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Delta Dental of Illinois Introduces 'Smile Smart For Your Health'
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| Copyright: | PR Newswire | | Source: | PR Newswire | | Wordcount: | 637 |
LISLE, Ill., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Dental of Illinois is offering
a new benefits program to its clients and prospective clients. The program,
"Smile Smart for Your Health," integrates oral health and overall health to
offer specific benefits for persons who have specific health conditions,
including diabetes, pregnancy, and a history of periodontal disease or
surgery.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070809/AQTH133LOGO)
"Smile Smart for Your Health" is based on the emerging science of
evidence-based dentistry -- a set of principles and methods intended to
ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that clinical decisions, guidelines
and other types of policies are based on, and consistent with, good evidence
of effectiveness and benefit. As understanding of the connection between oral
health and overall health grows, evidence-based dentistry solutions, such as
"Smile Smart for Your Health," bridge the gap between dentistry and medical
treatment.
"After a comprehensive review of the extensive scientific research
available, we are offering 'Smile Smart for Your Health' to help improve the
oral health of our enrollees, and hopefully, their overall health too," said
Robert E. Dennison, D.M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Delta
Dental of Illinois. "And 'Smile Smart for Your Health' can help employers and
groups lower their overall costs by directing preventive care where it's
needed most -- in addition to promoting medical cost savings." Dennision
adds, "Delta Dental of Illinois will continue to explore other evidence-based
dentistry offerings and examine emerging research and will likely add
components to 'Smile Smart for Your Health' as research supports."
"Smile Smart for Your Health" underscores our commitment to improving the
oral health of the communities we serve. Evidence-based dentistry solutions
are truly the next stage in quality patient care -- using the latest
scientific evidence to target the relationship between oral disease and other
medical conditions and improve medical outcomes for at-risk patients," said
Dr. Katina Morelli, DDS, Dental Director for Delta Dental of Illinois.
Delta Dental of Illinois added "Smile Smart for Your Health" to the
majority of its existing fully insured clients with few exceptions and is
offering it as an option to its self-insured clients. Beginning September 1,
2007, it is automatically included in the dental benefit plans it offers all
prospective clients.
Specific enhanced coverage includes: -- Diabetics -- Four periodontal maintenance visits in a year, or two general cleaning and two periodontal maintenance visits in a year. -- Pregnancy -- One additional general cleaning or one periodontal maintenance visit during the time of pregnancy. -- Periodontal Conditions -- Four periodontal maintenance visits in a year, or two general cleaning and two periodontal visits in a year. -- Two applications of topical fluoride varnish in a year, following periodontal surgery. -- Oral Cancer -- Coverage for OralCDx brush biopsy(*), a tool in identifying precancerous/cancerous cells in the mouth. This method of detection is approved by the American Dental Association.
Eligibility & Enrollment
Enrollees and their dentists can self-report a specific medical condition.
Enrollees and dentists can check eligibility and if eligible, enroll in the
"Smile Smart for Your Health" Enhanced Benefits Program through the Delta
Dental of Illinois Web site -- http://www.deltadentalil.com. Enrollees use
the Subscriber Connection and dentists use the Dentist Connection (both
require registration). More information about "Smile Smart for Your Health"
is available on Delta Dental of Illinois' Web site.
(*) OralCDx brush biopsy is a standard coverage under Delta Dental of
Illinois' oral surgery plans.
Delta Dental of Illinois (DDIL) is a not-for-profit dental service
corporation specializing in providing comprehensive, easy-to-use and
cost-effective benefits to over one million employees and family members in
more than 3,200 employee groups throughout Illinois. Based in Lisle, Ill.,
DDIL offers an array of extensive nationwide network-based managed
fee-for-service, PPO and dental HMO plans.
SOURCE Delta Dental of Illinois
CONTACT: Ann Marie Walker, Corporate Communications Manager of Delta Dental of Illinois, +1-630-724-4039, awalker@deltadentalil.com
This is a news service of Thomson Business Intelligence Service ©2006. This content is for your personal use only, subject to Terms and Conditions. No redistribution allowed.
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