Fall 2023

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. Just over 1,800 dentists practice in Oklahoma, and nearly 1,100 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%.

    Our Premier network provides 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.

      Select Group Application Now Available Online

      Delta Dental of Oklahoma is committed to providing resources to assist our valued brokers. With that in mind, Delta Dental of Oklahoma's Select Group Application is now available on Online Resources.

      Completing a Select application via Online Resources streamlines the process for both your agency and clients, resulting in faster access to dental benefits.

      Features include:
      • Real-time data entry validations
      • Ability to upload enrollment and/or payment documents
      • Progress tracking emails
      • An integrated broker dashboard
      Completing a Select Application Online:

        A comprehensive guide to help navigate the online application process is available under the 'Forms & Links' section of Online Resources.

        Broker Support Staff Reward Program
        2022 Fourth Quarter Winners
        New Group Category Winner:
        Rosetta Thompson
        Benefits Technologies Division 14
        in Sapulpa. 
        RFP Category Winner:
        Rhonda Brown
        Benefit Plan Strategies
        in Tulsa.
        Not pictured
        Rhonda (left) is shown with colleague, Lindsey Harber (right)
        2023 First Quarter Winners
        New Group Category Winner:
        Colin Peterson
        McCoy and Associates
        in Midwest City. 
        RFP Category Winner:
        Brent Hansen
        BenEx
        in Midwest City.
        Not pictured
        Colin (right) is shown with owner, Mike McCoy (left)
        2023 Second Quarter Winners
        New Group Category Winner:
        Amber Lawson
        Stephenson Benefit Services
        in Kingfisher. 
        RFP Category Winner:
        Rhonda Jarnagin
        Reliant         Insurance
        in Tulsa.
        Amber (right) is shown with
        DDOK Representative, Greg Meyer (left)
        Each New Group or Request for Proposal a broker support staff member submits to DDOK earns
        one (1) entry into a quarterly 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.


          Online Resources Enhancements

          Delta Dental of Oklahoma (DDOK) is excited to share an improved version of Online Resources, our portal for managing group benefits. Many of the enhancements stemmed from feedback DDOK received from our valued brokers and clients.

          New features include:

            • Redesigned homepage – prominent icons help users access popular features and services with a single click
            • Improved commissions display – review all commission statements in a single, consolidated table
            • Enhanced account balance reporting – monitor and sort client invoices by various criteria including amount, status and outstanding balance(s)
            • Complete payment history – view all payments submitted via any payment method at a glance
            • Payment process enhancements – ability to schedule payments up to 14 days in advance, and submit payment for multiple invoices with a single transaction

              These new features are in addition to the ability to complete an application for our popular Select product for groups of 2-99 employees via Online Resources, which DDOK launched earlier this year.

              A comprehensive guide to help navigate Online Resources is available on the portal. If you would like to schedule an agency training, please contact our Sales team at 405-607-4709 (OKC Metro), 866-685-2112 (Toll Free) or via email at Sales@DeltaDentalOK.org.  
              Get to Know DDOK
              Dianna Cook-Berry, Account Manager

              Hometown: I was born in Bartlesville, but grew up in Texas.

              Hobbies: Interior decorating, flower arranging, gardening, spoiling my grandchildren and riding 'Lowla,' my Harley, as much as possible.

              Favorite thing about working for DDOK?  Knowing I work for the best dental benefits company in Oklahoma and having the opportunity to proudly promote the Delta difference!
              Cheryl Hill, Sales Liason

              Hometown: I was born in Oklahoma City, went to Tuttle High School and now reside in Edmond.

              Hobbies: Spending time with my sons and grandchildren, attending music and ballet performances, playing bassoon, bicycling and tennis.

              Favorite thing about working for DDOK? I am privileged to be part of a team, who is supportive and great at what they do. I also value the longevity of our senior staff and their commitment to DDOK.
               
               
              OU College of Dentistry Delta Dental of Oklahoma Comprehensive Care Clinic Marks One Year of Service
              Delta Dental of Oklahoma (DDOK) and the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry are celebrating the first anniversary of the OU College of Dentistry Delta Dental of Oklahoma Comprehensive Care Clinic and its positive impact on access to oral health care in northeastern Oklahoma. In its first year of service, the clinic performed nearly 5,000 procedures on 454 patients, many of whom would otherwise not have been able to afford these critical dental services.



              This state-of-the-art dental clinic, located on the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Center campus, began serving patients in July 2022. A $2 million gift from DDOK and its Foundation were instrumental in establishing the clinic, which is a teaching center for OU dentistry students in addition to providing patient care.

              “As the state’s only not-for-profit dental benefits provider, Delta Dental of Oklahoma is dedicated to lowering the barriers to dental care for all Oklahomans,” said John Gladden, chairman, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Oklahoma. “It was our honor to make a meaningful investment in this clinic to support the education of Oklahoma’s next generation of dental professionals.”

              Throughout its first year of operation, the OU College of Dentistry Delta Dental of Oklahoma Comprehensive Care Clinic performed 4,966 procedures on 454 unique patients. This includes 129 crowns, 176 extractions, 16 full sets of dentures and 27 partial dentures/bridges. Additionally, 22 of these patients qualified for support from the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Indigent Grant fund at the OU College of Dentistry, supplementing the cost of their care and accounting for 285 of the procedures valued at $32,184.

              “We are incredibly pleased with the success of the OU College of Dentistry Delta Dental of Oklahoma Comprehensive Care Clinic,” said Paul M. Mullasseril, D.D.S., M.S., and dean of the OU College of Dentistry. “This clinic is the first of many expansion efforts the college is making to fulfill our shared mission with DDOK to improve the oral health of Oklahomans and provide greater access to care.”

              This clinic serves Oklahomans from the northeast part of the state and beyond, many of whom do not have access to dental care within a 30-mile radius. All services and procedures at the clinic are administered by third- and fourth-year College of Dentistry students and supervised by licensed dental professionals. Currently, there are 14 OU Doctor of Dental Surgery students training at the clinic.

              “The clinic has already proven itself to be a valuable asset to the Tulsa community,” said C. Rieger Wood, D.D.S., director of clinic operations. “From day one, there has been a waiting list of patients of all ages and backgrounds who want to come to our clinic for care. We have exceeded our expectations in patient care numbers in our first year.”
               
              The longtime partnership between DDOK and the College of Dentistry has had a tremendous impact on Oklahoma's dentistry landscape. DDOK and its foundation have donated almost $10 million by way of investments and student scholarships to the College of Dentistry.

              For more information about the DDOK Foundation and how it improves access to and education of dental health in Oklahoma, please visit DDOKFoundation.org.

              Did You Know?
              Changes in Network Participation

              DDOK is committed to delivering our enrollees with the highest level of service available.

              Because patients may be surprised by the amount due for treatment when they are not aware their dentists’ network status has changed, Delta Dental notifies enrollees of their provider’s change in network participation.

              Any member we have processed a claim for in the 12 months leading up to their dentist’s network termination date will be notified by mail.

              If a provider no longer participates in Delta Dental’s PPO network or Premier network, members will no longer experience the cost savings Delta Dental benefit plans provide when treatment is received from a Delta Dental participating dentist. Visiting a PPO provider results in the lowest out-of-pocket costs for covered services.

              If a dentist terminates participation in the PPO network but continues to participate in the Premier network, members will still save money but the savings will not be as significant as when treatment is received from a PPO provider.

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

              Ingredients:
              One-quarter (1/4) cup olive oil
              Two (2) medium chicken breasts
              Eight (8) baby potatoes (halved)
              One (1) bunch asparagus
              One (1) – eight (8) ounce can tomato sauce
              One (1) Tbsp onion flakes
              One (1) tsp garlic powder
              Two (2) Tbsp fresh or dried chopped basil leaves
              Salt/pepper (to taste)
              Fresh basil leaves (to taste)
              Directions:
              1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
              2. Mix the tomato sauce, onion flakes, garlic powder, chopped basil leaves, one (1) Tbsp oil, and salt/pepper to make the sauce.
              3. Drizzle one (1) Tbsp evenly on the baking sheet.
              4. Place the chicken and potato halves on the baking sheet, drizzling half of the remaining oil over the potatoes.
              5. Brush about half of the sauce over the chicken.
              6. Bake for about 15 minutes, then add the asparagus to the baking sheet.
              7. Drizzle remaining oil over asparagus, then add salt/pepper to taste.
              8. Add remaining sauce to chicken and top with extra basil (if desired).
              9. Bake for about another 10 minutes (or until juices run clear when cutting into the chicken).
              10. Serve and 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.

              Find more information, including a list of names for added sugar by viewing/downloading our ‘Sugar Shockers’ flyer. View/download the Spanish version here.

              Nothing ensures keeping your teeth and gums healthy like visiting your dentist every six (6) months, or more if your dentist recommends. Visit DeltaDentalOK.org/DentistSearch to find and research dentists participating in your Delta Dental network.

              grin! magazine

              Explaining Alternative Toothpaste Options
              Hydroxyapatite, organic, and charcoal — oh, my! When did toothpaste get so complicated? Shopping for a new tube now involves evaluating a variety of options. But which choice is right for you? Should you stick with tried-and-true fluoride toothpaste or switch to something new? Let’s review a few trending options among many.

              Traditional fluoride toothpaste

              Most toothpastes fall under this category. Which is good, because fluoride should be considered an essential ingredient! Using a fluoride toothpaste creates big benefits for your oral health, including:
              • Stronger enamel
              • Reduced bacteria
              • Decreased cavity risk
              • Reversing early stages of tooth decay

              Organic and natural toothpastes
              As whole, unprocessed food options become more popular, so, too have organic and all-natural toothpastes. That means toothpastes that don’t include any preservatives, additives, artificial sweeteners or colors, or synthetics flavors and fragrances.

              The main thing to consider with organic and natural options is that they may not include fluoride, which is necessary to strengthen tooth enamel and battle tooth decay.

              Hydroxyapatite toothpaste

              Hydroxyapatite toothpaste is a newer product and a potential alternative to fluoride that may also protect and help remineralize your tooth enamel, but more research is needed. Fluoride remains an essential ingredient to look for in a toothpaste, though. At this time, fluoride is required in a toothpaste to receive the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance or to receive Food and Drug Administration clearance as an anticavity toothpaste.

              Charcoal toothpaste

              These toothpastes are often used in an attempt to whiten teeth, but they are actually not safe for everyday use. This is due to two big downsides to this choice:
              • Charcoal can be abrasive and wear down your enamel, which can cause your teeth to appear darker over time.
              • Most charcoal toothpastes don't contain fluoride.

              Toothpaste tablets

              These travel-friendly tablets naturally break down in your mouth when mixed with water or saliva. Then, you brush as normal. If you’re interested, talk to your dentist to ensure that you use a brand with enough fluoride.
              What's the right choice?
              The truth is that it depends on your preferences and personal oral health. Toothpaste with fluoride is key to preventing cavities and keeping your smile healthy and clean. Before switching to an alternative option, speak with your dentist about what’s best for your smile and oral health.
              Read more from grin! here.

              Editor’s Note: Excerpt from grin!
              DDOK Business Information
              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

              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