Fall 2019
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 results in the lowest out-of-pocket costs for covered services.

You will still save money when visiting a dentist who participates in our Premier network, but the savings will not be as significant as when you receive treatment from a PPO provider.

To search for a Delta Dental participating provider, please log in to your Spotlight account or visit DeltaDentalOK.org/DentistSearch.
SPOTLIGHT
Tips and Tools
Access Your Electronic ID Card

Delta Dental of Oklahoma constantly strives to make it easier to use your dental benefits.

While it is not necessary to present an ID card when visiting the dentist, having access to a card is peace of mind for some subscribers. You can view, save or email an electronic ID card from your smartphone via a Spotlight account. Delta Dental of Oklahoma subscribers can register for or access their account at DeltaDentalOK.org/Spotlight.

An electronic ID card is also accessible on the Delta Dental mobile app, available for free on the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).

Get to Know Your DDOK Customer Service Representative
Felecia Osborne

 Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Hobbies: Shopping, different types of dancing (e.g., Fusion, Chicago Stepping, Line, Zumba) and taking road trips.

Favorite thing about working at DDOK? I appreciate how much the company cares about their employees. I enjoy our employee appreciation month, our Holiday dinner and our other employee benefits. When I talk with friends who work for other companies, they do not have these same benefits. DDOK is a great place to work!

Awareness Tip
Orthodontic Treatment Coverage

Delta Dental of Oklahoma plans including orthodontic treatment cover comprehensive orthodontic care as a Class IV benefit. Typically, there is a lifetime maximum orthodontic benefit per person allowed under dental plans. Some services (e.g., x-rays, study models) used for orthodontic records and treatment may be considered benefits included under the lifetime orthodontic maximum. This is a completely separate deductible, and does not count toward your standard Class I-III benefit deductible.

Under standard plans, once the braces are in place and the dentist or orthodontist submits a claim to DDOK, benefits are determined as follows:
  • an initial payment is made, which is determined by taking one-third (1/3) of the submitted amount or the maximum allowed amount of the plan, whichever is less. This amount is benefited based on the coverage percentage of the plan (usually 40-60 percent).
  • after the initial payment, monthly payments are made. These payments are calculated by taking the remaining two-thirds (2/3) of the submitted amount or the maximum allowable amount of the plan, whichever is less, and dividing by the number of months of treatment. The benefit is determined by the percentage orthodontic services covered by the plan.
  • monthly payments continue until the conclusion of orthodontic treatment, the patient’s eligibility terminates, the dependent reaches the maximum age for orthodontic benefits, or the lifetime orthodontic maximum is reached, whichever occurs first.  
Please refer to the Summary Plan Description (SPD) or contact our Customer Service Department to verify the specifics of your plan. Our Customer Service team is available Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 405-607-2100 (OKC Metro) or 800-522-0188 (Toll Free).

Did You Know?
Coordination of Benefits

If you are covered under another dental plan, Delta Dental will coordinate your covered services as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). Among other things, coordination of benefits eliminates duplicate payments for the same dental or orthodontic services. Please see the SPD handbook or contact our Customer Service Department for details on the rules regarding which insurance plan would be considered primary and which would be considered secondary for payment purposes.

Our Customer Service team is available Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 405-607-2100 (OKC Metro) or 800-522-0188 (Toll Free).
 

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.
Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets

Ingredients:

One (1) tablespoon Cajun or Creole seasoning
One (1) pound cleaned large shrimp
Three (3) ounces fully cooked Turkey/Chicken Andouille sausage, very thinly sliced
One (1) medium zucchini, sliced into one-quarter (1/4)-inch thick rounds
One (1) large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
One and one half (1 ½) cups corn kernels
One quarter (1/4) cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
One quarter (1/4) cup chopped fresh basil leaves
One quarter (1/4) cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
Two (2) tablespoons olive oil
Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the shrimp and toss to coat.

Place four (4) large (10 x 18-inch) pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil on a flat surface. Divide the sausage, zucchini, bell peppers, and corn among the foil pieces, placing the vegetables in the center of each. Top each with about six (6) shrimp, sprinkle each with one (1) tablespoon of the parsley and one (1) tablespoon of the basil.

Drizzle each with one (1) tablespoon of the wine and about one half (1/2) tablespoon of the oil. Fold each piece of the foil to form a packet, sealing tightly and leaving a little room inside for air to circulate in the packet. The packets may be refrigerated (or frozen) at this stage.

To cook, preheat the oven to 425F. Arrange the packets on a baking sheet and cook until the shrimp is cooked through and the vegetables are crisp-tender, 13 minutes. Open the packets slowly, being careful of the hot steam. Transfer the shrimp, vegetables, and sauce that has accumulated to individual bowls or rimmed plates.

To freeze and heat:

Place uncooked packets into sealable plastic bags, keeping them level and upright. Two (2) packets fit well into a gallon sized bag. Freeze for up to two (2) months. There is no need to thaw before cooking.

Remove the frozen packets from the bags and place them on a baking tray in a cold oven set to 425F. Once oven comes to temperature, continue to cook for 35-40 minutes.

Recipe from skinnytaste.com

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.
Read more from grin! here.

Editor’s Note: Excerpt from grin!

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 log in to your Spotlight account, or visit DeltaDentalOK.org/DentistSearch.  

DDOK Business Information
Holiday Closings
Customer Service Hours

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

Contact Us
Group Plan Subscribers Call:
405-607-2100 (OKC Metro)
800-522-0188 (Toll Free)

Individual and Family Plan Subscribers Call:
405-607-4706 (OKC Metro)
888-637-9488 (Toll Free)

CustomerService@DeltaDentalOK.org

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please direct all questions to the phone numbers above.