JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A dental agency is giving local children a bright smile for a bearable price. A Southside dentist said as soon as he started practicing, he realized too many children don't get proper oral care because their parents don't think they can afford it.
We all know brushing and flossing are key to a healthy smile, but unfortunately that's not all it takes. Dr. Frank Rios said 60% of Americans don't have dental insurance and think they can't afford basic dental care, but he said that's not the case with the Rio Smile Club.
Recommended Videos
"I get concerned about the future because we find that prevention is really extremely important, especially in children," said Rios.
When dental problems are found early, they're easier and more affordable to fix. Rios and his staff at Cypress Point Family Dentistry developed a plan in 2014 specifically designed for patients without dental insurance. He said when the economy went south, many people lost their jobs and their insurance. He noticed patients assumed if they didn't have insurance, they couldn't afford dental care, which he said is not the case.
"They were kind of shunned from the office or felt they needed to wait until they did have insurance, and sometimes that would be years and by the time we would see them," said Rios. "They would be really frustrated to find the insurance didnt help them or the limitations were quickly met and they had to pay much more money out of pocket."
That's how he came up with the Rio Smiles Club, a savings plan that costs $159 for kids up to age 18 and $199 for adults.
Anyone in Jacksonville can become a member and yearly membership benefits include: two exams by a doctor, two cleanings, any necessary x-rays, 15% courtesy off all treatment received at the office and member only special events.
Rios said unlike many dental insurance plans, the Rio Smiles Club has no maximum annual cost per year.
"You only pay for the treatment for what you need, as opposed to yearly high insurance premiums even when your mouth is healthy so you can achieve maximum oral health," said Rios.
February is "Children's Dental Health Month" so on top of the cleanings, exams, x-rays and fluoride that come with the plan, next month they will also offer sealants for free.
To learn more about the Rio Smiles Club, visit the Cypress Point Family Dentristry website or call 904-448-8688.