We offer many Delta dental plans for seniors. Which helps to provide affordable dental coverage’s. We also provide Delta dental plans that do not have waiting periods. So if a larger dental care is needed you be able to have benefits available at the start of the plans effective date. If you do not have any basic or major dental care needs right away you may want to choose one of Delta dental plans that do have waiting periods but offer a lower monthly cost of their plan. Review our dental insurance plan options that include Delta dental just by entering your zip code in the quote box provided. If you have any questions please call our office at 310-534-3444 M-F 8am – 4pm

Because dental is not included in Original Medicare (unless medically necessary) or Medigap supplement plans, seniors must look elsewhere for dental care coverage.

One option is that you could enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, just be aware that dental benefits are usually limited to cleanings, exams, and bitewing X-rays. So make sure you know the benfits offered and the plan limitations on services

Another option is that you buy your own individual dental insurance plan. There are different dental insurance plan types. If you are low income or fixed budget you may want to review a dental HMO insurance plan as they are the more affordable dental insurance option.

However if you have a dentist you like to stay with that dose not accept dental HMO insurance plan the you will want to review dental PPO’s plan instead as they let you choose inside or outside plan proviers.

On our website shareofcost.com we provide both of these options in most states. Just enter your zip code in the quote box to review all our dental insurance options. If you have any question need help please call our customer service line at 310-534-3444 M-F 8am – 4pm Pacific Daylight Time

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

Among adults, the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Severe illness means that the person with COVID-19 may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die.

Risk for Severe Illness Increases with Age

As you get older, your risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases. For example, people in their 50s are at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 40s. Similarly, people in their 60s or 70s are, in general, at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 50s. The greatest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 is among those aged 85 or older.

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads in communities across America, local, state, and federal agencies are working to reduce the impact of food insecurity. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as inadequate access to affordable and nutritious food. In 2018, 11% of US households were considered food insecure, meaning they had difficulty at some time during the year obtaining enough food for all members of their household, due to lack of resources.1 Pandemics adversely affect food supply chains and as COVID-19 impacts the lives of millions of Americans, the greatest burden will be felt by low-income families.

Although drastic measures are being taken to reduce the impact of COVID-19, food-insecure families with food allergies (FAs) and other food-related conditions remain vulnerable.

FA is a potentially life-threatening condition, affecting 10.6% of adults and 7.6% of children in the United States. Patients with FA must eliminate allergens from their diet, resulting in costly grocery bills and an impaired quality of life. Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information

Scientists find sesame antibody testing predicts sesame allergy in food-allergic children

Investigators have found that sesame allergy is common among children with other food allergies, occurring in an estimated 17% of this population. In addition, the scientists have found that sesame antibody testing — whose utility has been controversial — accurately predicts whether a child with food allergy is allergic to sesame.

Source: NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Since Medicaid is technically a primary health insurance program, it will include some procedures necessary for medical health. Currently, Medicaid will cover dental care when it is medically necessary for all 50 states

Adult dental benefits are an optional benefit under Medicaid. As of January 2018, 34 states including the District of Columbia provide at least limited dental benefits for adults beyond emergency services.

Question: I am 68 and I noticed that my teeth seem to becoming very sensitive to both hot and cold food and drinks. I have all my teeth and other then the sensitivity my mouth is otherwise healthy. What could be the cause of this?

Answer: Although there are many reason for sensitive teeth, one that cause that affects seniors is receding gums. As gum tissue pulls back away from your teeth the root of the tooth becomes exposed and causes sensitivity in your teeth. It is important to note that tooth sensitive is a warning side to larger dental issues and it should be address by your dentist. Your dentist will be able to determine why your teeth are becoming sensitive and the correct coarse of treatment.