mouthwash, it is important to be sure that it is sugar-free. We also recommend using mouthwash that contains fluoride since this will help to kill any lingering bacteria while strengthening your teeth. Carry a bottle of mouthwash with you and rinse your mouth quickly after meals, drinking a soda, or consuming coffee. As a Lubbock, TX dentist office, we understand that it is difficult to brush more than a couple of times per day. Rinsing your mouth, however, is relatively easy, and everyone has time for it. Taking this simple step can help reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Protecting Your Teeth
Avoid Tooth Decay
Our team prevents tooth decay every day by helping our patients to have clean and healthy teeth. Tooth decay starts when plaque is left on the teeth, and the acid inside of it starts to eat away at the enamel. Keeping teeth clean by removing plaque, therefore, prevents tooth decay. Simultaneously, at home you can continue to brush your teeth and floss after meals. If you do not have anything with you, rinse your mouth with water. This will help to remove some of the loose food particles that may be in your mouth or to remove some of the sugar from your teeth. You should also eat a healthy diet since everything that you eat is in direct contact with your teeth.
Fluoride Treatments
At Streetman Family Dental, we want to protect you family and help build healthy oral hygiene habits. We recommend that all of our youth patients under the age of eighteen have a fluoride treatment, at least once a year. Statistically, these treatments reduce the risk of getting cavities by 30 percent. This is significant considering that tooth decay is one of the primary reasons children miss days from school. Adults can also benefit from receiving a fluoride treatment and if you would like to find out if it is right for you, call or text 806-794-0091 to schedule an appointment. The treatment itself only takes a couple of minutes. The fluoride is applied directly to the teeth. It has no odor or smell and after a few minutes, patients are free to leave. It is one of the easiest ways to prevent cavities.
Select the Right Toothbrush
Patients of our general dentist office are given a toothbrush at each visit. We recommend that you use it for three months and then replace it. When purchasing a toothbrush, look for a soft one that will not irritate your gums or erode your enamel. Otherwise, we suggest an electric toothbrush since they give you the best clean. The toothbrush head rotates while you are moving the brush around, helping you to break up more plaque for the cleanest possible teeth. There are many options so if you have questions before purchasing call or text 806-794-0091 to discuss.