Summer 2020

HOW® Enhanced Benefits Now Available
As the state’s leading and only not-for-profit dental benefits provider, Delta Dental of Oklahoma is continually seeking opportunities to advance the oral wellness of all Oklahomans – especially our members. With Health through Oral Wellness® (HOW®) subscribers and dependents in the majority of our fully-insured group plans may qualify for additional preventive benefits if they are at higher risk for developing caries and/or periodontal disease.  

Eligible members must receive the HOW® approved assessment from a dentist. Our online Dentist Search has been updated to identify providers who are currently registered for the assessment tool. Click here to learn ‘how’ to identify a HOW® provider.  

Members who receive qualifying score(s) on the assessment will receive additional preventive benefits to help them achieve optimal oral health. HOW® enhanced benefits include greater frequency of cleanings, caries susceptibility testing, sealants and more.  

For more information about HOW®, including the Summary of HOW® Enhanced Benefits, visit DeltaDentalOK.org/HOW.

    Important Billing Update

    Safeguarding the protected health information (PHI) of your employees is of the utmost importance to Delta Dental of Oklahoma (DDOK). We continually seek opportunities to achieve the highest level of privacy for our members.

    With this goal in mind, detailed invoices from DDOK will be exclusively available on Online Resources, beginning August 2020. Online Resources is our secure portal to manage group benefits. DDOK will distribute a new summary invoice to employers who continue to elect paper billing. Fax billing will be discontinued as part of this effort.

    If you currently receive detailed invoices via US Mail or fax and would like to retain access to a detailed version of billing, please complete and submit the ‘Group Application for Online Resources.’ Completed applications should be returned to DDOK via email on or before August 14, 2020 to ClientRelations@DeltaDentalOK.org in order for our team to activate your Online Resources account prior to distribution of September billing.

    If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our Client Relations team is available Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 405-607-4777 (OKC Metro), 866-503-4294 (Toll Free) or ClientRelations@DeltaDentalOK.org.

    How is Delta Dental Different? We are focused.
    Since 1973, Delta Dental of Oklahoma (DDOK) has provided our members outstanding access to innovative, high-quality benefit programs. Our focus has remained uncompromised – to advance the oral health of all Oklahomans. We’ve become the market leader in quality dental benefits programs through innovatively designed dental plans and by ensuring superior service to all customers.

    Health through Oral Wellness® (HOW®) is the latest demonstration of our commitment. HOW® is designed to boost an existing Delta Dental plan with additional preventive benefits if they are at higher risk for developing caries and/or periodontal disease, based on the results of the HOW® approved assessment performed in a dentist office.

    Additional information about HOW® enhanced benefits can be found in this newsletter, and/or by visiting DeltaDentalOK.org/HOW.

    Survey Drawing Winner

    Congratulations to Kami Fullingim with Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. Kami earned an entry in our drawing for a $500 Visa gift card by completing the Delta Dental of Oklahoma products and services survey.
     

    Delta Dental of Oklahoma Receives Champion of Health Award Care

    The Oklahoma Charitable Clinic Association (OCCA) announced its 2020 Champion of Health Awardees in May.

    The OCCA works in collaboration with a statewide network of charitable clinics to improve the health of vulnerable Oklahomans. OCCA’s ‘Champion of Health’ awards program recognizes people and organizations for their commitment and service to Oklahoma’s medically underserved.

    Delta Dental of Oklahoma was honored as ‘Outstanding Corporation of the Year’ for its significant, ongoing support of free and low-cost clinics throughout Oklahoma. DDOK has contributed more than $4.6 million to support brick and mortar clinics providing vital care to Oklahomans in need through its Foundation.

    Support of these clinics is just one of the many ways Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation works to advance DDOK’s not-for-profit mission to improve the oral health of all Oklahomans. For more information, please visit DDOKFoundation.org.

    Get to Know DDOK
    Josh Daniels, Broker Relations Representative

    Hometown: Mustang, Oklahoma

    Hobbies: Golfing, fishing and attending sporting events .

    Favorite thing about working for DDOK?
    In my short time working at DDOK, it is clear they truly care about their employees. Examples include the company response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and contributions made to every employees 401k accounts, just to name a couple.
    Sherria Howard, Client Relations Representative

    Hometown: Guthrie, Oklahoma

    Hobbies: Being a mother of two (2) young boys keeps me busy. I enjoy spending time with them, going to the movies, camping, and our tradition of taking an annual family cruise.

    Favorite thing about working for DDOK?
    Working at Delta Dental ok Oklahoma has been such a fun and amazing experience. I work with the most incredible, supportive group of people, and we have the best CEO any company could ask for. I sincerely appreciate everything DDOK has done for me and my family.
    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    Ingredients:
    One (1) and one-half (1/2) pounds boneless,
    skinless chicken breast
    Adobo seasoning, or salt to taste
    One-quarter (1/4) tsp garlic powder
    Three-quarters (3/4) tsp ground cumin
    One (1) cup chunky mild or medium salsa

    Slaw
    One (1) cup shredded red cabbage
    Juice from one-half (1/2) lime
    One-quarter (1/4) cup chopped cilantro
    One-quarter (1/4) teaspoon kosher salt  

    Toppings
    One (1) medium Haas avocado
    Sliced Lime wedges to squeeze and for garnish
    Twelve (12) corn tortillas
    Directions:
    1. Season the chicken with Adobo (or salt), then place in the crock pot and top with garlic powder and cumin.
    2. Top chicken with salsa (no water needed).
    3. Cover and cook LOW for four (4) to six (6) hours, until chicken shreds easily.
    4. When cooked, drain excess liquid from the pot keeping as much as the tomato sauce as possible and shred with two (2) forks.
    5. Cover and keep warm until ready to eat.  
    6. Make the slaw, combine cabbage, lime juice, cilantro and salt in a bowl and toss.
    7. Heat the tortillas about 30 seconds on each side over the flame of your stove until slightly charred, transfer to a plate with a towel on top to keep warm and repeat with the remaining tortillas.
    8. To serve, place three (3) tortillas on each plate, top with chicken, slaw, sliced avocado and serve with lime wedges.

    Oral Health Tip
    Make Flossing Part of Your Daily Routine
    Flossing your teeth at least once a day helps clean plaque from hard-to-reach places between teeth and under the gumline – lowering your risk of cavities and gum disease. Consider these tips to help add flossing to your daily routine. 

    Choose the right floss.
    Use what works best for you. Do you prefer waxed or unwaxed, mint-flavored, dental tape or pre-threaded flossers? You may also consider consider floss alternatives, such as water flossing or interdental brushes if you really find traditional flossing too difficult.

    Don’t tuck it away in a drawer.
    Keep your floss in sight and next to your toothbrush so you see it every time you brush. You may find it helpful to add an eye-catching sticker to your floss container. Never reuse the same piece of floss, it can fray and collect bacteria.

    Set reminders on your phone or leave notes in the bathroom.
    Reminders help you remember to floss at the same time each day before you brush. Try pairing it with existing parts of your routine such as after you take your medication, first thing in the morning or just before bedtime. If you are trying to get your kids into a good oral wellness routine, our Captain Supertooth has a brush/floss chart available to help them track their progress. Visit CaptainSupertooth.com to download/print.  

    Plan for disruption.
    You may be pulled from your normal routine for a business trip or vacation. Keep travel floss on hand in convenient locations such as your car, bag or office, so you can still floss on the go.  

    Soon flossing before you brush will become a healthy habit.

    grin! magazine
    Growing herbs will make you smile

    Herbs are good for your overall health, easy to grow and thrive indoors year-round. But they can also have some surprising effects on your oral health. See how you can benefit from growing these three herbs.

    More than a dozen species of plants, including peppermint and spearmint, are part of the mint family. Mint is rich in nutrients — like vitamin A — and known for its overall health benefits, such as promoting good eye health and relieving indigestion.  

    Mint is good for your oral health. Chewing on fresh mint leaves may temporarily relieve bad breath. And, using mint as a substitute in some recipes can help you cut down on cavity-causing sugar.  

    You can add fresh or dried mint to many foods and beverages. Use it as an ingredient in teas (see our recipe on the next page) and smoothies, infuse your water with mint, and sprinkle it on green salads or fresh fruit.

    Sage is part of the mint family and is high in several nutrients. For instance, it contains vitamin K, known for its important role in bone health and blood clotting.  

    Sage is loaded with antioxidants that may help protect cells from diseases, including oral diseases. Research shows that antioxidants may play a role in wound healing and prevention of gum disease and inflammation.  

    There are many easy ways to add sage to your diet — garnishing soups, chopping the leaves into butter or mixing it with eggs in an omelet.

    Another part of the mint family, rosemary contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation.  

    Rosemary promotes good oral health because it contains calcium. Calcium is an essential mineral for your smile, as it strengthens enamel, helps prevent tooth decay and can even repair places where acids have damaged teeth.  

    Whether fresh or dry, rosemary is often used in chicken, lamb and egg dishes — or added to tea.
    Keep your oral health in mind while gardening.
    Not only can you reap the oral health benefits of the herbs you grow, but outdoors gardening is also good for your overall health because it’s a moderate form of exercise. Make sure to protect your oral health while gardening by:
    • Sporting a wide-brimmed hat and using lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to protect yourself — including your lips — from sun damage and cancer
    • Avoiding dry mouth by staying hydrated with water
    • Preventing accidents like dental injuries by using extra caution with power tools          
    • Wearing gloves and washing your hands before eating or touching your mouth to avoid contact with bacteria and fungi  
    Enjoy the results of your green thumb with tea made from mint, sage and rosemary. Whether you sip it hot or cold, this herb tea blend is good for your smile. View article and smile-friendly tea recipe here.  

    Read more from grin! here.

    Editor’s Note: Excerpt from grin!

    DDOK Business Information
    September 4
    September 7
    		 Labor Day Holiday
    Labor Day
    For Employers:

    Client Relations
    Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
    Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    405-607-4777 (OKC Metro)
    866-503-4294 (Toll Free)

    ClientRelations@DeltaDentalOK.org

    For Members:

    Customer Service
    Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
    Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    405-607-2100 (OKC Metro)
    800-522-0188 (Toll Free)

    CustomerService@DeltaDentalOK.org