Benevis’ Happy, Healthy Smile Month Recognizes the Importance of Both Dental Hygiene and Orthodontics

Benevis is celebrating both Dental Hygiene Month and Orthodontic Health Month this October with Happy, Healthy Smile Month.

The leading dental healthcare and orthodontics delivery organization committed to providing quality care to underserved communities, is recognizing the 2 national celebrations – Dental Hygiene Month and Orthodontic Health Month – noting the critical role of dental hygiene and orthodontia in a comprehensive oral health program that can help maintain a happy, healthy, confident smile for an entire lifetime. 

Orthodontics is often thought of in terms of esthetics, with 82% of adults believing straight, bright teeth can help them get ahead in life, according to the Health Policy Institute and the ADA. But it is much more than that, and Benevis strives to make people aware of the health benefits provided by orthodontics. Crowded, crooked teeth present hygiene challenges as the teeth and gums are harder to clean, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Also, a misaligned bite can wear down tooth enamel and make it harder to speak and chew.

“At Benevis, we care deeply about expanding access to comprehensive oral healthcare, particularly for underserved communities, through education on dental hygiene, orthodontics, and preventive care,” Bryan Carey, CEO of Benevis, says in a press release. “While some view orthodontics as a luxury, we believe it’s essential healthcare. Our goal is to make high-quality, affordable orthodontic and dental care possible for everyone.”

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children receive an orthodontic check-up by age 7, which is earlier than many families might expect. Grant Zakhar, DDS, orthodontist at Savannah Smiles Youth Dentistry & Braces, a Benevis-supported dental practice, explains the benefits of this assessment. “A lot of teeth and jaw issues can be corrected early on that can make other dental adjustments easier in the future. That 7-year-old mark is worth it for families to check in and see how the growth and development of their child’s dental health is going,” he says. “Most likely, they won’t need anything early on, but it is good to catch in the rare instance that we can intervene early for more complex conditions.” 

Families may be hesitant to have an orthodontic assessment due to worries over the cost, Benevis admits. Consumer Affairs found that braces can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $13,000 per child. Benevis offices accept a variety of payment forms, including Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), private insurance, payment plans, and dental discount plans for patients without insurance. All Benevis financing options are factored based on the total cost of treatment, insurance coverage including Medicare and CHIP, Flexible Spending Account or Health Spending Account contributions, down payments, and the length of treatment, the company states. The organization offers an Ortho calculator available on Benevis-affiliated dental websites to give patients, families, and caregivers a visual tool to understand potential payment or financing options better. Families should schedule a consultation with a board-certified orthodontist for actual treatment costs.

It's important for dentists and orthodontists to collaborate on the joint care of their patients, and Benevis dentists and orthodontists work together with patients and their families to find ways to meet their patients’ needs.

Latoya Colenberg Eakins, DMD, provides care to patients in Mississippi at Benevis-supported Sunnybrook Dentistry & Braces and shared one of her patient’s orthodontic stories as an example. “After repeated insurance denials and dental work too costly to afford, I watched one of my patients navigate ... her toughest teenage years with a missing front tooth ... and it was heartbreaking,” Dr Eakins says in the press release. “Our team persisted ... [with] her dental and orthodontic treatment ... [and] for the first time in years she’s smiling again.”

Benevis provides orthodontic care in 100 community offices across 13 states and the District of Columbia, working with families to design the best care path forward for patients who need braces.

Benevis focuses on delivering life-changing oral care and orthodontics to underserved communities, and advocates for programs and legislation that ensure all families have access to the oral healthcare they need and deserve.