WHAT EVERY TRAVELER SHOULD KNOW TO PROTECT ORAL HEALTH

PARSIPPANY, NJ (December 9, 2002) – As you load the car with luggage and gifts for the holidays, probably one of the last things on your mind is your oral health. But as more than 50 million people leave their homes for holiday visits with friends and family, some will be faced with dental emergencies, which can put a serious damper on any holiday festivities.

"When you're preparing to travel, taking a few simple precautions before you leave can potentially eliminate dental emergencies and long-term damage to your oral health," said D. Scott Navarro, DDS, Dental Director, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey.

Dental emergencies can happen any time, ranging from painful toothaches to broken, loosened or knocked out teeth. When it comes to dental pain or trauma, seeking immediate care can be critical to maintaining oral health and possibly saving your teeth.

If you're going to be away from home for an extended period of time or traveling overseas, try to schedule a dental exam so that problems can be addressed before you go. Jot down your dentist's full name, address, telephone number plus any significant information about your oral health, and tuck the information into your wallet. Also be sure to carry your dental insurance policy number and the phone number of your insurance company.

Before you leave, take a close look at your dental insurance coverage. Find out if your dental insurer offers a simple resource, such as an on-line dentist locator, for finding network dentists in areas where you will be traveling. Also, familiarize yourself with the type of coverage available through your dental insurance plan. Fee-for service, PPO-type and HMO delivery plans can vary in their in-network and out-of-network coverage.

"Someone experiencing a blow to a tooth or severe tooth pain should contact a dentist right away rather than waiting until they return home," Dr. Navarro stressed. "Generally, the long-term prognosis for many patients is determined by the type of injury to the tooth and how much time elapses before treatment."

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s and Connecticut's leading dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental Plan system is a national network of independently operated, not-for-profit dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs for employee groups throughout the country. For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.