We are
pleased to inform you that Delta Dental of Arkansas is
implementing evidence-based dentistry which will provide your
group additional benefits at no cost to you or your employees
(other than any standard co-pay charges).
Evidence-based dentistry
offers a promising new direction for the future of dentistry
and dental benefits.
While there has been much discussion surrounding
evidence-based dentistry over the years, dentists and dental
benefits carriers are now beginning to see the real
application of it in daily practice and benefit plan
design.
As a leader in the dental
benefits industry, we've been at the forefront of the movement
toward integrating the best available science into plan design
and policy. It's
a practice that is consistent with our ultimate goal of
advancing solutions for oral health while providing access to
affordable dental care.
In short, evidence-based
dentistry is an attempt to ensure the right patient receives
the appropriate procedure for the right condition at the right
time.
In
accordance with the best evidence available today, we are now
providing the following benefits based on the health condition
of the participant:
Pregnancy* - Allow
an additional two prophylaxes (cleanings) per calendar/benefit
year, meaning the participant could receive up to four
cleanings within the same benefit period. The participant will
be allowed extra dental benefits for 12 months (nine months of
pregnancy plus three months post-delivery. Time period is based
on due date.)
Rationale
Some studies indicate a
correlation between the presence of periodontal disease and
pre-term, low birth-weight babies.
Diabetes* - Allow an additional two prophylaxes (cleanings) per
calendar/benefit year, meaning the participant could receive
up to four cleanings within the same benefit period.
Rationale
Some studies indicate a
correlation between the presence of periodontal disease and
exacerbation of problems with diabetes.
Heart Disease* -
Allow an additional two prophylaxes (cleanings) per
calendar/benefit year, meaning participants could receive up
to four cleanings within the same benefit
period.
Rationale
Some studies show a
correlation between the presence of periodontal disease and
the exacerbation of heart disease.
Periodontal Disease - Allow an
additional two periodontal maintenance procedures per
calendar/benefit year if there is documented prior history of
periodontal therapy. The periodontal
maintenance allowances of four will include a history cross
check against any routine cleaning within the same benefit
period.
Rationale
Studies show a high
correlation between increased maintenance visits and control
of periodontal disease and its possible effects on the health
conditions mentioned above.
To
receive these additional benefits, employees and/or their
covered dependents with any of the above conditions need only
to contact our office by phone or letter or, prior to
treatment, notify your dentist that you have one of the above
mentioned conditions and qualify for Delta Dental's
evidence-based dentistry benefits.
Phone:
800-462-5410
Address:
Delta Dental of Arkansas
Attn: EBD
1513 Country Club Road
Sherwood, AR 72120
As
science confirms that specific approaches and interventions
help improve health outcomes, we will continue developing
innovative ways to promote those interventions through changes
in benefit design.
Finally, on another note, please know that Delta Dental
has standardized the student dependent age by increasing it to
age 25 for all fully insured groups. This resulted in
increased years of student coverage for some groups. If your group's
contract recognizes a student dependent age older than 25,
this change does not affect you.
If you have questions regarding our
evidence-based plan designs or the student dependent age,
please contact us as at
1-800-814-3451.
Sincerely,
Tim Carney
Senior Vice President, Sales &
Marketing
* Participants with these
conditionswho have also been
diagnosed with periodontal disease will be covered under the
Periodontal Disease benefit. Evidence-based
dentistry benefits may not be combined when subscriber fits
more than one of the covered categories. Evidence-based
dentistry benefits will cover up to a total of four of a
combination of cleanings/perio maintenance procedures.
