A proactive approach to oral health

Preventive dental care can help manage long-term health costs and supports overall productivity.

By Joi Tillman
Chief Commercial Dental Officer, Sun Life U.S.

What is a preventive mindset? It is a proactive approach to better health by maintaining preventive care. When it comes to oral health, preventive dental care can uncover indications of larger health problems early, when they are easier and less costly to treat. A preventive dental mindset helps employees better manage their health, driving down costs and boosting productivity.

Lack of preventive dental care can lead to more serious, costly diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC,) almost 50% of adults in the U.S. aged 30 and older are suffering from periodontal disease, which increases the risk of heart disease. CDC research shows that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and results in almost $240 billion in health care costs each year.

Researchers at the American Diabetes Association have found that periodontal disease also increases the risk for diabetes, which in turn can make periodontal disease more severe. According to recent research, treating periodontal disease can help improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

While periodontal disease can lead to so many medical conditions, a preventive mindset can go a long way to helping people maintain oral and overall health. We can help by promoting preventive dental care – including brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist twice a year – to stop the growth of the bacteria that causes periodontal disease.

Individuals with dental insurance are more likely to see their dentist and adopt that preventive mindset, thus benefiting from prevention and early treatment. Sun Life's latest plan option, Preventive Rewards, helps to encourage greater use of ongoing preventive care. The Preventive Rewards option incentivizes people to get regular cleanings by adding money to the annual maximum amount covered by their policy when they maintain preventive care.

Here's how Preventive Rewards works: A member gets preventive care, such as cleanings, exams and bitewing X-rays. The amount of those preventive paid claims will be added to their annual maximum for the next year. Members can continue adding dollars to their Preventive Rewards account until they hit their limit. The dollars can be used on any preventive, basic or major covered service (excluding orthodontia).

In research Sun Life conducted with dental consumers, results showed that many people delay or split up necessary dental procedures to avoid hitting their annual maximum. Preventive Rewards gives employees the opportunity to avoid this issue and get dental procedures when they need them before their condition can get worse.

For groups that have a different type of rollover plan, Sun Life can easily convert those dollars into a Preventive Rewards account. Another benefit of Preventive Rewards is that even in years when a member has some larger expenses, they can still earn more dollars for their Preventive Rewards accounts. Our plan option does not limit members to only adding dollars in years when they don't hit a threshold amount. We want members to get preventive care and use their benefits, so we continue to add dollars (up to the account maximum) any year a member gets preventive care.

Try our online calculator to see how Preventive Rewards can add value to your dental plan.

This article is meant to provide general information only. Product offerings may not be available in all states and may vary depending on state laws and regulations.

_{Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Wellesley Hills, MA. For New York group policies: Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.), Lansing, MI.
 
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