Evidence-based Plan Design

Washington Dental Service, a member of the nationwide Delta Dental Plans Association, is the leading dental benefits company in the state of Washington. And since dental coverage is our only business, no other company matches our commitment to improving oral health and our direct involvement in dental science.

As part of this ongoing commitment, Washington Dental Service offers some innovative dental benefits based on scientific research and more than 15 years of dental claims data. These evidence-based care enhancements are designed to improve the oral health — and overall health — of employees, while reducing long-term costs for everyone.

WDS's evidence-based benefit package was the first in the state to offer new preventive treatments to stop periodontal disease and tooth decay, which are linked to diabetes and pre-term labor complications for women, as well as leading to such serious conditions as heart disease. The package includes:

• Dental sealants covered with no age limit to encourage their use in preventing cavities. Research shows that children and adults who receive sealants are 84 percent and 85 percent (respectively) less likely to need subsequent fillings.
• Prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste and antimicrobial mouth rinse covered following covered periodontal procedures. Research shows that prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste is absorbed into the exposed roots of teeth and thus helps prevent cavities following gum surgery. Antimicrobial mouth rinse, when combined with appropriate periodontal care by a dentist, helps control the plaque and bacteria that contribute to gum disease and helps prevent subsequent gum disease and surgery.
• Because treatment of periodontal disease and the use of antimicrobial mouth rinse during pregnancy have been associated with a reduction in pre-term, low birth-weight babies, the mouthwash is also available to women during pregnancy without a periodontal procedure.

The evidence-based benefits are just the latest advance in Washington Dental Service's pioneering efforts to use clinical data and science to design benefit plans that prevent disease, rather than treating it after the fact — when the costs and health risks are much higher.