Patient Education
Success with any dental plan requires continued patient education, which is the shared responsibility of Delta Dental of Nebraska, the employer group, the dental office and the patient.
Responsibility for educating plan subscribers begins with Delta Dental. We work closely with employer groups and dental offices to maintain ongoing communication of dental benefit information to subscribers.
Communication efforts to employer groups include:
- Benefit booklets
- Wellness materials
- Newsletters
- ID cards
- Customer service interaction
The Employer Group’s Role
Employer groups’ role is to ensure that the employees and their dependents understand their dental plan. Employer groups have a responsibility to read and understand the group contract, the employee dental benefit booklet, and Delta Dental’s policies and procedures.
Equipped with this information, they in turn provide information for their employees, assist employees when questions arise, and promote oral health awareness and disease prevention.
The Patient’s Role
Being informed is one way patients can ensure they get the most appropriate and cost-effective care – and help hold down rising health care costs. Research shows the more informed patients are, the more they participate in decisions about health care, which results in better health care overall.
Asking questions is an integral part of the learning process for people of all ages. Invite your patients to talk with you and ask questions about procedures and the recommended course of treatment. Patients can also call Delta Dental’s Customer Service Department with any benefit questions.
Advise your patients to keep benefit information in an accessible location and refer to it before each dental appointment. Finally, remind them to bring their ID card and benefit booklet with them to the dental office.
Patient Education Is A Team Effort
Patient education is a responsibility shared by Delta Dental, dentists, groups and patients. The goal is worthwhile – more satisfied, healthier patients who take charge of their own oral health.