Delta Dental offers a benefit to prevent and detect oral cancer.

Helps save lives and keeps employees healthy and on the job.

Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana is one of the first benefit carriers to offer coverage for the new brush biopsy — a diagnostic tool which uses “Star Wars” technology to identify and analyze precancerous and cancerous cells. The brush biopsy was developed by the company called CDx Laboratories Inc., which holds a patent for its use.

How does it work?

In about 10 percent of patients, a dental professional may notice a red or white spot. Although most of these spots are harmless, some are not. If a dentist determines that the tissue needs to be tested, a brush biopsy can be performed. The test is quick, accurate and involves little or no patient discomfort. The sample is then mailed to a laboratory for computer-assisted analysis. Delta Dental will pay the approved percentage of the procedure fee for covered patients. As with other oral biopsies, your medical carrier generally will pick up the cost of the laboratory analysis.

Life Saving Investment

The cost of the brush biopsy is minimal but the small investment you make can save your organization more than dental claim costs. It can also save significant costs for medical treatment, and most importantly, it can save lives.

Important Facts to Know

• Oral cancer is one of the most expensive cancers to treat. The average cost for treating an advance case is $200,000.

• The survival rate for oral cancer is 57 percent, however, if found early it dramatically increases to 81 percent.

• And if found at its precancerous stage, oral cancer can be prevented.