Carrier Joins Drive To Improve Gum Care Benefits

Delta Dental of Tennessee is the latest dental insurer to respond to studies suggesting that poorly controlled periodontal disease may lead to catastrophic health problems.

Tennessee Delta, Nashville, Tenn., says it will offer extra dental benefits for plan members who are pregnant and plan members with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure starting in January 2007.

Tennessee Delta is expanding access to benefits for those plan members because of scientific reports concluding that gum problems may be responsible for many premature births and for some diabetics’ difficulties with controlling blood sugar levels, the company says.