Those who have had experiences with the military—either serving or families of those who have—know that presentation is important. When it comes to presentation, many people might not immediately think of their smile. From first impressions to showing off your pride, a smile does a lot for us every single day. But did you know your smile also shows off your overall health, too?

It’s true—many conditions you wouldn’t consider ‘oral conditions’ affect your mouth. In fact, there are more than 120 medical conditions that do just that. Even more, your risk for developing some non-oral conditions increases with poor oral health. People with severe gum disease are twice as likely to have a hospital stay and 25% more likely to develop heart disease.* This is why getting dental coverage is so important to your overall health, in addition to routine brushing, flossing and mouthwash use at home.

BCBS FEP Dental makes it easy for retired uniformed service members and their families to get the dental care they need to stay healthy. BCBS FEP Dental is advised by a group of experienced personnel from the uniformed services to stay connected to your needs. With two plans available, Standard Option and High Option, you can get benefits that are right for your smile:

  • Free in-network preventive care, including three covered dental cleanings a year.
  • You never have a deductible for in-network services, meaning BCBS FEP Dental covers its share from the start.
  • Use all your benefits from day one of your coverage being active, meaning you can get the care you need—when you need it.
  • BCBS FEP Dental’s large nationwide network goes where you do with over 488,000 provider access points plus worldwide coverage.
  • Coverage starts at just $20 a month.

High Option members also get an unlimited annual benefit, which means there’s no limit to the amount you’re covered for throughout the year.

If you have children in your household, you should keep their oral health in mind, too. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends you schedule your child’s first dental visit when their first tooth comes in, often between six and twelve months of age. A dentist can check for any potential signs of health conditions and make sure their teeth and gums are developing on track. That’s why starting in 2022, BCBS FEP Dental covers Class A, B and C in-network services, which include exams, X-rays, tooth extractions and root canals, at 100% for children ages 13 and under with Standard Option.

Now is the time to make sure your coverage is up to date for 2022. Think about any dental service you and your family might need for the new year ahead of Open Season, which runs from November 8 to midnight ET on December 13, 2021. Visit bcbsfepdental.com to learn more about what BCBS FEP Dental can do for you and how you can enroll.

*Source: Brush up on dental health, Blue Cross Blue Shield Health of America, 2018