Insider Update

Dental care has long been treated as separate from overall health. That approach is changing. Delta Dental is evolving to actively support whole-person wellness, recognizing that oral health plays a critical role in systemic health and patient outcomes.

Harmony Whole Person Oral Healthcare, a brand new 43-chair, state-of-the-art dental facility in Oakland, California, was created as a pilot for the future of integrated care. This innovative clinic allows Delta Dental to test, scale and refine models that connect dental, medical and behavioral health.
 

Closing the gap between oral and overall health

Growing evidence continues to reinforce the connection between oral health and systemic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Yet many employees still delay care due to cost, access challenges or dental anxiety, factors that ultimately drive higher medical claims and reduce the effectiveness of preventive benefits.

By promoting an integrated approach to oral and overall health, Delta Dental is working to close these gaps, which can reduce costly system-wide strain (like ER visits for preventable issues) and lead to better long-term health outcomes for employer populations.

Harmony Clinic was designed to expand access and improve outcomes through a whole-person approach:
 

• Care teams consider both oral and overall health needs.
• Patient education reinforces the oral–systemic health connection.
• Services emphasize prevention, trust-building and accessibility.

By addressing oral health as part of overall wellness, the clinic demonstrates how dental care can serve as an effective entry point to better health, supporting consistent care utilization and improved long-term outcomes employers care about.
 

Your partner in better health outcomes

As the industry continues to recognize the powerful link between oral and overall health, Delta Dental is taking decisive steps to turn that insight into action. Through innovative care models, deeper clinical partnerships and a commitment to whole‑person well‑being, we’re helping employers offer benefits that deliver measurable value and healthier outcomes. As benefits professionals, that means having a partner who isn’t just responding to change, but driving it.

Learn more about Harmony Clinic today.