Consumers with Affordable Dental Care Are More Likely to Associate Good Teeth with Good Health
First Dental Health cites National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) Consumer Survey: Having Dental Benefits Make a Difference in Overall Health Attitudes and Behaviors.
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Although most consumers claim to be aware of the connection between dental health and overall health, those with dental benefits, or access to affordable dental care, are 28% more likely to rate their oral health as excellent or very good. And even more revealing: those without dental benefits – dental insurance or discount dental plans – were 2.5 times less likely to visit the dentist than those with dental benefits. Even among people with periodontal disease, which has been linked to numerous health complications including heart disease, 48% of those without dental benefits had not received treatment, according to the NADP survey.
More than 6,000 consumers responded to the NADP Consumer Survey about dental benefits. According to Evelyn F. Ireland, NADP Executive Director, "Our survey found that people with dental benefits were more likely to have a regular dentist, visit the dentist more frequently, and receive dental treatment than those without. This included children's dental visits – when parents don't have dental benefits, the number of kids seeing a dentist twice a year drops by over 20%."
New Dental Choice, a nationwide discount dental plan offered by First Dental Health, says consumers are getting the message about the relationship between healthy oral habits – brushing, flossing, regular dental visits, choosing not to smoke and healthy eating habits – and overall health.
"We know that with access to affordable dental care, people are more likely to take preventive measures to maintain their dental health," says Dr. Michael S. Grossman, President and CEO of First Dental Health. "Between 80 and 90 percent of New Dental Choice members use their dental plan discounts for teeth cleanings, x-rays and exams – they are not waiting until they have dental problems, which could lead to other health issues," says Grossman.
Anyone is eligible for discount dental savings through New Dental Choice plans provided by First Dental Health. For more information about the consumer survey, - email [email protected].
NADP is the representative and recognized resource of the dental benefits industry. NADP is the largest non-profit, national trade association focused exclusively on the entire spectrum of the dental benefits industry, i.e. dental HMOs, dental PPOs, discount dental plans and dental indemnity products.
New Dental Choice, the first licensed discount dental plan in California, expanded nationally in 2011 by adding the Principal Dental Access Network. New Dental Choice offers its members dental discounts between 15 and 60 percent on all commonly done dental procedures. Their plans maximize member savings by providing immediate discounts, there are no waiting periods for eligibility or treatment, and there is no annual maximum benefit limitation. New Dental Choice is a service of First Dental Health, the largest independent dental network management company in California.
Media Contact: Katelynn Sarcione, Marketing Communications Manager, www.newdentalchoice.com (858) 444-2604.
SOURCE First Dental Health
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