Managed care plan similar to a health maintenance organization (HMO) that provides only dental care.

1. Optional insurance offered by commercial insurance or managed care plans that provides payment of expenses for dental care. Dental benefits may be combined with a health insurance plan or may be a separate policy with a different insurance company. 2. Insurance coverage for dental services and supplies including preventive care.

Care of teeth and gums that includes preventive care, diagnostic x-rays of teeth and gums, and treatment to promote, maintain, or restore dental health. Ancillary services might be teeth whitening procedures, straightening and realigning teeth with braces, and so on.

Examination and treatment room in a dental facility that includes a dental chair, dental unit, dental light, and wash basin where clinical dental procedures are performed.

State-licensed individual who specializes in dental surgical procedures (DDS) or dental medicine (DMD). See Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) .

State-licensed dentist who advises insurance companies as to the appropriateness of dental treatment.

Division or section within each state government that oversees, administers, and enforces state insurance laws and regulations. It is a valuable source of information about all types of insurance and handles consumer inquiries and complaints. It licenses insurance companies and agents.

Numerical code used to indicate business sections in an employer company. Usually this is used when billing is produced through each business section.

Department of the government that manages the TRICARE program.