Routine dental care improves both your oral health and your overall health. In fact, dentists can detect signs and symptoms of more than 120 diseases, including cancer, diabetes and kidney disease during a checkup.[1] Keeping regular dental appointments can help your dentist identify these diseases and conditions early.
And people with specific health conditions can be positively affected by additional oral health care, which is why Delta Dental of Wisconsin offers added coverage through an enhanced benefits program. You may be eligible to receive extra care that could improve both your oral and overall health. Based on your dental plan and qualifying medical condition, these benefits may include additional cleanings, periodontal maintenance and fluoride treatments.
Who is Eligible for Enhanced Benefits?
If you have one of the following health conditions and your plan includes EBICP, you are eligible to enroll in the enhanced benefits program.
• Cancer-related chemotherapy or radiation treatments – People who receive these therapies may be at an increased risk of cavities and gum infection due to weakened immune systems.
• Diabetes –Diabetics are more susceptible to gum disease. Those who receive additional teeth cleanings may have a reduced risk for the disease, as well as better controlled glucose levels.
• High-risk cardiac conditions – Dental disease can increase the bacteria in the bloodstream, predisposing people with high-risk cardiac conditions to an infection in the heart’s lining or valves .2
• Kidney failure or dialysis – Additional preventive care may help decrease dental infections, which can be harmful to general kidney functions in people with kidney disease.
• Periodontal disease – The tooth loss and replacement that can occur along with periodontal disease may be prevented with additional dental care.
• Pregnant women –Pregnant women with generalized moderate-to-severe periodontal disease may be at higher risk to deliver pre-term, low-birth weight babies. Therefore, additional teeth cleanings may improve the health of both mother and baby.
• Suppressed immune systems – Extra cleanings may help people who are HIV positive or have organ failure reduce the level of bacteria in the mouth, which can enter the bloodstream and cause infection.
Enrollment is Easy
You must sign up for the enhanced benefits program before receiving the extra coverage. Enrollment is easy and can be completed by following these simple steps or by asking a dentist to notify Delta Dental of Wisconsin. Once enrolled, you are immediately eligible for the additional benefits.
[1] Steven L. Bricker, Robert P. Langlais, and Craig S. Miller, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine and Treatment Planning (Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1994).
2 American Heart Association, “What is Infective Endocarditis?”, 2015.
