CIGNA Dental has announced the expansion
of its Oral Health Integration Program to
include new initiatives promoting the treatment
of gum disease for members with diabetes
and cardiovascular disease. In addition,
CIGNA Dental has established a clinical advisory
panel to provide advice on the creation of
innovative coverage options addressing the
emerging issues of medical/dental integration,
evidence-based strategies, and new and developing
dental technologies.
“The CIGNA Dental Oral Health Integration
Program is the first enhanced benefit program
of its kind to address diabetes, cardiovascular
conditions and pre-term birth through improved
oral health,” said Karen Rohan, president
of CIGNA Dental. “These programs combine
CIGNA's integration and outreach capabilities
to reinforce the connection between proper
oral health and the overall health of an
individual.”
“The connection between periodontal
disease and pre-term birth is much easier
to identify as there is a beginning and an
end to pregnancy. However, studying such
a connection between periodontal disease
and other systemic health issues like diabetes
and cardiovascular disease is not as clear
cut,” said Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat, dean
of the University of Pennsylvania School
of Dental Medicine, and CIGNA Dental Clinical
Advisory Panel member. “CIGNA's move
to enhance its dental benefits by targeting
diabetes and cardiovascular disease is a
tremendous step in the right direction.”
Under the new programs, beginning July 1,
2006, CIGNA Dental members who are also enrolled
in CIGNA HealthCare’s disease management
programs for diabetes and cardiac care may
receive 100% reimbursement for out-of-pocket
costs associated with periodontal scaling
and root planing, and periodontal maintenance.*
The new initiatives expand upon the previously
launched CIGNA Dental Oral Health Maternity
Program (OHMP), which provides enhanced benefits
during pregnancy for members with both CIGNA
medical and dental coverage. The CIGNA Dental
Oral Health Integration Programs are designed
to help eliminate cost as a barrier to seeking
appropriate treatment.
CIGNA Dental Oral Health Diabetes
and Cardiovascular Programs
The Oral Health Diabetes and Cardiovascular
Programs are being created to address the
emerging evidence demonstrating a connection
between good dental health and other systemic
health conditions. For example, diabetes
can slow the healing process and lower one’s
resistance to infections and those with diabetes
tend to have more periodontal (gum) disease.
Moderate or severe gum disease can increase
the time a diabetic’s blood sugar remains
high. One study showed that when diabetic
patients’ periodontal infections were
treated, they experienced a marked improvement
in the ability to manage their blood sugar1.
Further, evidence is mounting that people
with periodontal disease may be at higher
risk for heart disease and stroke. That's
because bacterial by-products from the gum
tissue may enter the blood stream and cause
small blood clots that may contribute to
the clogging of arteries. The inflammation
caused by gum disease may also contribute
to the buildup of fatty deposits inside heart
arteries2.
Industry estimates demonstrate that both
direct and indirect costs for these conditions
are substantial. According to the American
Diabetes Association, in 2002 diabetes cost
the U.S. an estimated $132 billion. For 2006,
the American Heart Association estimates
the costs of cardiovascular diseases and
stroke in the U.S. at $403.1 billion.
* Members eligible for CIGNA Dental’s
new OHIP cardiovascular and diabetes programs
are those CIGNA Dental Care® DHMO**
and DPPO members enrolled in the CIGNA Well
Aware for Better Health® diabetes
or cardiac programs.
1Journal of the American Dental
Association, October, 2003,
2U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. Oral Health in America:
A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville,
MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, National Institute of Dental
and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes
for Health, 2000.
** Dental HMO is used to refer to product
designs that may differ by state of residence
of enrollee, including but not limited
to, prepaid plans, managed care plans,
and plans with open access features.
