Dentists: Position Your Practice for Success with Delta Dental

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We want to expand access to dental health care, and we want YOU to be a part of it. Here are some advantages to working with us:

• More Patients — Delta Dental network dentists average 5 more patient visits per week than non-participating dentists.

• Visibility — You’ll be listed in our national dentist search. When nearby members search for a participating dentist, your practice will appear in the results.

• Easy Administration — Participating dentists are paid directly when treating Delta Dental subscribers. Our accurate claims processing means you’ll be paid quickly and easily.

• National Coverage —You’ll be in-network for Wisconsin patients and for Delta Dental members nationwide!

• Dental Expertise — We focus on dental insurance — and we do it well.

Research shows insured individuals visit their dentist twice as often as those without insurance.

Contact our Delta Dental of Wisconsin Professional Relations team for more information at 1-800-836-0490.

 

Does Your Child Need Braces?: A Parent’s Guide

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Many parents have questions when it comes to the need for braces and orthodontic care for their children. Is it necessary? How long will treatment take? Is the benefit worth the cost?

Orthodontics is the practice of correcting bad bites (malocclusion) and fixing protruding, crowding, or irregularly spaced teeth and jaw problems. If not fixed properly, crooked and crowded teeth can make it harder to brush and floss, and over time, can lead to a greater risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Not all children will need orthodontic care. So how will you know if your child would benefit from orthodontic treatment? Some risk factors include:

–The early loss of baby teeth

–Thumb sucking/pacifier use beyond the age of three

–Prolonged use of a baby bottle

–Tongue thrusting

–A family history of teeth and jaw problems

Your family dentist will be your best resource in knowing whether your child should be evaluated by an orthodontist for orthodontic treatment. Most dentists will make a recommendation based on your child’s needs.

A visit with and evaluation from an orthodontist can clear up any questions you have regarding how long the process will take, costs, benefits, and treatment options.

Having braces can require some patience, but the results are a beautiful smile that will not only give your child confidence but will improve their overall oral health.

Ease Your Child’s Dental Anxiety: Tots, Teens, and the Ages In-Between

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Is your child among the millions who love going to the dentist? If not, and you’re looking for some ways to soothe the stress, read on. 

Dawn of the Dentist: INFANTS & TODDLERS 

Infants and toddlers experience “firsts” on a daily basis. Once your child turns one, it’s time to introduce him or her to another first – a dental visit. 

Keep it positive. Talk in a calm, upbeat tone about the upcoming appointment. Your child will pick up on your positive attitude. 

Bring a soothing item from home. A blanket or favorite toy can help your tot feel more comfortable in the dental chair. 

Child’s Play: CHILDREN 

For some children, parents need to lend a little more support. Continue to de-stress their dental experience: 

Choose a kid-friendly dentist office. You may love your dentist, but is it fit for the whole family? Consider taking your child to a dental office that caters to children. Many include colorful waiting rooms, books, toys, and video games. Find a pediatric dentist near you (https://www.deltadentalwi.com/provider-search/dental/). 

Praise your child after the appointment. Remember, this check-up was a big deal to your little one. Express how proud you are of him or her for having another successful dentist visit. 

Lucky Thirteen: TEENAGERS 

Teens experience dental anxiety too. Your child may be more dramatic in his or her teen years. However, they might be embarrassed to admit fear of an upcoming appointment. 

Talk to your teen. Ask questions and offer advice. What are their expectations? What about the dentist makes them feel this way? You might be surprised at how much just talking about it can help. 

Introduce relaxation techniques. There are many mediation programs that train patients how to relax. Studies show that these programs help to relieve dental anxiety. 

A dental visit doesn’t have to be an unwelcome event for your child. Be patient and try a variety of age-appropriate methods. Is your child afraid of the dentist? What has worked and what hasn’t? Share your advice in the comments section.

Dental Plan Designs with Kids in Mind

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Quality dental care is essential for a child’s well-being. Research shows cavities are the single most common chronic disease among children. Untreated decay affects 19.5% of 2 to 5 year olds and 22.9% of 6 to 19 year olds. Dental disease can affect a child’s life, from eating and sleeping, to school performance and self-esteem. 

That’s why it’s so important for children to see a dentist.

Give your child a lifetime of smiles – start early! Children should be seen by age one or when their first tooth comes in. And, fortunately for you, most Delta Dental plans cover the important preventive services your child needs from a dentist:

  • Exams
  • X-rays
  • Cleanings
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Sealants 

Review your dental plan benefits carefully to see what services your plan covers. Here’s to your little one’s healthy, growing grin!

Keeping Your Heart Healthy for Your Valentine is the Best Present You Can Give

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During the month of February, Americans see the human heart as the symbol of love. Coincidentally, it also happens to be American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women.

With statistics like that, we should all look for ways to reduce the chances of developing the disease. Taking care of our mouth is a great place to start.

How are heart disease and the mouth connected?
Gum disease, which is a bacterial infection, roughly doubles the risk that a person will develop heart disease. Bacteria in the mouth can migrate into the blood stream and form small blood clots that can contribute to the clogging of arteries. Inflammation from gum disease can also lead to the buildup of fatty deposits inside the heart arteries.

The connection can also go the opposite direction with heart disease treatment contributing to gum disease. Certain drugs can cause dry mouth, increased plaque, or enlarged gum tissue. These conditions can lead to gum infections, which makes heart disease and gum disease a two-way street.

Regular brushing and flossing help keep your gums healthy and can help decrease your risk for heart disease. You should also visit your dentist regularly for exams and cleanings. Only dental professionals can remove the tartar and plaque that builds up on your teeth.

Don’t want heart disease to hold you back during your golden years? Then don’t wait to see your dentist! This Valentine’s Day, add a dental appointment to your to-do list. It may not be a dozen roses or a box of candy, but preventing heart disease and staying healthy for years to come is the best present you can give your special Valentine.

Because Everyone Deserves a Bright Smile

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Smiling woman standing outside with the sun behind her

If you were asked to choose between a healthy smile and a tooth-decayed grimace, which one would you pick? The choice is obvious.

Everyone deserves pearly whites they can be proud of.

That’s why Delta Dental of Wisconsin offers dental plans for everyone – individuals, families, employers and everybody in between.

Dental insurance can play a significant role in your overall well-being. Our dentist networks, customer service, and wellness-focused dental plans are a smile-worthy combination for all Wisconsinites. Delta Dental of Wisconsin is the obvious choice.

What are you waiting for? Get your grin on! Learn more about Wisconsin’s No. 1 Dental Plan.

Bye Bye Binky! How to Pass the Paci and Put the Thumb Down

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Like most babies, your little one probably finds comfort in a pacifier or binky or sucking a finger or thumb. But what happens when your baby treks into toddlerhood? You can take the binky away, but they’ll still have their thumb.

While thumb sucking and pacifiers are perfectly healthy and natural, your child should stop both behaviors before or around the age of three to help prevent crooked teeth.

To wean your child from their sucking habit, it’s best to begin before he or she reaches 24 months. Here are some suggestions to stop pacifier use or thumb sucking:

  • Limit pacifier use to nap time and before bed. If your child is a thumb-sucker, start by ignoring the behavior.
  • Use a comfort item as a substitute. A soft blanket or stuffed animal are great ways to soothe your toddler during naps or times of stress.
  • Use a toy or snack as a distraction. Place an obstacle in your little one’s hand to keep their thumb out of their mouth. You can also try a sock or a glove.
  • Reward and praise your child for not using a pacifier or sucking their thumb. Positive reinforcement is an effective way to change your toddler’s habit.
  • Break the binky. Poke a hole in the pacifier or cut off the tip. This breaks the suction and it won’t work. Your baby will think its “broken” and it’s time to throw it away.
  • Cold turkey may be the toughest, but after 3-4 days your child will have completely forgotten about it and have moved on. Just make sure you’ve searched all drawers, diaper bags, and sleeping areas to rid the house of any binky paraphernalia.

Visit your dentist or pediatrician for more advice about how you can gradually phase out the habit and keep it from returning. Once your child puts the binky and thumb down, you’ll be giving your tot two thumbs up!

Creative Activities for Children’s Dental Health Month

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Untreated tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children, so the ADA deemed the month of February National Children’s Dental Health Month to change that! By sharing with our children how dental health impacts our overall health, heart, brain, and more, we can ensure they understand the importance of brushing and flossing. Make sure they’re always smile-ready by using these dental health activities for kids to make good habits stick.

Educating children about the importance of dental health is key to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. As a dental professional, parent, or teacher, help to spread the message of about why proper dental health habits give more than just a white smile.

To help you get started, here are 3 dental health teaching aids guaranteed to make brushing and flossing more fun!

1. Brush + Clean In Between | Dental Health Activities for Kids

2. Teach Egg-ceptional Smile Habits | Dental Health Activities for Kids

What you’ll need:

  • White paint
  • Empty egg carton
  • Toothbrush (not to be reused)
  • Floss
  • Play dough

What it teaches:

This hands-on activity for the kiddos teaches them about plaque hiding places and the importance of brushing well!

Start by “brushing the teeth” using the white paint, toothbrush, and egg carton.

Once the paint is dry, it’s time to floss! Work with your tot to place “plaque” (moldable dough) in between each egg carton crack. Then use the floss to remove the dough from each tooth.

3. Weekly Brushing + Flossing Chart| Dental Health Activities for Kids

What you’ll need:

  • Access to a printer to print out this chart
  • Markers or colored pencils

Establishing good dental health habits early on promotes a lifetime of healthy teeth.

Just like adults, kids should be brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. To keep track, place this chart in the bathroom. Teach them to track their daily dental dose with our brushing and flossing chart.

Let your child color in each circle after brushing or flossing. Stickers are a fun alternative for marking, too!

4. A Mouthy Mix-Up| Dental Health Activities for Kids

Teach your tot how to maintain a healthy mouth by educating them on these terms that keep smiles sparkling. Work with your child to unscramble the words and discuss how each helps to maintain a healthy mouth!

Editor’s Note: Content updated February 2019.

Beat the New Year’s Odds: Accomplish Your Resolutions!

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Every year on January 1st, a magic motivation fills the air. New Year’s resolutions lead to a path paved with wishes and gold. It’s a chance to wipe the slate clean and start fresh.

Then why do only 8% of Americans follow through on their New Year’s aspirations? It’s important to set realistic goals and establish a routine. After all, old habits don’t have to die hard!

Recharge, rethink, and reinvent your resolutions. Here are some of our favorites:

Smile more.

In addition to improving happiness, smiling may even extend your life! A 2010 study of professional baseball players showed those who smiled genuinely in their baseball pictures lived an average of five years longer than players who didn’t smile. This study provides some evidence that smiling does play a role in living longer.

Be proud to show off your smile – take care of your teeth. Brush and floss daily, and vow to visit your dentist. Dental visits can make you feel better too! Americans who visit their dentist regularly are 22% more likely to report their overall well-being as good or better, compared to those who don’t visit the dentist.

Get moving.

If you have a gym membership, you know how crowded the gym can get after the holidays. Staying fit is one of the top 10 New Year’s resolutions, according to a recent survey.

Lacking motivation? You don’t have to be on a treadmill to workout. Simple household chores like washing the car, gardening, or vacuuming can count as moderate exercise. Your oral and overall health are closely linked. So get moving to benefit your body and smile!

Eat well.

Maintaining a healthy diet is easier than you think! In fact, eating nutrient-rich food benefits your physique, mood, and grin. Munch meals and snacks based on the USDA’s guidelines. Dietary staples include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and low-fat dairy.

Here’s a simple way to start healthy eating habits: Take an extra five minutes each night to plan the next day’s meals. Once you get the hang of it, start scheduling each week’s meals.

Plan and practice to perfect your new healthy habits. Set realistic expectations, take baby steps and celebrate each tiny victory. Here’s to your healthiest and happiest year yet!

Making the Most of Your Dental Coverage at the Dentist

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Planning ahead will allow you to receive the best value from your dental benefits. See how you can make the most of your dental coverage with Delta Dental:

It Pays to Stay In-Network:

If you have Delta Dental of Wisconsin coverage, choose one of our many participating dentists from our two dentist networks. More than 90 percent of Wisconsin dentists and more than three-fourths of dentists nationwide are members of the Delta Dental Premier network, making it the largest dentist network in Wisconsin and nationwide. The Delta Dental PPO network is more exclusive and offers greater cost savings. By leveraging the Delta Dental Premier and Delta Dental PPO networks, we can offer customers more choices, better accessibility, and lower prices for their dental benefits.

Our Network Dentists:

  • Submit claims directly to Delta Dental. That means less paperwork for you!
  • Will never bill you. Delta Dental has negotiated lower dental fees with our network dentists. If the Delta Dental network fee is lower than the dentist’s regular fee, you’ll see the difference on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Your EOB will show you what was charged, what was paid, the amount the dentists will write off, and how much you should pay.

Compare the bill you receive from the dentist with the EOB you receive from Delta Dental, and let your dentists know if there are differences or if you have questions. For more on EOBs, click here