Articles
Delta Dental Awards Grants Totaling $1 Million in Support of Research at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School
In-Net Adds Sterilizer Monitoring Service to Its Program
Other Ways to Save with In-Net
Benefits Connection 'Much Better for Us Than Calling' About Patient Coverage, Says Kenilworth Dentist
Benefits Connection* Features
Dr. Derkasch Uses Other Web Site Features, Too
NJFDPD Thanks Delta Dental for Ongoing Contributions
How Our Dental Network Coordinators Can Help You
Year-to-Date Claims Production Performance
Credentialing Reminder for CT Dentists
This Issue's Continuing Education Winners Announced!
Delta Dental Classic Raises $55,000 for Special Olympics
Delta Dental Once Again Receives AA- Rating from S&P
HIPAA Privacy Seminar for Dentists
Delta Dental Poised to Receive More than 1 Million Electronic Claims this Year; If the 1 Millionth Claim is from You, You'll Win Big!

Delta Dental Awards Grants Totaling $1 Million in Support of Research at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School

The Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, Inc., has awarded three grants to the Foundation of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) totaling more than $1 million in support of work being conducted by researchers at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School.

"Delta Dental recognizes the vital importance of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School in the overall oral health and delivery of dental care throughout our state," said Walter VanBrunt, president and CEO of Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc. "We are pleased to be able to provide the funds that will help advance dental health in New Jersey through the dental school."

According to Scott Navarro, DDS, vice president of Professional Services, Delta Dental, the gifts are "consistent with the findings of the Surgeon General, who called for private and public collaboration to help answer the unmet dental health needs of underserved populations."

One study that was funded, "Occlusal Hidden Caries," being conducted by researcher Jeffrey Linfante, DMD, will look at tooth decay in the grooves and pits of teeth in African-American children ages 9-14, to increase early detection of cavities. Although nationally dentists are seeing a reduction in the number of cavities that children have, members of ethnic and racial minority groups are not enjoying those reductions, Dr. Navarro says. It is hoped that through this study early detection will make treatment a simpler, more effective process.

The second grant will examine Juvenile Aggressive Periodontal Disease. While not as widespread as the problem of caries (cavities), it tends to be a more severe problem for the affected individuals, according to Dr. Navarro, because many times it is undetected until severe damage has already occurred and can result in tooth loss. While chronic gum disease is most prevalent after age 30, advanced cases of juvenile aggressive periodontal disease appear most frequently in African-American teenagers. Daniel Fine, DDS, lead researcher in this study, is trying to find ways to detect Juvenile Aggressive Periodontal Disease earlier and to determine why certain adolescents and teens are more susceptible to the disease than are others.

The third grant will allow researcher Maxine Strickland, DMD, to see if using special power toothbrushes will provide physically challenged individuals with cleaner teeth and better dental health. To conduct this study, 25 students at Matheny School and their caregivers will be educated about using the special toothbrush and will be studied for a six-month period.

According to Dr. Navarro, it is hoped that these three studies will serve as springboards for increased federal funding to improve dental health for minority populations nationwide. "While Delta Dental has partnered with our dental school for many years, we are grateful for this unusually large show of support of our efforts," said Dean Cecile A. Feldman, DMD, MBA. "We know that, working together, we can help to improve the dental health of all New Jerseyans, and particularly of those disadvantaged populations who still have significant unmet needs."

New Jersey Dental School has been preparing students for careers in the dental profession for more than 40 years. The school's state-of-the-art facilities include clinic space, research laboratories, and seminar and lecture rooms designed for optimum teaching and healthcare delivery. To accommodate changes in dental education, a 78,000 square-foot addition is being added to the Dental School for increased research and clinical space.

Delta Dental established the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation in 1986. Its mission includes promoting and assisting educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, research programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefits of good health, and to improve dental health through the science of dentistry. Each year, the Delta Dental Foundation provides financial support to various organizations throughout the state.

In-Net Adds Sterilizer Monitoring Service to Its Program

Is your sterilizer effective?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends the routine use of biological spore tests to verify the adequacy of sterilization cycles. Spore-Wise Sterilizer Monitoring Service, a professional service of Steri Check Systems, Inc., can determine if your sterilizer is effective. We are pleased to announce that the Spore-Wise Sterilizer Monitoring Service is the latest addition to Delta Dental's In-Net Program, which offers discounts to participating dentists on many items and services that could benefit your practice.

The service will monitor your steam, chemical vapor, dry heat and ethylene oxide gas sterilizers on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. It includes laboratory culturing service, certificate of compliance, sterilizer monitoring log, full documentation and prepaid postage/free shipping.

For more information about the Spore-Wise Sterilizer Monitoring Service, contact Steri Check Systems, Inc., at 800-677-8374. Be sure to identify yourself as a participating dentist of Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc.

Other Ways to Save with In-Net

Delta Dental's In-Net Program offers a number of other products and services at a discount, including:

• Practice-management software, hardware, training, and service
• Free Internet home page
• Price-comparison shopping service for dental supplies
• Wireless phone service

For more details about each of these In-Net offerings, visit our Web site at www.deltadentalnj.com, click "Dentists" and "In-Net Program," or contact your Dental Network Coordinator at 888-396-6641.

When you contact these vendors, please identify yourself as a Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey participating dentist. They will lead you through the enrollment process. Please note that these vendors will deal directly with you. Delta Dental will do its best to maintain these vendors and add new vendors to provide even more value to you. However, Delta Dental cannot guarantee the performance or continued participation of these vendors. This program has been designed to provide savings opportunities to our participating dentists. Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey does not receive any compensation from any vendor under this program.

Benefits Connection 'Much Better for Us Than Calling' About Patient Coverage, Says Kenilworth Dentist

When Dr. William Derkasch, a participating dentist in Kenilworth, New Jersey, read in Dental News that dentists could now verify their patients' Delta Dental benefits online, he decided to see for himself if it really performed as well as Delta Dental claimed.

Dr. Derkasch and his staff instantly became hooked on Benefits Connection, which gives dentists and their patients online access not only to dental benefits information, but also enables users to check the status of dental claims online.

"Benefits Connection is extremely easy to use," Dr. Derkasch says. "Anybody who's ever used AOL or the Internet will immediately feel comfortable using it."

He logs onto Benefits Connection whenever a new patient with Delta Dental coverage makes an appointment. "We used to call Delta Dental to verify coverage, but this is much better for us than calling," Dr. Derkasch says. "It frees up a lot of time. It gives us immediate access to patient coverage records anytime. Also, we can get a paper printout of their coverage. We print two copies, one for our patient and one for our files. It's helped us in a much more concrete way explain to patients what's covered by their plan."

Benefits Connection is available to both participating and non-participating dentists. To access Benefits Connection, go to www.deltadentalnj.com, click on "Dentists," and log on to Benefits Connection.

If you haven't yet registered for Benefits Connection, click "Register Now" in the Benefits Connection logon box and follow the online instructions. Please note that for security reasons there will be a 10-day delay for claims inquiry before your registration takes effect.

Delta Dental is now working on a process to enable dentists to submit claims directly to us over the Internet. Look for more details on this in the next issue of Dental News.

Benefits Connection* Features

• An explanation of patient eligibility and coordination of benefits.
• Claims inquiry, so you can check the status of claims online.
• A description of your patients' Delta Dental plans.
• Details on the types of services covered.
• Percentage covered for each service.
• Any applicable deductibles and waiting periods.
• Explanations of any maximums and age limitations.
• Frequency schedule.

*Information contained in Benefits Connection is not a guarantee of benefits. All benefits are governed by the group contract and are subject to eligibility, maximums, deductibles, limitations, exclusions, waiting periods, and/or frequency limitations contained therein.

Dr. Derkasch Uses Other Web Site Features, Too

Dr. Derkasch also uses Delta Dental's online "Find a Dentist" feature to locate specialists for his patients. "My patients benefit because it allows me to recommend them to specialists who participate in their Delta Dental plan," he says. To access this service, go to www.deltadentalnj.com, and click "Find a Dentist" on the navigation bar on the left side of the screen.

NJFDPD Thanks Delta Dental for Ongoing Contributions

Delta Dental is a longtime supporter of the New Jersey Foundation of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities. NJFDPD provides dental care to senior citizens and the disabled for seriously neglected problems. On March 13, 2002, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation President Dr. Gene Napoliello received this letter of thanks for our support.

NJFDPD is an affiliate of the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped. For more information about this organization, go to www.nfdh.org.

Dear Gene:

Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation's grant of $25,000 brings to $170,000 your contributions since 1989 when Delta helped start the DDS [Donated Dental Services] program. It is a great reminder of our obligation to continue the good work and it substantiates the belief that Delta Foundation considers Donated Dental Services a program that has demonstrated its value to the community that it serves. You are and always will be our number one benefactor.

To date, DDS through the offices of 781 volunteer dentists and 118 volunteer labs has donated over $7.2 million in comprehensive dental care to over 4,800 persons. Despite the success of the program, the current economic recession makes it very difficult to attract corporate sponsors, so that your continuing generous sponsorship is all the more appreciated.

As our most prominent sponsor we continue to recognize Delta Dental in all our promotional materials. Additionally, you will receive semi-annual reports and a copy of the article that will appear in the next issue of The Journal of the New Jersey Dental Association.

Please convey our gratitude to the members of the Delta Dental and Foundation boards. If you need any other information about our program, please feel free to call on me at any time.

Sincerely and with warmest personal regards,

Jack L. Roemer, DDS
Past President and Project Director, NJFDPD

How Our Dental Network Coordinators Can Help You

Delta Dental's Web site, at www.deltadentalnj.com, features answers to almost every possible question that your dental office might face.

But what if you can't find your answer? Or you need more information than is on the Web site? Or you need to talk to someone who can take time to walk you through a solution? Contact your Dental Network Coordinator.

Dental Network Coordinators serve as liaisons between the dental community and Delta Dental. They can:

• Answer participation inquiries
• Provide plan descriptions
• Provide you with a copy of our Participating Dentist's Handbook
• Provide a customized list of employer groups covered by Delta Dental in your area
• Explain how to submit electronic claims
• Explain how to use Benefits Connection, a free online service that enables dentists to access their patients' Delta Dental benefits information, claim status and claim history
• Explain the features of Delta Dental's In-Net Program, a value-added program for participating dentists that provides discounts on many items your practice may need in the coming year, including dental supplies and equipment, practice-management software and hardware, wireless phone service, and sterilizing monitoring service. It even includes a free Internet home page.

To schedule a visit from the Dental Network Coordinator in your area, call 888-396-6641. Dental Network Coordinators include:

• Kim Alberico, serving all of Connecticut - 860-635-3152, e-mail kalberico@deltadentalnj.com
• Beth DeCapio, serving northern New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Union, and Sussex Counties) - 973-285-4035, e-mail bdecapio@deltadentalnj.com
• Charlene Yurko, serving central and southern New Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, and Warren Counties) - 973-285-4202, e-mail cyurko@deltadentalnj.com

To find out about participation in our DeltaCare program, a dental health maintenance-type organization administered by our subsidiary, Flagship Dental Plans, please call Cathy Edwards at 973-285-4048. Please note that DeltaCare is not available in Connecticut.

Year-to-Date Claims Production Performance

The average claims turnaround time - the length of time from when Delta Dental receives a completed claim until payment information is sent to our vendor for Explanation of Benefit/check processing - for Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey was 8.77 business days for the first six months of 2002.

Delta Dental processed 99.93% of claims within 30 days.

Delta Dental paid 99.5% of claims accurately. Our clerical accuracy is 99.7% and financial accuracy is 99.6%

Credentialing Reminder for CT Dentists

Delta Dental recently mailed re-credentialing packets to all DeltaPremier dentists in Connecticut. Re-credentialing is also continuing for DeltaPreferred Option dentists in Connecticut.

If you are a DeltaPremier or DeltaPreferred Option dentist in Connecticut, please update your credentialing information and return it to us as soon as possible. If you did not receive a re-credentialing packet or have questions about re-credentialing, please contact our Credentialing Department at 888-203-6993.

This Issue's Continuing Education Winners Announced

These are the latest winners of Delta Dental's yearlong program to promote continuing education for participating dentists. Before each issue of Dental News goes to press, we randomly select the names of 10 dentists - five from Connecticut, five from New Jersey - as winners.

Winners are eligible to receive up to $50 in tuition reimbursement from Delta Dental for attending a State Board of Dentistry-approved course on OSHA/infection control, CPR or Emergency Preparedness. In order to qualify for reimbursement, the course must relate to one of these topics. Also, the course must be attended by the winning dentist; colleagues and members of the office staff are not eligible.

To receive tuition reimbursement, the winning dentist should fax a certificate of completion for the OSHA/infection control, CPR or emergency preparedness course to Delta Dental's Professional Relations Department at 973-285-4140. Winning dentists have one year from the time their names are announced to take the course and fax their certificates of completion. If you have any questions, please contact your dental network coordinator at 888-396-6641.

Ten more winners will be named in the next issue of Dental News.

Delta Dental Classic Raises $55,000 for Special Olympics

The Twelfth Annual Delta Dental Classic, which drew 128 golfers to the Cherry Valley Country Club on June 4, raised $55,000 for Special Olympics programs. Since the Delta Dental Classic began in 1991, the event has raised more than $355,000 for Special Olympics New Jersey.

Contest winners include:

1st Place Low Gross (Women): Dr. Leslie Skurla (89)
1st Place Low Gross (Men): James Armstrong (76)
1st Place Gross Team: Dick Schlott, Maury DiDomenico, Jack Welch, Mike Gatto

Special thanks to all of our participants and sponsors.

The Thirteenth Annual Delta Dental Classic will take place on Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Delta Dental changed the traditional day of the event from Tuesday to Wednesday to better accommodate most dentists' office schedules. Watch for more details shortly.

Delta Dental Once Again Receives AA- Rating from S&P

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey recently completed Standard & Poor's most comprehensive analysis and received an AA- counterparty credit and financial strength rating for the third straight year. The strong rating confirms that Delta Dental is an attractive alternative for businesses looking to improve benefits packages through the implementation of a dental plan.

Based upon the analysis, Standard & Poor's predicts a stable outlook for Delta Dental, citing its extremely strong capitalization, excellent earnings, and good business position as major rating factors. Delta Dental has also been designated a Security Circle insurer, which means that it voluntarily underwent Standard & Poor's comprehensive analysis and was assigned a rating in one of the top four categories for financial security.

In the analysis, Standard & Poor's noted that Delta Dental is extremely well capitalized, giving the company a capital adequacy ratio of 474% as of year-end 2001. This indicates that the not-for-profit dental benefits carrier clearly has the financial capacity to meet policy holder obligations. It was also noted that Delta Dental is well positioned for continued growth, anticipating a 10% increase in membership in 2002.

"Affirmation of our financial stability, from a premier independent organization such as Standard and Poor's, is especially significant in today's economy," said Delta Dental President and CEO Walter VanBrunt. "This validation reflects our commitment to a sound business philosophy based on the principles of value and quality. The fact that we've received the same high rating for three years in a row is meaningful to our employees, current and prospective clients, and the network of dentists we do business with."

The rating is another reason for companies to contract with Delta Dental for employee dental benefits. In addition to enjoying the security of partnering with a financially stable company, companies that contract with Delta Dental may improve employee retention and workplace efficacy by offering employees access to the nation's largest dental network.

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey 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.

HIPAA Privacy Seminar for Dentists

The following is provided for your information only and does not indicate an endorsement by Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) has led to sweeping, new federal requirements for the management of patient information in many dental practices. Dental offices that transmit any health information in electronic form, either directly or through a practice management vendor or clearinghouse, must comply.

The New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) is sponsoring a half-day presentation given by the ADA that will break down the requirements for HIPAA implementation into manageable tasks to help ease compliance. The following HIPAA Privacy Standards and Guidelines will be discussed:

• The rights of individuals to control access and disclosures of protected health information (PHI)
• The responsibility of holders of this kind of information to safeguard against inappropriate use of disclosures
• How to easily train the dental staff in privacy and how to keep the office running smoothly
• Notice of privacy practices
• Acknowledgement, consent, and authorization
• Required business associate agreements
• Sanctions for violations

Date and Time: November 6, 2002, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m. registration)
Location: The Pines Manor, 2085 Lincoln Highway (Route 27), Edison, New Jersey
Registration fee: $100 per person (includes HIPAA Privacy Kit, Continental breakfast, handouts); $50 per person (for each additional staff from the same office). Please note that each office is required to have at least one Privacy Kit for use during the seminar. Additional ADA HIPAA Privacy Kits are available through the ADA catalog ($125).

Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis by contacting the NJDA at 732-821-9400.

Delta Dental Poised to Receive More than 1 Million Electronic Claims this Year; If the 1 Millionth Claim is from You, You'll Win Big!

For the first time, Delta Dental expects to receive more than one million electronic claims in a calendar year. To celebrate this milestone, we're awarding a laptop computer to the dentist who submits the one millionth electronic claim in 2002.

Even if you don't submit the one millionth claim, you still win when your office submits electronic claims. Electronic claims are the fastest and easiest way for dentists to submit claims. The turnaround time is half of what it takes for paper claims.

Delta Dental thanks all the dentists who regularly take the electronic highway to quicker claims payment. If you haven't yet tried it, there's never been a better time to start. You could become our big winner!

Remember, the more electronic claims you submit, the better your change of submitting the one millionth claim! To find out more about submitting claims electronically, or how to send all of your claims electronically, contact your Dental Network Coordinator at 888-396-6641.