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It’s no stretch for Delta Dental
of Wisconsin to embrace that position. It lines up almost exactly
with the mission statement we developed nearly a decade before,
in which we pledged to “strive to foster a higher level of
dental health for everyone.”
Truth is, from
our very beginnings some 40 years ago, we have consistently “walked the talk” when
it comes to improving oral health for the people of Wisconsin.
It is the core of our being, whether viewed in terms of the more
than 1.2 million adults and children covered by dental insurance
plans we administer, or the thousands of uninsured, low-income
persons who receive free or reduced-cost dental services through
clinics and other programs that depend on our financial support.
Delta Dental of
Wisconsin is by every measure the leading dental insurer in Wisconsin.
We insure more groups and individuals here than any other carrier.
We have the largest dental networks. We have the respect and support
of the broker community. We are affiliated with the nation’s
largest and most respected dental insurance provider, the Delta Dental
Plans Association. Leveraging our knowledge and influence, we are
committed to providing our customers, partners and communities with
innovative, customized solutions to promote oral health and ultimately
achieve a better quality of life.
A good
year in 2006
2006 was another successful year for Delta Dental of Wisconsin.
Our total book loss ratio was below projection, which led to a
higher-than-expected net gain. We added more than 400 new groups
to our books, including 20 accounts with more than 500 lives. We
continue to see movement toward PPO plans, supported by growth
in our PPO dentist network.
In the
spring for 2006 we introduced SmileSuite, an online, interactive
tool for subscribers that offers personalized oral health tips
and advice. In the fall, we rolled out our new Evidence-Based
Integrated Care Plan option, which provides additional benefits
for women who are pregnant, and persons who have diabetes or
a history of periodontal surgery. Both these initiatives have
been well-received by our customers, and reflect our commitment
to leadership in evidence-based plan designs and equipping individuals
with tools to make better-informed decisions.
The enrollment maintenance
function currently offered via our secure Employer Portal was
redesigned in 2006, making it more user-friendly and providing
greater reporting abilities.
Also in 2006, through
our wholly-owned subsidiary, Wyssta, we introduced an insured
vision plan, DeltaVision. Looking forward, Wyssta provides us
with a solid platform for introduction of new product lines and
services that leverage our core strengths in customer service
and benefits administration.
Moving
Forward in 2007
We will continue to advance our leadership in 2007. Under
the guidance of Dr. Frederick Eichmiller, our new vice president
and science officer, we are better positioned than ever to refine
and expand our evidence-based plan design initiatives and other efforts
requiring expert knowledge of advancements in dentistry and science.
We will employ technology to drive down costs and enhance services
for dentists, group administrators, brokers and subscribers. And
we will continue our commitment to public benefit programs that
enhance access to care for the underserved.
We are also
excited about an investment we have made in C3 Jian, Inc., a
development-stage biotechnology company engaged in the creation
of unique products that eradicate the bacteria that cause cavities,
and targeted antimicrobial therapy for medical microbial pathogens
primarily on mucosal surfaces. The efforts of this company could
revolutionize the fight against cavities across our nation and
beyond.
No one knows exactly what the future holds. But we face each new
challenge with confidence in our capabilities and the resources to
seize opportunities that arise. We look forward with optimism. |
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