If you experience anxiety at the dentist, you’re not alone. Many dentists and hygienists understand that patients may fear going to the dentist, but they are here to help.

Below is a letter from Brooke Bodart, certified dental hygienist, to patients who experience anxiety at the dentist.

Dear anxious patient,

First things first, please don’t be afraid to come and see me! As a dental hygienist, my number one concern is making sure you are healthy and well taken care of. If you are really fearful and anxious about coming in, please share those feelings with me. If it helps, write them out and we can talk through them. That way, we can be sure to cover everything and help make you feel more comfortable. Please also know that it is not my intention to ever hurt you, but it is also not within my control sometimes. If you have an unhealthy mouth, I am trying my very best to get it clean for you, which may sometimes be uncomfortable.

I will also need to talk to you about how you care for your teeth at home, so please be honest with me and I will try not to make you feel bad. But remember – it’s a team effort! I can only do so much to keep your mouth healthy, so you must also do your part at home.

I love being a hygienist and without you in my chair, I can’t do the job that I love. So please, come by and see me. If it’s been a long time since you last visited, please be prepared to come see me more often. These appointments are necessary to get your oral health back, so let’s work on it together. I also have a lot of great ideas and ways for you to work on oral health at home, so please give me feedback on what does and doesn’t work for you. It’s not going to be easy, but we can find ways to make it more accessible for you to do.

I’m here to help! Please share with me how I can make this the best experience possible.

Thanks,

Brooke Bodart, RDH

To find a dentist in your area to help alleviate your anxiety, CLICK HERE.

When the year is coming to an end, we think of planning for the holidays and what we’re doing to celebrate the new year. Besides thinking of New Year’s resolutions, take time to review the year-end checklist for your dental coverage. Consider what preventive care services you had during your dental plan year and what other dental work you have coming up.

If you haven’t seen your dentist this year, now’s the time to schedule that appointment. The end of the year marks the busiest time for the health care industry, as people are rushing to maximize their benefits.

Before year’s end, follow our top five to-dos to maximize your dental benefits before the new plan year:

1. See how much you have left in your annual maximum. 

Your annual maximum is the total amount of money your dental benefit provider, like Delta Dental, will pay toward your dental care in one plan year. If your dental plan is based on a calendar year (January through December), your annual maximum will refresh each January. If your plan is based on a contract year (starts and ends during a different 12-month period), your annual maximum will refresh after that plan year.

2. Understand if you have met your deducible.

A deductible is a specific dollar amount you pay before your dental insurance provider begins to contribute toward your dental care. For some plans, cleanings and checkups do not count toward your deductible. Sign in to our member portal to determine if you plan includes CheckUp Plus!

If you’ve met your deductible for this year, take advantage of that. By scheduling dental visits after you’ve met your deductible and before your plan year ends, you’ll save money. If you wait until your plan year starts over again, you’ll have to meet that plan year’s deductible all over again.

3. Put your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) to use.

An FSA is a special account that you may be able to enroll in through your employer. It allows you to save a portion of pre-tax income to help pay for certain medical and dental costs. Usually an employee must forfeit any unused funds at the end of the year, many are scrambling during the last few weeks to spend money still in the account.

Access your online portals for your insurance provider(s) and your FSA administrator to accurately review your spending year-to-date. As you determine what you have left to spend in your FSA account, you can also get an estimate for next year’s enrollment. Click to learn more about dental care and flexible spending accounts.

4. Consider how preventive dental care is covered.

Dental plans are designed to focus on preventive care, and many plans completely cover regular exams and cleanings. Take advantage of this coverage, as preventive care can benefit your oral and overall health and save you money in the long run.

5. Coordinate your dental care.

Are you up to date on your dental care? If so, pat yourself on the back. Maintaining oral health and having dental benefits is proven to save money. If your dentist has recommended more extensive dental treatment, consider the length of that process and if treatment will continue into the next plan year. A new plan year will see your annual maximum and your deductible reset, so take both into consideration when planning dental treatment.

Looking for next steps? Sign into your online dental plan account and get planning!

*Updated 2019

What is a Dental Predetermination of Benefits?

Before you agree to treatment, request a Delta Dental predetermination of benefits. Asking for this before you undergo a procedure gives you the power to know the costs before you commit.

Upon receiving your request, your dentist will submit their recommended treatment plan to Delta Dental. Your X-rays may come along for extra information. No need to worry about finding a dental estimate form, either – just ask, and your dental office will submit your information on your behalf.

Once Delta Dental has this information, we will review the documents, the recommended procedures, and your benefits plan.

The Predetermination of how your benefits will be applied to the suggested dental service will then be sent to both you and your dentist office.

When Would I Use A Predetermination of Benefits?

We encourage you to request a predetermination of benefits prior to the start of extensive dental work, especially if your treatment needs could exceed $400. Remember to discuss with your dentist what will happen versus what could happen so your expectations are clear. A Delta Dental predetermination of benefits is most often requested for costly procedures such as crowns, wisdom tooth extractions, bridges, implants, dentures, and oral surgery.

If Benefits Change, Your Predetermination of Benefits Will, Too

The predetermination of benefits that we provide is just an estimate. It is not a guarantee, but rather our best estimation of the costs for which you will be responsible. If your benefits change before the treatment is completed (or starts), the estimate won’t be accurate. The following actions will also render a predetermination of benefits inaccurate:

• Loss of coverage
• Changes in your dentist’s participation with us
• Benefits provided by other medical or dental plans
• Changes to dental codes or treatment made
• Changes in appointment location
• Changes to your dental provider

Don’t forget, if you’re a Delta Dental of Wisconsin member, you can log in to your account to get specific details related to your plan. If you have questions about your pre-treatment estimate, feel free to contact us.

It’s Halloween night, and your kids have returned from trick-or-treating with their sugary loots. Before digging in, consider the cavity-causing effects that candy can have on teeth. Enjoying sweets in moderation and managing your cravings can help you avoid tooth decay.

Start taming your sweet tooth by learning how much sugar is OK to eat. The Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 12.5 teaspoons, or 50 grams, daily for those over the age of 3. Because the sugar contents of fun-sized candies vary from 2.4 grams to 14.5 grams, there’s no general rule for how many you can eat each day. Check the packaging and brand websites to calculate the number of candies you should limit yourself to. And remember to factor in the added sugars from all the other foods and drinks you consume. It adds up fast!

If you reach your daily limit but the candy bowl is still tempting you, try these tips to defeat the craving:

1. Chew sugar-free gum. Popping in a stick of sugar-free gum instead of a bonbon helps in a couple ways. A study by Louisiana State University found that chewing gum may reduce snack cravings. It’s also useful for cleaning your mouth. Gum washes away leftover food particles and reduces acids that threaten tooth enamel.

2. Distract yourself when a craving hits. Taking a walk has been shown to reduce the urge to eat treats. Plus, it gets you away from the candy bowl. You know what they say – out of sight, out of mind. And if you don’t feel like taking a stroll, do an activity like giving yourself a pedicure. Pick something fun that rewards you for skipping the sweets.

3. Keep sugar substitutes close by. When you really want something sweet but already ate too much sugar, choose naturally sweet foods like fruits and vegetables. Apples, cherries, bell peppers, carrots and others will give you the taste you want along with the nutrients you need.

4. Eat at consistent intervals. You might have heard the saying, “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” Well, that’s especially true when choosing foods. If your tummy’s grumbling, you might make unhealthy decisions like reaching for a candy bar instead of a nutritious snack. Eat every three to five hours to keep blood sugar in check and maintain a level head.

5. Power up with protein. Low protein levels can cause you to start craving sugar. Your body wants an energy boost and sugar is a quick source. Plan to get protein throughout the day with foods such as beans, eggs, nuts, fish and lean meats.

Even with moderation, good oral health habits are still essential for avoiding cavities. Clean your teeth and gums after consuming sugar by brushing for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and flossing. If you aren’t able to sneak away to the bathroom, chew sugar-free gum and drink plenty of water.

For other suggestions about what to eat that’s good for your teeth, check out this blog.

Are you thinking of adding a little something extra to your costume this Halloween? Colored contacts – available in red, white, cat eye, and probably any color you can think of – are a fun way to perfect your look. However, be sure you’re properly using colored contacts; if you choose a pair that isn’t safe for your eyes, there could be dire consequences.

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