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November 19, 2012

Are You Throwing Away Money? Use Dental Benefits Or Lose Them On Dec. 31

Filed under: Dentistry Articles

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI-We know that schedules get busy and dental care might not be on the forefront of your mind, which is why we take this time each year to remind you to use your insurance benefits and the money in flex plan accounts before it’s too late.

“If you have unused benefits and don’t take advantage of them before Dec. 31, you will lose them,” says Dr. Marc Barnett, who is a mini dental implants expert. “It’s so frustrating for patients when they discover that money was essentially wasted because benefits don’t roll over to the new year.”

Many of our patients have dental insurance, and our office staff is always available to help them with insurance claims and paperwork, when there is insurance that will be covering any portion of the dental care, says the provider of Springfield MO dental crown services. We can deal with insurance companies directly to help you utilize your benefits most effectively.

“The majority of dental insurance benefits will cover the total cost of two exams and cleanings per year,” says Dr. Tracy Davis, who is a Springfield dentist. “Coverage really just depends on the company though. You may have additional coverage that you can use to deal with minor dental problems before they become expensive or painful emergencies.”

The philosophy of our practice is to help patients enjoy the benefits of good oral health, so they can look and feel good, have strong healthy teeth and gums, and maintain a healthy and attractive smile throughout their entire life. We never let insurance coverage dictate our diagnosis and treatment, but we do have lots of experience in helping patients maximize their benefits with careful planning. Cleanings, which may be called prophylaxis on insurance lists or forms, not only keep teeth healthy they also allow us a chance to screen patients for signs of periodontal disease or oral cancer.

“Unused benefits can often be used to deal with any problems like small cavities or gingivitis too,” says Dr. Kelly Barnett, a Nixa teeth whitening provider. “Too often people ignore small cavities and other dental problems because they don’t hurt. That can be a dangerous and expensive gamble since pain is usually the last symptom of a problem and may indicate a major dental issue is present.”

Visiting the dentist doesn’t need to be something to dread. We strive to make your care and comfort the first priority, so your visits are soothing and relaxing. Exam rooms are equipped with blankets, neck support pillows and stereo headphones to keep you physically comfortable. We also offer oral sedation for patients who have severe dental anxieties. Our practice is one of the few in southwest Missouri that uses lasers to treat many dental problems, eliminating the needles and drill sound that many people associate negatively with the dentist. Laser assisted dentistry is a no needles, no drill, no pain approach that cuts down on the need for anesthetic, speeds up patient recovery, and minimizes post-operative swelling and discomfort.

“Call our office to schedule an appointment if you’re considering treatment or have concerns about your oral health,” says Dr. Nick Matthews, who does dentures and other restorative procedures at the practice. “We do everything we can to fit our patients in so they can use their benefits, but you’re always better off if you call early instead of waiting until the last minute.”

© 2012 Master Google and Barnett-Davis Dental Group. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google and Barnett-Davis Dental Group are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

April 5, 2012

Early Detection Saves Lives-Get A Complimentary Screening This April

Filed under: Dental News

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI-Barnett-Davis Dental Group is joining the efforts of the Oral Cancer Foundation and the dental and medical community to raise awareness about a disease that is taking a life every hour of the day in the U.S. by offering complimentary oral cancer screenings.

“Routine screenings are effective at catching oral cancer in the pre-cancer stage, when survival rates are highest, between 80 to 90 percent, and the side-effects of treatment are lowest,” says Dr. Kelly Barnett, a Springfield dentist.

April has been the official Oral Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S. since 2000. For five years in a row, the OCF reports that there has been an increase in the rate of occurrence of oral cancers, which include mouth cancer, tongue cancer, tonsil cancer and throat cancer.

Dr. Barnett says that we need to keep spreading the word about the causes, sign and symptoms of oral cancers and work to provide easier access to screening services.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors And Prevention
Historically, tobacco and alcohol use have been the biggest cause of oral cancer, but the latest research shows that another leading cause has emerged: exposure to human papilloma virus version 16. HPV-16 is the same version responsible for most cervical cancers in women. Less than five percent of people have no identified cause for oral cancer.

The best way to limit the risk of oral cancer is to quit using all tobacco products and indulge in alcoholic beverages sparingly. A vaccination is available to protect against HPV-16 as well as three other types of the virus. The most important step people can take is to have any symptoms or abnormalities checked by a medical professional promptly and ask for an oral cancer screening during their biannual dental examinations.

“An oral cancer screening is simple, painless and can be completed in about five minutes. We do a visual examination of the oral tissues, and then feel parts of the throat and the floor of your mouth,” says Dr. Tracy Davis, a cosmetic dentist who offers Invisalign and porcelain veneers.

“Our doctors will look for any abnormalities, as well as perform an indirect examination of the nasopharynx and larynx, meaning they will feel the neck for swollen lymph nodes, and other abnormalities, such as hardened masses”, says the Springfield MO invisalign provider.

Oral Cancer Signs And Symptoms
Look for these common signs and symptoms of oral cancer regularly and let us know right away about any that developed in between routine cleaning and examination appointments.

  • Red and white discolorations of the soft tissues of the mouth
  • Mouth sores that persist for more than two weeks
  • Chronic hoarseness
  • Sore throat or sensation of something is stuck in the throat
  • Numbness in the oral region
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw and tongue
  • Lump or thickening developing in the mouth or on the neck

“Take the first step toward protecting your future by scheduling an appointment for an oral cancer screening,” says Springfield MO dental implants specialist Dr. Marc Barnett.

© 2012 Master Google and Barnett-Davis Dental Group. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, white hat SEO experts, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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