Expanding Access to Dental Care for Children and Adults with Disabilities

On Dec 5, 2023

Individuals with special needs and parents of children with special needs face challenges in accessing dental care. Either dental offices are not equipped to care for such patients or coverage plans may not include the necessary benefits to accommodate that care.

That’s about to change.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Delta Dental of New Jersey (DDNJ) is helping to expand dental care access by introducing an enhanced special health care needs benefit for group-covered children and adults with qualifying special health care conditions.

“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, we are 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.

DDNJ’s new benefit will cover:

• Additional dental examinations/consultations to help patients learn what to expect and what is needed for a successful dental appointment.
• Up to four dental cleanings in a benefit year.
• Treatment delivery modifications (including nitrous oxide and anesthesia) necessary for dental staff to provide care for patients with sensory sensitivities, behavioral challenges, severe anxiety or other barriers to treatment.

DDNJ, through its philanthropic arm Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, supports organizations such as Morristown Medical Center, Matheny Medical & Educational Center, and Special Olympics New Jersey to support the dental treatment for those with special needs.

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

Disclaimer: Sponsored content articles do not reflect the opinions of New Jersey Business Magazine or the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.

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