Delta Dental of New Jersey Announces Enhanced Special Health Care Needs Benefit

New Program Expands Access to Dental Care for Children and Adults with Disabilities

PARSIPPANY, NJ – October 11, 2023 – Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. (DDNJ) is helping to expand dental care access by introducing an enhanced special health care needs benefit for children and adults with qualifying special health care conditions. Effective January 1, 2024, group-covered members of any age with a qualifying special health care need will be eligible for this benefit. 

“At Delta Dental of New Jersey, through the work of our Foundation, we have a long history of working with organizations who support people with special needs, and we are acutely aware of the unmet dental care needs facing these individuals,” said Dr. Keith Libou, Chief Clinical Officer of Delta Dental of New Jersey. “With this benefit, Delta Dental is helping to break down barriers to make oral health care more inclusive and accessible for those with special needs in New Jersey.”

As defined by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, special health care needs include 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. 

The enhanced special health care needs benefit will cover:

“I've been a pediatric dentist for over 20 years and, like all dentists, want for special need patients who live in the community with us to have proper access to dental care,” said Dr. Elisa J Velazquez, DMD, MSD, NJ Academy of Pediatric Dentistry immediate past president, NJ Hispanic Dental Association president, and NJ Dental Association president-elect. “Special needs individuals require an approach that isn't cookie-cutter. For example, they require more frequent dentist visits to gain a level of familiarity and alleviate some of their fear and anxiety. Delta Dental of New Jersey’s special needs benefits program will be truly life-changing for these patients and their families.”

In June, Delta Dental of New Jersey, along with the New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) and Special Olympics of New Jersey (SONJ), launched a special needs provider directory of those who are trained to make different exam and treatment modifications, leading to a safer and more comfortable patient experience with improved outcomes. This directory continues to be updated by the NJDA as new dentists sign up to be added to the list. 

“Delta Dental has been one of our longest-standing partners providing support to our athletes for over 30 years”, said Heather Andersen, President & CEO, Special Olympics New Jersey. “Enhancing the special needs benefit and expanding dental care through a network of providers is game-changing for our athletes and families who do not have the access or the means to seek proper dental health care."

This year, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation donated several grants to local organizations that ensure those with a range of physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities receive the dental care they need. Notable New Jersey recipients include Morristown Medical Center Foundation, Matheny Medical and Educational Center, and Hope Christian Services. Delta Dental is also a longtime supporter of Special Olympics New Jersey.

To learn more about Delta Dental of New Jersey’s special health care needs benefit, visit https://www.deltadentalnj.com/our-plans/special-health-care-needs-benefit

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About Delta Dental

Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey's leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.9 million people through contracts with groups and individuals in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental and vision coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs.

Offering dental benefits since 1969, Delta Dental of New Jersey's mission is to promote oral health to the greatest number of people by providing accessible dental benefit programs of the highest quality, service, and value. We are a not-for-profit service corporation and, as a member of Delta Dental Plans Association, we're part of a network that provides national dental coverage to more than 85 million people. For more information, visit DeltaDentalNJ.com.