Board approves Delta Dental active‑plan changes but rejects adding ‘Smile Way’ for retirees

The Health Service System Board voted to adopt a set of recommended design changes to the active Delta Dental PPO and to accept a 4.1 percent aggregate rate decrease for that plan for the 2019 plan year. The package includes the Smile Way program (additional preventive services for members with specified chronic conditions), a cost‑estimator tool and several other benefit enhancements, Aon actuary Tom Ricks reported.

During a lengthy discussion commissioners repeatedly asked how many members would qualify and whether the extra services would be broadly useful. Sharon Staneklo, Delta Dental national account manager, said Smile Way "would allow for a 3 or 4 cleaning or a 3, an additional also and 100% paid, through this, an exam," and stressed that clinical recommendation would govern frequency.

Supporters argued the program is preventive and could reduce downstream costs for high‑risk members; opponents, including some board members and retiree advocates, warned of added premium costs for retirees and asked whether those with existing periodontal disease would be excluded.

The board approved the active‑plan changes and the administrative fee (to $4.62 per employee per month) on a unanimous vote. When commissioners later voted on adopting Smile Way for the Delta Dental retiree PPO the vote initially tied and a later motion to adopt also failed; the board directed staff to explore opt‑in or other alternatives and to return with more evidence and cost options for retirees.

The board recorded public comment from retirees who said they already pay for additional cleanings and would welcome inclusion; others urged broader eligibility so retirees with chronic gum disease are not excluded.