The Power of Smile ™ Blog
Meet The Clinicians
Learn about current topics and trends in dentistry and the importance of oral health as it relates to overall health from our team of experts.
Eileen Crespo, MD
Dr. Eileen Crespo is the Vice President of Medical Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. Dr. Crespo is a practicing pediatrician of 20 years. She is currently a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a member of the Board of Directors at Children’s Dental Service and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Nirmala Prabhu, DMD
Dr. Nirmala Prabhu (Dr. Nina) is the Vice President of Dental Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. Prior to joining Delta Dental of Minnesota, Dr. Nina was the Director of National Dental Policy and Surveillance and Utilization Review Subsystem (SURS) at Delta Dental of California for 18 years.
R. Bruce Templeton, DMD
Dr. Bruce Templeton is an oral surgeon and has served both on the board and as a medical consultant for Delta Dental of Minnesota since 2011. Dr. Templeton has served as both the Chief of Dentistry and Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, and as a clinical professor at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.
Recent Blog Articles
Vegan diets and oral health
A vegan diet is proven to be safe, although it may have some unintended consequences for oral health. According to the American Dietetic Association, nearly anyone can live a healthy life without meat, but giving up traditional sources of nutrients can increase the risk for gum disease.
Discount plan? Dental insurance? What’s the difference?
If you’ve been to your dentist recently, you may have seen advertisements for an in-house dental plan or discount plan. Are you wondering how that differs from your dental insurance?
Five ancient practices that will make you grateful for modern dentistry
Dentistry has been around in some form or another for thousands of years. From embedding precious stones in teeth to brushing with hog hair, people have been (attempting to) care for and bedazzle their teeth for centuries. Many practices from the past range from bizarre to downright disgusting. Below are five ancient dental practices that will make you thankful you’re visiting the dentist in the 21st century:
Use it or lose it: Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can be applied for dental!
The end of the year is near, and if you have a flexible spending account, you’re coming up on your use it or lose it date! Did you know that your FSA can be used toward some dental expenses? Here’s an example of what’s covered:
Eating and drinking to promote healthy gums
Nutrition is vital for your entire body – including your gums! In recognition of Good Nutrition Month, take a moment this November to learn which nutrients help prevent gum disease.
Diabetes and oral health: The connection
Anything from measles to cancer, blood diseases to bulimia can be detected in the mouth. In fact, for many years, associations have been reported between the health of the mouth and medical conditions. One such association is with diabetes and periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).
Small business owners: How your dental insurance company should be saving you time
When it comes to dental benefits, out-of-pocket costs are only one piece of the puzzle. If your insurance provider doesn’t have the right training and resources, selecting, implementing and managing plans for your small business can mean a significant loss of time for you. Save time by learning what to look for.
Small business benefits
Did you know that dental insurance is the ___third-most requested benefit___ among employees, after medical and retirement? It’s no coincidence – dental benefits have been shown to improve oral health and overall well-being. You want talented workers, and they expect benefit packages that work to keep their whole selves healthy.
5 teeth tips for school sports
School sports have begun, and players are hitting the field. Through all the ups and downs, don’t let your kid’s oral health get put on the bench. Follow these five tips to maintain terrific teeth from the first practice to the final buzzer.
