“Think it’s too expensive to have dental care?
It’s not with the Smile Advantage Plan.
”
ST. LOUIS, MO (December 7, 2015) – Not having dental care can cost an individual more in the long run. The increased lack of employer-provided dental insurance is keeping more and more people from going to the dentist (58 percent of adults did not visit the dentist in the past year). Three dentists, two St. Louis-based and one in Kansas City created and then launched the Smile Advantage Plan in August 2014 to give employers and individuals an option. The plan offers its members an affordable dental plan to ensure their teeth cleanings and other important dental care needs are taken care of on a yearly basis. Smile Advantage is not dental insurance, but does offer membership savings and benefits. Small and medium sized businesses can offer Smile Advantage Plan to their employees and individuals are also eligible to apply.
“It's devastating to see people come in with serious dental problems which can lead to other health issues that could have been prevented with regular dental visits,” said Dr. Holly Ellis, Ellis Dental. “The cost of paying for dental insurance and care has become out of reach for many. Smile Advantage Plan is helping to alleviate that.”
Ellis Dental in the St. Louis region was one of the first dentist offices to join and offer Smile Advantage Plan in June 2015 when it was rolled out to other area dentists. Smile Advantage has quickly grown to 58 participating dental office locations in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas, with 39 of those being in the St. Louis region. Plans to take it nationwide are being developed.
Drs. Jeff Sindelar and Matt Kraner of St. Louis and Dr. Josh Whitford of Kansas City recognized a disconcerting trend where regular patients were no longer coming in for routine exams due to lack of dental insurance. Determined to do something, the Drs. researched, developed and implemented the Smile Advantage Plan.
The Smile Advantage Plan offers individuals:
- Twice yearly regular exams, cleanings and X-rays
- Oral cancer screening
- One emergency care visit: exam and necessary X-rays
- Up to two fluoride treatments when indicated
- Savings on sleep apnea appliance
- Savings on full mouth whitening
- 15 percent off other dental services and more
Plus, the plan offers many benefits including no annual caps, no limits and no waiting periods. This provides for quick access to the care you need.
“The Smile Advantage Plan has allowed several of my patients to continue to see us and has helped them avoid further problems down the road,” said Ellis. “One of the first things people drop is dental care because they think it's too expensive. While it's actually not maintaining a healthy mouth that leads to excessive expenses.”
The Smile Advantage Plan helps to reduce overall dental costs for members. This ensures members have access to top quality dental care when it's needed. The plan is designed to provide greater access to quality dental care at an affordable price:
- Monthly payment schedule is available
- No yearly maximums
- No deductibles
- No claim forms
- No frequencies
- No pre-authorization requirements
- No pre-existing condition limitations
- No one will be denied coverage
- No waiting periods (immediate eligibility)
About Ellis Dental
Founded in 2009 by Dr. Holly Ellis, Ellis Dental is a state-of-the-art dental practice dedicated to providing more than 1,900 patients with comprehensive dental care that not only focuses on attaining their optimal oral health, but also incorporates their overall well being. Ellis Dental serves patients of all ages, customizing all dental care to each individual patients’ needs. Ellis Dental is committed to using only the highest quality dental materials, operating best-in-class equipment and incorporating leading-edge techniques into every patient’s visit to ensure the best possible outcomes. The practice is located at 10296 Big Bend Boulevard, 63122. More information is available at: ellisdental.com, and Facebook.
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