A fee schedule is a complete listing of fees/cost you pay for the different dental services that are covered by the plan. You will generally find fee schedules with dental HMO insurance plans. Dental HMO plans will lay out all the dental services that are offered under the plan and your cost should you have them.

Are dental discount plans good alternative to insurance?

In many states you maybe be able to buy a dental discount plan. It is important to know that a dental discount plan or also know as a dental savings plan are not insurance. They do as the name suggest helps you save money off your dental care needs at plan providers. Dentist that accept the discount plan you are review. with most discount plans you pay for all dental care services just at a reduce discounted cost. Preventive dental care typical being at a very low cost.

However, is it a good alternative to having an actual dental insurance? That can depend on the saving they are providing and whether or not their are dentist in the plan network you like to go to.

I would suggest comparing a dental discount plan with a dental HMO insurance plan. As they are the closest in regards to comparing more apples to apples. With and HMO Insurance plan it too will make you choose a dentist in the plan network. Like a discount plan there is no outside network. An HMO insurance plan is the lower cost Insurance option. Often times ranging around the same cost as a discount plan.

HMO insurance plan will typically lay out your cost for different dental care services on a very detail fee schedule so you will know your cost a head of time. Services not listed is typically not covered. A dentist discount plan is helpful in that services not listed will typically still receive around a 20 percent savings.

By comparing a discount plan to any available dental HMO’s plans in your state you will be able to determine what would work best for you. Keep in mind however, if you are trying to stay with a dental office and neither a discount plan or HMO insurance plan is accepted by that dental office then you would want to review a dental PPO insurance plan in order to stay with the dentist of your choice.

Question: I am elderly and not very mobile to get to the polling place on my own. A local candidate’s campaign called and offered to take me to the polls on Election Day. Can they do that?

Reply: Yes, but they cannot attempt to influence you or offer you any type of reward or thing of value for voting, or talk to you about how you intend to vote. – Source: Secretary of State CA Gov

Tuesday, November 3rd is the general election for 2020. With the ongoing pandemic, and many people working from home, doing distance learning or concerned about their health, some voters may have extra challenges getting to the polls.

Voting is a critical part of civic engagement and community involvement. In most cases you will be able to find your local voting place online if you are not sure where to go. You can also vote by mail if you are unable to go to the voting location near you.

Wear masks: Masks should be worn over the nose and mouth. Masks are especially important when it is difficult to stay at least 6 feet apart from others or when people are indoors to help protect each other. Masks may slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Wearing a mask helps protects others in case you’re infected, while others wear one to protect you should they be infected.

Who should NOT use masks: Children under age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, or is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Wash your hands: Everyone should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds at the beginning and end of the visit and whenever you think your hands may have become contaminated. If soap and water are not readily available, such as with outdoor visits or activities, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Remind guests to wash or sanitize their hands before serving or eating food. Use single-use hand towels or paper towels for drying hands so visitors do not share towels. Have a no-touch trash can available for guests to use.

Encourage social distancing during your visit

Visit with your friends and family outdoors, when possible. If this is not feasible, make sure the room or space is well-ventilated (for example, open windows or doors) and large enough to accommodate social distancing.

Arrange tables and chairs to allow for social distancing. People from the same household can be in groups together and don’t need to be 6 feet apart from each other.

Consider activities where social distancing can be maintained, like sidewalk chalk art or yard games.

Try to avoid close contact with your visitors. For example, don’t shake hands, elbow bump, or hug. Instead wave and verbally greet them.

If possible, avoid others who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear masks.

Consider keeping a list of people you visited or who visited you and when the visit occurred. This will help with contract tracing if someone becomes sick. Source: CDC

If you are thinkg about venturing out into a public setting her are some things you may want to consider before you go. \

As communities and businesses across the United States are opening, you may be thinking about resuming some activities, running errands, and attending events and gatherings. There is no way to ensure you have zero risk of infection, so it is important to understand the risks and know how to be as safe as possible.

People at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, should consider their level of risk before deciding to go out and ensure they are taking steps to protect themselves. Consider avoiding activities where taking protective measures may be difficult, such as activities where social distancing can’t be maintained. Everyone should take steps to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19 to protect themselves, their communities, and people who are at increased risk of severe illness.

In general, the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.

If you decide to engage in public activities, continue to protect yourself by practicing everyday preventive actions.

Keep these items on hand and use them when venturing out: a mask cloth, tissues, and a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if possible. If possible, avoid others who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear masks. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

It is especially important for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, to protect themselves from getting COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 is to:
* Limit your interactions with other people as much as possible.
* Take precautions to prevent getting COVID-19 when you do interact with others.
* If you start feeling sick and think you may have COVID-19, get in touch with your healthcare provider within 24 hours