Wisconsin Students Benefit from Delta Dental Investment in Seal-A-Smile Program

Investment in free oral exams and preventive care helps address lack
of coverage

STEVENS POINT, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Studies show that 75 percent of teeth with dental sealants remain
cavity-free, compared to less than 33 percent of unsealed teeth. This
powerful statistic is the foundation of Wisconsin’s highly effective and
successful Seal-A-Smile program, which works to ensure school children
throughout Wisconsin receive oral health education, dental cleanings,
and sealants when necessary. Today, Delta Dental of Wisconsin announced
their continuing commitment to the Seal-A-Smile program with a $350,000
grant for the 2016-2017 school year.

The Seal-A-Smile program helps prevent tooth decay and promotes good
oral health by providing an oral exam and, when needed, fluoride varnish
and sealants to children at no cost to the parents or caregivers. It is
collaboratively administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health
Services (DHS) and Children’s Health Alliance, and delivers critical
oral health education to 48,000 students annually and places sealants on
more than 25,000 children each year.

By targeting schools where 35 percent or more of the students are
eligible for free and reduced meals, the Seal-A-Smile program provides
services for thousands of youth who are uninsured or have Medicaid
dental coverage. According to a report from Pew Charitable Trusts,
Wisconsin’s Medicaid reimbursements are some of the lowest in the nation
and typically do not cover the dentist’s costs for treatment. As such,
Wisconsin currently ranks second to last in the percentage of children
with Medicaid coverage who visited the dentist in the past year.

“By placing sealants on the molars of school-age children, we can
prevent dental pain and improve the oral health and overall well-being
of Wisconsin’s youth,” stated Ann Boson, Charitable Fund Director for
Delta Dental of Wisconsin. “While we need to address Wisconsin’s low
Medicaid fees for pediatric dental services, we can’t ignore the lack of
preventive care until that change occurs.”

This is the eighth year in a row that Delta Dental is partnering with
the state of Wisconsin to fund the Seal-A-Smile program. To date, Delta
Dental of Wisconsin has provided more than $2.2 million to the program.

About Delta Dental of Wisconsin
For more than 50 years,
Delta Dental has been working to maintain healthy communities and
healthy teeth. We provide dental benefits and services to more Wisconsin
companies, subscribers, and their family members than any other
insurance carrier. Our mission is to improve oral health and wellness by
extending access to care, advancing science, and supporting an effective
oral-health workforce.

Contacts

Delta Dental of Wisconsin
Amanda Lowery, 800-236-2713, ext.
17420
Corporate Communications Manager