Employers, unions and trusts who offer dental benefits, including regular dental exams and preventive services such as screening tests, may be able to lower future health care costs.

In fact, studies have shown that an individual’s oral health directly impacts his or her overall health and well-being:

• Periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of preterm births by 250 percent.¹
• People with diabetes are at higher risk of gum disease. Research also suggests that gum disease may make blood sugar regulation more difficult for these individuals.²
• More than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year.³

What’s covered?
Dental benefits go beyond regular exams and routine cleaning. They include preventive screening and early treatment for conditions like:

• Oral or pharyngeal cancer
• Complications from diabetes
• Preterm births
• Periodontal (gum) disease

Here’s how we can help.
UnitedHealthcare dental benefits can help:

• Avoid costly treatment down the road for serious conditions like oral cancer, preterm birth and complications from diabetes.
• Encourage members to think of oral health as a part of their overall health and well-being.
• Improve employee or member retention. Trends show an increasing number of employers offer dental benefits.⁴

1. March of Dimes
2. American Diabetes Association
3. Oral Cancer Foundation
4. LIMRA via BriteSmile CIM, July 2005

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