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Laurie A. Buckles, RDH, BA, Office of Oral Health, Maricopa County Deparment of Public Health, 1845 E. Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85006, 602.506.6890, lauriebuckles@mail.maricopa.gov and Jane Pearson, RN, St. Luke's Health Initiatives, 2375 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85016.
Objective: To increase access to dental care, participant awareness about the value of dental services and dental coverage, and collect data on costs and utilization rates, to raise policy maker awareness about the benefits of offering preventive and treatment services through Medicaid and employer based programs.
Methods: Adults from families living in Maricopa County who received subsidized childcare through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) were offered an opportunity to enroll in a dental plan that included a typical commercial benefit package. DES staff determined eligibility, Maricopa County Office of Oral Health staff provided program administration, Delta Dental of Arizona created the dental insurance package and Saint Lukes’ Health Initiatives (SLHI) funded administration costs and the “employer” costs for the dental coverage. Participants paid any co-payments. An independent evaluator measured program impact on the participants and provided data for future system changes
Results: Insurance was provided to 696 persons between June 1999 and May 2003. More than 50% of the enrollees used their dental insurance benefits. During their program experience, enrollees averaged 12.6 procedures, predominantly diagnostic (42%) and restorative (24%), with 9% of the procedures preventative. Program costs totaled $511,915. SLHI paid 60% of the costs. Participants were responsible for the balance ($161,152).
Conclusions: Valuable information was provided about the interest, utilization, cost and potential benefit of providing dental insurance for a relatively low-income adult, population. Results will help educate policy makers and business owners about dental insurance benefits, and in designing dental insurance products and programs.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Oral Health, Employer-Provided Health Insurance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.