A recent announcement from the Pennsylvania Dental Association stressed that consumers should receive regular dental checkups in order to stay healthy.

Many people may be neglecting visiting the dentist due to the current state of the economy, but it is a practice that is not recommended, the announcement noted. By going to a dentist, many people can avoid bigger problems later on, as dental fixes can be more expensive and painful as time goes on.

"When a patient is not seen at a regular three-month, four-month or six-month intervals, problems are left to progress, which leads to more expensive treatments such as crowns, root canals or periodontal surgeries," said Dr. Tamara Brady, a PDA member dentist. "Not only are these procedures more expensive, they also may not be covered by a patient's dental insurance."

Consumers who don't have a dentist may want to ask around about good choices. If their plan doesn't allow for a satisfactory doctor, it may be a good plan to compare affordable health insurance rates, as this could make the process easier.