Articles
Delta Dental Helps Dentists ID Child Abuse
Y2K Transition Smooth
PANDA Program Receives Honors
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Steps to More Relaxed Dental Visits
Captain Supertooth Reaches Thousands
Golf Outing Set for June 6
Specialist Definitions
Have a Question About Us? Find Your Answer Easily at Our Web Site
Student Documentation Reminder

Delta Dental Helps Dentists ID Child Abuse

Each year, at least one million children nationwide are physically, emotionally or sexually abused. The actual number is probably much higher, says Sharon Copeland, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey, a private non-profit agency that develops prevention programs for at-risk families.

"In New Jersey, we investigate child deaths, and an average of one-third of those deaths are known to the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS)," she says. "That means a number of children died who weren't known to DYFS, which leads us to believe there are many instances where abuse is occurring and no one reported it." Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey is working to change that.

Through our philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental Endowment Association, Delta Dental sponsors an educational program for dentists called PANDA, for Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness. PANDA is aimed at helping dental office personnel recognize and report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.

"Dentists have a unique opportunity to see where most child-abuse injuries occur, which are in the head and neck region," says Dr. Lawrence Dobrin, a forensic dentist from Roselle Park, New Jersey, and PANDA spokesperson. "We have an opportunity to save a child with early intervention."

Many people, including dentists, are reluctant to report suspected child abuse because they are uncertain whether an injury resulted from abuse or something else. "The unfortunate thing is, unless you have some knowledge of or exposure to what constitutes child abuse, it is difficult to report or be suspicious," says Dr. Dobrin. "PANDA shows dentists how to identify the difference between accidental injuries and those inflicted by a guardian or caretaker."

Thousands of dentists have attended PANDA programs throughout New Jersey and Connecticut. Programs are offered several times a month, not only to dentists, but also to school nurses, teachers and other health-care providers.

"More dentists have begun reporting child abuse since we started the PANDA program," says Dr. Dobrin. "They know where to report abuse and have less reluctance once they have some training about what constitutes child abuse."

While no one knows exactly how many children have been rescued because someone acted on information learned from a PANDA program, Dr. Dobrin is certain the program is making a difference. "I've received several calls over the years from individuals thanking me because the program made them comfortable reporting child abuse. It made them feel better, that they could do the right thing."

Y2K Transition Smooth

Delta Dental is pleased to let you know that we enjoyed a successful Y2K transition with no major problems related to our computer systems. We would like to thank you for putting your confidence in Delta Dental and we are looking forward to working with you in the 21st century.

PANDA Program Receives Honors

The Points of Light Foundation named Delta Dental Endowment Association's PANDA program a Citationist in the 1999 President's Service Awards program, presented by the Points of Light Foundation.

"The problems of our communities and of our nation have become so great and so pervasive that it is only with the efforts of dedicated citizens like you and those with whom you work that we can begin to address them successfully," wrote Robert Goodwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Points of Light Foundation, to Diane Belle, Delta Dental Assistant Vice President.

The PANDA Program was selected for Citation recognition from among 3,500 nominations.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

What You Can Do:

• Wear a blue ribbon. Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey runs its Blue Ribbon campaign in April. Last year it distributed 330,000 ribbons, which people wore throughout the month to raise awareness of the problem. Each ribbon comes with information on how to prevent child abuse. For information, call (800) CHILDREN.
  
  
• Report suspected cases of abuse. In New Jersey, contact your local DYFS District Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. There is at least one District Office in every county. After hours, the Office of Child Abuse Control operates a toll-free hotline round the clock, at (800) 792-8610. In Connecticut, call the CARELINE at (800) 842-2288. Anyone who reports abuse or neglect, or testifies in a child abuse hearing resulting from such a report, is immune from any criminal or civil liability as a result of this action.

Steps to More Relaxed Dental Visits

Do you get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist? You're not alone. The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that many people experience anxiety at the thought of a visit to the dentist. The ADA offers the following advice to help make your dental visit a bit less stressful:

1. Identify your fears beforehand. Is it the sound of the drill, the possibility of pain, or the feeling of lack of control during a particular procedure? Discuss those fears with your dentist and dental hygienist so they can tailor their treatment and approach to your needs. Arrange a signal so they know to stop if you're feeling discomfort.
2. Timing is everything. Set aside a stress-free time for your dental visit when you won't be rushed, physically strained or troubled by other concerns.
3. Get a good night's sleep the night before. Lack of sleep contributes to feelings of anxiousness.
4. Wear loose, comfortable clothes to the appointment. Avoid wearing constricting necklines, such as tight collars.
5. Get acquainted with the dental staff. Being friendly and sociable helps establish trust and warmth, both of which can do wonders in allaying your fears and reducing tension.
6. Use visualization and relaxation techniques to calm yourself. Before your visit, imagine yourself sitting calmly and confidently in the dental chair while the dentist examines your mouth. During treatment, think about a relaxing scene and hold it before your "mind's eye." If you can't think of a relaxing scene, focus instead on something in the office, such as a colorful poster. Other ways to physically calm yourself include deep, rhythmic breathing while counting each breath, and systematically tightening and then relaxing muscles in your legs, hands, arms, shoulders and neck.
7. Ask your dentist or hygienist to explain each step. The more you know about the reasons for a certain procedure and what will be done during it, the more confident and relaxed you'll be. Also, knowledge helps you gain control over an unfamiliar situation and enables you to choose comfortably between treatment options your dentist might recommend.
8. Reward yourself afterward. Treat yourself to something special to celebrate overcoming your dental anxiety. The more involved you become in your dental care, the less anxious you are likely to be. And that's something to smile about!

Captain Supertooth Reaches Thousands

Captain Supertooth, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey's own superhero, recently visited more than two dozen schools and the Liberty Science Center to educate elementary school children about the benefits of good oral hygiene.

"We introduced Captain Supertooth 10 years ago as a public service to teach youngsters how to take care of their dental health," says Walter VanBrunt, President and CEO of Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey. "Since the program began, Captain Supertooth has instructed more than 30,000 children about proper dental care."

The 20-minute program-geared for children in kindergarten through second grade-is offered free to schools in New Jersey as a public service during February, Children's Dental Health Month. More than 3,900 children attended Captain Supertooth programs this year.

Golf Outing Set for June 6

Resolving to get more exercise and contribute to worthy causes in the next millennium? Here's a way you can do both: join us for the Tenth Annual Delta Dental Classic at Cherry Valley Country Club in Skillman, New Jersey, June 6. The annual event raises funds for Special Olympics New Jersey. Last year's Classic raised $50,000 for Special Olympics programs. To date, this annual event has raised $225,000 for Special Olympics. Stay tuned for more golf news. We hope to see you there!

Specialist Definitions

Have you ever wondered what services each type of dental specialist offers? General Practitioners provide a full range of services for the entire family. Endodontists specialize in diseases of the tooth pulp, performing such services as root canals.

Oral Surgeons remove teeth, including impacted wisdom teeth and repair fractures of the jaw and other damage to the bone structure around the mouth.

Orthodontists correct misaligned teeth and jaws, usually by applying braces. Periodontists treat diseases of the gums.

Prosthodontists generally specialize in ways to replace missing natural teeth with bridges and dentures.

Pedodontists, or pediatric dentists, generally limit their practices to children and teenagers.

Oral pathologists are concerned with recognition, diagnosis and management of the diseases of the mouth, jaws and surrounding structures.

Public Health Dentists specialize in the practice and organization of preventive dentistry within a community, dealing with such issues as water fluoridation and oral health education.

Have a Question About Us? Find Your Answer Easily at Our Web Site

Although Delta Dental's web site has grown considerably since it was launched nearly four years ago, we remain committed to keeping it easy to navigate. We realize you don't have time to "surf." You have business to take care of. For that reason, most information you need is only a few clicks away, accessible by straightforward, obvious routes. Our "Benefits Connection" section is dedicated specifically to meeting the information needs of benefits managers. Other features of our web site include:

• "Find a Dentist," when you want to know if your dentist participates in your plan or are looking for a dentist near your home or work
• Online eligibility enrollment
• Downloadable claim forms
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Up-to-date information about dental health
• Past issues of Subscriber News and other Delta Dental publications

Student Documentation Reminder

Delta Dental requires that claims submitted for full-time dependent college students include student verification. This documentation is required once per school year. Any one of the following documents can be sent to Delta Dental with the student's claim form to verify full-time (12 or more credits in an accredited college) student status:

• Copy of a paid tuition receipt
• Registrar's certificate
• Copy of student schedule
• Copy of student ID card showing the current school year