Delta Dental expands coverage

Delta Dental Insurance Company and Delta Dental of Pennsylvania recently announced that they are adding additional cleanings and oral exams for pregnant women, and implant coverage to their standard programs.

"By offering implant coverage as a standard benefit, we give patients more choices when replacing lost teeth," said Marilynn Belek, DMD, Delta Dental’s executive vice president and chief dental officer in a press release. "The efficacy of implants is a proven, viable clinical alternative, and this coverage helps make it more affordable for more people."

And although periodontal disease has not been directly linked to pre-term babies or lower-weight babies, this new coverage feature will nevertheless provide pregnant women the benefits of better oral health according to Dr. Belek.

"Meanwhile, we continue to monitor the results of evidence-based studies to ensure that any benefits we add are cost-effective and beneficial to our enrollees and customers," said Dr. Belek in a press release.

These additional benefits will be offered in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, starting Jan. 1, 2008 or later.