Insider Update

Pregnancy and menopause bring unique health challenges, including hormonal changes that impact oral health​. That’s why Delta Dental created Next Stage™ Women’s Health, a first-of-its-kind program designed to support women during these two critical life stages.

For brokers, this represents more than an enhanced dental offering, it’s a meaningful opportunity to help clients modernize their benefits strategy and stand out in a competitive market.
 

What is Next Stage™ Women’s Health?

The Next Stage™ Women's Health program offers expanded benefits to address the oral health impacts of pregnancy and menopause, and includes comprehensive support like specialty telehealth visits, curated partner products and member resources to help promote whole-body health during these pivotal life stages.

Eligible members who opt in receive additional preventive services, including:

• Extra cleanings and periodontal maintenance
• Additional exams and bitewing X-rays
• Adult topical fluoride treatments

Partnerships that add value:
Next Stage™ Women’s Health also extends beyond dental coverage. Through partnerships with Midi Health and Embr Labs , the program connects women to specialized treatment guidance and innovative wellness resources, reinforcing whole-person care.

By increasing access to preventive care, the program helps address oral health risks linked to hormonal shifts including gum disease and dry mouth, before they become more serious and costly concerns.
 

Why we created Next Stage™ Women’s Health

Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause affect oral health. Pregnancy can cause gingivitis, while menopause lowers estrogen, leading to gum disease and tooth loss. Many women are unaware of this connection.

According to a recent Delta Dental menopause report, over 80% of women 40+ say they’d maintain better oral care with additional dental benefits. Additionally, 81% of dentists would discuss menopause-related oral health more if menopause-specific benefits were available. Next Stage™ Women’s Health offers enhanced coverage for pregnancy and menopause, helping women connect oral, hormonal and overall health, and encouraging specialized care during these key life stages.

Help clients build a more equitable workplace

By offering targeted preventive care during pregnancy and menopause, your clients can demonstrate that they understand their employees’ evolving health needs. This positions employers as organizations that actively protect workforce well-being and foster a culture where employees feel supported and valued.

For your employer groups, that can translate to:

• Improved health outcomes
• Higher employee satisfaction
• Stronger retention
• Reduced absenteeism
   

For brokers, this means offering clients a differentiated, forward-thinking offering that aligns with holistic wellness strategies and evolving workforce expectations.