Last week, DentaQuest presented a webinar in
partnership with America’s Health
Insurance Plans on the opportunities for health plans to
increase profitability, growth, and efficiency by offering dental coverage to
their enrollees. Mike Enright; National Director for Commercial Sales; Shaju
Puthussery, Chief Analytics Officer; and Linda Vidone, Dental Director, the
positive impact dental programs are having on health insurers and their
enrollees.
In the first open enrollment period of the federal
health exchanges, more than 7 million people signed up for health coverage, of
which nearly one quarter also chose to purchase dental plans. The interest in
dental coverage reveals an opportunity for health plans— the opportunity to distinguish
themselves among their members and potential members as a single resource for
health and dental benefits that considers and covers oral health and overall
health and wellness. As we know, good oral health is imperative
to overall health.
Additionally, dental coverage is a cost-effective way
to act early on significant chronic illness such as diabetes and heart disease.
Studies show that when people are engaged in preventive measures - brushing
twice a day, flossing daily, and receiving biannual dental checkups – can better
control other chronic health issues and require less extensive treatment.
Prevention is important. The below graph shows the
average 5-year cost of care for children based on their age at his or her first
dental visit. The sooner a child begins receiving preventive care, the less
likely they are to develop oral health issues, resulting in fewer
dental-related costs.
DentaQuest is hosting a concurrent session on June 12
at AHIP Institute in Seattle. If you’d like to learn more about us, visit
dentaquest.com.