Aetna program prompts dental visits

Aetna's Dental Medical Integration (DMI) program appears to improve patients' willingness to seek dental care, according to a recent analysis of the DMI program.

Since 2007, more than 930,000 people have participated in the DMI program, and Aetna sent 652,000 educational mailings. In addition, dental care coordinators made more than 250,000 follow-up phone calls to members who have not had a recent dental visit.

As a result of Aetna's proactive outreach, 56% of people who received information from the DMI program sought dental care, the company said. The analysis also showed that DMI members with access to regular dental care had better control of their diabetes, including more regulated blood glucose levels.

Aetna's DMI program is available to people with Aetna dental and medical coverage. It uses sophisticated technology to identify members who have not had a recent dental visit, are pregnant, or have chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, including kidney or vision problems or hypertension. Aetna reaches out to members by mail and through phone calls to make people aware of how gum disease may impact their medical condition.

Members who enroll in the DMI program receive one additional free cleaning and access to certain periodontal treatments covered at 100% with no deductibles or coinsurance.