Here's some interesting news about an effort being made by Delta Dental of Massachusetts. I recently received this press release and thought it was something readers should be aware of. If you are a Delta Dental provider, assuming it performs as promised, you may be hearing more about this as other Delta state offices implement it...
Delta Dental of Massachusetts (DDMA), the largest dental insurance carrier in Massachusetts, is introducing a groundbreaking program aimed at early detection of periodontal (gum) disease using saliva-based screenings. This novel initiative, running through July 2025, offers patients a more holistic approach to oral health by identifying disease risk early, with the goal of preventing serious systemic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
In a first-of-its-kind effort for a dental insurer, DDMA is collaborating with six Smile Generation offices in Massachusetts to offer these chairside saliva screenings at no additional cost to its members. The program’s goal is to use saliva to educate patients on their periodontal health risks and offer personalized care to mitigate those risks.
As part of the “Healthy Body Enhanced Benefit Program,” eligible members will not only receive the saliva-based screenings but also additional benefits such as extra dental cleanings, personalized education, and take-home medications — all designed to address their specific periodontal disease risk at no extra out-of-pocket cost. This initiative represents a proactive approach to oral health care by focusing on prevention rather than treatment.
“Gum disease is far too prevalent and is largely preventable,” says Anthony Falone, DMD, MS, owner and practicing dentist at Waltham Modern Dentistry, one of the participating dental practices. “This program allows us to intervene earlier with personalized treatments, using non-invasive saliva screenings to catch disease progression before clinical signs of disease are visible to the naked eye.”
Nearly half (42%) of all adults aged 30 years and older have some form of gum disease, with severe periodontitis affecting about 8% of adults (CDC, 2024). Research continues to demonstrate a strong connection between oral health and overall health. Periodontal disease, if left untreated, can exacerbate systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, significantly increasing overall health care costs. Early detection, through the use of these saliva screenings, is crucial in reducing those risks.
The saliva-based test measures levels of active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), a biomarker that indicates active collagen breakdown in the gums—a key sign of periodontal disease. Identifying elevated aMMP-8 levels allows dentists to detect gum disease progression earlier than clinical symptoms appear, enabling timely, personalized interventions to prevent the progression of both oral and systemic diseases.
The program is available at six Smile Generation-trusted offices in Massachusetts, including Arsenal Modern Dentistry, Burlington Dentistry, Dentists of Attleboro, Milford Dentist Office, Shrewsbury Dentistry, and Waltham Modern Dentistry. These saliva screenings, typically not covered by dental insurance, will be available at no additional cost for DDMA adult members at these participating offices.
DDMA hopes the learnings from this innovative program will enable a greater focus on patient-centered care for all stakeholders and will ultimately inform our approach relative to covered benefits and reimbursement.
“We are committed to enabling optimal oral health for our patients through the adoption of innovative solutions and collaboration with our participating dentists. By working together, we can improve our patient oral health outcomes and more broadly their overall health,” says Kirill Zaydenman, Vice President of Product Strategy and Transformation Delta Dental of Massachusetts.
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