As leaders in the dental benefits industry, Delta Dental Plans Association and its member companies have been at the forefront of the movement toward integrating the best available science into plan design and policy. This is consistent with our ultimate goal of advancing solutions for oral health by providing access to affordable dental care.

Our definition of evidence-based dentistry recognizes both policy development and clinical uses of the available evidence. Evidence-based dentistry is a set of principles and methods intended to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, clinical decisions, guidelines, and other types of policies are based on, and consistent with, good evidence of effectiveness and benefit.

While similar to the American Dental Association’s definition in terms of its clinical approach, we have the added responsibility of balancing evidenced-based dental practices with sound benefit policy guidelines.

We consider the results of clinical trials, listen to the opinions of experts, and analyze the data from our own data warehousing and claims analysis systems. We determine what dental procedures will be most effective for the conditions being treated, based on the best scientific evidence available to us.

When considering plan design, we also consider the cost benefit of making changes. Each member company in the Delta Dental system weighs a variety of factors in determining which benefits to offer purchasers, including local considerations and the needs of its particular client base.