Oral Health On-Demand is Gaining Popularity. Here’s Why:

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Oral care can now be delivered right to your door!

Netflix was the birth of delivery-on-demand. Fast-forward to 2016 and you’ll find there’s a box subscription for every market. Oral health products have joined that army of recurring delivery services. So yes—we’re all for at-home oral health care on demand. Here’s why:

1. It’s fit for the whole family.

Mix and match subscription services, or find one that offers products for every age in your family.

2. You always need a new one.

Believe it or not, you should get a new toothbrush every three months. They become less effective with every use, so why not have them delivered right to your door? 

3. It’s affordable.

Most plans start at less than $6 a month, but you can build your own plan to receive a new toothbrush every month for just $3 a month.

4. It’s easy.

One subscription even puts the expiration date on the front of its products, and another sends you dentist appointment reminder cards!

5. It’s fun!

Some subscription services come with fun extras like coloring pages and games for kids making oral health care an exciting monthly treat for your little ones.

 

How to Use Two Dental Plans

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Dual Coverage: Coverage Under More Than One Dental Plan[1]

It’s not uncommon for people to have coverage under two separate dental plans. For example, your dependents may be signed up for dental benefits through both your employer and your spouse’s employer. Whether it’s you or your dependents, anyone with coverage under two separate dental plans has what is referred to as “dual coverage.”

How It Works

The way insurance companies work together when a person has dual coverage is called “Coordination of Benefits.” First, the dentist bills the primary insurance carrier. The primary carrier pays its portion, and the remainder of the bill is sent to the secondary insurance carrier. In some cases, the secondary carrier may cover the rest of the bill, reducing your out-of-pocket costs. Dual coverage does not mean double benefits—if your plan covers two cleanings per year, for instance, dual coverage won’t cover four cleanings instead.

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Determining Which Plan is Primary

The insurance plan that is billed first is called the primary plan, and the insurance plan that is billed after the primary insurance has paid its portion is called the secondary plan. Which plan is primary depends on your individual situation.

  • For yourself: If you have a plan through your employer, that is typically your primary plan. If you also have coverage through a spouse, that plan will be secondary.
  • For yourself, if you have two jobs: If you have two jobs, and dental insurance through both employers, the primary plan is usually the one that has provided coverage the longest.
  • For your children: If you have children with dual coverage, the parent whose birthday falls first in the calendar year will have the primary plan. For example, if your birthday is August 9, and the other parent’s birthday is July 21, the other parent’s plan would be the primary. Year of birth is not a factor.

When Both Plans Are Delta Dental Plans

Many employers use Delta Dental, so it’s possible that Delta Dental would provide both dual coverage plans, even if both parents don’t work for the same company. If this is the case, don’t worry—dual coverage works the same way if both plans are through Delta Dental.

May the Teeth Be With You: Behind the Scenes Star Wars Trivia

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Who knew so much pearly white prep happened on set?

The award-winning Star Wars franchise has some serious bite. Literally. So listen up, saga super fans—you may learn something new. 

• Camera technology is placed on teeth.

In The Force Awakens, motion capture dots were used on actors’ bodies, mouths…even teeth! The dots record realistic movements like smiles and facial expressions. This technology, which is half live-action and half computer animation, is placed on actors’ arms, legs, and teeth. For example, actress Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata) went through a 4-hour transformation every day to get her dots in perfect place.

• Dental technicians work on set.

Big budget special effect films have massive costume teams on set because there’s a job for everything—including teeth. Chris Lyons had the privilege of working as a Dental Technician on early Star Wars films. His favorite prosthetic creation featured, “…fluorescent red gums and bright blue teeth.” He described his denture design for movies as 50% sci-fi-style teeth and 50% “nice, white looking teeth.”

• A tooth polisher provided the sound for Millennium Falcon.

From the sound of lightsabers clashing to Darth Vader’s exaggerated breaths, Star Wars launches our ears to a galaxy far, far away. So many fancy effects must be made with cutting-edge technology, right? Ironically, many Star Wars sound effects are made with everyday objects. Thanks to dentistry tools, part of the sound for the Millennium Falcon seen in The Empire Strikes Back was all thanks to a tooth polisher. Other parts of the sound included a biplane engine and water pipes. So the next time you’re in for a checkup, embrace your inner Jedi and listen for the Millennium Falcon.

What are your favorite Star Wars trivia? Enlighten us below!

Caught in the Middle: Insurance Tips for the Sandwich Generation

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Caring for your children and aging parents isn’t easy. These tips can help:

Middle-aged adults are finding themselves financially “sandwiched” between two generations: their children and aging parents. This dual responsibility isn’t new, but it’s now more costly than ever.

On one end, parents are supporting their children past the age of 18. On the other, seniors are living longer but may not have the savings to match their longevity leaving the middle generation to cover both bills—including dental costs. With so much responsibility, how is this generation expected to save on dental expenses? 

These tips can help reduce dental costs:

1. Invest in your children.

Keep ahead of any future costs by focusing on preventive care with your children. Instill good oral health habits at a young age, schedule regular dental exams and use your full benefits to avoid any future restorative costs.

2. Encourage adult children to be independent.

As your children get older, teach them about proper dental care and determine who will be responsible for copays, dental bills and overall benefit costs.

Although your adult children are eligible to stay on your benefits until they turn 26, it may make sense financially for them to get their own plan sooner. Talk to them about their options and financial capabilities.

3. Consider all options for your parents.

Aging seniors often have a hard time accessing dental coverage. Some possibilities to get them covered:

• Supplement their Medicare plan. Medicare does not cover routine dental care, but certain supplement plans and resources can help lower costs. Learn what these resources are and if they financially make sense for your family.

• Seek out an affordable individual plan. Many providers have affordable coverage for seniors over 65. Learn about your options today.

• Claim them as a dependent. The IRS will allow you to claim an elderly parent if they meet certain criteria, but this is not always guaranteed for insurance purposes. Check with your provider to see if this is an option.

4. Don’t forget about yourself.

By being a caregiver to both your children and your parents, it’s easy to neglect your needs. Be sure to take care of yourself by maintaining your health, using your insurance plan and keeping up-to-date with your dental care.

 

Why We Dig Gardening

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4 healthy habits from the garden:

We know gardening is great for your mind, body and soul, but did you know it can enhance your smile as well? Here are just a few ways gardening can benefit you:

• Your very own Farmer’s Market

With fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables at your fingertips, it’s easy to make meals more flavorful and colorful. You choose when to harvest, so vegetables often contain more nutrients than those that come from a grocery store.

Here is an interesting fact…did you know that crunchy fruits and veggies stimulate saliva flow, washing away bacteria in your mouth? Regardless of whether you enjoy raw or steamed veggies, your body and smile will thank you for fresh produce.

• Daily Dose of Vitamins

The vitamin D your body makes from being exposed to sunlight can help create a brighter smile too! Vitamin D is a hormone that helps absorb calcium and phosphorus—two minerals crucial for healthy teeth and bones. But, according to the USDA, we’re not getting enough of it. Vitamin D is one of the top under consumed nutrients, so soak up the sun while gardening to help with your vitamin D intake. Just remember to wear sunscreen.

• A Free Gym Membership

If planting flowers sounds easier than a squat press, you’re in luck! Gardening is classified as a moderate to intense physical activity. People who choose gardening are more likely to exercise 50 minutes longer than those who choose to walk or bike. Shaping up in the soil can produce more than fragrant flowers. According to a recent study, adults who exercise regularly are more likely to have healthier gums.

• Stress Relief

Stress can take a toll on your overall wellbeing. Thankfully, gardening has been found to reduce levels of stress. Take some time to stop and smell the roses. Your teeth may thank you.

Here are some tips to get you started.

3 Ways to Reverse Gum Disease

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You can reverse your gum disease symptoms. Learn how:

Although gum disease can be easily avoided, it’s still one of the most common oral diseases affecting adults in Wisconsin.

In its early stages, gum disease (gingivitis) can cause bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity and chronic bad breath. Later stages (periodontitis) can increase the risk of heart disease and tooth loss. In fact, a 2010 report showed that 25% of Wisconsin adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one tooth due to gum disease.

The effects of gum disease can be reversed if it’s caught early enough. Besides maintaining a thorough brushing and flossing routine, here are three more tips that can help:

1. Change Toothbrushes

Worn out bristles don’t clean your teeth effectively and can leave harmful bacteria in the gum line. The ADA recommends changing your toothbrush every 3 – 4 months.

2. Quit Smoking

Smoking not only causes gum disease, but tobacco use can negatively impact other gum disease treatments. Here are some resources to help you quit.

3. Leave it to a Professional

A professional dental cleaning removes plaque that routine at-home brushing and flossing can’t reach. Depending on the severity of gum disease, a process called scaling and root planing may need to be performed in order to remove tartar and plaque from above and below the gum line.

Once you’re able to reverse the symptoms of gum disease, it’s important to prevent it from coming back. Follow these tips to ensure your smile stays healthy, happy and gum disease-free.

4 Healthy Habits That Qualify for Tax Deductions

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You may be searching for every possible write-off possible this tax season. And if you were healthy in 2015, you might be able to deduct extra expenses. That’s right—certain dental and medical-related procedures and programs can be tax deductible.

Here are four healthy habits for possible tax deductions:

• You took care of your teeth. Preventive dental treatments such as cleanings, sealants, and fluoride are tax-deductible. Extensive eligible treatments include fillings, braces, and dentures. Check the full list of potential write-offs.

• You made your appointments. Did you feel like you were constantly trekking to wellness appointments in 2015? You may be able to claim your travel costs for dental and medical care. This includes public transportation, mileage, tolls, and parking fees.

• You quit smoking. If you participated in an IRS-approved program to stop smoking, you may be able to deduct the cost of your medical expenses. Patches, gum, and other over-the-counter methods aren’t eligible.

• You lost weight. Weight loss programs may be tax-deductible as long as they’re related to a specific condition, such as hypertension or diagnosed obesity.

But how do you determine if your medical and dental deeds meet the IRS’s expectations?

Requirements:

• Your total dental/medical expenses must exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income.

• If you are over 65 years, your dental/medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

 If you have further questions, inquire with your tax consultant. And if don’t have one on speed dial, many public libraries offer free tax prep help. Contact you local branch for more information.

Dental Fellowship is a Plus for Wisconsin Residents

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Access to dental care for low-income individuals in rural Wisconsin is getting a needed boost through the Delta Dental of Wisconsin Fellowship program of Marquette University Dental School.

Rural areas face unique challenges when it comes to delivering health and dental care. There are half as many dentists per 100,000 people in rural areas compared to urban areas, according to the Rural Assistance Center. And less than 40 percent of the rural population has private dental insurance. In fact, rural residents are more likely than their urban dwellers to report that their last dental visit was because something was “bothering or hurting” rather than for preventive care.

To help address the problem, Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s Charitable Fund provides grants and scholarships to dental and dental hygiene students to improve access to care and develop the oral health workforce in Wisconsin. One important workforce grant is the Delta Dental of Wisconsin Fellowship for graduates of the Marquette University Dental School. Delta Dental’s Charitable Fund provides funding for two fellows each year.

Because many rural dentists don’t have the option of referring patients to detail specialists, they need extra training and additional capabilities in order to perform many procedures. The Delta Dental-funded fellowship provides that extended training.

Two community-based clinics, Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire and Tri-County Community Dental Clinic in Appleton, benefit from the program. Each clinic is matched with a fellow who, for one year, provides care, to more than 500 low-income patients. The program reduces waiting lists in those two communities, and provides the young graduates with extensive experience.

Marquette University Dental School leaders note the program helps achieve its goals to increase access to oral health care for underserved populations, increase the number of dental school graduates familiar with the needs of rural populations, and increase the understanding of the importance of public health dentistry.

“I believe this fellowship truly provides the tools and training needed to make a difference in the oral health of the communities I will one day serve,” said Adam Hammerback, a fellow currently providing dental care at the at Chippewa Valley Technical College.

Mouthing Off in March: How Proper Nutrition Helps Your Dentition 

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There’s more to good oral health than just brushing and flossing – what you eat also impacts your smile. In honor of National Nutrition Month, here are a few vitamins and minerals that will keep your grin glistening.

• Calcium. Growing up, you were probably taught that drinking milk would make you strong. That’s because milk is a good source of calcium, which helps build bones and provide structural support. Calcium serves the same purpose in your teeth and jawbone, so getting plenty of it is a must. In addition to milk, good sources of calcium include cheese, yogurt, broccoli and salmon.

• Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium while boosting bone mineral density, so it’s crucial to get an adequate amount of vitamin D to get the most out of your calcium intake. Your body naturally makes vitamin D when it’s exposed to the sunlight, but can also be found in fortified foods and drinks such as milk and cereal.

• Potassium. Like vitamin D, potassium is beneficial to bone mineral density. But it also works with magnesium to prevent blood from becoming too acidic, which can take calcium away from bones and teeth. Bananas are famously good sources of potassium, but sweet potatoes, tomatoes and prunes will also do the trick.

• Phosphorus. This mineral occurs naturally in many foods, so you’re likely getting plenty of it – and that’s a good thing. Phosphorus teams with magnesium and calcium to help put minerals back into bones and teeth.

• Vitamin K. Think of this vitamin as a shield –it helps block substances that speed the breakdown of bone. It also helps your body produce osteocalcin, a protein that supports bone strength. Leafy greens, such as kale, collards and spinach, will help you reach your daily vitamin K quota.

• Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps strengthen gums and the supporting soft tissue in the mouth, which is just as important as keeping teeth strong. You probably already know that citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, but you can also find it in potatoes and leafy greens.

The old saying “you are what you eat” is true – even for your smile. Fuel your body with the proper nutrition and it will reward you with a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.