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Articles
Nation and Delta Dental Celebrate National
Children's Dental Health Month in February
Benefits Connection Spotlight: Nancy
Alfaro, Towne Centre Family Dental
UMDNJ Establishes Dental Education Center with
$2 Million Award from Delta Dental
Delta Dental Provides Scholarships to Camden
County College
Customer Service Department Earns Statewide
Honors
Delta Dental Adopts Tsunami-Stricken Town Through
Employee's Personal Contact
Billing Dentist and Treating Dentist on Claim
Form
April Dental Seminar on Preventing, Detecting Oral Cancer
Delta Dental to Benefit Brush Biopsy Shortly
Just Four Months Until Golf Outing
Nation and Delta Dental Celebrate
National Children's Dental Health Month in February
February is an important month for teaching children
about oral health. During National Children's Dental
Health Month, dentists, hygienists, dental societies
and schools offer activities designed to help children
develop behavior that leads to good oral health.
The forerunner of National Children's Dental Health
Month was a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio on February
3, 1941. The Ohio event expanded nationwide in 1949,
when the American Dental Association (ADA) held its
first Children's Dental Health Day. The celebration
grew to include the entire month of February in 1981.
Below are some resources and ideas to help your practice
celebrate National Children's Dental Health Month:
- Coloring and Activity Sheets. The ADA
offers nine downloadable activities that dental
offices can use for young patients. They include
a calendar that kids can use to record when they
brush and floss their teeth, a healthy smile certificate,
a Mad Libs-style fill-in-the-blanks story, and
more. Go to http://www.ada.org/prof/events/featured/ncdhm.asp#free.
Delta Dental's Kid's Club also offers coloring
pages, dental trivia and more; go to www.deltadentalnj.com
and click on "Kid's Club."
- Presentation Resources. Many schools and
day care centers invite dental professionals to
present programs during this month (see sidebar).
The ADA developed presentation resources for dental
professionals, organized by audience age (preschool
through high school). Go to http://www.ada.org/public/education/teachers/ideas.asp and
click "Presentations."
Delta Dental is sponsoring many oral health activities
throughout New Jersey and Connecticut this month.
- Captain Supertooth, the "caped superhero
of dental hygiene," is visiting 38 schools throughout
January and February to promote the importance
of early preventive dental care. Sponsored by Delta
Dental, the Captain Supertooth program has instructed
nearly 41,000 schoolchildren about proper dental
care since it began in 1990.
- Children's Dental Health Awareness Day, a
one-day event sponsored by our Foundation and the
UMDNJ-Dental School, will be held at Liberty Science
Center in Jersey City, New Jersey, on February
27. This program is geared toward preschool through
teenage children. A variety of fun, educational
activities encourage improved oral hygiene, preventive
dental care, and good nutrition. These activities
include interactive learning stations, carnival-style
games, dental-related arts and crafts, and an "Ask
the Dentist" station where dentists from our staff
and Board meet with the families to discuss dental-related
concerns. Volunteers from Delta Dental, UMDNJ,
and the Hudson County Dental Society contribute
their time and dental knowledge to this program,
which has approximately 3,000 attendees.
Sidebar: Dental Office Celebrates Children's
Dental Health Year-round
Children's Dentistry of Morristown is a busy pediatric
dental practice in northern New Jersey. Its three
dentists, Dr. Suzy Press, Dr. Lisset Penton and Dr.
Archana Devi, also have busy speaking schedules.
They visit schools and preschools throughout their
practice area year-round, particularly from January
through May.
The practice sends letters to schools each year
offering their presentations as a community service.
"We read stories, ask kids questions, go over brushing
techniques, and talk about what things are good to
eat," says Dr. Penton. Dr. Press wrote two popular
stories they read called Eloise the Tooth Fairy and Super
Tooth Saves the Day.
Dr. Penton is often amazed what children remember
about the presentations long afterwards. "Some of
them are our patients, and they'll say something
like, 'I remember Mr. Streptococcus,' a character
in one of the books. It's very rewarding when they
remember."
The outreach education program not only benefits
children, but also the practice, says Dr. Penton. "Our
main goal is to teach kids how to prevent decay," she
says. "It also gets our practice's name out there
in connection with what we are trying to do."
Dr. Penton also chairs National Children's Dental
Health Month activities in Morris County for the
New Jersey Dental Association. She coordinated an
essay contest for sixth graders at three county schools,
with winners receiving tickets to the Liberty Science
Center.
Benefits Connection Spotlight:
Nancy Alfaro, Towne Centre Family Dental
Towne Centre Family Dental in Hillsborough, New
Jersey, is one of the top 10 most frequent users
of Delta Dental's Benefits Connection.
We recently asked Nancy Alfaro, the office's insurance
processor and financial advisor, why Towne Centre
Family Dental uses Benefits Connection to verify
patient eligibility and benefits online.
"It's awesome!" she says.
She started using the free online service about a
year ago. "Before Benefits Connection, I had to call
on the telephone to verify patient benefits," Alfaro
says. "This is much better. It eliminates any time
on hold. It's so much easier to verify online. You
can't make it any easier."
Benefits Connection enables dental offices to verify
patient benefits and eligibility, check claim status
and file claims online. The service is available
24 hours a day, seven days a week, at www.deltadentalnj.com;
click "Dentists" and then the "Logon" button in the
Benefits Connection Logon box.
If you've never used Benefits Connection, click "Register
Now" in the Benefits Connection Logon box to get
started. To see what's available through Benefits
Connection, click "Benefits Connection Demo" and
try the online demonstration.
UMDNJ Establishes Dental Education
Center with $2 Million Award from Delta Dental
Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., has awarded
$2 million to The University of Medicine and Dentistry
of New Jersey (UMDNJ) to establish the Delta Dental
Educational Conference Center in a new Oral Health
Pavilion at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School.
The award will be used to construct three state-of-the-art
lecture halls that can also be combined into one
conference center with a capacity of more than 400.
The Delta Dental Educational Conference Center will
include three conference rooms, a school lounge and
a gallery that serves as a site for events. These
areas of the conference center will comprise nearly
20,000 square feet within the Oral Health Pavilion,
a three-story, 78,000-square-foot facility.
The conference center development is part of a $45
million capital campaign for construction of the
new Oral Health Pavilion and the renovation of the
existing dental school.
Dr. Gerald Sydell, chairman of the board of Delta
Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., said, "We are proud
to have the opportunity to positively impact dental
education and patient care at the UMDNJ-New Jersey
Dental School. This school is poised to be a leader
in dental education nationally. We at Delta Dental
Plan of New Jersey believe that the funding will
benefit the public in several important respects,
including advancing dental education and providing
care to the underserved in this state. The educational
conference center will be an integral part of the
growth and development of this fine institution."
Walter J. VanBrunt, president and chief executive
officer of Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc.,
said, "Delta Dental is proud to support the UMDNJ-New
Jersey Dental School capital campaign in a manner
that will positively impact the educational setting,
foster their learning environment, and help the university
fulfill its mission to the community."
Dr. Cecile Feldman, dean of the UMDNJ-New Jersey
Dental School, said, "Our capital campaign and the
development of the Delta Dental Educational Conference
Center allow us to expand our reach and focus on
our mission of educating students, conducting research
and providing high-quality oral health care to our
patients. This conference center will create an educational
setting that gives our students an opportunity to
hone their professional skills in a modern learning
environment."
Each lecture hall has executive-style seating and
state-of-the-art audio, video and computer equipment.
Individual learning stations in each lecture hall
will have Internet access for laptop computers. The
Delta Dental Educational Conference Center will be
housed in the Oral Health Pavilion, which is a new
building adjacent to the dental school. The Oral
Health Pavilion includes pre-doctoral clinics for
students, patient waiting areas, administrative offices
and a 3,000-square-foot school lounge.
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
(UMDNJ) comprises New Jersey's only three medical
schools, the state's only dental school, the school
of health-related professions, the school of nursing,
the school of public health and the school of biomedical
sciences on campuses in Newark, Piscataway/New Brunswick,
Stratford, Camden and Scotch Plains. UMDNJ also operates
University Behavioral HealthCare in Newark and Piscataway.
It is affiliated with more than 200 healthcare and
educational institutions throughout the state.
The Foundation of UMDNJ, a not-for-profit corporation
governed by a volunteer board of trustees, accepts
and administers private sector support for educational,
research, patient care and community-service programs
at the University.
Delta Dental Provides Scholarships
to Camden County College
Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, Inc.
recently awarded a scholarship grant to
Camden County College in its ongoing support of New
Jersey-based academic institutions that educate dental
professionals.
The College will review the applications submitted
by its students this fall, and select one dental
hygiene student and one dental assisting student
to receive the funds.
Scholarships will be awarded based on need. The winners
will be named this month.
The relationship between Delta Dental and Camden
County College began in 2001.The school established
the application procedure. The first scholarship
was awarded in January 2002 to Galloway, New Jersey,
resident Rachel Warner, a student in the dental hygiene
program at the time.
"In reviewing applications, we take a variety of factors into consideration
to make sure that the money is going to those who need it most," said Dr. Catherine
Boos, director of dental programs, Camden County College. "Rachel qualified
to receive the Delta Dental scholarship, which she used to offset the cost
of books, supplies and the series of board tests students take in their final
semester to become licensed and registered hygienists."
"The boards can be expensive, especially if you're a full-time student who
is not yet working," said Warner. "The Delta Dental scholarship allowed me
to successfully finish my education without having to borrow money for expenses.
I am grateful to have been given that financial advantage."
Warner graduated from Camden County College in May
2002, and is currently a full-time hygienist working
for private practices in Absecon and Ocean City,
New Jersey.
"Camden County College does an excellent job of preparing its students for
careers in a very important, very rewarding field," said Gene F. Napoliello,
D.D.S., president, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, Inc. "There
is a shortage of hygienists in New Jersey, so Delta Dental does its part to
increase access to care for all by helping those who are pursuing that area
of study, as well as the institutions that are educating them."
In addition to providing scholarships, Delta Dental
donated $50,000 in 2003 for the renovation of the
W.H. Copperthwaite Dental Clinic at Camden County
College. The clinic had been in constant use for
more than 30 years, serving about 66 students and
140 patients a week. As a result, the facilities
required updating and refurbishment.
"We're pleased with the transformation of the college's dental clinic and the
positive impact it has on both students and educators," said Dr. Napoliello. "Dr.
Boos does an excellent job keeping us apprised of developments with the school's
students, programs and facilities."
To be considered for a Delta Dental scholarship at
Camden County College, students must be fully enrolled
in either the dental assisting or dental hygiene
program at the school. The application process requires
submitting materials including a completed application
form, transcript of prior coursework, Student Aid
Report, statement of financial need, letter of recommendation
and an essay highlighting future professional goals.
Once winners are selected, funds are applied to the
student's account after the successful completion
of the first semester in the dental assisting or
dental hygiene program.
Customer Service Department Earns
Statewide Honors
The Garden State Chapter of the International Customer
Service Association (GSICSA) named Delta Dental its
first "Internal Customer Service Operation of the
Year."
The new award recognizes in-house call centers that
show devotion to quality and commitment to service.
Bill Gessert, GSICSA president, presented the award
to Lori Acker, Delta Dental's assistant vice president,
Customer Service, at the December 2 ceremony.
The name of the winning company had been shrouded
in secrecy until the announcement. Acker never suspected
that Delta Dental would be the winner. "I was so
very proud of everyone and excited," said Acker. "It
is a great honor." She and 24 Delta Dental Customer
Service agents attending the event collected the
award on behalf of all Delta Dental call center associates
in Customer Service, Premium Billing and Flagship.
Also nominated were call centers from Phillips Lighting
and Aventis. GSICSA board members selected the nominees
and the winner.
The GSICSA is the New Jersey chapter of the 2,000-member
International Customer Service Association. The Garden
State chapter has approximately 100 members who network
throughout the year to discuss topics such as technology,
hiring, and customer retention.
Delta Dental Adopts Tsunami-Stricken
Town Through Employee's Personal Contact
Like many corporations, Delta Dental held a drive
in which employees collected food, clothing and other
goods for victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia.
The company sent donations to the town of Kandy,
Sri Lanka.
The donation has a personal twist. Kimberly Elmore,
administrative assistant in Delta Dental's Corporate
Communications Department, traveled to Sri Lanka
last August with her college roommate, Jasmin Saheed
of Sparta, and Saheed's father Ahmed Kazim Saheed,
a Sri Lanka native.
Saheed's extended family in Sri Lanka did not lose
any of their personal possessions. However, Saheed's
nephew works in Colombo, one of the affected areas,
and agreed to distribute the employee donations to
those who need the most help. Through Elmore, Delta
Dental collected 85 boxes of goods, which will provide
support directly to Kandy.
Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey employees also made
donations to the American Red Cross. The company
is matching all employee donations collected through
Delta Dental. The donation totaled $4,732.
Billing Dentist and Treating
Dentist on Claim Form
Claim forms have information boxes that record both
the "Billing Dentist" and also the "Treating Dentist" of
record. Claim forms should reflect the correct name
and license number of both the billing and treating
dentists.
The billing dentist and treating dentist may differ
from one another. However, the name and license number
of either dentist should not change on a duplicate
claim submission (when the same claim is submitted
a second or third time).
Sometimes patient claims are submitted (and processed)
more than once, and each of those submitted claims
might contain contradictory billing or treating dentist
information.
These duplicate submissions may be the result of
an office error. For example, electronic claims submissions
may be "preset" to always populate the "Billing Dentist" and
the "Treating Dentist" fields the same way on every
claim, regardless of who the correct dentists may
be. However, the claims submitted by mail may more
accurately reflect the correct billing and treating
dentist information. If the same claim is submitted
by both methods, the result may be that services
rendered only once appear to have been rendered twice.
Conversely, these duplicate submissions may be intentional.
The treating or billing dentist may be misrepresented
in order to maximize benefits.
This type of duplicate billing is one of the unacceptable
billing practices reviewed during the claim verification
process. "Double billing" by submitting the same
services under two different license numbers can
result in overpayments that are recoverable. If claim
forms are intentionally submitted in this fashion,
it can be considered a fraudulent attempt to gain
benefits.
For more information, please refer to:
- New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, Administrative
Code [NJAC 13:30-8.10]
- The General Statutes of Connecticut [Volume 7,
Title 20, Chapter 379 Sec. 20-114]
- Your participation agreement with Delta Dental
Plan of New Jersey
- The Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Dentist Handbook
for Participating Dentists, Chapter 2, Rules and
Regulations and Chapter 11, Claim Verifications
April Dental Seminar on Preventing,
Detecting Oral Cancer
Delta Dental's next seminar for dentists features
Dr. Arnold Rosenheck, assistant dean of Hospital
Affairs & Institutional Development at the University
of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).
Dr. Rosenheck will present "Prevention and Early
Detection of Oral Cancer for the General Practice" April
20 at The Villa at Mountain Lakes in Mountain Lakes,
New Jersey.
The program is designed to provide the general dentist
with the ability to identify oral cancer, test for
it, and provide appropriate counseling to reduce
the risk factors associated with the disease.
The seminar includes a hands-on demonstration of
the brush biopsy. The brush biopsy is a new technique
useful in the general practice office for prevention
and early detection of oral cancer.
All participating dentists will receive invitations
to this seminar with details and registration information.
Delta Dental to Benefit Brush
Biopsy Shortly
Oral cancer is a devastating disease. Only 57% of
those diagnosed survive more than five years. One
reason for the frustratingly low survival rate is
that oral cancer is usually diagnosed in advanced
stages.
A simple new test, called brush biopsy, has been
developed to identify precancers and oral cancer
in its earliest stages. Dentists have already detected
more than 4,500 cases of precancer or early cancer
using brush biopsy since 2000.
Delta Dental will begin covering the brush biopsy
for Delta Dental patients later this year. More information
about this benefit will be available shortly.
Just Four Months Until Golf
Outing
The 15th Annual Delta Dental Golf Classic takes
place June 22 at the Fiddler's Elbow Country Club
in Bedminster, New Jersey. The annual event benefits
Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ). SONJ is a non-profit
organization that provides athletic training and
competition for children and adults with developmental
disabilities.
Registration material is available. For more information,
please call (973) 285-4059.
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