HEALTH NET, INC. : Universal Care Dental Group Partners with Health Net and LAUSD Healthy Start to Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month – 4-traders (press release)
All three hosting Give Kids a Smile® Dental Health Fair for East Los Angeles families
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 17, 2012– While the most prevalent focus of February is on Valentine’s sweethearts, parents are advised to also focus on the proverbial sweet tooth – particularly when it comes to their children. That’s because February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, an ideal time for moms and dads to make sure that sugary snacks, as well as lax dental hygiene, aren’t putting their kids at risk for tooth decay.
To help celebrate Dental Health Month, Universal Care Dental Group is partnering with Health Net of California, Inc., a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc., and Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Healthy Start Project to host a dental heath fair on Friday, February 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:
| El Sereno Middle School | ||||||||||
| Hilda Solis Dental Clinic | ||||||||||
| 2839 North Eastern Avenue | ||||||||||
| Los Angeles, CA 90032 |
“It’s crucial for parents to make good dental health a central component of their children’s lives,” explains Matthew Tsai, DDS, chief executive officer of Universal Care Dental Group. “What many people don’t realize,” he adds, “is that youngsters who don’t receive proper dental care can develop into adults with poor dental health. Poor dental health can lead to heart attacks, strokes, premature or low-weight babies, diabetes complications, and other serious medical issues.”
Good Dental Health from the Start
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, tooth decay is the most common, chronic childhood disease, with more than 40 percent of American youngsters experiencing tooth decay before the age of 5. To avoid this outcome, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) encourages parents to bring their children to a pediatric dentist by the time their first tooth appears. The AAPD additionally points to studies showing that dental costs for children who have their first dental visit before age 1 are 40 percent lower – in the first five years – than for those who do not see a dentist prior to their first birthday.
As Your Child Grows
As children get older, the American Dental Association (ADA) advises parents to turn their attention to what their children are sipping and snacking on, as this will affect not only their general health, but their oral health as well. The ADA cautions that a diet high in sugar can cause significant damage to one’s teeth. Specifically, sugar-coated teeth serve as a breeding ground for bacteria that, in turn, produce acid – and acid can eat away tooth enamel.
An Added Precaution
“Good dental health also extends to protecting youngsters’ teeth when they’re playing sports, and even when they’re engaged in recreational activities such as rollerblading or snowboarding,” says Robert Shechet, D.D.S., director of dental programs for Health Net, Inc.
In fact, according to the ADA, each year thousands of children and teens injure their teeth while playing football, basketball, baseball and hockey, as well as while engaging in a host of non-team activities such as biking or skateboarding. Consequently, the ADA recommends that a mouth guard be worn for any athletic or recreational activity that poses a risk of injury to the mouth.
As a reminder
The information provided is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your physician or other health provider for any questions you may have regarding your medical condition and follow your health care provider’s instructions.
About Universal Care Dental Group
Universal Care Dental Group is one of the larger providers of dental services in the state. For more than 20 years, Universal Care Dental Group has had the privilege to serve populations in need, mostly through the Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and Healthy Kids programs. Universal Care Dental Group’s mission is to help improve the oral health of our patients, prevent dental pain and anxiety so they feel more comfortable, and provide access and affordable dental care to low income children and their families.
About Health Net
Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT) is a publicly traded managed care organization that delivers managed health care services through health plans and government-sponsored managed care plans. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. Health Net provides and administers health benefits to approximately 6.0 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare (including the Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly referred to as “Part D”), Medicaid, Department of Defense, including TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net’s behavioral health services subsidiary, Managed Health Network, Inc., provides behavioral health, substance abuse and employee assistance programs to approximately 5.0 million individuals, including Health Net’s own health plan members. Health Net’s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.
About LAUSD Healthy Start Project
Healthy Start was established in 1991 through Senate Bill 620 – the Healthy Start Support Services for Children Act – to improve student learning and support families. Healthy Start enhances efforts to close the achievement gap by helping children and their family members gain access to an array of learning supports. Healthy Start is designed to ensure that each child receives the physical, emotional, and intellectual support that he or she needs – in school, at home, and in the community – to learn well.
Categories: Info & News Tags: 4traders, Care, Celebrate, Children’s, Dental, Group, health, Healthy, INC., LAUSD, Month, National, partners , press, release, Start, Universal
Discounts and advice for National Pet Dental Health Month – Examiner
February is recognized as National Pet Dental Health Month. Keeping your pet’s teeth clean should be an important part of their health care regimen. Poor dental health can cause a host of health problems from stomach upset to heart disease.
Greater Cleveland veterinarians have the following dental health tips and discounts for pet owners:
Big Creek Pet Hospital in Middleburg Heights and Olmsted Township is offering free dental screenings and reduced prices on dental treatments for dogs and cats untilMarch 23.
Veterinarian Deborah Fegan said: “By age three, some 80% of all dogs and 70% percent of all cats show signs of dental disease, which can lead to the more serious problems of heart, lung, and kidney disease.”
Call 440-234-5831 for an appointment or email bigcreekteam@bigcreekpet.com.
Bartels Pet Hospital in Brecksville wrote on their Facebook page:
“In a recent online survey, only 20% of pet owners felt that their pets over age 3 had any dental disease. In reality, based on a recent study involving 2.5 million pets, about 80% suffer from periodontal inflammation. Have your pet’s teeth checked! Celebrate Pet Dental Health Month – in February!”
Bartels is offering 10% discounts on teeth cleanings during the month of February, as well as a toothbrush and small gift.
A professional teeth cleaning involves scaling tartar off the teeth above and below the gumline, examining each tooth for disease or problems, polishing the teeth and application of fluoride. Call 440-526-4818 to make an appointment.
Aaron Animal Clinic in Broadview Heights posted on their Facebook page:
“Periodontal (gum) disease a common condition seen in pets, is caused by a build up of plaque and tartar on your pets teeth. Plaque harbors bacteria which can infect gum tissues and the roots of teeth resulting in disease and tooth loss. Studies have documented this same bacteria to be associated with certain heart, liver, and kidney diseases.”
And “Bad breath indicates that your pets’s teeth need attention. Oral assessment and treatment is required.”
Aaron Animal Clinic has a printable coupon on their website for a 10% savings on dental care. Call 216-901-9980 to make an appointment.
Twinsburg Vet Hospital and Pet Lodge in Twinsburg is offering 10% off dental treatments and 20% off dental products throughout the month of February. Call 330-425-4226 to make an appointment.
Stow Kent Animal Hospital in Kent says on their web page:
“We want your pet to live a long, healthy life, and we understand that maintaining a healthy mouth is part of that. Poor dental hygiene and dental disease can lead to more serious health issues. Your pet’s health is important to us, so let us help you with this commitment. Call today to discuss your pet’s dental care needs and how we can help!”
Call 330-425-4226 to make an appointment.
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Time to Brush Up! Petplan Pet Insurance Provides Toothy Tips Just in Time for Pet Dental Health Month – YAHOO!
PRWeb –
Data reveals rise in dental disease, but prevention can help protect pets’ pearly whites, according to America’s No. 1 pet insurance provider
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) February 07, 2012
Poor dental health can be a real kick in the teeth for four-legged friends – and the family budget. This February, No. 1-rated Petplan pet insurance is taking a bite out of dental disease by celebrating Pet Dental Health Month, and the timing couldn’t be better.
According to 2011 claims data, periodontal disease in furry friends is on the rise, ranking 10th on the list of most frequently claimed-for conditions released by Petplan in January. Also up from 2010: gingivitis, tooth abscesses, root canals and cavities.
But good dental health isn’t just about preventing bad breath in our four-legged family members.
“Dental disease doesn’t just affect the mouth – it can cause other health problems as well,” says Dr. Jules Benson, Vice President of Veterinary Services at Petplan. “The bacteria and inflammation associated with persistent, untreated dental disease is increasingly becoming associated with triggering or exacerbating diseases in other parts of the body. Specifically, dental infections have been linked to serious forms of cardiac, kidney and liver disease. My best advice for preventing serious dental issues is to brush your pet’s teeth as often as you brush your own!”
If the thought of brushing your pet’s teeth still leaves a bad taste in your mouth, sink your teeth into these statistics: according to Petplan 2011 claims data, the average cost of veterinary care for periodontal disease was more than $ 450 per incident, with costs reaching as high as $ 2,560. With tooth extractions averaging $ 350 per incident and cavities averaging $ 600, it’s easy to see how dental disease can take a big bite out of the family budget!
Good oral health habits can go a long way toward keeping pets’ pearly whites pretty and peril-free. To help pets avoid dental disasters, try these tips:
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Brush, rinse, repeat: A thorough brushing every day will help to diminish the plaque and tartar build-up that lead to more serious dental issues. Flavored pet toothpastes can help transform the regular routine into tasty treat time. Peanut butter and fish flavors? Yum!
- Chew on this: If your pet balks at the sight of a toothbrush, try a few of the products specially geared toward dental health, including treats and chew toys. Ask your vet about specially formulated dry diets that can help to keep the teeth clean.
- Polish up with a pro: Regular professional cleanings allow a complete exam of your pet’s mouth while enabling veterinary staff to thoroughly clean and polish the teeth. It also allows them to assess the areas below the gum-line that you can’t see and determine whether there are any teeth that may require additional work or even extraction.
- Identify issues early: Most pets have high tolerance for oral pain, so keep a sharp eye on your pet’s mouth. Look for shiny white teeth, pink gums and breath that, while maybe not minty fresh, is at least not awful. Brownish gray spots, swollen gums and particularly foul breath may mean biting the bullet with a trip to the vet.
For more tips and information on keeping your pets healthy, visit http://www.GoPetplan.com.
ABOUT PETPLAN
Top-rated pet insurance provider, Petplan, is the only pet insurance company to have been included on Inc. Magazine’s list of 500 fastest-growing, privately held companies in America. Petplan’s fully customizable policies provide coverage for all hereditary and congenital conditions for the life of the pet as standard, and meet the coverage requirements and budget for pets of all/any age. Petplan policies are underwritten by AGCS Marine Insurance Company, a member of the Allianz Group, rated A+ by A.M. Best (2010). For information, about Petplan pet insurance, visit http://www.GoPetplan.com or call 1-866-467-3875.
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Sara McMillan
Petplan Pet Insurance
484-845-1303
Email Information
Categories: Info & News Tags: Brush, Dental, health, Insurance, Just, Month, Petplan, Provides, Time, TIPS, Toothy, YAHOO
February is Pet Dental Health Month – Yahoo Finance
BREA, Calif., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — February is Pet Dental Health Month, and Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, is marking the occasion by reminding pet owners about the importance of regular dental care for their four-legged loved ones. VPI policyholders spent more than $ 8.5 million last year on dental conditions, the 11th most common type of claim submitted to the Company in 2011.
Preventive tooth care is not only necessary for pets, it’s financially sound for pet owners. In 2011, the average claim amount for pet teeth cleaning was $ 164. In contrast, the average claim amount for treating tooth-related disease was $ 238. Periodontal disease, a condition caused by residual food, bacteria and tartar that collect in the spaces between the gum and tooth (resulting in infection that spreads to the bone), accounted for the most dental claims received by VPI last year—nearly 20,000. Tooth infections, inclusive of cavities and abscesses, accounted for the second most common tooth-related claims, totaling nearly 4,800. Infections of the teeth are typically the result of untreated tooth decay, cracked teeth or severe periodontal disease.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), an organization dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of 3. VPI encourages pet owners to have their pets’ oral and dental health evaluated regularly by a veterinarian. Between regular check-ups, pet owners should look for the warning signs of gum disease such as bad breath, red and swollen gums, yellow-brown crusts of tartar along the gum lines, and bleeding or pain when the gums or mouth are touched.
Pet Dental Health Fast Facts:
Dogs
- Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that begin to show at about 3 to 4 weeks of age
- They have 42 permanent teeth that generally grow in between 5 to 7 months of age
- Periodontal disease is the most common dental issue among dogs
Cats
- Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to show at about 2 to 3 weeks of age
- They have 30 permanent teeth that generally grow in by 5 to 6 months of age
- Resorptive lesions are the most common tooth disease among cats
About Veterinary Pet Insurance
With more than 485,000 pets insured nationwide, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency is the No. 1 veterinarian-recommended pet health insurance company and is a member of the Nationwide Insurance family of companies. Providing pet owners with peace of mind since 1982, the company is committed to being the trusted choice of America’s pet lovers and an advocate of pet health education. VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional CareGuard® coverage is available for routine care (Premier Plan includes dental cleaning benefit).
Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. More than 2,500 companies nationwide offer VPI Pet Insurance as an employee benefit. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and in all other states by National Casualty Company, an A+15 rated company in Madison, Wisconsin. Pet owners can find VPI Pet Insurance on Facebook or follow @VPI on Twitter. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.
VetDepot™ Encourages Healthy Smiles During Pet Dental Health Month – YAHOO!
PRWeb –
VetDepot celebrates Pet Dental Health Month in February by offering dental care tips for pet owners. VetDepot sells a wide range of dental health products and pet medications for dogs and cats.
Encinitas, CA (PRWEB) January 30, 2012
It is estimated that more than 85% of dogs and cats ages 4 years and older suffer from some degree of periodontal disease. This staggering statistic has led the American Veterinary Association to declare February as National Pet Dental Health Month to raise awareness of the risks associated with dental disease in dogs and cats. VetDepot is proud to support Pet Dental Health Month and good dental care all year long by offering a wide range of dental products for pets at discount prices- making proper dental care both affordable and convenient!
Periodontal disease in pets can cause loose teeth, gum bleeding, mouth odor, pain and can even lead to infections that can harm the lungs, heart, kidneys or liver. A home dental care regimen for pets in combination with veterinary advice is crucial in making sure your beloved pet doesn’t become a dental disease statistic. Despite the dangerous consequences of not providing adequate pet dental care, the American Pet Products Association reports that only 26% of dog owners have purchased a dental care product in the past year.
For those pet owners that don’t know where to begin with dental care for their pets, VetDepot has compiled a list of good oral hygiene basics:
•Only use toothpaste that is formulated for pets! Human toothpastes aren’t meant to be swallowed. Toothpaste for dogs and cats often comes in pet friendly flavors to make the task easier for everyone involved.
•Establish a dental care routine. Your pet may not be a fan of the toothbrush the first time he’s exposed to it. However, if Fido realizes that his teeth are going to be brushed every night with a treat and plenty of love to follow, he will likely settle into a routine and stop putting up so much of a struggle.
•Consider a Dental Treat. Although treats and chews don’t replace the need for brushing, they are an easy way to supplement your pet’s good oral hygiene regimen. Greenies and CET Chews for dogs and cats are two great choices that many VetDepot customers have come to rely on.
•Don’t Skip Vet Checkups. Your veterinarian will examine your pet’s teeth and gums for anything of concern and will make recommendations about homecare. If dental disease has already progressed, your vet may recommend extractions or other treatment based on your pet’s individual case.
VetDepot offers the very same pet meds available from your local veterinarian with savings of up to 60%. VetDepot lets consumers save both time and money on all their pet supply needs. All VetDepot products are backed by their 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. VetDepot is LegitScript certified, has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is committed to low everyday prices and excellent customer service. Check out their website at http://www.vetdepot.com or call their toll free customer service line at 866-456-0400. Give your pet the BEST!™
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Kimberly Chambers
VetDepot
866-456-0400
Email Information
Categories: Info & News Tags: Dental, During, Encourages, health, Healthy, Month, Smiles, VetDepot™, YAHOO