Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Summer 2001)

Dental insurance plans got you in a tizzy? Here's something worth smiling about: You hold the cards for the best dental health money can buy.

Following a prevention plan is by far the best insurance for dental health, says Dr. Dana Quiller, formerly with the Health District. The four-step plan includes good oral hygiene, healthy food choices, regular dental check-ups and abstinence from tobacco products.

1. Brush thoroughly with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily and preferably after every meal.
2. Floss daily. Flossing and brushing are the best ways to remove plaque, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.
3. Eat whole foods: fruits, vegetables, grains and low-fat milk and protein. Choose fruit over candy. If you have sugary foods, minimize the length of time the sugar is in your mouth. Sucking on a hard candy can trigger more decay than eating a piece of chocolate. Brush as soon as possible.
4. Get regular dental check-ups and cleanings. For most people, this means twice a year.

For parents there's a fifth step: Model good dental health for your children, especially at bedtime, advises Quiller. "Without brushing, decay will be rampant through the night." Tips for brushing

If you have dental insurance, use your preventive treatment benefits. If you're considering insurance, you'll find that most plans fall into two categories.

Most fee-for-service plans allow you to see your choice of dentist. You pay established fees for specific services. Insurance pays or reimburses you for part or all of these fees, depending on your plan.

Managed care plans often require you to choose a dentist from a provider network. These plans contain costs through restrictions, exclusions and limited access. You pay for a portion of most services.

Before choosing insurance, be sure you fully understand it. Then weigh all the costs:
• What will your premiums cost?
• Can you choose a dentist you're comfortable with? If not, you're less likely to schedule routine visits.
• What will check-ups, cleaning, x-rays, restorations, orthodontia and other extensive dental work cost you? 
• Are there deductibles? Yearly maximums?
• Will you use enough services to offset premiums?

Your smartest choice may be to start a dental savings account with the money you would otherwise pay for premiums. Consider, too, that many dentists and orthodontists will create payment plans to make expensive services, such as braces, more manageable.

Remember: Prevention is the insurance that will keep you smiling in the long run.