MORE DENTAL CARE FOR MISSOURIANS


Dental Loss Ratio (DLR) Enhances the Value of Dental Insurance


As the value of dental insurance continues to decline, it is crucial to advocate for dental benefits that prioritize the needs of Missouri residents.


Without proper regulation, patient premium dollars will continue to be spent on marketing or administrative costs rather than patient care.


Senate Bill  and House Bill 439 seek to require that at least 85% of premiums are directed towards patient care, a standard already established for medical insurance.


Understanding DLR


DLR refers to the percentage of premiums utilized for actual dental services. With an 85% DLR, 85 cents of every dollar spent on premiums will go towards patient care, ensuring that Missourians receive more value from their dental insurance.


Advantages of Implementing a DLR


• Improved Access to Care: Adds more opportunities for quality dental care back into dental plans.


• Fair Premium Allocation: Reduces out-of-pocket costs and ensures better value for consumers.


• Enhanced Accountability: Promotes equitable spending practices among insurance companies and requires rebates to patients for any excess premiums collected.


Learn more about Dental Loss Ratio: modental.org/dlr


FAQS FOR A MISSOURI DLR Key Questions Addressed


What Percentage of Premiums is Currently Allocated to Patient Care?


While some insurers meet the 85% benchmark, others allocate as little as 11%, highlighting a lack of consistency in the industry.


Can Insurers Maintain Profitability with DLR?


Yes! States that have implemented DLR demonstrate that insurers can achieve the 85% standard while remaining financially viable.


Is There Evidence Supporting DLR?


Certainly. Four states have successfully enacted DLR, resulting in improved access to care and increased transparency. The Medical Loss Ratio, similar legislation for health insurance companies, has been effectively applied nationwide since 2011.


See the Impact.


Learn More, Today. To find more information or ask a question about DLR in Missouri, visit:


modental.org/dlr


DOWNLOAD THIS SUMMARY AT MODENTAL.ORG/DLR


Advocating for Dentistry In Missouri T


he Offi ce of Dental Health (ODH) has had a busy start to the year. We held interviews for the Chief Dental Consultant position


and plan to make an offi cial announcement soon. Our former offi ce manager, Dione Snitker, was promoted within ODH and we are pleased to welcome Annika Griggs, who will start April 1.


ODH completed the restructuring of the Preventive Services Program (PSP). The program is now led by Dione, Public Health Program Associate, and Kelsey Siegel, State Dental Hygienist. Even though PSP has had changes in personnel, the program itself has not changed. PSP still provides oral health screenings, oral care supplies, two applica- tions of fl uoride varnish and education. Kelsey and Dione have contacted many new school nurses and potential PSP partners to expand the program’s reach and are current- ly in discussions with several large school districts to work out the logistics of PSP participation. Nearly 56,000 children have participated in PSP thus far this school year. Kelsey also conducts oral health screenings, provides oral care supplies and oral health literature, applies fl uoride varnish and noti- fi es school staff about needed referrals at the State Schools for the Severely Disabled.


Another program ODH has in the school setting is our Evidence-based Preventive Services (EBPDS) program, which is funded by CDC. ODH contracts with Lincoln and Jeff erson County Health Departments, Mis- souri Southern State University, St. Louis Community College, University of Mis- souri—Kansas City, and Swope Health Cen- ter to provide EBPDS which include dental sealants and applying fl uoride varnish.


CONTINUED NEXT PAGE


Missouri Offi ce of Dental Health First Quarter Report 2025


by JULIE BOECKMAN, UNIT CHIEF & GWEN SULLENTRUP, PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM SUPERVISOR


Kelsey is meeting with the national 100 Million Mouths Campaign coordinators to establish how to move this program forward through ODH. 100 Million Mouths Campaign provides oral health education to primary care providers as way to work medical- dental integration into the primary care setting which complements another piece to medical-dental integration. ODH works with providers to conduct diabetes screen- ings with their patients during dental visits. If the patient scores high on the screening form, the provider refers them for further screenings and counseling.


ODH has a fairly new ODH program called Pregnant Moms Need Dental Visits Too to provide oral health education in a non-tradi- tional setting. ODH contracts with six local public health agencies (LPHAs) (Mississippi, Barton, Ste. Genevieve, Carter, Ripley and Osage counties) to off er oral health educa- tion and screening to the pregnant women who come into their clinics. The LPHAs also educate the obstetricians in their area and set up dental visits for these women at a lo- cal dental provider.


In providing care through a non-traditional dental setting, a new program was initiated this year with the Dental Assisting program in high school technical centers. With funding from Delta Dental of Missouri, ODH purchased the supplies and equipment


ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2025 | focus 13


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