Delta Dental, DENTRIX announce agreements

California's largest dental plan, Delta Dental Plan of California and Dentrix Dental Systems, Inc. -- the practice management software and electronic claims subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc. -- announced today a pilot program enabling dental offices to electronically transmit requested attachments to Dentrix for viewing by the California Delta Plan. This agreement will support dental offices with electronic claims services currently available to DENTRIX users. This service will be available to those offices submitting their claims electronically to Delta Dental Plan of California. Offices located in California must have participating dentist agreements with Delta in order to submit electronic claims to the dental plan.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Delta will be able to view digital or scanned electronic attachments -- X-rays, perio charts, or other images -- sent by the dental office. This is a great advantage for those offices utilizing high-tech tools to take digital X-rays or photos. Delta will be notified of the electronic attachments requested and can quickly view those attachments on-line through a simple and secure log-on process. The agreement between Dentrix and Delta illustrates a continued effort by both companies to utilize technology for the benefit of the dental industry.

In addition, Dentrix and Delta Dental Plans of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana have announced an agreement that will permit dental offices to send electronic attachments with claims sent within the DENTRIX practice management system.

Effective immediately, dental offices may include digital or scanned electronic attachments -- X-rays, perio charts, cosmetic presentations, or other images with their claims -- further expediting the electronic claims process. This is a great advantage for those offices utilizing high-tech tools to take digital X-rays, photos or create cosmetic presentations. The option to send attachments with claims eliminates delays in payment by providing all pertinent information to the payor at the initial submission of the claim. The outcome is increased efficiency for the providers and payors resulting in much quicker adjudicating and payment of claims.