July 2018

Top reasons for unexpected trips to the dentist
According to a recent national survey from Delta Dental, many adults do not seek out proactive dental care and confess to visiting the dentist less often than they should. As a result, many adults suffer from oral health detriments. The study reveals that more than half of Americans (57%) have made an unplanned visit to the dentist, with mouth pain (33%) being cited as the leading cause.

According to the Adult Oral Health & Well-Being Survey, a chipped or cracked tooth (26%) or a cavity (20%) also ranked as top reasons for Americans to suddenly find themselves in a dental chair. A lost crown or filling tied at 14 percent. Capping off the key reasons is bleeding gums (8%).

The Delta Dental survey indicates that more than two in five (42%) Americans admit they typically visit a dentist less than once a year.

"A healthy smile is a valuable asset in everyday life but requires proper care, including to help prevent gum disease," said Joe Dill, DDS, MBA, Delta Dental Plans Association's vice president of dental science. "Making an appointment for a dental exam is a positive step to safeguard the health of your smile."

Read more about Dr. Dills's recommendations and simple lifestyle tips for a healthy smile. The full Adult Oral Health and Well-being survey will be released later this year.
About the survey
The Adult Oral Health & Well-Being Survey was conducted between December 13 and December 28, 2017, among 1,008 nationally representative Americans ages 18+, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.
HEALTH CARE REFORM NEWS
House panel advances bill that would temporarily halt
ObamaCare's 
employer mandate
The Hill, July 12, 2018
The House Ways and Means Committee approved a bill that would postpone a tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health plans until 2022 and suspend employer-mandate penalties incurred from 2015 through 2019.

US health care companies begin exploring blockchain technologies
The Conversation, July 19, 2018
The sprawling U.S. health care industry has trouble managing patient information: Every doctor, medical office, hospital, pharmacy, therapist and insurance company needs different pieces of data to properly care for patients.

INDUSTRY NEWS
Health plan costs rose significantly for small employers in 2017
HealthLeaders, July 11, 2018
Employers across the board saw health plan costs rise for a variety of reasons, but employers with less than 500 workers were especially vulnerable to cost effects, according to a national survey from last year.
Insurers are helping shape the future of our health care system
STAT, July 18, 2018
Health insurers are leading the way to improve health care quality and affordability by promoting value-based care and investing in new business partnerships and technologies.

COLORADO NEWS
DIA kicks off massive $1.8B Great Hall renovation project
Denver Business Journal, July 13, 2018
Denver International Airport kicked off its $1.8 billion renovation of the airport's Great Hall, with luminaries including basketball legend Magic Johnson taking part.

Colorado employers stretched thin by tight labor markets
The Denver Post, July 22, 2018
In a stretch of full employment unmatched since the dot-com boom, employers are making bold moves to attract and keep workers.

COLORADO COMPANY NEWS
Boulder startup to expand 3-D imaging technology for scientific research
The Denver Post, July 22, 2018
Double Helix, a Boulder-based startup, is in the midst of expanding its 3-D nano-imaging technology to new markets thanks to an investment from Luminate, an international optics imaging technology company focused on assisting start-ups.

Aurora courier service among test subjects as Amazon launches new program to support small-business delivery
The Denver Post,  July 19, 2018
At the end of June, the online retailer rolled out its new delivery initiative that puts more feet on the ground and more vans on the highway.

Delta Dental of Colorado
1-800-610-0201