Fall 2019

2020 Rates and Materials

Groups 26+ packet

Delta Dental - Select (2-99) packet
 
Note: Our group packets and applications have been customized for the 2020 plan year – please replace previous packets and applications you may have printed or saved to avoid delays in processing.

If you need to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP), DDOK’s form is available here.

Online enrollment for our 2020 individual plans is also now available at DeltaDentalOK.org/CoversMe.

Additionally, a copy of DDOK's 2020 Billing Schedule is available here.

    Broker Exchange and Online Resources Merger Complete

    Delta Dental of Oklahoma’s merger of Broker Exchange and Online Resources was finalized at the end of August. This merger allows the information and features of both portals to be accessible in the same place, on Online Resources.

    Existing Online Resource account holders will continue to log in using their current Online Resources credentials. If you had both an Online Resource and Broker Exchange account, you will use your current Online Resource credentials only.    

    If you only had a Broker Exchange account, you now log in to Online Resources using your existing Broker Exchange user name and password. This allows you to take advantage of Online Resources features, including online eligibility maintenance, reporting, monthly billing and payment history, direct messaging to our representatives from the portal, and more. If you are interested in additional information/services, please submit the group name and group number for each client you would like to access to our Client Relations team.


    Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions. Our Client Relations team is available at 405-607-4777 (OKC Metro), 866-503-4294 (Toll Free) or ClientRelations@DeltaDentalOK.org.

    Get to Know DDOK

    Katelynn West, Client Relations Representative

    Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

    Hobbies: Traveling and sports.

    Favorite thing about working for DDOK? The emphasis on giving back to the less fortunate within our community, and the professional and personal relationships I’ve built over the years.
    Jason Sheueckuk, Client Relations Representative

    Hometown:  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 

    Hobbies: I’m a movie junkie, I’m reliving my childhood with a collection of one-sixth (1/6) scale action figures and I love working on DIY home improvement projects.

    Favorite thing about working for DDOK? Whether it’s been in Customer Service or my current position in Client Relations, I’ve had great co-workers surrounding me since day one. 

    How is Delta Dental Different? We have the largest networks

    Delta Dental of Oklahoma delivers the largest network of dentists, and is proud to have the state’s largest PPO network. Nearly 1,800 dentists practice in Oklahoma, and more than 1,140 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. With our Delta Dental PPO plan subscribers enjoy no balance-billing and coverage of preventive/diagnostic services at 100 percent.

    Our Premier network providers greater access for Delta Dental subscribers, but their savings will not be as significant as when they receive treatment from a PPO provider.

    If your clients need to search for participating Delta Dental providers, please direct them to DeltaDentalOK.org/DentistSearch.

    Broker Support Staff Reward Program

    Third Quarter Winners
    RFP Category Winner:
    Morgan Elkins with The Plexus Groupe in Oklahoma City.

    Group Category Winner
    :

    Teresa Carter with Schwegman Insurance and Financial Services, LLC in Bartlesville.

    Both third quarter drawing winners received a Crest+Oral-B Adult Gentle Clean System Bundle consisting of:

      ▪ Oral-B® PRO 3000 Electric Toothbrush and Brush Refills
      ▪ Crest® PRO-HEALTHClean Mint Toothpaste and Gum Care Rinse
      ▪ Oral-B® GlideGum Care Floss Picks
    Each New Group or Request for Proposal a broker support staff member submits to DDOK earns one (1) entry into a quarterly drawing
    October's RFP Contest Winner:
    Karson Huddelson with NFP Consulting in Oklahoma City and Melissa Mundis with Premier Consulting Partners in Tulsa.

    Both winners received two (2) MidFirst Bank East Club tickets and two (2) Sooner Club Tailgate passes for the OU/Iowa State game on November 9.

    Each Request for Proposal a broker support staff member submitted to DDOK in October earned one (1) entry into this drawing.

    Reminder, DDOK has a new Request for Proposal Form available to help improve the efficiency of the proposal process. Visit the ‘Forms and Resources’ under the ‘For Brokers’ section of our website, or click here.
     
    Volunteer Registration Open for OkMOM 2020
    Volunteers of all backgrounds are needed for Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OkMOM) on February 7-8, 2020, at the Payne County Expo Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

    This two-day clinic is designed to meet the critical needs of people of all ages by providing donated dental care to as many adults and children as time, volunteers and supplies will allow. OkMOM offers a variety of services such as cleanings, fillings, extractions and limited dental flippers (temporary replacement of front teeth). Treatment is given on a first-come, first-served basis and there is no eligibility or income requirement to seek treatment.

    More than 1,500 volunteers are needed to execute this free dental clinic. Volunteers needed include dentists, hygienists, assistants, front office staff, dental technicians, physicians and hundreds of non-healthcare volunteers to help with everything from patient and volunteer hospitality to language translation.

    Since 2010, Oklahoma Mission of Mercy has treated 16,138 patients, totaling more than $12 million in donated dental services. The event is presented by the Oklahoma Dental Association, the Oklahoma Dental Foundation and the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation. To sign up to volunteer or for more information about OkMOM, visit okmom.org.
    Choosing and Protecting Usernames and Passwords for Online Resources

    Passwords are the most common means of authentication, but if you do not create strong passwords and keep them confidential, they are almost as ineffective as not having any passwords at all. Many systems and services have been successfully breached or exploited because of inadequate passwords.

    To ensure your information and the Protected Health Information (PHI) of members are protected, DDOK recommends creating passwords using a combination of capital and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters when allowed. Often an attack is not specifically about your account, but about using the access to PHI to launch a larger attack.

    One of the best ways to protect PHI is to ensure it is only accessible to authorized people. In order to assign the correct level of PHI access within Online Resources, DDOK requires each user to have his/her own username and password. A username and password should never be shared, even with your colleagues. You are responsible for all transactions on your account, including HIPAA violations, breaches or malicious activity. Be sure you have your own Online Resources account, and keep your unique password confidential and secure.  

    Additional security tips:
           ▪  Keep your operating system, browser and other software up-to-date. 
           ▪  Use and maintain anti-virus software and a firewall.

    Vegetarian Pumpkin Chili

    Ingredients:
    Two (2) tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    One (1) onion, diced
    One (1) teaspoon salt
    One (1) cup carrots, diced
    One (1) red bell pepper, cored and chopped
    Three (3) cloves garlic, minced
    One (1) tablespoon chili powder
    One (1) tablespoon cumin
    One (1) teaspoon smoked paprika
    One (1) teaspoon oregano
    Two (2) tablespoons tomato paste
    One (1) can pumpkin puree (15 ounces)
    One (1) can tomato sauce (8 ounces)
    Two (2) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (15 ounces each)
    One (1) cup frozen corn kernels
    One-half (1/2) cup vegetable broth


    Directions:
    1. In a large pot, warm olive oil over medium heat.
    2. Add onion and salt to pot. Sauté until onion is softened.
    3. Continue sautéing for two (2) minutes after adding carrots, red bell pepper and garlic.
    4. Combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano and tomato paste with other ingredients in pot.
    5. Stir until all veggies are coated and cook for two (2) more minutes.
    6. Add pumpkin puree, tomato sauce, kidney beans, corn and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
    7. Bring chili to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes. Taste and add more salt or spices if needed.
    8. Try topping with avocado, cilantro, sour cream or even crushed red pepper. Enjoy!

    Oral Health Tip

    How sugar affects your teeth

    Many different types of bacteria live in your mouth. Some are beneficial to your dental health, but others are harmful. Sugar acts as a magnet for bad bacteria.

    Studies have found two (2) particularly destructive bacteria in the mouth, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbrinus. Both of these bacteria feed on the sugar you eat and form dental plaque, a sticky, colorless film that forms on the surface of the teeth.

    If plaque is not washed away by saliva, or flossing and brushing, the environment in the mouth becomes more acidic. Acid dissolves minerals and destroys the tooth’s enamel causing small holes or erosions to form. Over time, these holes will become larger and form cavities.

    Below are some ways you can fight tooth decay.

    Watch what you eat and drink
    • Make sure to eat a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
    • If you do eat sugary foods and sweetened or acidic beverages, have them with your meals, instead of as snacks.
    • Consider using a straw when drinking sugary and acidic beverages. This will give your teeth less exposure to the sugar and acid in the drinks.
    • Add raw fruit or vegetables to your meals to increase the flow of saliva in your mouth.
    • Do not allow infants to sleep with bottles containing sweetened liquids, fruit juices or formula.
    Cut Down on Sugar
    • Sugary and sticky foods should only be eaten occasionally.
    • If you do indulge in sweet treats, drink some water — preferably tap water that contains fluoride — to help rinse out your mouth and dilute the sugar that sticks to the tooth surface.
    • Only drink soft drinks in moderation, if at all.
    • Drink water. It contains no acid, sugar or calories.
    Practice Good Oral Hygiene
    • Floss daily and brush at least twice per day.
    • Brush after each meal whenever possible and then again before you go to bed.
    • Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps protect your teeth.
    • Chewing sugar-free gum may also prevent plaque build-up by stimulating saliva production and remineralization.
    Nothing ensures keeping your teeth and gums healthy like visiting your dentist every six (6) months, or more if your dentist recommends. To search for a Delta Dental participating dentist, please visit DeltaDentalOK.org/DentistSearch.



    grin! magazine

    Relax, breathe deep and improve your teeth
    An increasing number of people are turning to yoga to help manage the stress and anxiety of everyday life. But did you know that yoga can also benefit your oral health?  

    Reduces stress
    Stress can contribute to poor oral health. It can lead to teeth grinding (bruxism), canker sores and gum disease. Those who are stressed will sometimes grab unhealthy foods, neglect their teeth and gums, put off dental visits, smoke or drink excessively. This can increase the likelihood of gum disease. Yoga can help your mind and body better cope with stress and anxiety, and improve your overall well-being. Lowering your stress levels can also reduce inflammation, which, in turn, may reduce your risk of gum disease.  

    Improves posture
    It’s easy to develop poor posture doing everyday tasks such as driving or sitting at a desk. Slouching can take a surprising toll on your oral health. It pushes your lower jaw forward, which can cause you to develop a misaligned bite and jaw pain. Poor posture can also place strain and tension on your teeth, leading to possible tooth damage. Yoga — which promotes greater awareness of your thoughts, feelings and body — can help get your body back into alignment. It can reduce the strain and tension on your teeth, as well as jaw pain, by promoting better posture.  

    Stimulates saliva
    Practicing yoga helps with the production of saliva — which plays a key role in good oral health. Saliva shields against gum disease and tooth decay by washing away leftover food particles that feed bacteria. When eating something acidic damages your enamel, saliva repairs that enamel with calcium, phosphorus, fluoride and other minerals. Saliva also helps kill germs and prevent bad breath.  

    Provides relief
    Some cancer patients say yoga has provided relief to their bodies and improved their quality of life. While not a medical substitute, yoga is considered a ‘complementary therapy’ because it’s helped reduce anxiety, fatigue and depression. More research is needed on whether yoga can be an alternative or integrated approach for managing cancer and other diseases.  

    Give yoga a try. Beyond helping your overall well-being, you may notice some great improvements to your oral health.


    Editor’s Note: Excerpt from grin! magazine.

    DDOK Business Information

    November 27
    November 28-29
    December 24-26
    January 1, 2020
    Thanksgiving Holiday (close at noon)
    Thanksgiving Holiday
    Christmas Holiday
    New Year's Day
    For Brokers:

    Sales

    Monday-Thursday  7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
    Friday  8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    405-607-4709 (OKC Metro)
    866-685-2112 (Toll Free)

    Sales@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