PLANTATION, Fla., Feb. 14, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In
recognition of February as Children's Dental Health Month, CIGNA Dental
provided an educational presentation and materials to students of the San
Diego Center for Children's Non-Public School (The Children's Learning
Academy and The Creative Learning Academy). CIGNA Regional Dental Director
Cary Sun, D.D.S., met with the center's students to talk about the
importance of good oral care and its effect on their overall health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by age 11,
approximately half of all children have experienced tooth decay. By the age
of 19, decay in the permanent teeth affects two-thirds (68 percent) of
adolescents(1). Dr. Sun gave two educational sessions - one tailored to
young children and another created for high school adolescents. CIGNA
Dental also offers its customers tools and information to help members
teach children about the importance of good oral health.
"Good dental care starts early," said Dr. Sun. "That is why CIGNA
Dental remains strongly committed to promoting the importance of good oral
health, particularly for children who can develop good habits to last a
lifetime." The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a
child's first dental visit occur between the ages of six months and one
year(2). Parents can help promote the adoption of good dental habits early
on by following these tips:
1) Select a dentist who is caring, friendly, and makes the child's first
visit a "special occasion."
2) Discuss the visit beforehand, assuring the child that the dental staff
cares about his or her health.
3) Don't share your anxiety about going to the dentist.
4) Don't let others tell your child about painful dental experiences.
5) Select an appointment that's best for your child: early morning is
usually a good time.
Research continues to support the links between dental health and
serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and
premature birth. CIGNA Dental provides a variety of resources and materials
promoting the connection between oral health and overall health. Last year,
it launched the Oral Health Integration Program that promotes the treatment
of gum disease for pregnant members, as well as those suffering from
diabetes and cardiovascular disease. CIGNA Dental also has a clinical
advisory panel to provide advice on the creation of innovative coverage
options addressing the emerging issues of medical/dental integration,
evidence-based strategies, and new and developing dental technologies. For
more information on CIGNA Dental programs and services, please visit:
http://www.cigna.com/dental.
About CIGNA Dental: CIGNA Dental meets the dental coverage needs of
more than 10.7 million members, and the employer needs of more than
one-third of all Fortune 100 companies. CIGNA Dental members access care
from one of the largest dental HMO and dental PPO networks in the U.S.,
with more than 87,500 DPPO contracted access points (over 46,800 unique
providers) and over 31,500 DHMO contracted access points (over 9,000 unique
providers). CIGNA was one of the first insurance companies to offer dental
indemnity, introducing its first plan in 1964, and became the first
national carrier to enter the Dental HMO market. CIGNA Dental refers to the
following operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation: Connecticut General
Life Insurance Company, and CIGNA Dental Health, Inc., and its operating
subsidiaries and affiliates including CIGNA Dental Health of California,
Inc.
(1) http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/topics/child.htm
(2) http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/babycare.asp
SOURCE CIGNA Dental
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.cigna.com
http://www.cigna.com/dental
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/165050.html /
CONTACT:
Nicole Blatcher, CIGNA, +1-215-761-4756 or
nicole.blatcher@cigna.com
|
