Health through Oral Wellness®
Better health. Lower costs.
A unique benefit program to promote preventive care.
What is Health through Oral Wellness?
A healthy mouth is a vital part of overall health. That’s why we’re introducing Health through Oral Wellness® to our dental plans starting in 2020.
This unique patient-centered program adds benefits to plans based on each person’s oral health needs.
Dental health care providers in our network can perform a risk assessment during a regular checkup. Patients at high risk of tooth decay or gum disease get additional benefits to improve their oral health.
Here's how it works:
Why Health through Oral Wellness?
Patients
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Customized dental benefits
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Easy to understand oral health needs
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Better oral health & wellness
Dental care providers
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Greater patient acceptance of treatment plan
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Demonstrates value through measured outcomes
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Builds patient satisfaction & loyalty
Group plan customers
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Healthier, more productive workforce
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Added plan value
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Analytic reports on claim costs
Learn more | Frequent questions
The risk assessment tool measures the risk and severity of gum disease (periodontal disease) and the risk of tooth decay (caries). Additional benefits are determined by each patient’s scores and may include:
- Cleanings;
- Sealants (adults and children);
- Periodontal maintenance treatments;
- Fluoride varnish (adults and children);
- And more!
The scientifically validated risk assessment tool comes from PreViser. It’s an online questionnaire a dental care provider can use during a regular appointment. The questions are about clinical information (probe depth, prior restorative work, etc.), dental visits, oral health behaviors, and medical conditions.
The risk assessment calculates a numeric score to reflect the patient’s oral disease status and risk for future diseases.
A results report is available immediately and can be printed to share with the patient. If additional benefits are unlocked based on the assessment scores, coverage begins immediately too!
Adding the Health through Oral Wellness program will be automatic to nearly all Delta Dental of South Dakota plans at the plans’ regular renewal date on or after January 1, 2020.
Health through Oral Wellness is being added to our plans at no additional cost to plan purchasers or members covered by our benefit plans. The license to use the PreViser risk assessment is provided free to participating dentists.
Because the program works within existing plans, deductibles, annual maximums, and other plan details will still apply.
Studies find that using the PreViser risk assessment tool prompts patients to visit the dentist for preventive care more often and practice better oral hygiene. Both lead to better oral health and intercept problems before they develop or worsen.
A rapidly growing body of science is finding connections between oral health and chronic medical conditions (like diabetes, stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease), including lowered medical costs for those with a higher frequency of dental care.
