As a dedicated family dentist in Westwood, Dr. Guillen and the staff at Westwood Village Smiles are happy to accept UC SHIPā€”UCLA’s system-wide health and wellness plan available to all students. This invaluable plan allows struggling college students to maintain a high quality of personal care while balancing their work and school lives. UC SHIP dental coverage is a major component of the total care package UCLA students can take advantage of and may allow them to get the services they need at a price they can afford.

Intended to bridge the gap between when students must leave their parent’s insurance plans and when they can afford to purchase their own, UC SHIP is an excellent resource for individuals who have existing oral care needs or those in need of emergency services such as crown or cavity repair.

Westwood Village Smiles is a full-service UC SHIP dental service provider just minutes from the UCLA campus and its satellite locationsā€”making it a comfortable and convenient location for you to get much needed oral care.


Isn’t it time You Took Control of Your Oral Health?

College is an important time in a young person’s life. It’s often the first time many of us “leave the nest.” It’s also the first time many of us are faced with financial realitiesā€”like paying for rent or footing the bill for our own medical care. But as challenging as balancing all of those priorities can be, your health and wellbeing should always take precedence.

Make no mistake, continuing the good preventative maintenance you began as a child is the best way to maintain your oral health into adulthood.

Don’t Let Your Teeth Take a Back Seat

Our UC SHIP dental services allow you to continue to see an experienced dental care professional with little out-of-pocket cost to you. That means there’s no excuse for letting your oral health slide. In fact, seeing a dentist regularly now could very well save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars in the future!

Having trouble figuring out your UC SHIP dental care package? Let’s see if we can help.


What is UC SHIP?

UC SHIP is a low-cost, affordable health and wellness plan that pays for certain basic (and necessary) medical, dental, vision, mental health, and emergency care services. Coverage is provided by the nationally recognized insurance group Anthem.

UC SHIP dental coverage is provided by Delta Dental.

UC SHIP dental coverage is an integral part of this insurance package and covers many basic and emergency oral care services such as:

  • Cleanings and exams
  • Fillings
  • Extractions (Wisdom Teeth)
  • Crown repair
  • Emergency care resulting from sports-related injuries

And more.


How Does UC SHIP Work?

All registered students are automatically enrolled in UC SHIP (though you may decline dual coverage by waiving your right to UC SHIP). The plan works much like other insurance plans in that it pays service providers for procedures that are covered under the plan.

Many times, when you receive UC SHIP dental care services, you may be required to pay for those services (or at least a portion of the bill) at the time of your dental visit. However, your UC SHIP dental plan allows you to submit a claim after the fact in order to get reimbursed for that out-of-pocket expense.

Like other insurance plans, there are in-network services providers and out of network service providers. For medical care, UCLA’s Ashe Center is a student’s provider of choice. Getting UC SHIP to pay for the services of care providers not located at the Ashe Center may require you to get a referral to an outside specialist prior to receiving care.

However, your UC SHIP dental coverage does not limit you to choosing within a specific network. It is true that the preferred list of dental care providers can be found under the Dental PPO provider search, but your UC SHIP dental benefits can be used anywhere so long as the dentist accepts UC SHIP.

Thankfully, you don’t have to look any further. Westwood Village Smiles is a Delta Dental Premier Provider. That means you get the expert care you need from an in-network provider. Reduce your out of pocket costs without sacrificing any extra travel time or struggling to find a good dentist you can trust!


What Does Your UC SHIP Dental Plan Cover?

UC SHIP dental plans cover 100% of regular preventative and diagnostic services. These include:

  • Oral exams
  • Cleanings
  • X-Rays (one per year)
  • Fluoride treatments

UC SHIP dental plans also cover up to 80% of the cost associated with “basic” dental services such as:

  • Fillings
  • Extractions
  • Root canals
  • Oral surgery
  • Nighttime bite guards

UC SHIP dental plans also cover some services considered to be “major oral health procedures” like:

  • Prosthetic teeth
  • Inlays and onlays
  • Crown repairs

It’s important to keep in mind that UC SHIP dental plans only cover up to 70% of the cost of these major procedures.

The percent of the total cost UC SHIP dental will cover varies depending on whether you see an in-network provider (a member of the Delta Dental PPO), or an out-of-network provider.


Why UC SHIP is So Important

UC SHIP dental coverage allows you to maintain your oral health much more affordably than paying out-of-pocket. This is great for college students as traditional insurance plans are often out of their financial reach and paying cash for medical services can quickly tap any income or savings you may have.

So if dental care I so expensive, why continue care through your college years?

If you forego your regular dental exams for financial reasons or simply because you can’t find the time in your busy schedule, you could be opening yourself up to a world of complications.

Not only can untended oral health concerns (like infection) lead to serious total health consequences (including hospitalization and emergency room visits), the financial cost associated with recovering from years of oral neglect can add up to significantly more than you would have paid in the first place.

In short, prevention is always the best option.

Can’t find time in your busy schedule? Dr. Guillen is a professional UC SHIP dental care provider who has office hours on Saturdays!


Have Questions about Your UC Ship Coverage?

Understanding all the ins and outs of your UC SHIP dental coverage can seem like it requires a degree in itself. That’s why we always encourage UCLA students who have questions to call us. Our helpful office staff can tell you which procedures are covered under your UC SHIP dental plan, how much you’re likely to pay out of pocket, how you can set up various payment plans (including credit card payments), and explain lower-cost alternative treatments.

Because we are a Delta Dental Premier Provider, when you choose Westwood Village Smiles as your UC SHIP dentist you pay less out of pocket.

Still have questions? Make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation. Let Dr. Guillen explain your oral health care options to you, point out any dangers for which you might be at risk, and offer a UC SHIP dental covered care option that allows you to take control of your oral health affordably.


Isn’t It Time You Took Advantage of your UC SHIP Dental Coverage?

Looking for a new UC SHIP Dental care provider in the Westwood/UCLA area? Westwood Village Smiles and Dr. Guillen are here to help.

Call us today at (310) 254-9355, text us at (310) 433-3485 or schedule a consultation online.