Choosing Denplan: Affordable Dental Care for Worthing residences

Are you seeking an affordable way to maintain your oral health without breaking the bank? Look no further! At the Clinic for Implant & Orthodontic Dentistry in Worthing, we understand the importance of good-quality dentistry, and we're dedicated to making it accessible to everyone. That's why we offer Denplan, an excellent dental maintenance plan that provides comprehensive coverage and benefits to our valued patients. In this blog, we'll explore what Denplan is, how it works, and why it's an excellent choice for those in search of budget-friendly dental care.

Denplan: Your Gateway to Quality Dental Care

At our practice, we believe that good-quality dentistry, the expertise of a well-trained dentist, and top-notch dental materials shouldn't come at a hefty price. To ensure our patients are shielded from the rising costs of dental treatments, we've introduced Denplan, a comprehensive dental maintenance plan that offers a range of benefits, including:

Free Routine Dental Check-Ups: Regular check-ups are crucial for maintaining your oral health. With Denplan, you'll have access to free routine dental check-ups, ensuring your dental needs are regularly assessed.

Dental Hygiene: Keeping your teeth clean and healthy is essential. Denplan covers dental hygiene treatments, helping you maintain a bright and healthy smile.

Fillings and Root Canal: Should you require fillings or root canal treatments, Denplan has you covered, reducing the financial burden of these essential procedures.

Extractions and Emergency Treatments: Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly. Denplan provides coverage for extractions and emergency treatments, giving you peace of mind.

Laboratory Work: For treatments involving laboratory work, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, and post and core procedures, Denplan patients only pay the lab fee, typically around 10%–15% of the treatment cost.

Worldwide Emergency Dental Cover: Whether you're at home or abroad, Denplan offers worldwide emergency dental cover, ensuring you're protected no matter where you are.

It's important to note that while Denplan is comprehensive, it does not cover orthodontic treatments (braces), purely cosmetic treatments, or dental implants. Denplan is designed as a dental maintenance plan and is best suited for those without immediate outstanding treatment needs.

But here's the exciting part: even though Denplan doesn't cover orthodontics, implants, or cosmetics, our practice goes the extra mile. We offer Denplan patients a generous 20% discount on these treatments, making quality dental care even more accessible.

Denplan Care: A Closer Look

Denplan Care, provided by Denplan (Simply Health), is an affordable monthly payment scheme that allows you to budget for your routine dental care and treatment. This comprehensive plan covers a wide range of services, including:

Inspections and X-rays

Dental Hygiene Visits, Preventive Dental Advice

Gum Treatment

Fillings

Root Canal Treatment

Crowns, Bridges, and Dentures (excluding laboratory fees) The only exclusions are prescriptions, referrals to specialists or specialist treatments, orthodontics, implants, and cosmetic treatments. As part of your dental plan, Denplan also arranges supplementary insurance to cover eligible dental treatment resulting from dental injuries and emergencies in the UK or abroad.

With over 6,500 dentists across the UK looking after 1.8 million patients under Denplan Care, you can trust that you're in good hands. The primary focus of Denplan Care is on providing quality, preventive care, helping you maintain your oral health effectively.

Monthly Fees Tailored to You

Denplan monthly fees are determined by your dentist based on your oral health and anticipated future treatments. These fees also take into account the unique operating costs of your dental practice, which can vary from one practice to another. This personalized approach ensures that you pay a fair and reasonable monthly fee that aligns with your specific dental needs.

In conclusion, Denplan is your ticket to quality dental care without the financial strain. While many dental practices don't cover implant, cosmetic, or orthodontic treatments under Denplan, we stand out by offering a generous 20% rebate to Denplan patients for these treatments.

For more detailed information about Denplan or to request a brochure, please feel free to pop into our clinic at 7 Chapel Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1EG, or give us a call at 01903-821822. We're here to provide you with the best dental care Worthing has to offer, all within your budget.

Choose Denplan today and enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles!

Dental Care for Elderly Patients with Alzheimer's and Dementia in Nursing Homes: The Importance of Experience and Adaptation- By Dr Amir Mostofi, DDS Dip MSc

Caregiving for geriatric patients with Alzheimer's and dementia in nursing homes presents unique challenges, particularly in the area of dental care. Due to their medical conditions, these individuals frequently experience a variety of dental issues, including tooth decay, periodontal disease, dry mouth, and difficulty chewing and swallowing. This article will explore the significance of dentists who have experience working with this vulnerable patient population and how they navigate the complexities of diagnosis and treatment planning while taking into account their fragility and inability to communicate pain.

Understanding the Dental Concerns of Elderly Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients:

Patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia are susceptible to a variety of dental issues, including:

Dental Decay: Numerous factors, including poor oral hygiene, consumption of sugary foods, and medication adverse effects, contribute to tooth decay. Additionally, Alzheimer's and dementia patients may have difficulty maintaining appropriate oral hygiene.

Poor oral hygiene can result in gum disease, which can result in discomfort, oozing gums, and even tooth loss. The limited motor skills and cognitive decline of these patients may make it difficult for them to perform adequate oral hygiene.

Reduced saliva production is a prevalent problem among Alzheimer's and dementia patients. As saliva serves to neutralise acids and protect teeth, dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Cognitive decline and motor skill impairments can impair a patient's ability to correctly chew and swallow. This can lead to malnutrition and pneumonia from aspiration.

Dentists with experience in treating elderly patients with Alzheimer's and dementia play an essential role in providing effective and compassionate dental care. Here's why their experience is significant:

a. Specialised Knowledge: These dentists have an in-depth comprehension of the unique dental issues confronted by Alzheimer's and dementia patients. They are aware of the potential oral health complications associated with cognitive decline and are able to anticipate and proactively address them.

b. Communication and Adaptation: Patients with Alzheimer's and dementia may have difficulty expressing pain or distress; therefore, dentists must be adept at interpreting nonverbal cues and behaviour. Dentists with experience are able to modify their diagnostic methods to guarantee precise evaluations and develop treatment plans accordingly.

c. Fragility and Patient Comfort: The geriatric patients with Alzheimer's and dementia require gentle and compassionate dental care due to their fragility. Dentists with extensive experience are well-versed in handling these patients with care, employing techniques that minimise anxiety and pain throughout the treatment.

d. Collaborative Approach: Dentists with experience in treating elderly patients with cognitive decline frequently collaborate with nursing home personnel and carers. This collaboration assures continuity of care, the exchange of vital information, and the development of individualised treatment plans tailored to the specific needs of the patient.

Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: Diagnosis and treatment planning for elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia must take into account their specific circumstances. Dentists must:

a. Conduct a Comprehensive Evaluation: Comprehensive dental examinations and evaluations are essential for identifying existing oral health issues and developing the most effective treatment plans. This evaluation should include a review of the patient's medical history, an assessment of their current dental health, and an evaluation of their oral hygiene practises.

b: Individualised Treatment: Each patient's treatment plan should be tailored to his or her particular requirements and limitations. Dentists must consider cognitive abilities, motor skills, and any medical conditions that could affect the quality of dental care provided.

c. Conservative Approaches: Given the fragility and potential distress of these patients, dentists may, whenever possible, opt for conservative treatment approaches. This may involve prioritising pain management, addressing essential issues first, and implementing preventive measures to ensure long-term oral health.

Dental care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients residing in nursing homes requires specialised knowledge, flexibility, and a patient-centered approach. Dentists with experience treating this population have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive care while ensuring their patients' comfort and well-being. By recognising the significance of their role and adopting appropriate diagnostic and treatment planning strategies, dental professionals can substantially contribute to enhancing the oral health and overall quality of life of Alzheimer's and dementia patients.