Enhanced Benefits Program

February 4, 2012

Health History is More Important Than Ever!

Taking and periodically updating a patient's health history has always been a valuable and necessary part of the clinical evaluation. The importance of a health history in identifying a patient's underlying medical conditions, treatments and drug regimens that may have a connection with their oral health is widely recognized.

It is even more important to update health histories today as additional benefits (e.g., cleanings, fluoride applications) may be available for patients with designated medical conditions under Delta Dental's Enhanced Dental Benefits Program. Below is a sample patient health history form that you may use in your office.

Patient History Form - Use this form to assist you in identifying any medical conditions or health history that may affect your patient's oral health.

As the leading dental benefit experts, it's our job to monitor emerging dental science, and to keep you informed about what it means for you and your patients. An ongoing objective to stay on the cutting edge of emerging dental science, Delta Dental Plans Association commissioned the University of Michigan School of Dentistry to conduct reviews of existing scientific research. Click on the following to view or print the most current evidence-based research articles on Associations between Periodontal Disease and Cardiac Disease, Associations between Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy and Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Diagnosis, Causes, Complications and Treatment.

Enrolling Patients in the Enhanced Benefits Program is Simple

Delta Dental's Enhanced Benefits Program is customized at the individual level by offering additional benefits to persons who have specific health conditions (diabetes, pregnancy, high-risk cardiac conditions, suppressed immune systems, kidney failure or dialysis and cancer, chemotherapy and/or radiation).

Not all Delta Dental groups offer the Enhanced Benefits Program. And for those that do, patients must be signed up to receive the extra benefits. Fortunately is is easy for the patient or their dentist to enroll in the program. Once enrolled, the patient is eligible for the extra benefits.

Please follow the steps below to sign your eligible patients up for The Enhanced Benefits Program. You may also click here to take you directly to the Enhanced Benefits History patient enrollment page.

Go to www.deltadentalia.com.
Sign into the Dentist Connection (requires username and password).
Click on the link "Enhanced Benefits History" from the left navigation.
Enter the member's ID number, last name and birthdate. If the member is eligible, you will be able to enter or updated the small amount of health information required to qualify for extra benefits for that patient.