Northeast Delta Dental launches benefit program for patients with special health care needs

 Effective today, Northeast Delta Dental offers the Special Health Care Needs (SHCN) benefit program to support dental providers in delivering personalized, patient-centered care to group dental plan members with diverse health care needs at no additional cost to qualifying members. Eligibility criteria are any physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive or emotional impairment or limiting condition that requires medical management, health care intervention and/or use of specialized services or programs. These are all factors that may create barriers to receiving dental care.

“People in the U.S. with intellectual or development disabilities often find oral health care inaccessible or overwhelming,” explained Tom Raffio, President & CEO, Northeast Delta Dental. “The SHCN program can reduce the barriers present for these patients that negatively affect the quality of their oral health, and, in the end, play a part in improving their overall health and well-being.

Eligible patients may qualify for additional dental examinations and/or consultations prior to treatment to help them understand what to expect and feel comfortable and prepared for a successful dental visit.

Coverage for up to four dental cleanings per benefit year will support ongoing preventive care and oral health. Treatment delivery modifications (including anesthesia and nitrous oxide), as appropriate, will ensure patients with barriers to care can receive comfortable and effective oral health services.

Eligibility criteria include that the dental plan member’s group participates in Northeast Delta Dental’s comprehensive Health through Oral Wellness® (HOW®) program identifying at-risk members and providing them with the additional preventive benefits needed to maintain or improve their oral health.

The SHCN benefit is available to eligible members of all ages and does not expire. Any Northeast Delta Dental group member interested in having eligibility determined should contact their dental provider, who can provide more details and must authenticate the need for enhanced benefit treatment.

Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, offering dental insurance programs for businesses and nonprofits of all sizes, and individuals and families with no access to employer-sponsored dental benefits. Northeast Delta Dental follows its mission to advance the oral health and overall wellness of its customers and the communities it serves by funding oral health initiatives and numerous community organizations throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.