Delta Dental offers expanded coverage to benefit those with special needs
An announcement caused big smiles for those in the intellectual disability community.
Delta Dental of Tennessee is now offering expanded dental coverage for those who may need some extra care in the dentist chair. It's a major score for so many who desperately need attention from a dentist.
"It is very hard to get a dentist if you’re special needs. The minute you mention special need 'it’s like, uhhh, I’m not taking a new patient'," said Shirly Lawhorn, who has been foster parenting for decades and still taking care of two adult sons with intellectual disabilities.
Dental care is one of the biggest medical needs among children and adults with special needs, according to advocates. Those patients often requiring extra time or dentists with special training to get them through the appointment or procedure.
Missy Acosta with Delta Dental said the company understands the importance of accommodating a range of patients.
"This is a benefit that we are going to be providing to compensate the dentist for that time with the patient," said Acosta. "The company is going to be offering these benefits and we’re doing that at no increase in premiums to subscribers, to the groups we work with. It’s something that we understand is a need in the community."
Delta Dental's enhanced benefits for those with intellectual disabilities automatically begins in January. Delta dental has also created a special online training program for dentists to help them better understand and care for patients with special needs.
Read the original article here.