A child sitting in the back of a classroom, squinting at the board might not think anything is wrong. Blurry vision is just the world as they know it. Without vision screenings, it can stay that way for years quietly affecting how they learn, engage and experience everyday life. This Expert Voices event hosted community health leaders, school professionals, educators and funders to talk about the barriers to vision care access in Arizona and what it will take to address them.

Why Vision Care Gets Overlooked

Vision problems in children are common, but easy to miss. That’s why school-based vision screenings are effective. They’re often the first time a child’s vision is evaluated and can help identify any problems that need further evaluation by an eye doctor. But the screening itself is only part of the equation. What happens after is where things get complicated.

A referral must make it home to the parents. A parent must understand what that referral means and have the time and resources to act on it. Vision care can be expensive, and for families without coverage, even a basic eye exam can feel out of reach.

What makes it harder still is that the resources that do exist aren’t always connected. A lot of great work is already happening across Arizona, but it isn’t happening together. At every step between a screening and an appointment, there’s an opportunity for something to fall through the cracks—and too often it does.

Meeting Where the Need Is

Lasting progress starts with understanding what communities need, not just what the system can offer. Access to vision care isn’t a single problem with a single solution. The barriers look different depending on where you are and who you’re serving.

For some communities, it’s a staffing shortage. For others it’s outdated equipment, limited funding or lack of current educational materials. Getting to the root of those gaps and connecting the resources that exist to the people who need them is where the real work begins.

That’s why conversations like this one matter. As Executive Director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, I’ve seen firsthand how bringing the right people together can change what’s possible. When community health organizations, providers and educators have visibility into what others are doing, a clear picture starts to appear—and so do opportunities to fill the gaps.

Looking Ahead

The challenges around vision care access aren’t new, and they aren’t unique. At the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, we’ve seen the same patterns in oral health for years: fragmented systems, awareness gaps and communities that are underserved. It’s not because no one cares, but because the right connections haven’t been made yet. Vision, oral health and overall well-being are more connected than people realize. And addressing one without the others only goes so far. That’s why whole-person care is more than a concept, it’s a framework worth building toward.

That’s encouraging. It means there’s a path forward, and we don’t have to start from scratch. We’re committed to being part of that work and grateful to the leaders across Arizona who are already in it.

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This blog is part of the Expert Voices series. This series brings together leaders in health and wellness to talk about problems and solutions to improve communities. In this event, vision health professionals from public health, private practice and academia in Arizona came together to explore how to address the barriers in vision care access and ways to create partnerships in the future. Watch the recap of the discussion here. For more information about Expert Voices, contact Barb Kozuh at bkozuh@deltadentalaz.com.

The post Strengthening Access to Vision Care in Arizona appeared first on Delta Dental of Arizona Blog - Health & Wellness Tips.

From the moment you wake up, your eyes don’t get a break.

They’re constantly adjusting throughout the day—scanning between screens, reacting with different lighting and keeping up with whatever you’re focused on in the moment. And most of the time, your eyes keep up just fine.

Until they don’t.

By the end of the day, you might start to notice that your eyes are a little tired, dry or blurry.

That’s where what you eat may play a role.

The nutrients in food help support the parts of your eyes that make all of that adjusting possible, and without the right nutrients, your eyes have less to work with.

What Food Can (And Can’t) Do for Your Eyes

It would be nice if eating the right food could sharpen your vision, but that’s not really how it works. How clearly you see is mostly tied to how your eye focuses on light, which is influenced by the shape of your eye and how light is processed as it moves through it. When that process changes, it’s usually corrected with glasses or contacts.

However, food can support the structures in your eyes that make vision possible in the first place. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the nutrients in what you eat help maintain the tissues and cells your eyes depend on, support the tiny arteries that keep them nourished and play a role in keeping your eyes seeing well and from feeling dry and irritated.

Foods that May Help Protect Your Eyes

Your eyes rely on a steady flow of nutrients to keep things working the way they should. And while you’ve heard that carrots are good for your eyes, the full picture goes a bit further than that. Here’s a closer look at the key nutrients that support eye health and what foods to find them in:

Vitamin A

Think of vitamin A as one of your eyes’ most essential tools. It helps your eyes process light and keeps the surface of your eye hydrated. So, when levels are low, dryness and irritation are often the first signs. Carrots are the most famous source, but did you know sweet potatoes pack more vitamin A per serving? Other sources you can find vitamin A in are spinach, kale, egg yolks and dairy.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein and zeaxanthin might not be household names (or maybe it’s your first time seeing them at all), but your eyes depend on them. They are concentrated in the macula—the part of your eye responsible for sharp vision and color recognition that you use for reading, driving and recognizing faces. They help absorb some high-energy visible light and support retinal health. While the names look complicated, it’s easy to add both to your meals. Kale, spinach, eggs, corn, broccoli and peas all do the job.

Vitamin C

Oranges might get all the credit, but vitamin C shows up in more places than you’d think. And your eyes need it. Vitamin C helps protect eye tissue from damage and supports the tiny blood vessels that keep your eyes nourished. You can find this in bell peppers, broccoli, kale, strawberries, and yes, oranges too.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E doesn’t get as much attention as some of the others, but your eyes notice when it’s missing. It helps protect eye cells from the kind of everyday damage that builds up over time. Think of it as long-term maintenance for your vision. Almonds, avocados and sunflower seeds are all great places to start.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

If your eyes feel tired, dry or irritated by the end of the day, omega-3 fatty acids might be worth paying attention to. They support the structure of cells in your eye and have anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve dry eye symptoms. Where can you find omega-3 fatty acids? The hint is in the name. Fatty fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel are the most popular sources. But if fish isn’t your thing, flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts are good alternatives, as well as quality fish oil supplements

Zinc

Zinc doesn’t get much spotlight, but it plays a behind-the-scenes role that makes everything else work better. It helps move vitamin A from your liver to your retina. Without it, your body can’t fully use the vitamin A you’re already getting. You can find zinc in lean meats, shellfish, beans, nuts and seeds.

Simple Ways to Add Vision-Supporting Foods to Your Diet

You don’t need to overhaul your diet to get more of these nutrients. Small, consistent changes go further than big ones that make it hard to stick.

Here are a few simple ways to add vision-supporting foods to your diet:

• Build around what you already eat. If you’re already making a salad, swap the base to spinach or kale. If you’re already snacking, reach for nuts or seeds instead.
• Add color to your plate. Orange and dark green vegetables are some of the easiest sources of vision-supporting foods, and they’re easy to work in as a side!
• Make fish a regular swap. Try replacing one of your usual proteins with salmon, sardines or tuna a couple times a week.
• Don’t overlook breakfast. Eggs are one of the most convenient sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, and the fat in egg yolks helps your body absorb them more effectively.

None of these require a complicated recipe or a trip to a specialty store. The goal is consistency, not perfection at every meal. Many of the same foods that support your eyes are good for your overall health. Check out our healthy recipes for ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post How Food Plays a Role in Healthy Vision appeared first on Delta Dental of Arizona Blog - Health & Wellness Tips.

Braces can be an exciting step toward a healthier, more confident smile, but they can also raise questions about cost. Before starting orthodontic treatment, it helps to understand what your dental plan covers. If you’re wondering whether Delta Dental of Arizona helps pay for braces, knowing how orthodontic benefits work can make it easier to plan ahead and avoid unexpected expenses.

What Orthodontic Treatment for Braces May Include

Braces get most of the attention, but they’re just one part of what orthodontic treatment involves. Coverage varies by plan, but most Delta Dental of Arizona plans with orthodontic benefits include:

• Pre-orthodontic treatment visit
• Exam and start-up records (e.g., X-rays, photos and impressions of your teeth)
• Comprehensive orthodontic treatment (including braces or clear aligners)
• Post-treatment retainers
• Post-treatment records

After any coinsurance is paid, coverage applies up to your lifetime maximum, which means any costs beyond that limit are paid by you. Additional appliances like expanders, space maintainers and replacement retainers are not part of standard orthodontic coverage. When your orthodontist presents your treatment, ask which services are covered under your specific benefits so you know exactly what to expect before treatment begins.

If Your Child Needs Braces, Here’s What to Know

Your dentist just said “braces” and now you’re wondering how to make it happen without breaking the bank. The good news is most plans with orthodontic coverage offered by employers help cover braces for children.

It’s important to know that there’s a time window. Orthodontic treatment for dependent children must begin on or after age 8, and braces need to be in place before age 17. Between school schedules and everything else on a parent’s plate, it’s easy to put orthodontic treatment on the back burner. But putting it off too long could mean missing out on benefits you’re already paying for.

It’s also helpful to understand how payments work. Delta Dental of Arizona doesn’t pay the full cost of orthodontic treatment upfront. Instead, an initial payment is made when braces are put on, and a second payment follows 8 to 12 months later if the member receiving the treatment is still enrolled in a qualifying plan. You pay your coinsurance share directly to the orthodontist and can work with them on a payment plan.

Getting Braces as an Adult

If you’re like many adults, the idea of getting braces has probably crossed your mind more than once. It just never felt like the right time—or maybe it’s never been a priority in your budget.

Adult orthodontic treatment is more common than you might realize, and the options have come a long way. Beyond traditional metal braces, there are a few directions you can go depending on your lifestyle and how visible you want your treatment to be:

• Ceramic braces use tooth-colored brackets that blend in with your teeth. Same function as metal, just less noticeable.
• Lingual braces are placed on the back of your teeth, making them virtually invisible from the front.
• Clear aligners are removable trays that straighten your teeth without any brackets or wires at all.

Not every dental plan includes orthodontic coverage for adults. If you receive dental benefits from your employer, coverage for orthodontic treatment will depend on your specific plan. If you’re paying for dental benefits on your own, you’ll want Delta Dental of Arizona’s Palo Verde plan which covers orthodontic treatment for adults. This coverage kicks in during the second year of enrollment.

Already mid-treatment when you switched to a Delta Dental plan? You may still have options. Delta Dental of Arizona’s standard orthodontic takeover policy might be able to cover part of your remaining costs. Under this policy, your new Delta Dental plan pays the difference between its maximum and what your old plan paid before switching. Your member portal will have more information on how this applies to your specific benefits, or you can contact us to find out if you have takeover on your plan.

What You Can Expect to Pay for Braces

The cost of braces varies depending on the type of treatment, how long it takes and where you live. A plan with orthodontic coverage can lower what you pay out of pocket.

Most Delta Dental of Arizona plans with orthodontic coverage split the cost with you up to a lifetime orthodontic maximum. That coverage is separate from your annual dental maximum, so your other dental benefits aren’t affected. On Delta Dental of Arizona’s Palo Verde plan, there’s no deductible on orthodontic treatment, meaning you won’t be required to pay a set amount out of pocket before your benefits kick in. However, employer-provided plans may require a deductible for orthodontic treatment.

What you’re required to pay out of pocket is billed directly by your orthodontist, not to Delta Dental of Arizona. Ask their office about setting up a payment plan so the full cost of braces can be paid off over time.

Before treatment starts, you will receive a pre-treatment estimate. This will tell you what is covered, how much your plan will pay toward treatment and how much you’ll need to pay out of pocket. It’s not a guarantee of payment, but it gives you a realistic number to work with before you commit.

When it comes to choosing an orthodontist, you can see any licensed provider, but you’ll save more by staying in network. Delta Dental has a large network of orthodontists in Arizona and across the country, and you can search for one near you using our search tool.

What an Orthodontic Lifetime Maximum Means for You

An orthodontic lifetime maximum is the total amount your plan will pay for braces over your lifetime. Any additional amount becomes your responsibility.

This is different from your annual dental maximum, which resets every year. Your orthodontic lifetime maximum is a one-time benefit and is separate from your annual maximum. So, using it doesn’t affect what your plan pays toward cleanings, fillings or other dental care.

For families, the orthodontic lifetime maximum applies per person. If you have more than one family member who needs braces, each one will have their own limit.

How Soon Can You Use Your Orthodontia Coverage?

For most Delta Dental of Arizona employer-provided plans, there is no waiting period for orthodontia coverage. It’s available from day one, which is one less thing to factor into your treatment timeline.

If you’re paying for dental benefits on your own, Delta Dental of Arizona’s Palo Verde plan requires one full year of enrollment before coverage for braces kicks in.

Delta Dental makes two payments over the course of treatment—one when braces go on and a second 8 to 12 months later. Staying enrolled in a plan with orthodontia coverage for the full course of treatment ensures both payments are made. If you lose or change your coverage before that second payment, you may be responsible for the remaining costs.

Finding a Plan that Covers Braces

Where you go from here depends on where you’re starting from.

If you’re already a Delta Dental of Arizona member, sign in to your member portal to review your plan details and confirm whether braces coverage is included. Your coverage summary will show your orthodontic lifetime maximum and any waiting periods that apply.

If you’re shopping for a new dental plan, orthodontic coverage isn’t always included. Here are a few things to look for when comparing options:

• Who’s covered: Some plans limit orthodontic benefits to dependent children. Look for a plan that covers everyone who needs, or wants, braces.
• Clear aligners: Most plans with orthodontic benefits cover both braces and clear aligners, but not all. Confirm before you enroll.
• Waiting periods: Individual plans might have a waiting period before orthodontic benefits kick in. If you’re planning to start treatment soon, factor that timeline into your decision.
• Lifetime maximum: This is the total your plan will pay toward braces per person. The higher the maximum, the more your plan contributes toward the total cost of treatment.

Delta Dental of Arizona’s Palo Verde plan is a great option for those who are paying for dental benefits on their own and are looking for coverage for braces, clear aligners, retainers and more!

Frequently Asked Questions

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School is hard enough when you’re trying to learn something new. But imagine sitting in class, not quite following along, and not knowing why.

For Kristi DeWitt Quintero, general agency relationship executive Delta Dental of Arizona, that feeling was part of her everyday experience growing up.

She remembers loving school but struggling to keep up. Math didn’t make sense. Reading and spelling felt harder than they should have. And no matter how hard she tried, it felt like everyone else understood something she didn’t.

“I genuinely believed that I was bad at math and average at best with other subjects,” she shared.

It wasn’t until later that she discovered the reason.

She couldn’t see the board.

How Vision Problems in Children Go Undetected

This is what makes childhood vision problems so easy to miss: kids have no frame of reference.

When you’ve always seen the world in a certain way, you assume that’s just how the world looks. Blurry letters on the board, squinting to read, losing your place mid-sentence—if that’s your normal, you don’t think to mention it. You just think you’re not trying hard enough.

And when you can’t keep up, it doesn’t feel like a vision problem, it feels personal.

“It felt really humiliating when I could not understand these simple concepts that everybody else in my class seemed to catch on to,” remembered DeWitt Quintero.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), many vision problems in children go undetected by parents, teachers and the children themselves without a formal vision screening. That’s partly because vision problems don’t always look like vision problems. They can look like short attention span, a reading delay or a child who doesn’t seem motivated.

“It’s as if I was going to school part-time because I couldn’t see the board.”

The window to catch and correct vision problems is also narrower than most parents realize. Vision development is most sensitive to correction during the first seven to eight years of life. After that, some conditions become harder to treat.

The Moment It Clicked

DeWitt Quintero didn’t put the pieces together as a child. She put them together 45 years later, sitting in a meeting.

There, a story was shared about a student struggling in school. His grades were down and his teachers had low expectations. Then he was identified as having a vision problem and was fitted with glasses on the spot.

“All of a sudden, his grades took off.”

Sitting in that room, something clicked for DeWitt Quintero.

“I’m thinking, oh my God, that is my story.” She went home and confirmed it with her parents. The glasses and the advanced math class happened at the same time—she just hadn’t known it until now.

“I got the glasses and suddenly, miraculously, not only did my math skills take off, I actually got put in advanced math and honors English and AP everything else,” said DeWitt Quintero. “It was just the missing link. Simply, I couldn’t see the board.”

What Vision Screenings Check (And What They Miss)

In Arizona, public and charter schools are required by law to screen student’s vision. Private schools are not held to the same requirement. Children are typically screened when starting preschool and kindergarten, in third grade and again in seventh grade.  When a child enrolls in a new school that requires a vision screening, they must provide documentation or have a screening completed in the first 90 days.

Vision screenings can check for a range of issues, including:

• How clearly a child sees at a distance
• Whether their eyes are properly aligned
• Whether there are signs of conditions like lazy eye or the need for glasses

But they aren’t a complete picture. According to the American Optometric Association, a child can pass a vision screening and still have a vision problem related to eye focusing, eye tracking or eye coordination—all of which affect how well a child reads and learns.

A comprehensive eye exam is where those gaps get filled. Unlike a screening, it checks your child’s vision and the internal structures of their eyes, which gives the eye care professional a complete picture of their eye health.

Think of a vision as a first filter, not a final answer.

How to Support Your Child’s Vision Health

It can be hard to spot the signs that your child has vision problems. Some are more obvious than others like a child who squints, sits too close to the TV or holds a book unusually close to their face. But other signs that are easier to miss, a child who rubs their eyes often or tilts their head to one side.

Then there are signs that show up in the classroom and are easy to misread. When a child can’t see the board or struggles to track words on a page, it can seem like they’re having trouble paying attention. In some cases, it can even look like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

DeWitt Quintero puts it simply: “Speak up and ask the simple questions, because this may change the trajectory of their life and their self-worth.”

The earlier a vision problem is caught, the more options there are to correct it. If you notice any of the signs above, start by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam with an eye care professional. You can find a vision provider near you to get started.

And even if nothing seems off, vision can change gradually without any obvious signs.

Vision Care is Part of the Bigger Picture

DeWitt Quintero’s story is personal, but it’s not uncommon. There are children in classrooms right now who are struggling for the same reason she did—and have no idea.

“This was life changing. This was so revealing to me. And looking back, it really could have saved me so much—so many teary homework nights and frustration.”

Vision is one of the primary ways children experience and absorb the world around them. When something is off, everything downstream can be affected: learning, confidence and how a child sees their own potential. The good news is that for most children, it’s correctable. But only if it gets caught.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Children’s Vision Care: Why Eye Health Matters for Learning appeared first on Delta Dental of Arizona Blog - Health & Wellness Tips.

A toothache doesn’t clock out at 5 p.m. Neither does eye strain or that pesky headache that keeps coming back. These are minor but persistent problems people push through instead of calling in sick. But these are also the same problems that can slowly chip away at focus, productivity and morale.

The right preventive benefits can help keep small issues from turning into bigger (and expensive) ones.

The Basics: What Preventive Benefits Cover

Preventive benefits cover the services that help your employees stay healthy, not just fix what’s wrong. This includes annual physicals, dental cleanings, and eye exams.

For dental, preventive benefits cover:

• Routine cleanings: Even with good brushing habits, plaque and tartar build up over time. Regular cleanings remove buildup before it turns into cavities or gum disease.
• Oral exams: A dentist can spot early signs of decay , infection or oral cancer. Early treatment is almost always simpler and less costly.
• X-rays: The naked eye can’t see everything that’s going on in your mouth. X-rays catch hidden problems like decay between teeth or changes in bone density.

For vision, preventive benefits cover:

• Comprehensive eye exams: These go beyond checking how clearly you see. They look at the overall health of your eyes, including early signs of conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration.
• Prescription evaluations: If your prescription is out of date, you’re working harder than you need to just to see clearly. This makes sure your employees have what they need to see well and work comfortably.

Unfortunately, these are the kinds of appointments that are easy to push aside when life gets busy. But here’s what happens when preventive benefits go unused: a skipped dental cleaning can turn into a costly root canal. An overdue eye exam means another year of straining to read a screen with the wrong prescription. When your employees put off preventive care, it impacts more than their health. It affects how they show up to work.

The Connection Between Employee Health and Performance

The connection between employee health and performance isn’t abstract. Dental pain affects concentration. Vision problems make it harder to read, focus and respond quickly. These don’t get flagged in a performance review, but they’re hard to ignore during an eight-hour workday. Left unaddressed, those health issues impact more than just the employee.

The Business Cost of Presenteeism and Absenteeism

There’s actually a term for when employees show up to work but aren’t really there: presenteeism. It can look like pushing through a day of meetings with a toothache. Or squinting at a spreadsheet because their prescription is two years overdue. Technically present but distracted and not at their best.

Presenteeism is more costly than most employers realize. It costs U.S. businesses up to $150 billion annually. That’s roughly 10 times the cost of absenteeism.

Missed days show up in attendance records, while presenteeism hides in plain sight. The work still looks like it’s getting done. But the quality, focus and output behind it tells a different story.

When employees stay on top of their health, problems like these are less likely to take root in the first place. That’s the case for making preventive benefits more than just a line item in your benefits package.

Missed days are the most visible sign that something is wrong— and they add up fast. In fact, U.S. employers lose an estimated $226 billion a year to health-related absences. That’s about $1,695 per employee. It’s not just an empty desk. It’s the work that piles up, the teammates who pick it up and deadlines that get pushed.

A lot of absences don’t come out of nowhere. Often, they’re the result of a health issue that had been building for a while. When your employees use their preventive benefits regularly, those small problems get handled before they become a reason to call in sick.

The Role of Dental and Vision Benefits in the Workplace

That’s where dental and vision benefits come in. While they’re separate from health insurance, they’re all part of what keeps the whole body healthy.

Did you know?
Nearly half of U.S. adults over 30 have some form of gum disease and most don’t know it.

Gum disease has been linked to serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes. This means what’s happening in your mouth can be a window into what’s happening in the rest of your body.  On this vision side, 78% of employees say eye issues hurt their productivity at work.

Healthy employees perform better. Routine dental and vision care is one of the easiest and most practical ways to support that.

How Preventive Benefits Can Lower Healthcare Costs

Every year, benefits budgets get harder to manage. Premiums go up, costs climb and the pressure to offer competitive coverage doesn’t let up. The good news is that preventive benefits are one of the few places where spending more can cost you less.

When your employees stay on top of their dental and vision care, health issues get caught early. That means fewer emergency claims and lower overall costs over time. Research shows that every dollar spent on workplace wellness programs, healthcare costs drop by about $3.27.

Cutting voluntary benefits to reduce costs has the opposite effect. The costs don’t disappear. They just show up later, in as more expensive reactive care.

Preventive Benefits as a Retention Tool

Compensation gets people in the door. Benefits are often what keeps them there. In a competitive job market, employees are paying close attention to what their benefits package includes.

In fact, 88% of workers say it’s a major factor in their decision to take a job. And once employees are hired, benefits continue to shape whether they stay. 36% of employees say health benefits are a top reason they stay with their current employer.

For organizations where turnover is a real cost, recruiting and onboarding add up fast.

Offering dental and vision benefits sends a clear message to your workforce: that employee health is a priority, not an afterthought. When employees have options elsewhere, preventive benefits can be your differentiator in employee retention.

Encouraging Preventive Care in the Workplace

Offering preventive benefits is step one. Making sure employees use them is the next step. Turns out, 80% of employees don’t even read their benefit materials. And almost half don’t fully understand their benefits. This is not a communication problem, but rather an opportunity for you to help close the gap:

• Communicate year-round. Open enrollment is a start, but employees need reminders year-round. Monthly or quarterly check-ins through email, newsletters or your intranet help keep preventive care top of mind.
• Use multiple channels. Employees have different learning styles. Videos, flyers, lunch-and-learns and mobile-friendly resources all reach people differently. The easier you make it, the more likely employees are to engage.
• Lead with culture. When leadership uses their benefits and encourages others to do the same, it sets the tone. It tells employees that taking care of their health is supported, not something to squeeze in.
• Use open enrollment strategically. It’s the window when employees are actively reviewing their coverage. Use it to remind employees what’s covered and that most preventive care costs them little to nothing out of pocket.

Preventive Benefits as a Workplace Wellness Strategy

Workplace wellness is more than a step challenge or access to a meditation app. It’s also about consistent and accessible preventive care. The kind that catches a dental problem before it becomes a sick day or spots a vision issue before it affects someone’s ability to do their job.

That’s what preventive dental and vision benefits do. If you’re serious about a healthy and productive workplace, preventive benefits are not a line item. They’re part of the whole workplace wellness strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Why Preventive Benefits Boost Employee Productivity appeared first on Delta Dental of Arizona Blog - Health & Wellness Tips.

Healthy. Easy to make. And packed with flavor. What more could you ask for? Give juicy shrimp a tasty kick and delicious crunch with this creative recipe. Shrimp is full of smile-friendly nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, protein and omega-3s to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.

Ingredients:

For 6-8 tacos:

• 1 pound jumbo shrimp (peeled, deveined and tails removed)
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground chipotle chili seasoning
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 to 8 corn tortillas

For the slaw and sauce:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove of peeled garlic
• ½ small jalapeno with seeds and membranes removed
• ¼ cup tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 2 cups shredded cabbage or slaw mix

Directions:

Make the shrimp:

1. Rinse and dry shrimp and place in a large mixing bowl.
2. Drizzle shrimp with ½ tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with spices. Toss to coat evenly.
3. Heat the remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sauté for about 4 minutes before transferring it to a plate. 

Make the slaw and shrimp taco sauce:

1. Combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, salt and lime juice in a food processor.
2. Place the cabbage in a mixing bowl and toss with about ½ cup of the sauce from the food processor. 

Assemble the tacos:

1. Fill the tortillas with shrimp and slaw. Top with remaining sauce.
2. Add extra toppings if desired like avocado, sour cream and cheese. Enjoy!

The post Mouth-Healthy Recipe: Shrimp Tacos appeared first on Delta Dental of Arizona Blog - Health & Wellness Tips.

Have you ever left work thinking about the conversations you had with patients? Not the ones about complicated procedures or treatment plans, but the ones that really matter to them. Those moments may feel small on a busy day, but they matter to your patients. They remember how you treated them when deciding whether to come back, wait longer or go somewhere else.

Patients rarely stop coming to the dentist all at once. It’s usually a series of choices like these that lead them to drop out of care. Your patients return to your practice as their dental home because of the longstanding relationship you built over time with them, including your hygienist and supporting office staff.

So, what does this mean for your practice? When patients don’t feel seen or heard in everyday interactions, it often shows up later through missed appointments or delayed routine visits. Or in the worst cases, a request to send your patient’s records to another provider.  Remember, no one likes feeling like a number and relationship building with your patients is a vital part of building a solid, healthy and dependable patient base. 

What Happens During Preventive Visits

During preventive visits, you get a chance to check in on more than plaque levels or X-rays. It’s one of the few times you get to see how your patient is really keeping up with their oral and overall care. You’ll quickly notice what’s changed, what hasn’t and where they might be falling behind.

Most routine visits follow a familiar flow:

• A review of your patient’s medical history and any recent concerns
• Taking any X-rays needed to assess areas that are not visible during an exam
• A clinical exam to identify early signs of decay, wear or other changes in the mouth
• An evaluation of their gum health
• A deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup

And if the situation calls for it, you might apply fluoride, place sealants or screen for oral cancer.

When you see patients regularly for dental exams, you’ll start to see patterns and have a chance to step in before they turn into bigger treatment needs. In many ways, recall appointments support the treatment side and give you more chances to catch problems early. Patients are looking for, and will stick with, a provider who looks out for them and helps them stay as healthy as possible. That’s the kind of care your patients remember, and the kind that keeps your practice growing.

Where Patient Loyalty is Built

Visits for restorative care usually happen when something is wrong, so they tend to be one-off appointments.  Your patient is focused on fixing that one problem, but it’s still an opportunity for you to reassure them that you will take care of their immediate concern, while also showing how you can help them with them with their immediate need and their long-term oral health.

With preventive visits, you’ll see your patient regularly. This gives them the chance to see how your office works and they likely won’t be distracted by a one-off problem they need fixed. These regular visits are when they start to feel more comfortable with your team and ask questions instead of holding back. This is when you can build a lasting relationship and turn them into long-term patients.

That’s where patient loyalty shows up. Patients who come in regularly don’t wait as long when something feels off. And when issues do come up, patients are more confident in your care. Preventive visits keep your patients coming back and your schedule stays filled more often.

The Financial Reality Behind Missed Routine Care

You’ve probably seen this happen. A patient skips routine care because they don’t know how much it costs or don’t think regular exams are a big deal.

By the time they make it back to your chair, it’s been months (maybe even years!) since you saw them last. A visit that could have been routine turns into a more expensive one, and no one likes being caught off guard by unexpected costs.

Patients are more cautious when procedures are expensive, which can make conversations more challenging. If cost is a concern, they might seek another opinion, and a different recommendation could lead them to switch providers. As a result, you’re now the provider they associate with bigger, more costly problems. For some patients, that’s enough to turn a “see you next time” into a permanent goodbye. 

Patient loyalty is built—or broken—in moments like these. The good news is that these goodbyes are preventable. That’s why preventive visits with a positive, ongoing and supportive relationship are so important.

Helping Patients Stay on Schedule

Think about your most loyal patients. Chances are, they’re the ones who you see at least twice a year without you having to chase them down. Here are a few ways you can get more of your patients to do the same:

• Rebook at checkout
  Before they leave your office, get the next appointment on the books.
• Set reminders
  A text or email reminder is all it can take to turn an “I’ll call you tomorrow” into a kept appointment.
• Offer flexible scheduling
  Early mornings, evenings, weekends—the easier it is to fit in, the harder it is to put off.
• Clarify insurance benefits
  Some patients don’t realize their cleanings exams are likely covered by insurance. When they do, coming in for a routine exam becomes more like a perk they can cash in on rather than something extra they must do.

What they say is true: dental practices that make it easy to show up are the ones patients stay with. Apply these simple tips to help your patients stay on schedule and keep them loyal to you.

The Bottom Line

Building patient loyalty doesn’t happen in one visit. It happens over time, conversation by conversation, visit by visit. Each time you see your patients, you have the opportunity to help them feel informed, comfortable and taken care of. Preventive care visits give you the time and consistency to make that happen.

When patients come into your office twice a year, you’re not just keeping their teeth clean, you’re building a relationship that becomes a lifelong engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Building Patient Loyalty Through Preventive Care appeared first on Delta Dental of Arizona Blog - Health & Wellness Tips.

You’re always supposed to have a plan. A backup plan. A backup to the backup. But what if that all changes because you lose your job, or choose to take a break from work?

Suddenly, you’re not thinking about the next trip or night out. You’re in survival mode. How do you make rent? What can you afford to eat? How long can you stretch your budget?

You’re probably not thinking about dental insurance—at least not right away

When coverage isn’t top of mind, it can be easy to put off routine care. But keeping up with your dental exams and check-ups can save you money. That’s because your dentist can spot small problems early before they turn into painful, costly treatments. Preventive visits are usually covered by insurance, which means you can take care of your teeth now and avoid bigger bills later.

 The good news? Finding dental coverage that fits both your budget and your family’s needs is easy.

When Your Dental Coverage Ends and What to Expect Next

When you leave your job, your employer-sponsored dental coverage will end on your last day or at the end of the month. Check with Human Resources or look at your plan paperwork to find out exactly when your coverage ends.

That timing matters more than it might seem right now. If you have a cleaning coming up, a filling you’ve been putting off or anything your dentist flagged at your last visit, knowing when your coverage ends gives you a chance to use it while you still can. If you’re mid-treatment, call your dentist to find out what you can complete before you’re no longer covered.

So, what happens next? You can look at dental plans offered outside of work to help protect your smile and give you peace of mind.

Finding Insurance Options that Work for You

When you’re looking for dental insurance, there’s no one-size-fits-all option. The right plan will depend on where you live, how soon your coverage ends, whether you have another job lined up and what you can realistically spend right now. Some options are temporary. Others can carry you for as long as you need. It’s worth knowing what’s out there before you decide.

Continue Your Current Coverage Temporarily

If you had dental coverage through your employer, you might be able to keep it for a little while longer through something called COBRA. This program lets you stay on the plan you already have—same coverage, same network, same dentist—just without your employer sharing the cost. The full premium is now yours to pay.

It’s not always the most affordable option. But if you’re mid-treatment or you have something coming up that you’ve already scheduled, staying on your current plan can make a lot of sense. It buys you time to figure out your next move without interrupting care you’ve already started.

Join a Spouse or Partner’s Dental Plan

Losing your job is considered a qualifying life event, which means you can join your spouse or partner’s dental plan right away. It’s one of the easier options if it’s available to you. Just keep in mind there’s usually a window to make that change, so don’t wait too long.

If you leave your job voluntarily, you’ll need to wait for open enrollment before you can join a spouse or partner’s dental plan.

Explore Marketplace or State-Based Options

Most states, including Arizona, have their own health insurance marketplace, and losing your job-based coverage  gives you a chance to enroll in a new plan through these programs. Some plans include dental coverage. Others let you add it on. If your income has changed, you might also qualify for financial help that brings your monthly cost down more than you’d expect.

Purchase Your Own Dental Plan

Did you know that you don’t need an employer to get dental (and vision) insurance?

That’s right! You can purchase an individual and family plan to help cover the cost of cleanings, checkups and other dental work. Companies like Delta Dental of Arizona allow you to enroll at any time and have various options that fit both your budget and your family’s needs.

One thing to note: if you’re coming off employer or COBRA coverage with less than a 63-day gap, the waiting period may be waived on some plans. That means you can use your benefits sooner rather than later.

Choose a Discount Plan

Discount plans, or memberships, have become more common. But it is important to note that discount plans are not insurance. With a discount plan, you’ll get a discount when you visit a dentist that accepts your plan. Then you will pay the balance due for the service. A discount plan may be right for you if you’re looking for short-term coverage and won’t need much dental care.

With Delta Dental Patient Direct, you can receive a minimum 20% discount on treatment and services performed in-office with a Patient Direct network provider and you don’t have to worry about waiting periods.

How to Choose the Right Dental Plan for Your Situation

So now you know your options. But with everything else on your plate, the last thing you need is another decision to overthink. A few things can help you figure out which dental plan makes sense to you right now.

• Low cost: If you’ve been keeping up with regular cleanings and your mouth is healthy, a lower-cost plan focused on preventive care is probably all you need. This keeps you from falling behind on your oral health while you’re in between jobs.
• Major services: A plan that covers a larger percentage of major services, like fillings, extractions and root canals, might be a better option if you already know you need work done. It still saves you money in the long run, even if the monthly premium is a little higher.
• The in-between: And then there’s everything in between! You might not expect to need a major service, but you don’t want to be caught off guard either. Pair an affordable plan with the coverage you need so you can keep up with preventive care and be prepared if (and when) the unexpected happens.

One more thing to consider: how long you need coverage. If you’re planning to be back on an employer-sponsored plan soon, a short-term bridge might be all you need. But if you’re self-employed, taking time off or not sure what’s next, an individual and family plan can carry you as long as you need it—on your terms, not your employer’s.

Compare Dental Plan Options by Budget

Dental coverage doesn’t have to be expensive. And when you’re watching every dollar, knowing what you’re getting for what you’re spending matters.

Delta Dental of Arizona offers a choice of Individual and Family plans designed to meet your needs and budget. You’re sure to find one that makes you smile!

Some plan features include:

• Free Until Three^TM: $0 premiums for children under age 3 on select plans
• Orthodontic coverage: Additional coverage for braces, clear aligners and more
• Special health care needs benefit: Extra preventive care and services for members who qualify

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Leaving Your job? Here Are Your Dental Insurance Options appeared first on Delta Dental of Arizona Blog - Health & Wellness Tips.