Delta Dental programs allow you to select any licensed dentist. While we recommend you select a Delta Dental participating dentist because you may enjoy lower out-of-pocket costs and the convenience of having your claim forms handled free-of-charge by the dental office, you are free to choose any dentist. If your dentist is not a Delta Dental participating dentist, encourage him or her to become one.

Three out of four dentists in the U.S. are Delta Dental Premier dentists. Delta Dental Premier dentists have an agreement with Delta Dental, which means they agree to Delta Dental's determination of fees, they handle claims paperwork free of charge and they call Delta Dental directly with any inquiries. Because Delta Dental pays these dentists directly, you do not need to pay the entire bill and wait for reimbursement. Instead, you pay only the patient portion of the bill.

A Delta Dental member dentist is a dentist who has signed an agreement with Delta Dental stipulating that he or she will provide dental treatment to subscribers covered by Delta Dental's group dental care programs. Delta Dental member dentists submit claims directly to Delta Dental for their patients.

About 85 percent of Oklahoma’s dentists and about two-thirds of the nation’s dentists are Delta Dental participating dentists, so there is a good chance that your dentist is too. You can ask your dentist if he or she is a Delta Dental participating dentist, or you can check the Dentist Directory on our web site. Please identify the type of plan you are enrolled in to identify the appropriate dentist to help you maximize your benefits.

You do not pay the entire bill and wait for reimbursement from Delta Dental. Instead, Delta Dental pays its portion of the cost directly to your dentist. We send you a notice explaining your portion of the bill (an Explanation of Benefits). You pay the dentist only that amount. Delta Dental makes sure you are not charged extra for services that should be included in the cost of treatment.

You can refer your dentist to Delta Dental. Once we receive your request, we will contact your dentist and ask him or her to join our network provided he or she meets our qualifying criteria.

You can nominate your dentist for membership using our online form. Please note that nomination for membership does not mean that a dentist automatically joins the network. When dentists are nominated, Delta Dental reviews each dentist's background. Then, we send the dentist a packet of information and an invitation to join the network. Ultimately, it is each dentist's decision whether or not to join the network.

According to the American Dental Association, adults should schedule regular cleanings a minimum of every six months. Dr. Wooten believes this schedule should be modified to meet the specific needs of the patient. Consult Dr. Wooten to find out the best dental schedule for you.

Your Delta Dental PPO plan offers you and your covered family members the flexibility to visit any licensed dentist, and to change dentists at any time without notifying Delta Dental. This flexibility is important if you need dental care while on a business trip, your children are attending college away from home or your personal dentist isn't a member of the PPO network.

Click on Your Benefit Booklet & ID Cards after logging into the secure Subscriber Log-In section to view and print your dental benefit information. You may also contact your employer.

There is no requirement to carry an ID card! Delta Dental benefits are easy to use. Subscribers just need to say they are on a Delta Dental plan and provide the dentist's office with a social security number. a courtesy to subscribers, a Delta Dental Reference Card is provided to every subscriber so patients have easy access to our address and phone numbers. Top

You can access a list of Delta Dental Premier and PPO participating dentists by going to Find A Dentist.

Delta Dental offers and administers DeltaCare USA dental HMO programs and is an affiliate of Delta Dental of California.

Log into Delta Dental at http://www.deltadental.com. Click on subscribers, then on subscriber connection. If you have not logged into the system previously, you will be prompted to provide a user name and password. After it has been established, you will be able to review the status of claims and your benefit information and eligibility requirements.

Patients who have valvular heart disease or have had a valve replaced are at increased risk for infection of the heart valve. Any manipulation of the gums may cause release of bacteria into the blood stream and set up the risk for infection.