AdministrativeDentalDecember 1, 2024

Dental home model

This information applies to dentists in California only.

The dental home model focuses on enhancing overall wellness by improving oral health, fostering greater collaboration among providers, and promoting health education. Dental providers play a crucial role in successfully establishing an oral care routine. Children with a dental home are more likely to receive preventive and routine dental care. There are numerous benefits to creating a dental home for your patients.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) encourages parents and other care providers to help every child establish a dental home by 12 months of age. The AAPD recognizes a dental home should provide:

  • Comprehensive oral healthcare including acute care and preventive services in accordance with AAPD periodicity schedules.
  • Comprehensive assessment for oral diseases and conditions.
  • Individualized preventive dental health program based upon a caries-risk assessment and a periodontal disease risk assessment.
  • Anticipatory guidance about growth and development issues (for example, teething, digit, or pacifier habits).
  • Plan for acute dental trauma.
  • Information about the proper care of the child's teeth and gingivae. This includes the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease of the supporting and surrounding tissues and the maintenance of the health, function, and esthetics of those structures and tissues.
  • Dietary counseling.
  • Referrals to dental specialists when care cannot directly be provided within the dental home.
  • Education regarding future referrals to a dentist specializing in adult oral health for continuing oral healthcare.
  • Referral at an age determined by patient, parent, and pediatric dentist.

Creating a dental home for members can significantly enhance access to care, ensure effective care coordination, and provide high-quality dental services. Providers should inform members during their initial visit about the advantages of having a dental home. Once this relationship is established, it can develop into a lasting and positive oral healthcare connection.

Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of: In California: Blue Cross of California and Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan, Inc. Anthem BC Health Insurance Company is the trade name of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. Blue Cross of California, Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan, Inc., Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company, and Anthem BC Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. In 11 northeastern counties of New York: Anthem HealthChoice Assurance, Inc. and Anthem HealthChoice HMO, Inc. In these same counties, Anthem Blue Cross Retiree Solutions is the trade name of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.

MULTI-BC-DEN-072969-24-SRS72742

PUBLICATIONS: December 2024 Dental Provider Newsletter