It’s time for women to start thinking differently about their next visit to the dentist.
Going to the dentist can be anxiety-provoking for some women, and many may not realize how closely oral health is connected to menopause — making awareness vitally important.
Hormonal changes during menopause or pregnancy can significantly affect dental health, a fact that, as of 3 years ago, 84% of women over 50 were unaware of, as revealed in a 2023 Delta Dental Insurance Company (Delta Dental) survey. Pregnant women may be more prone to gum inflammation and bleeding, and, in some cases, pregnancy-related gum growths. During menopause, hormonal changes can contribute to numerous oral health symptoms (sometimes referred to as “menopause mouth”), including dry mouth, burning tongue symptoms, tooth sensitivity, and a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which can increase the risk of tooth loss.
Three years after Delta Dental first surveyed women about menopause, they have seen positive change and real progress in a short time.
“We’re seeing more women over 40 come in and talk openly with their dentist about what they’re experiencing,” said Sarah Chavarria, the first female CEO in the organization’s 70-year history.
While Delta Dental was already addressing menopause’s impact on oral health, it had a new meaning to Chavarria after going to her own dentist and being asked if she was experiencing any health changes.
“I told him, ‘Well, I’m in full-blown menopause.’ He kind of went quiet, made a note, and then moved on,” Chavarria said. “So, when I came back into the office the next week, I asked one of our female dentists, ‘Isn’t that a thing? Isn’t going through menopause a healthcare change?’ She said, ‘Well, absolutely.’”
Soon after, Chavarria informed her mostly male board of directors that she had been working to bring attention to the menopause conversation, it’s connection to oral health and to sharpen the organization’s focus on addressing it. After several annual surveys gauging women’s perspectives on oral health and menopause and launching campaigns to bring awareness and education to the connection, Chavarria is encouraged that women are beginning to discuss menopause with their dentists.
“Dentists are ready to have these conversations. They’re not uncomfortable having them,” Chavarria said, noting the challenge now is initiating the conversation. Delta Dental’s latest survey shows that 75% of dentists say they’re comfortable having open conversations about menopause with their female patients. “We had an opportunity, and a responsibility, to take menopause seriously and bring it into the open,” Chavarria said.
If bringing up menopause during a dental visit seems daunting for patients, Chavarria suggests sending an email about their menopause and related symptoms to their dentist before the appointment. There’s even an email template on the company’s website to help start the conversation.
Once they meet with their dentists in-person, patients can follow up with specific questions like, “Are there any dental products that I can try to help with my menopause-related dental symptoms?” or “How should I adjust my oral hygiene routine during menopause?”
Enhanced oral health benefits for women
A trailblazer in women’s oral health, Chavarria describes her leadership style as “very open,” which she says has allowed her to build trust with her team.
Under Chavarria’s leadership, Delta Dental has expanded benefits designed to support women at key life stages — during pregnancy and menopause. Through Delta Dental’s Next Stage™ Women’s Health program, eligible plan members will receive additional teeth cleanings and oral exams during pregnancy or menopause to help address unmet needs tied to hormonal health. This, along with extra benefits also included in the program, is a tailored intervention that adds targeted preventive support during pregnancy and menopause, when hormonal changes can increase oral health risk. This program works directly in-line with Chavarria’s and the organizations’ commitment to early intervention and total body health.
“As women go into perimenopause and menopause, it’s important for us to make sure they get that extra oral health visit with their dentist, because we believe that’s part of their preventive care,” Chavarria said. “It’s helpful for dentists to understand changes patients experience at these oral health screenings. This really is the key to preventive care and improved health outcomes overall.”
These extra benefits are a welcome opportunity for patients. In the most recent Delta Dental survey, more than 4 in 5 women aged 40 years and older said they’d be more likely to schedule an additional dental cleaning if their insurance covered it. While 2 in 3 shared they would be more likely to discuss the impacts of menopause on oral health with their dentist if their insurance offered menopause-specific benefits to help them bridge the conversation gap.
In addition to offering enhanced dental benefits through the Next Stage™ Women’s Health program, Delta Dental has partnered with the virtual women’s health platform, Midi Health, to help patients access medical care they may need during menopause. They’ve also partnered with Embr Labs to offer discounts on Embr Wave, the first wearable temperature relief device that intelligently cools or heats the body, helping alleviate symptoms women often experience during menopause.
Meeting patient needs is a priority for the organization. The Midi Health partnership is also increasing access to care by connecting women with a clinician trained specifically in menopause and other aspects of midlife health virtually, wherever they are. “Women in rural America lack access to OBGYNs,” Chavarria said. “Creating that connection point to enable access to the care they need is a huge priority for us.”
Oral health is preventive healthcare
A dental visit can be an opportunity for a broader healthcare check-in. Currently, 27 million Americans don’t see their primary care physician regularly, but do see their dentist twice a year.
Chavarria encourages patients to view dental visits as complementary to routine primary care check-ups, supporting a more holistic approach to health.
As an example of this approach in action, Delta Dental of California has partnered with Harmony Whole Person Oral Healthcare, an independent clinic in Oakland, California, to innovate dental care delivery and improve patient health outcomes. The clinic offers whole-person health screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep issues, and more.
“A patient came in feeling great,” Chavarria said. “She had her blood pressure taken, and it was very high. We invited her to seek urgent care and contact her primary care doctor. She called us back that afternoon and she said the doctor at Urgent Care said, ‘that dental visit may have saved your life.’”
While innovations like these are relatively new, they represent both the future of whole-person wellness, and Delta Dental’s commitment to leading the way.
Click here to get more oral health and menopause information from Delta Dental
