A PUBLICATION FOR TRIC ARE DENTAL PROGRAM ENROLLEES
Meet Dr. Robert Mitton
Chief, TRICARE Dental Care Branch
r. Robert Mitton, a
dentist and Navy
captain, is no stranger to
TRICARE. Before his
promotion to chief of the
TRICARE Dental Care
Branch in August 2008, he
served as the department’s
deputy chief.
D
He is a 1989 graduate
of the Dental School at
the University of Texas
Health Science Center at
San Antonio, and received
a Master of Public Health
from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
in 1997. In 1998, Dr. Mitton was named a Diplomate of the
American Board of Dental Public Health after completing
his dental public health residency at the National Institute
of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Dr. Mitton was commissioned as a Naval officer in 1990
and served as the dental officer aboard the destroyer tender
USS Yellowstone from 1991 to 1993, and the nuclear aircraft
carrier USS Eisenhower from 1994 to 1996. CAPT Mitton
has served ashore with the Naval Dental Center in Orlando,
Fla., the National Naval Dental Center in Bethesda, Md., and
with the Marine Corps as officer-in-charge of Detachment
One, 22nd Dental Company, 2nd Dental Battalion at Camp
Elmore in Norfolk, Va.
CAPT Mitton also completed a staff tour as a Senior
Medical and Dental Healthcare Analyst at the Navy Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery just prior to his assignment with
the TRICARE Dental Care Branch in 2004. He also serves
as a Navy delegate for the American Dental Association®. ■
The Dentist is in …
CAPT Robert Mitton, USN, DDS, MPH, MBA
Chief, Dental Care Branch
TRICARE Management Activity
Keep Your Smile Healthy, and Your Body
May Follow
ith an extensive dentist network and comprehensive
benefit package at their fingertips, TRICARE
Dental Program (TDP) enrollees have greater access to oral
health care than many Americans. But access to dental care
doesn’t always translate into increased usage of available
care or a better understanding of dental health.
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Contrary to what you may see on television commercials or
in print ads, good oral health means much more than having
fresh breath, white teeth or a pretty smile. It also means
understanding the relationship between your oral health
and overall health. According to the Academy of General
Dentistry, in most cases, the condition of a person’s mouth
mirrors the condition of the person’s body as a whole.
A recent National Smile Month survey conducted
by Harris Interactive for Oral Health America
(www.oralhealthamerica.org) found that more than eight
out of 10 adults in the United States don’t know the role that
infectious bacteria play in causing cavities. Additionally,
recent reports suggest that oral bacteria, poor oral hygiene
and gum disease may also be linked to more serious
conditions like oral cancer, heart disease, stroke and the birth
of underweight, premature babies.
Infectious oral bacteria can also lead to oral and facial
pain, tooth loss and, for some, a decreased quality of life.
And as many as seven out of 10 people are affected by
some form of gum disease.
Because of the negative impact that undetected or untreated
oral diseases can have on overall health, the TDP offers its
enrollees two cleanings and examinations in a consecutive
12-month period. Pregnant women are offered one additional
cleaning at no extra charge.
continued on page 2
NE333BET10085DE
Issue 3: 2008
UCCI’s “TDP Big Give”: Helping Wounded Warriors
hen the United Concordia Companies, Inc. (UCCI)
TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) Customer
Service Department heard that the Walter Reed Army
Medical Center in Washington, DC, was in need of items
for their wounded warriors, they immediately took action by
organizing a donation drive called the “TDP Big Give.”
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and magazines, clothing, personal items, stamps, stationery
and gift cards. Additionally, three UCCI Customer Service
employees were chosen to visit wounded service members
and present the donated items to the Walter Reed Army
Medical Center staff on May 1.
Event organizers encouraged participation by creating
employee teams that competed for prizes. Items collected
were assigned a point value based on monetary value.
The team with the most points was dubbed “TDP Big
Give” champion.
“I am extremely proud of our TDP Customer Service staff,”
said Dr. Lawrence McKinley, UCCI corporate vice president
and TDP program manager. “Not only do they provide
phenomenal customer service day in and day out, but they
also make the time to support those who have been injured
in the service of their country.”
The drive collected more than $7,500 worth of items,
including CDs and CD players, DVDs, MP3 players, books
For more information on the Walter Reed Army
Medical Center, visit www.wramc.amedd.army.mil. ■
New TRICARE Dental Program Premiums
he following table lists your TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) monthly premiums for the 2009 benefit year
(Feb. 1, 2009–Jan. 31, 2010). The new premium amounts will be deducted from your military pay
account or billed directly to you. Visit the TDP Web site at www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com for information
regarding payment options. ■
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Active Duty
Single Premium (one family member)
$12.12
Family Premium (more than one family member)
$30.29
Selected Reserve
Sponsor-Only Premium
Single Premium* (one family
member, excluding sponsor)
Family Premium (more than one family
member, excluding sponsor)
Sponsor and Family Premium
$12.12
$30.29
$75.73
$87.85
Individual Ready Reserve
Sponsor-Only Premium
Single Premium* (one family
member, excluding sponsor)
Family Premium (more than one family
member, excluding sponsor)
Sponsor and Family Premium
$30.29
$30.29
$75.73
$106.02
* If both the sponsor and a single family member are enrolled, the premium due is the total of the sponsor-only premium and the single premium.
The Dentist is in …
continued from page 1
Oral examinations not only identify dental disease but
can help to identify several health conditions not normally
associated with the mouth. Symptoms such as bleeding or
swollen gums, dry mouth and mouth ulcers can be early
indicators of cancer, diabetes, heart or kidney disease,
and leukemia.
better care of yourself. For example, this time of year you
may want to get the flu vaccine, which TRICARE covers
based on the recently updated Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention guidelines (www.cdc.gov/flu). Being aware
of your health status and TRICARE-covered preventive
services will help ensure good overall health.
Visiting your dentist regularly is vital to achieving good oral
health, and oral health is an integral component of overall
health. Regular dental examinations also keep you aware
of your overall health status, which may lead you to take
To learn more about good oral health habits and hygiene,
check out the American Dental Association’s oral health
articles at www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com under the
Dental Health tab. You’ll be glad you did. ■
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Issue 3: 2008
Making the TRICARE Dental Program Work for You
key part of making wise dental
health decisions is understanding
how the TRICARE Dental Program
(TDP) works and knowing how to
make it work for you and your family.
A
One of the best ways to manage your
dental health care while keeping your
out-of-pocket costs down is to plan
ahead for preventive and restorative
care. Here are some tips for planning
your dental care.
Know What’s Covered
The TDP offers all enrollees coverage
for a wide array of dental services,
including, but not limited to:
• Diagnostic and preventive services
(exams, cleanings, fluoride
treatments, sealants and X-rays)
• Restorative services (fillings)
The following enrollees have a
30-percent cost-share for endodontic,
periodontal and oral surgery services
performed stateside:
• National Guard and Reserve sponsors
in pay grades E-1 to E-4
• Family members whose sponsor is in
pay grades E-1 to E-4
All other stateside enrollees have a
40-percent cost-share for these services.
Communicate with
Your Dentist
The American Dental Association®
code of ethics states that your dentist
should discuss treatments with you.
There may be multiple treatment
options, and you should actively
participate in making decisions
regarding your dental care.
• Endodontics (root canals)
• Periodontics (gum and bone dental
services)
Take Advantage of
Predeterminations
The TDP does not cover every dental
treatment. For some services, e.g.,
cosmetic procedures, you pay the
whole cost of the treatment.
United Concordia Companies, Inc.
(UCCI) encourages you to obtain a
predetermination for onlays, single
crowns, implants, prosthodontics,
periodontics, orthdontics and oral
surgery services. You or your dentist
may submit a predetermination to UCCI,
so you will both know before treatment if
the service is covered and the anticipated
amount of payment from UCCI.
Refer to your TRICARE Dental
Program Benefit Booklet for
a complete list of covered services.
Understand Informed
Consent
• Oral surgery (extractions, biopsies
and other surgeries)
• Prosthodontics (crowns, bridges and
dentures)
• Orthodontics (braces)
Know Your Cost-Shares
Your out-of-pocket costs vary depending
on the service and your sponsor’s pay
grade. Cost-shares range from zero
percent to 50 percent.
For example, there is no cost-share
for most diagnostic and preventive
services, but for more complex services
(e.g., implants), there is a 50-percent
cost-share.
Issue 3: 2008
An informed consent agreement may be
initiated by your dentist to ensure that
you are aware of proposed treatments
and costs. The following two instances
show how informed consent affects your
out-of-pocket costs:
• Hold harmless: The TDP requires
that participating dentists “hold
harmless” a TDP enrollee if a claim
is denied due to necessity. What does
this mean? This is best answered in
two parts. First, it means that while
the service provided is a covered
benefit, it was determined not to
be a necessary (needed) treatment.
Second, it means that the TDP
enrollee is not financially responsible
for this treatment unless he/she
signed a detailed informed consent
agreement. The agreement must be
specific to the treatment and should
include a statement that indicates the
TDP enrollee agrees to pay for the
service if it is determined not to be a
necessary treatment.
• Alternative benefit: There are times
when a benefit is approved for a
professionally acceptable and less
costly alternative service instead of
the treatment recommended by your
dentist. If you decide to receive the
more expensive service, your dentist
may require that you sign a detailed
informed consent agreement, prior to
treatment, that specifically identifies
the procedure as well as out-ofpocket costs you will incur. This
agreement will hold you financially
responsible for the difference between
the dentist’s fee for the more expensive
treatment and UCCI’s allowance for the
alternative service.
Coordinate Your Benefits
If you have other dental insurance in
addition to the TDP, notify your dentist
before a claim submission. If you
submit the claim yourself, notify
UCCI of any other dental coverage.
Include your other dental plan
information on the claim form or
call UCCI at 1-800-866-8499 to
report other coverage. Upon claim
submission, UCCI will coordinate
benefits between dental plans.
Refer to your TRICARE Dental
Program Benefit Booklet for specific
benefit coordination information.
To access the booklet, go to
www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com
and select “Forms/Materials” under
the Enrollees tab. ■
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TRICARE
Kids’
Dental Health Fun Page
Did you know that …?
• Turtles and tortoises have no teeth.
• Rabbits, squirrels and rodents have teeth that
never stop growing. They gnaw on hard things like
bark to wear them down.
• One elephant tooth can weigh six pounds or
more—as much as a newborn baby!
• Children’s baby teeth start forming
before they are even born. They begin to
appear when a child is about six months
old and start to fall out six years later.
1
Healthy Dental
Habits Crossword
Puzzle
2
3
Do you know how to keep your teeth
and gums healthy? Read the clues below
and then fill in the answers to uncover
tips for keeping your smile healthy and
bright. The answers are at the bottom of
the puzzle—but try finishing the puzzle
before you look!
4
T
U
5
S
6
W
R
8
7
L
Down
Across
1. Protects teeth
4. Get a new one of
when playing
sports
these every three
months
2. Person who
checks your teeth
and gums
9
I
3. Freshens breath
and may kill
germs
8. Protects teeth
from tooth decay
Answers:
Down: 1. mouthguard, 2. dentist, 3. mouthwash, 8. fluoride
Across: 4. toothbrush, 5. snacks, 6. water, 7. floss, 9. milk
4
5. Foods eaten
between meals
6. Rinse your
mouth with this
clear liquid
7. Cleans between
teeth
9. Drink that comes
from cows
Issue 3: 2008
Are Dental Sealants Right for Your Child?
egular visits to the dentist are
important in protecting your
child’s smile for years to come. During
these visits, the dentist or hygienist will
clean your child’s teeth and often provide
a fluoride application. Your child’s
trip to the dentist may also include the
application of dental sealants, an easy
way to help prevent cavities.
R
Here are answers to some common
questions about dental sealants:
What is a dental sealant?
A dental sealant is a plastic material
that is applied to the chewing surfaces
of the back teeth (molars) to help prevent
tooth decay.
How does a sealant help
prevent tooth decay?
The plastic material bonds into the
depressions and grooves (or pits and
fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the
back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier,
protecting the tooth enamel from
decay-causing bacteria (or plaque).
Thorough brushing and flossing help
remove food particles and plaque
from smooth surfaces of teeth. But
toothbrush bristles cannot reach all
the way into the microscopic pits and
fissures to extract food and plaque.
Sealants protect these vulnerable areas
by “sealing out” food and plaque.
The first permanent molars erupt in
children around age 6, with the second
set of permanent molars appearing
around age 12.
Are sealants hard to apply?
Are sealants covered under
the TDP?
No. In fact, sealants are quick and easy
for your dentist to apply. The tooth that
will be sealed is cleaned and prepared
with a solution to help the plastic material
stick to the tooth. The plastic is then
“painted” on the tooth, where it hardens.
Sealants hold up well under normal
chewing and usually last several years
before a reapplication is needed. Your
dentist will check the condition of
the sealants during regular exams and
reapply them when necessary.
Should my child have
sealants applied?
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 90 percent
of children’s cavities occur in teeth
that have pits and fissures. Research
has shown that dental sealants prevent
cavities on teeth with pits and fissures.
As a result, it is recommended that
sealants be applied on children’s
molars shortly after they erupt.
Yes, sealants are covered under the
TDP on permanent molars through
age 18. Sealants for teeth other than
permanent molars are not covered.
The teeth must be free of decay, with
no previous restoration on the mesial,
distal or occlusal surfaces. One sealant
per tooth is covered in a three-year
period, and the cost-share for covered
sealants is 20 percent.
Ask your dentist if sealants are right
for your child. For more information
about sealants, please visit the
American Dental Association’s Web
site at www.ada.org. You can obtain
additional information on TDP-covered
services by visiting the TDP Web site
at www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com
or calling the TDP Customer Service
Department at 1-800-866-8499. ■
Thumb Sucking May Affect Your Child’s Teeth
humb sucking is completely natural and generally not
a cause for concern. Babies are naturally born with a
sucking reflex that allows them to use bottles or breastfeed.
As children grow, they may prefer to suck on a pacifier or
their thumb. Children may suck their thumbs for comfort,
security or as a way to fall to sleep.
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The majority of children will stop sucking their thumbs
on their own, generally before their fourth birthday—long
before their permanent teeth come in. However, if your child
is still thumb sucking once permanent teeth come in, it may
affect how the teeth grow or cause them to align incorrectly.
Here are some tips that may help your child break the habit:
Offer praise, not punishment. Make it a “big deal” any
time your child does something without thumb sucking.
Issue 3: 2008
Focus on the cause. If your child sucks his or her thumb
when scared or feeling insecure, focus on correcting the
cause of the anxiety and comfort the child.
Give choices. An older child may be more inclined
to stop if he or she can choose the method.
If you’re still concerned about your child’s
thumb sucking, contact your child’s
dentist or pediatrician. He or she
may prescribe medication with
which to coat the thumb
or recommend a mouth
appliance to make thumb
sucking a thing of
the past. ■
5
“Month of the Military Child” Prize Winners
United Concordia Companies, Inc. (UCCI) is pleased to announce and congratulate the following winners of the
“Month of the Military Child” random drawing in each TRICARE Region.
North
Ages 11–14 and 15–17
Ages 0–2
First Prize: Joey Railey and Lesley Keaton
Second Prize: Darrell Brown and Steven Milligan
Third Prize: Hunter Harris and Tyler Neidecker
First Prize: Kaden Bomboy
Second Prize: Dominic Steven Weiss
Third Prize: Maddison Kerr
Ages 3–6
First Prize: Cameron Bishop
Second Prize: Wyatt Shamblin
Third Prize: MacKenzie Patterson
Ages 7–10
First Prize: Allisya Wilkerson
Second Prize: Lauren Gibbs
Third Prize: Kostia Howard
Ages 11–14 and 15–17
First Prize: Dustin Q. Ramsey and Marianne Larson
Second Prize: Jessica Metz and Kristina Torres
Third Prize: Malonna Patterson and Justin Miller
West
Ages 0–2
First Prize: Mikayla Slomski
Second Prize: Nathan Logan
Third Prize: Audrey Glick
Ages 3–6
First Prize: Dylan Michael Wing
Second Prize: Nicholas Childres
Third Prize: Makayla Acevedo
Ages 7–10
First Prize: James Gray
Second Prize: Paige Hargis
Third Prize: Joshua Barnett
South
Ages 11–14 and 15–17
Ages 0–2
First Prize: Kaitlin Kelly and Tom Alicata
Second Prize: Samuel Staat and Holly McGinnis
Third Prize: John Businsky and Ryan Johnson
First Prize: Paul Serpa
Second Prize: Kaytlyn Price
Third Prize: Hayley Baughman
continued on page 7
Ages 3–6
First Prize: Keonagrace Z. Lania
Second Prize: Kaylie Crews
Third Prize: Adreya Braddy
Ages 7–10
First Prize: Katherine Van De Walle
Second Prize: Aleksei S. Smith
Third Prize: Millani Caballero
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Issue 3: 2008
“Month of the Military Child” Prize Winners
continued from page 6
Europe
Ages 7–10
Ages 0–2
First Prize: Han Ul Schardinger
Second Prize: Caleed Phipps
Third Prize: Kamarin S. DeLarosa
First Prize: Ethan Smith
Second Prize: Elizabeth Schwerdt
Third Prize: Jacob Hernandez
Ages 3–6
First Prize: Codey Holloway
Second Prize: Alessa Klunk
Third Prize: Emma Smith
Ages 11–14 and 15–17
First Prize: Deshana A. Perez and
Ashleigh Ann Nichole Craig
Second Prize: Paul S. Thibodeaux, Jr. and Daniel Groves
Third Prize: Joshua Tolentino and Anthony R. Balajadia
Ages 7–10
Latin America and Canada
First Prize: Amanda Kpodo-Klegeson
Second Prize: Joseph Barney
Third Prize: Christian Weller
Ages 0–2
Ages 11–14 and 15–17
First Prize: Annelise Shrader and Grace Patterson
Second Prize: Brittanie Malloy and Alexander Ling
Third Prize: Virginia Dean and Katelyn O’Brien
Pacific
Ages 0–2
First Prize: William Rah
Second Prize: Andrew Gerhardt
Third Prize: Mark S. Jones
Ages 3–6
First Prize: Isaac Ignatius Lund
Second Prize: Justice Clark
Third Prize: Daviann S. Blas
First Prize: River Padgett
Second Prize: Maya Karina McGhee Chavez
Third Prize: Fabian Andres Marrero
Ages 3–6
First Prize: Jailen Bernard LeGrand
Second Prize: Caleb Jedrik Bonar
Third Prize: Benjermin Sarte
Ages 7–10
First Prize: Gizangely Marie Marrero
Second Prize: Carly Caudle
Third Prize: Nathan Guinn Helm
Ages 11–14 and 15–17
First Prize: Abby Butikofer and Rawil Arvelo
Second Prize: Jean C. Arvelo and Lindsay Morgan McGhee
Third Prize: Michael Lee Helm, Jr.
Prizes
First prize winners ages 0–2 received a Disney’s
Baby Einstein™ Seasons Discovery™ gift set
Second prize winners (all ages) received a $50 Army
and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Gift Certificate
First prize winners ages 3–6 received a VTech®
Kidizoom Camera™
Third prize winners (all ages) received a $25 AAFES
Gift Certificate
First prize winners ages 7–10 received a VTech
Touch Tablet™
UCCI thanks everyone who entered this year’s contest.
We appreciate your support of our nation, the military
family and the TRICARE Dental Program.
First prize winners ages 11–14 and 15–17 received
an iPod® nano™
Issue 3: 2008
Note: Winners were randomly selected in each TRICARE
Region. Any entry submitted with an incorrect region was
researched and re-entered in the applicable region to ensure
consideration. Winners have been notified by UCCI. ■
7
TRICARE
Dental Program
An Excellent Value
„ Generous coverage
United Concordia
TRICARE Dental Program
P.O. Box 69426
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9426
„ Superior dental health
care
„ Decisions are health
driven, not insurance
driven
„ High satisfaction with care
„ Low out-of-pocket costs
„ Easy access
TRICARE Dental Health Matters is published by the TRICARE Management Activity. Please
provide feedback at www.tricare.mil/evaluations/feedback.
Dental Benefits During TAMP
f you are getting out of the military and are eligible
for the Transitional Assistance Management Program
(TAMP), you are eligible for dental benefits during this
180-day period.
You and your eligible family members may be covered
under TAMP if you, the sponsor, are:
During TAMP, however, dental care provided in military
dental treatment facilities is on a space-available basis, and
space-available dental care is very limited.
• A National Guard or Reserve member separating from a
period of active duty that was more than 30 consecutive
days in support of a contingency operation;
If you remain in the Selected Reserve or Individual Ready
Reserve, you and your family may be eligible to enroll in
the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP). There is a 12-month
service commitment for new TDP enrollments.
• Separating from active duty following involuntary retention
(stop-loss) in support of a contingency operation ; or
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When you’re on terminal leave, you continue to receive your
active duty dental benefits until your terminal leave ends.
Family members enrolled in the TDP pay active duty family
member premiums and continue to receive the benefits
during the terminal leave period.
• Involuntarily separating from active duty under honorable
conditions;
• Separating from active duty following a voluntary agreement
to stay on active duty for less than one year in support of a
contingency operation.
To learn more, visit the TDP Web site at
www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com. ■
Remember to Get Your Flu Shot
With flu season under way, now is the time to get vaccinated. TRICARE covers flu vaccines based on the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) current flu season guidelines. According to the CDC, all persons, including
school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with the flu or transmitting it to others should be
vaccinated. For more information on flu season guidelines, visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov/flu. ■
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Issue 3: 2008