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Winter 2020
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HOW® Enhanced Benefits Now Available
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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 clients and members. With Health through Oral Wellness® (HOW®) subscribers and dependents in more than 8,500 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, carries susceptibility testing, sealants and more.
For more information about HOW®, including the Summary of HOW® Enhanced Benefits, visit DeltaDentalOK.org/HOW.
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Reminder: Forthcoming Changes to Select Participation
DDOK is proud to offer quality benefit options for Oklahoma small businesses with our Select product. In the 2021 plan year, four (4) plan options will be available via Select: PPO, PPO – Plus Premier, PPO – Plus Premier Elite and our newest option, PPO – Preventive Plus.
Effective January 1, 2021, Delta Dental of Oklahoma will require at least one (1) eligible employee to be enrolled in a Select plan option in order for it to be available for their group during a plan year. The aforementioned adjustment does not change the overall minimum requirement of two (2) enrolled eligible employees for a group to participate in our Select program.
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How is Delta Dental Different? We have the largest networks.
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Delta Dental of Oklahoma (DDOK) delivers the largest network of dentists, and is proud to have the state’s largest PPO network. Nearly 1,700 dentists practice in Oklahoma, and more than 1,120 participate in Delta Dental’s PPO network.
Visiting a PPO Provider offers significant savings to members, resulting in the lowest out-of-pocket costs of all plans.
Our Premier network provides greater access for Delta Dental subscribers, but savings will not be as significant as when treatment is received from a PPO provider.
If your employees need to search for participating Delta Dental providers, please direct them to DeltaDentalOK.org/DentistSearch. |
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Schedule a Captain Supertooth Virtual Visit!
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 For a limited time, teachers and parents can schedule a Captain Supertooth one-on-one virtual visit with their students/children via a secure Zoom meeting.
Captain Supertooth teaches children the importance of brushing, flossing, eating healthy and visiting the dentist in this 20-minute interactive visit, provided at no-charge, to Oklahoma children Pre-K through third grade by the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation. After the visit, each student is shipped a care package containing two children’s toothbrushes, two adult toothbrushes, a brush chart and a cling for their bathroom mirror to serve as a reminder to brush and floss daily.
 Spaces are limited, so click here to schedule your virtual visit today!
Visit CaptainSupertooth.com for additional resources to help make learning about oral health fun.
At Delta Dental of Oklahoma our not-for-profit mission is to advance the oral wellness of all Oklahomans. More than 20 years ago, we established our Foundation to produce and support programs across the state to provide oral health education and dental care to those in need. Our Foundation is funded entirely by Delta Dental of Oklahoma.
Administrators may refer employees to the Captain Supertooth Virtual Visits program by forwarding this flyer!
For more information about the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation and its programs, visit DDOKFoundation.org/Impact. |
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Did You Know?
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Did you know you can identify HOW® providers using our online Dentist Search?
DDOK's Health through Oral Wellness® (HOW®) program is a preventive benefits program designed to enhance our members' current Dental Plan. Members and their dependents eligible for HOW® are assessed for higher risk of developing caries (cavities) and/or periodontal (gum) disease.
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, carries susceptibility testing, sealants and more.
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. |
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Updating Eligibility Electronically
The following methods for updating eligibility are available:
- Online Resources - Online Resources is a one-stop shop for enrollment, billing and other reporting needs. This portal enables you to process enrollment transactions in real-time at your convenience. To gain access to this helpful tool, please complete the registration form and return it to ClientRelations@deltadentalok.org for processing.
- Secure Email - Secure/Encrypted email is a safe and secure way to send Protected Health Information (PHI) electronically. Click here to set up a Delta Dental of Oklahoma secure email account and send secure enrollment messages to ClientRelations@deltadentalok.org for processing.
Delta Dental of Oklahoma cannot to process eligibility updates and terminations submitted via billing invoice.
If you have questions, please contact our Client Relations team at 405-607-4777 (OKC Metro), 866-503-4294 (Toll Free) or ClientRelations@DeltaDentalOK.org.
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New Select plan option PPO — Preventive Plus |
Delta Dental of Oklahoma is welcoming a fourth plan option to Select in 2021!
Delta Dental PPO – Preventive Plus will be the lowest cost plan available through Select beginning with the 2021 plan year. This new plan option covers only preventive (Class I) and basic (Class II) services for enrollees, and provides access to 65 percent of Oklahoma dentists with our PPO network.
Delta Dental – Select gives Oklahoma small businesses the ability to provide quality dental benefits to their workforce of 2-99 employees, with no employer contribution required.
2020 rates for Delta Dental of Oklahoma Select plans will hold for the 2021 plan year.
Our Select product also provides employees of small businesses the opportunity to choose from a range of plan options, so they can secure dental benefits best suited to their unique needs.
REMINDER: All Select plan options now require a minimum enrollment of two (2) eligible employees and at least one (1) eligible employee enrolled in a single plan option for the plan to be available to the group.
Members enrolled in our Delta Dental — Select product may also qualify for additional preventive benefits with Health through Oral Wellness® (HOW®). More information about HOW® is available at DeltaDentalOK.org/HOW.
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Get to Know DDOK
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Tashara Houston, Account Services Representative
Hometown: Luther, Oklahoma
Hobbies: Couponing, reading and shopping
Favorite thing about working
for DDOK?
There are so many wonderful things about Delta Dental of Oklahoma. My favorite is probably the culture, I truly enjoy working with my co-workers.
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Georgetta Skaggs, Client Relations Representative
Hometown:
I was born in Ipswich, England, where my father was stationed with the Air Force. We lived in several different states and countries until he retired. I lived in Midwest City from my freshman year of high school until I married and moved to my current location in Guthrie.
Hobbies:
Traveling, being in nature, spending time with family and walking my dogs.
Favorite thing about working
for DDOK?
How they take care of their employees. I started the last week in February 2020. Shortly, after that everyone was moved to work from home due to the pandemic. It seems every time I turn around DDOK is doing something to show each employee they care!
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Sweet Potato Burgers
 Ingredients:
Two-thirds (2/3) cup mashed, boiled sweet potato
15 ounces white beans, rinsed and drained
Three-quarters (3/4) cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
One-quarter (1/4) teaspoon ground ginger
One-quarter (1/4) teaspoon garlic powder
Four (4) tablespoons dried cilantro
One-half (1/2) teaspoon turmeric
One-quarter (1/4) teaspoon cayenne pepper
One-half (1/2) teaspoon salt
Ground black pepper to taste
Nonstick cooking spray
Four (4) whole-wheat hamburger buns (or bib lettuce as wraps)
Toppings of your choice
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| Directions: |
- Place mashed sweet potato and white beans into a food processor. Blend until well-combined, then transfer to a large bowl.
- Add whole-wheat breadcrumbs, ginger, garlic powder, cilantro, turmeric and cayenne. Generously season with pepper. Mix ingredients together well. Adjust seasonings and add additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Use your hands to form four (4), tightly packed patties about one-half (1/2) inch thick. Place on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Spray skillet with nonstick cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add each burger to the skillet and cook about two (2) to four (4) minutes on each side, until golden brown.
- Remove from heat and transfer to buns or lettuce wraps.
- Add your favorite toppings.
- Enjoy.
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Oral Health Tip
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Help with teeth grinding
An increase in stress and anxiety can cause teeth clenching and grinding. Also known as bruxism, this condition can lead to painful, worn down and broken teeth, as well as pain in the jaw, neck and head.
Bruxism is a common, but poorly understood muscle function disorder occurring in both children and adults.
Symptoms of tooth clenching and grinding include:
- Headache, earache or facial pain
- Jaw, neck or back muscle tenderness or pain, especially in the morning
- Hot, cold or sweet sensitivity in teeth
- Difficulty sleeping, including for your sleeping partner since teeth grinding can be very noisy
At this time there is no cure for sleep bruxism. Treatment is usually focused on protecting your teeth and jaws with night guards or splints.
If you are grinding and clenching during the day, you may be able to kick the teeth-clenching habit. Here are some things to ease the pain and damage to your teeth while breaking the cycle:
- Relax face and jaw muscles. Practicing this throughout the day can help create a habit of relaxing instead of tightening these muscles.
- Reduce stress. Everything from eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and getting regular exercise to spending time with people you enjoy can help.
- Lips together, teeth apart. Remember your teeth usually don’t touch during normal function.
- Tell your dentist. To protect your teeth, he/she may suggest a mouth guard or splint appliance. There are different types depending on individual needs.
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grin! magazine
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Detecting diabetes: your mouth may be key
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 The long-term effects of diabetes can damage the heart, nerves, kidneys, eyes, feet and mouth. Treatment can help minimize serious complications, which makes early diagnosis extremely important.
However, more than 7 million Americans aren’t aware they have diabetes. Make sure to pay close attention to your oral health because many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes are frequently present in the mouth.
Look for these symptoms of diabetes.
There are many symptoms of diabetes, including increased thirst, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, slow healing sores, fatigue, irritability and blurred vision.
Diabetes can have a big influence on your oral health.
It’s important for diabetics to control blood sugar levels because high blood sugar can raise the risk of these oral complications:
- Gum disease often occurs at a younger age in diabetics and can lead to redness, bleeding and swelling in the gums, mouth pain, loose teeth, persistent bad breath or difficulty chewing.
- Cavities may be caused by high blood sugar in saliva, which feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
- Dry mouth is one of the most frequent oral health issues for diabetics. Decreased saliva causes dryness in the mouth. Combined with high sugar, it may lead to cavities. The lack of moisture in the mouth can also make saliva thick and stringy, which can cause difficulty swallowing.
- Oral lesions and infections are also sometimes present in diabetics. The most common is thrush — a yeast infection that produces sore white or red patches.
- Problems tasting food, as diabetics are more prone to taste disorders, which can also be caused by medicine used to treat diabetes.
- Painful burning or tingling sensations in the mouth, known as burning mouth syndrome, which is linked to poorly controlled blood sugar levels.
Preventive exams can help detect diabetes.
With a routine oral exam, your dentist can potentially detect signs of many diseases, including diabetes. It's important to maintain regular dental exams if you have diabetes. Your dental plan may allow for enhanced benefits, such as additional exams, cleanings or deep cleanings that help treat oral issues associated with the disease.
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Read more from grin! here.
Editor’s Note: Excerpt from
grin!
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DDOK Business Information |
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December 24-25
December 31
January 1, 2021
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Christmas Holiday
New Year's Eve
New Year's Day
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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
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