Dental care

Members have dental benefits

Your dental coverage includes check-ups, cleanings, fillings and restorative work. Hennepin Health partners with Delta Dental to provide dental coverage. Everyone ages 1 and older should see a dentist twice a year. Denture wearers should be checked at least once a year. Deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and planing procedure, is part of your dental benefit package.

To find a dentist or get help scheduling an appointment, call our partner Delta Dental at 651-348-3233 (866-298-5549), TTY 711, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Earn rewards for a dental visit

Ways to get the rewards voucher:

• On the Rewards webpage. 
• By phone. Contact Member Services at 612-596-1036 (TTY 711).
• By U.S. mail. Contact Member Services.

Regular visits make a difference

Regular dental care for everyone ages 1 and older is important for you to keep healthy. Even people who don’t have natural teeth should be checked. Denture wearer should be checked at least once a year.

At regular visits, your dentist:

• Examines your tongue, gums and mouth for decay and disease.
• Cleans your teeth.
• Checks if you have cavities or need fillings.

Your dentist can also give you a deep cleaning if you need it. A deep teeth cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth which reduces gum inflammation and improves your gum health.

What to expect during your visit to a dental provider presented by Children's Dental Service provides a step-by-step overview of the health care provided at a dental appointment.

Healthy teeth matter

Your teeth can last a lifetime if you practice basic dental care. Basic dental care is when you:

• Brush and floss regularly.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Visit your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings. 

The best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease is to develop good dental health habits. You can do many things to keep your mouth healthy and your teeth strong.

• Brush your teeth twice a day thoroughly.
• Brush your tongue from back to front. This helps remove plaque which can cause bad breath.
• Brush with fluoride toothpaste.
• Brush with a toothbrush with soft, rounded-end bristles and a head small enough to reach all parts of your teeth and gums.
• Floss daily between your teeth.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or when the bristles are frayed.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
• Chew sugarless gum.
• Do not use tobacco products. If you smoke, quit.
• Limit alcoholic drinks.

Dental care for children

Developing good habits at an early age helps children begin a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. 

Children need checkups, too! The ideal time for a child’s first dentist visit is after the first tooth comes in or before their first birthday.

Even before birth, dental care is important for your baby. Pregnant mothers should eat a balanced, nutritious diet with lots of vitamins and minerals. After birth, follow these tips: 

• Prevent tooth decay by using a separate fork or spoon for your baby. 
• Remove the bottle before the baby sleeps so juice or other sugary beverages don’t sit in their mouth. 
• Keep your baby away from secondhand tobacco smoke.

Dental care for denture wearers

Caring for your gums, tongue and mouth roof is important. Cleaning these areas, in addition to your dentures, helps keep you healthy. 

Follow these tips from the American Dental Association:

• Brush your gums, tongue and mouth roof with a soft-bristled brush every morning before putting in your dentures. This removes plaque and boosts circulation. 
• Pay special attention to clean teeth that fit under the denture's metal clasps. Trapped plaque raises the risk of tooth decay. 
• If you wear a partial denture, remove it before brushing your natural teeth. 
• Clean, rest and massage your gums regularly to help keep them healthy. Rinsing your mouth daily with lukewarm saltwater helps clean the gums. 

Regular dental visits are important so that you can be examined to ensure proper denture fit, to look for signs of oral diseases including cancer, and to have teeth professionally cleaned. Your dentist will advise you about how often to visit but every six months is standard. 

To find a dentist or get help scheduling an appointment, call our partner Delta Dental at 651-348-3233 (866-298-5549), TTY 711, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Dental Days at the Member Service Center

We want to make getting dental care easy for our members. During our Dental Days at the Hennepin Health Member Service Center in downtown Minneapolis, members can receive care from expert providers from Children’s Dental Service (serving adults and children). 

Members can make an appointment to get dental care at one of the Dental Days throughout 2025. See below for dates and times.

• February 18
• March 18
• May 20
• June 17
• August 19
• September 16
• October 21
• November 18

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Location: Hennepin Health Member Service Center, 525 Portland Ave. S., 8th floor, in downtown Minneapolis

How to make an appointment

If you are interested in making an appointment, ask someone from our Member Services team

• In-person at the Member Service Center
• Call Becky, Hennepin Health Dental Coordinator, at 612-543-4207, Mon – Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Call Member Services at 612-596-1036, TTY 711.If you would like to make a dental appointment at another time or if you need help finding a dentist, call Delta Dental at 651-348-3233 (866-298-5549), TTY 711, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

DHS Approved 6/18/2024 MC-1629-MC