Oral Health for Total Health^SM

Keeping your mouth healthy can have a big impact on your overall or “total” health, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with certain medical conditions. Our Oral Health for Total Health program integrates medical and dental care to help you and your family improve your total health.

Enhanced dental benefits at no additional cost

HMSA members who are enrolled in Oral Health for Total Health receive additional dental benefits that can improve total health, enhance quality of life, and lower medical and dental care costs. In a study conducted by HMSA*, medical and dental plan members diagnosed with diabetes and coronary artery disease saved 18% and 31% respectively on medical costs when they used their dental benefits to manage their conditions compared with those who didn’t.

At our practice, we treat our patients like family. We encourage them to practice preventive measures for optimal health. Routine dental care is a part of that. Oral Health for Total Health recognizes that some people need routine dental care more frequently than others, which is a big win for our patients. Dr. William Sicilia, HMSA participating dentist

It won’t cost you extra to participate in Oral Health for Total Health. While these enhanced dental benefits are valued at over $1,000, they’re covered 100% with no copayment or coinsurance when you see a participating provider. They don’t apply toward your calendar year maximum and there are no waiting periods. If you’re an HMSA dental plan member and have been diagnosed with one of six medical conditions described below, find out how Oral Health for Total Health can make a difference in your health.

Covered Medical Conditions

Diabetes

High blood sugar can increase the risk of periodontal (gum) disease, which can further increase blood sugar.

Coronary Artery Disease

When oral bacteria enter the bloodstream, they attach to plaque in the arteries, reducing the capacity for blood to flow, which may lead to infections and even heart attacks.

Stroke

A stroke can occur when plaque breaks off from the wall of a blood vessel and travels to the brain, cutting off its blood supply.

Oral Cancer

Treatment for oral cancer can reduce saliva, leading to dry mouth and making tooth decay more likely.

Head and Neck Cancers

Radiation therapy is usually part of the standard treatment for head and neck cancers and can cause dental health problems that include mouth sores, tooth decay and infections to the gums

Sjögren’s Syndrome

This immune system disorder reduces saliva, causing dry mouth and making tooth decay more likely.

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase your risk of oral health issues, which may result in lower birthweight babies.

Take advantage of enhanced dental benefits today

If you have HMSA medical and dental plans and a qualifying medical condition mentioned previously (other than pregnancy), we automatically enroll you in the program. If you’re pregnant or don’t have an HMSA medical plan, you can easily self-enroll online. Once enrolled, we’ll contact you and provide you with more information about the mouth-body connection and reminders to use those benefits.

The sooner you take advantage of these benefits, the sooner you can improve your health. To use the enhanced dental benefits, simply make an appointment with your dentist. To find a dentist in your plan’s network, visit our provider directory.

^{*Hawai‘i Medical Service Association, “Dental User Medical Cost Trend Average,” 2013-2017.}