Quality Management and Quality Improvement Program

We want to make sure our members are getting the care they need. Our Quality Management and Quality Improvement (QM/QI) Program makes this possible.

Here’s what the QM/QI Program does:

• Educates members about their care and their oral health
• Gives members the tools to access quality care
• Works with and educates providers to make sure they’re giving our members quality care, including clinical practice guidelines*
• Checks if members are happy with their health care
• Looks at information and data to see how we can make our programs better

As a member, here’s what you can do to help us provide quality service:

• Take your PreViser Oral Health Survey every year
  • Take the survey for DWP members
  • Take the survey for your child with DWP Kids or Hawki
• Explore the resources available to you
  • DWP resources
  • DWP Kids resources
  • Hawki resources
  • Oral Health Education for kids
• Give us a call — if you have questions or would like more information about our QM/QI Program, we want to hear from you.
  • Hawki | 1-800-544-0718 (TTY: 711)
  • DWP and DWP Kids | 1-888-472-2793 (TTY: 711)

*Clinical practice guidelines: Recommendations dentists and dental professionals use to decide on the best care for their patients. Experts use research and evidence to make the guidelines.

Government programs clinical practice guidelines

The Government Programs Clinical Practice Guidelines serve as a resource for dental professionals to guide clinical decisions through the incorporation of evidence-based practices. The clinical practice guidelines help optimize the enrollee's care. Experts use research and evidence to make the guidelines. The goal is to help make sure the care you get is quality care. Delta Dental works with experts and network dentists to understand current guidelines.

• Guidelines for oral cancer from the American Dental Academy
• Guidelines for periodontal therapy from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• Guidelines for the use of fluoride from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• Guidelines for the use of sealants from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• Management of dental patients with special healthcare needs
• Guidelines on oral health for people with diabetes
• Guidelines for caries management
• Guidelines for antibiotics related to dental pain and swelling
• Topical fluoride for caries management
• Non-fluoride caries preventive agents
• Guidelines for the management of traumatic of dental injuries: injuries in the primary dentition
• Use of anesthesia providers in the administration of office-based deep sedation/general anesthesia to the pediatric dental patient
• Guideline on the behavior guidance for the pediatric dental patient
• Guidelines for building a dental home for babies
• Guideline for International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for management of traumatic dental injuries: fractures and luxations
• Guidelines for International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for management of traumatic dental injuries: avulsion od permanent teeth
• Guideline for radiology: American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology

Advance directives

It is important for your dentist, doctor, and those that care about you to know your health care wishes. It is your right to make a choice about your care. An advance directive (also known as living wills) can be used if you cannot communicate those choices.  

You can use your advance directive to make decisions before you need the care. You can name someone else to make those choices for you if you cannot do it. This is called a Medical Power of Attorney. You should tell that person about your advance directive.  

We suggest all our members create an advance directive and select a Medical Power of Attorney. You should give this to all your providers. It is your choice to complete an advance directive. You will not be denied care or be discriminated against you if you do not have one completed.  

Ask your provider to put the completed advance directive in your file. You can also talk to your provider about the process and ask them questions.  

You can change your advance directive at any time. Make sure your Medical Power of Attorney knows you made changes.  

Learn more about advance directives in Iowa and download the form. Please call our Member Services if you need help or have questions:  

DWP and DWP Kids: 888-472-2793 

Hawki: 800-544-0718