Why you need preventive dental care
Prevention is key to maintaining your oral and overall health. Regular cleanings and X-rays help prevent bad breath and cavities. They also reduce the risk of serious illnesses like a weakened immune system, stroke, and heart disease. Start using your benefits today. Schedule an appointment with a dentist in our network.
Important covered dental services
Our dental plans include preventive services that are 100% covered with $0 copay for members and covered dependents when going to an in-network provider. These services help you maintain good oral health and improve overall health outcomes. Some services included are:
Oral exams
Regular cleanings
Preventive X-rays
Diagnostic X-rays
Fluoride treatments
If you want more information about your benefits, call the Customer Service number on your member ID card.
Your child’s oral health
Tooth decay is the number one chronic illness in children and fully preventable. Early preventive care can help keep their teeth and gums healthy and strong. All Blue Shield Individual and Family medical plans (IFP) come with pediatric dental and vision coverage. This includes preventive dental services at no extra cost for your covered dependents from birth until age 19.
Don’t forget your member ID card
Whether it’s an appointment for you or your child, you’ll need to bring your member ID card. Your medical plan might include preventive dental care benefits for your children. If so, use your medical ID card for their dental visits. You can use our mobile app or print it from your member dashboard.
Oral health is important during pregnancy
There are many myths about receiving dental care while pregnant. But good oral health in pregnancy could help reduce the risk of premature birth. What’s more, children of mothers who have high levels of untreated cavities or tooth loss are more than three times more likely to have cavities.
Many Blue Shield dental plans provide one additional cleaning for pregnant women. A third periodontal maintenance visit may also be covered if recommended by your dentist. Call the Customer Service number on the back of your member ID card to confirm what’s included in your plan.
Tobacco and your teeth
Smoking and tobacco use can cause a variety of health problems including bad breath, dull sense of taste, gum disease, and receding gums and exposed roots. People who smoke up to a half a pack of cigarettes per day are about three times more likely than nonsmokers to have gum disease.
Regular dental cleanings are essential for smokers to remove plaque and tartar buildup.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call Customer Service at
(888) 702-4171
