Vision Health Tip: Signs That Your Child’s Vision is Impaired

Children rarely communicate visual impairment to their parents. Here are some warning signs that should prompt an eye exam:*

1. Squinting, closing or covering one eye 
2. Constantly holding materials close to the face 
3. Tilting the head to one side 
4. Rubbing eyes repeatedly 
5. One or both eyes turn in or out 
6. Redness or tearing in eyes 
7. Developmental delays

 

* The Vision Council, 2010.

Fact Or Myth?

The majority of dental plan members use up their annual maximum limits.

Answer:  Myth. Only 5% of Dominion’s members actually receive services that match or exceed the maximum amount the plan will pay in benefits during the year.

¹ Dominion Dental Services, Inc. Internal Performance Report, 2010.

Dental Health Tip: Electric Or Manual Toothbrushes?

What’s the best tool for brushing your teeth? A case can be made for both electric and manual toothbrushes, but the ultimate decision is mostly a matter of personal taste.

Electric toothbrushes offer bristle head options to increase plaque removal and timers to signal a full two-minute brushing. They also require less manual motion; helpful for those with arthritis. However, they are more expensive and batteries need to be recharged or replaced.

Manual toothbrushes are low cost, widely available and portable. They also allow the user to control the pressure applied to teeth and gums, but they don’t have timers and may be difficult to grip firmly. Dr. Wayne Silverman, Dental Director of Dominion, confirms that both types are effective when used twice a day.

Connie Brichford (August 2009). Choosing a Toothbrush: Manual vs. Electric. Retrieved from everydayhealth.com/dental-health/101/manual-v-electricwhich-is-the-better-brush.aspx.

Voluntary Benefits Continue To Rise In Popularity

By Mitch McGlynn, President, Dominion Dental Services

Voluntary benefits have been a popular remedy for many employers that face difficult decisions about cutting budgets without compromising employee morale. According to LIMRA, nearly 650,000 employers with at least 10 employees now sponsor one or more voluntary benefits.¹

Offering ancillary benefits such as dental and vision on an employee-paid basis provides an important benefit that is often overlooked – choice.

Employees have unique needs and are typically willing to pay for attractive benefits that come without employer premium contribution. In fact, it is not unusual for Dominion to enroll between 50% and 70% of employees in dental coverage when it is 100% employee-paid.²  Although companies offering voluntary benefits don’t incur the cost associated with them, they are providing a valuable group-rated benefit, usually on a convenient, payroll-deducted basis.

1 Dieleman, A. (2010, November). Benefits spotlight shines on voluntary products. Employee Benefit News.
2 Dominion Dental Services, Inc. – based on group premium and enrollment data, 2009.