Download Understanding Your Dental Plan What is Preventive Dental Care?

Benefits Bulletin
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Understanding Your Dental Plan
BENEFITS AND
LEAVE
ADMINISTRATION
How does the Metlife
PDP network help you
save on your dental
expenses? Dentists
participating in the PDP
agree to accept
negotiated fees as
payment in full for
services rendered. These
rates are often less
expensive than rates
charged by non-PDP
providers.
Contact MetLife at
1-800-942-0854 to
obtain a list of PDP
dentists and specialists,
or to ask questions about
the GCPS Dental Plan.
Information also is
available online at
www.metlife.com/
mybenefits. Enter
“Gwinnett County Public
Schools” for the
Company Name.
As a GCPS employee, you
have the opportunity to enroll
in an excellent dental plan
during each year’s Open
Enrollment. GCPS’ dental
plan helps cover preventive
and routine dental care, such
as exams, x-rays, cleanings,
fillings, dentures, and
periodontal care.
Here’s how it works:
MetLife offers a Preferred
Dentist Program (PDP)
network to help you
maximize your dental
benefits. By selecting a PDP
or network specialist, you
reduce your costs, allowing
your dental plan benefits to
go further.
If your current dentist or
dental specialist is not in the
network, you are not required
to switch to a PDP nor will
you be penalized by the plan.
However, you may not have
the same savings on dental
procedures as you would
within the network.
You can choose either the
Basic or Premium plan.
The Basic Plan pays 100% of
the first $175 claimed, then
pays 50% of claimed
amount after a $75
deductible, to an annual
maximum of $750 per plan
year, per covered person.
The Basic Plan excludes
orthodontic treatments.
The Premium Plan pays
100% of the first $200
claimed, then pays 50% of
claim amounts after a $75
deductible, to an annual
maximum of $1,500 per
plan year, per covered
person. Only the Premium
Plan includes orthodontic
procedures.
Both levels exclude procedures
that are purely cosmetic in
nature, such as bleaching and
veneers.
T
he rules governing
orthodontia treatment
reimbursement are different
than regular dental
procedures, so be sure to
contact MetLife or the Benefits
and Leave Administration
Office before you commit to an
orthodontia treatment plan.
You can locate the Summary
Plan Description and other
dental plan information on the
Benefits Center Website at
www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/
benefits.
What is Preventive Dental Care?
Preventive dental care not only maintains the health of your teeth and gums, but also can help
ensure your overall health and well-being. But, what exactly is preventive dental care? It’s all
the things you should do to take care of your teeth and gums. The American Dental Association
(ADA) recommends the following:

Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste;

Replace your toothbrush at least every three to four months;

Floss between your teeth daily;

Maintain a healthy diet that is low in sugar and refined carbohydrates; and

Receive routine dental exams and regular cleanings.
Routine dental exams and regular cleanings may help prevent the need for higher-cost
procedures, such as periodontal surgery, root canals, and fillings.
There is no single guideline that recommends how often you should see your dentist. Some
studies suggest once a year, while other say every three to six months. Your dentist will
recommend the frequency of visits that is right for you based on your current dental health and
history, and your risk factors for dental issues.