Health / Dental health

Simplifying Dental Care

Woman sitting with her dentist

Going to the dentist can be complicated, costly, and uncomfortable. However, oral health affects your overall well-being, so you shouldn’t let that discomfort deter you from seeing your dentist. In fact, delaying care could make matters worse1.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed by caring for your teeth, understanding your dental coverage, or finding a dentist, consider these 3 Cs to simplify dental care:  

Care:

 If you care for your teeth properly, your experience at the dentist could be less painful—and less expensive. Most of us had the basics taught to us at an early age, but here are some tips and reminders2:  

  • Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to help remove plaque between teeth.  
  • Try to limit food and drinks that are high in sugar, such as candy and soda.  
  • Don’t ignore symptoms like tooth pain, bleeding gums, or sensitivity.  
  • See a dentist once a year for an exam and get regular cleanings, even if your mouth feels fine. Some problems don’t show symptoms right away.  

Coverage:

Having dental coverage can make it easier to get the care you need before small issues become bigger, more expensive problems. That’s why it’s built right into your BCBSRI Medicare Advantage plan. An annual dental exam, X-rays, and two cleanings per year are included with all of our HMO-POS plans. Certain plans also cover root canals, periodontal services, and crowns.  

BCBSRI members also have access to exclusive discounts through Blue365®3, which can help you save on oral care products and more.

Plus, most of our Medicare Advantage plans include an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance loaded onto your Flexible Benefit Card.4 These funds can help you save on oral hygiene essentials like toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash.  

Have questions about your coverage? Call your Medicare Concierge team at (401) 277-2958 or 1-888-982-3694 (TTY: 711). Reach us Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to noon. (Open seven days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., October 1 - March 31.) You can use our automated answering system outside of these hours.  

Choices:

Our national network gives you access to more than 55,000 dentists across the country—including 9 out of 10 dentists here in Rhode Island—so you’ll have plenty of quality options when it comes to getting the care you need. Find dentists in your network.  

Your myBCBSRI account makes it easy to find benefit details and claims. Log in here.  

1 About Oral Health | Oral Health | CDC 
2 Oral Health Tips for Adults | Oral Health | CDC
3 ©2000‐2026 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association ‐ All Rights Reserved. The Blue365 program is made available by BCBSRI in conjunction with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
4 Unused benefits do not roll over to the next benefit period. You cannot exceed your benefit amount. Prices, brands, and items vary from store to store. Purchases made online or by phone using the catalog may also be different than what you find in store.