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Research continues to show a potential link between oral and overallhealth, and the benefits of preventive dental care. DNoA created their uniqueprogram, custom branded BlueCare Dental Connection(sm) for HCSC, to providemembers the educational tools and information they need to make betterdecisions about when and where to receive dental care. The program deliversthis informative content through two methods: Targeted disease managementstyle interventions to high risk members and generally available wellnessinformation over the internet.
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Dentists have long known that some members are at higher risk forperiodontal disease and dental caries than others. Additionally, emergingresearch has focused on how medical conditions, such as diabetes,cardiovascular disease, and preterm / low birth weight deliveries, may be morecomplicated and expensive to treat in the presence of dental disease. DNoAresources are focused on identifying these high risk members and performingtargeted interventions to influence their behavior.
DNoA first reviews dental claims data to identify high risk members.However, unlike dental plan administrators that only have access to dentaldata, DNoA clients, like HCSC who are also the member's medical insurer, DNoAis uniquely positioned to identify members with specific medical conditionsand deliver customized educational content. Targeted intervention isaccomplished through coordinated mailings, newsletters, and expanded webtools.
DNoA is also positioned to deliver wellness information to dental members.As part of this effort to provide members with access to leading edge researchand online support tools, DNoA is providing The Dental Wellness Center whichwill host current educational articles, information on specific medicalconditions such as Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Pregnancy and theirrelationship to oral health, and a Dental Dictionary of terms. The DentalWellness Center also has feature rich, interactive tools such as "Ask aDentist", enabling members to ask and receive answers to general clinicalquestions via email within 24 hours, and "Dental Cost Advisor", providingmembers quick and easy access to average price ranges for any dental servicetargeted to any particular region in the country. Through the "ProviderFinder" function, members can not only find network dentists, but alsodentists with that have had their claims utilization reviewed and certified bya third party.
"DNoA works with its clients to offer employer groups ways to reducebenefit costs and improve the health and wellness of their employees. Ourclients have applied disease management and wellness concepts in medical, andDNoA is taking a leadership role in expanding their use in dental" statedSteve Klister, President and CEO of DNoA.
DNoA created BlueCare Dental Connection(sm) as another tool for HCSC touse in this effort. HCSC will be offering this program at no additionalcharge to all their individual and group members having both medical anddental coverage.
DNoA is now offering this medical-dental integration program to othermedical insurers and can create custom branding and administration. Thisprogram positions DNoA as a leader in the movement to leverage medicalinformation in the administration of dental benefits. "Members are the realwinners because they have the needed information to make better decisions,which can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced costs," added Klister.
