Press Releases

DentaQuest Adds Innovative Evidence-Based Treatments to Benefit Plans -- 6/9/2005

DentaQuest Mid-Atlantic, Inc. and DentaQuest Virginia, Inc., have announced the addition of three new evidence-based benefits to their dental plans, which they will provide at no additional cost to clients. The new benefits have been designed to prevent or reverse dental disease and have the potential to reduce the cost of treatment over time for at-risk populations. They include:

Dental Sealants Beyond Age 15
“The placement of dental sealants should be based on the individual risk factors for that patient and for that specific tooth, and should not be a function of the current age limitations of most dental plans,” said Dr. Doyle Williams, D.D.S., chief dental officer of DentaQuest. DentaQuest will cover sealants on unrestored, permanent molars for members age 16 up to age19, if they have had a recent cavity and are at a higher risk for future decay. “Scientific research indicates that sealing the unrestored, permanent molars for teens that are at risk for future decay can reduce cavities in this population by 70%,” said Dr. Williams.

Prescription Fluoride Toothpaste
DentaQuest will cover prescription strength fluoride toothpaste for patients who have had periodontal (gum) surgery. “Studies show that within four years following gum surgery, most individuals develop cavities on the roots of their teeth. The use of prescription strength fluoride toothpaste can reduce these cavities by upwards of 70% and even reverse decay in over half of the affected teeth,” said Dr. Williams.

Chlorhexidine Antimicrobial Mouthrinse
Chlorhexidine is a prescription mouthrinse that reduces the bacteria that causes decay. DentaQuest will cover Chlorhexidine mouthrinse for members who’ve had scaling and root planing (deep cleaning). “Studies have shown that individuals with periodontal disease who use Chlorhexidine mouthrinse following scaling and root planing can significantly reduce the amount of inflammation in their gums. This inflammation may increase the risk of systemic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, and coronary disease,” said Dr. Williams.

“As a leader in dental wellness, we want to do everything possible to help our members achieve and maintain good oral health,” said Dr. Williams. “Today, there are many powerful and effective new tools and therapies available for the prevention and treatment of dental disease, and we are proud to be among the first in our industry to bring these to our clients.”

Dr. Williams continued, “By offering these evidence-based benefits to our entire membership, we are changing the very nature of dental benefit plans – making them more pro-active, preventive, and wellness focused, which is the wave of the future. These benefit changes, along with other innovative treatments that we are continuing to examine, will help us create wellness programs that target prevention more effectively and provide patients with the knowledge they need to make better decisions about the health care they receive.”

DentaQuest Mid-Atlantic, Inc. and DentaQuest Virginia Inc., based in Calverton, MD are owned by Boston-based DentaQuest Ventures, one of the largest dental benefit service companies in the country with over nine million members and 600 employees. DentaQuest offers a full range of commercial dental plans including indemnity, PPO, managed care, dual and triple option, and voluntary plans in Maryland and the District of Columbia through DentaQuest Mid-Atlantic Inc., and in Virginia through DentaQuest Virginia, Inc. DentaQuest Venture’s Doral Dental USA subsidiary is the largest multi-state administrator of government dental programs in the U.S.

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