Page 16 - Work Force April 2019

Care for your removable dentures
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund is always watching out for your health. In this article, we discuss how to care for dentures, with tips from the American Dental Association (ADA).
Be sure to carefully follow your dentist’s instructions for your partial or full dentures. The ADA suggests that proper home care will help to ensure a positive and healthy experience. Here are some recommendations.
• Remove dentures daily for • cleaning, which is usually
done at night before going to
bed. You should never sleep
with dentures in your mouth. Cleaning your dentures daily
will help prevent them from becoming permanently stained and will kill germs that can cause odor.
• Dentures should be rinsed in cool, fresh water. Use a
soft-bristled toothbrush or a toothbrush specifically designed
for cleaning dentures to remove plaque and food deposits. Commercial cleansers are a
great option for cleaning • your dentures. Mild and non-whitening toothpastes, mild • hand soap or dishwashing liquid
will work as well. Do not use
bleach or powdered household cleaners, which can be abrasive
and might cause damage.
When you are not wearing • your dentures, place them in
a cleanser soaking solution
or plain water. This helps the dentures retain their shape,
remain pliable and keeps
them from drying out. Be sure
to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using
cleansing creams, pastes or gels. Never use hot water, which could cause them to warp and make
them uncomfortable to wear. •
counter or fill the sink with
cool water when removing or replacing your dentures. This will help protect them from breaking if accidentally dropped. Keep your dentures away from curious children or pets.
If your dentures break, chip, crack or become loose, see your dentist as soon as possible. Do not try to adjust them yourself, as this can damage them beyond repair.
Dentures can make it difficult to bite and chew foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. If you
are having difficulty in eating these foods, you may risk losing essential nutrients. Begin by eating a variety of soft food or cut foods into small pieces to make them easier to chew and swallow. Try to chew on both sides of the mouth to keep the pressure even.
Do not smoke. Smoking can increase the risk for infections and gum disease.
Remember to take good care
of your mouth, even if you
wear full dentures. Brush your gums, tongue and palate each morning. This will help increase
circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque. Be sure you eat a well-balanced diet. See your dentist often for regular exams.
New York State employees, Unified Court System employees and several hundred local government units (counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts) have negotiated valuable EBF dental benefits into their contracts.
Check with your employer, refer to your contract or visit cseaebf.com and use our Benefit Search Tool to find out exactly what benefits you may be eligible for.
• Cleansers should not be used
while dentures are still in your mouth. •
• Always thoroughly rinse the dentures before putting them into your mouth.
• Place a towel over the sink or
Empire Plan claims deadlines for calendar year 2018
Empire Plan enrollees have until April 30, 2019 (120 days after the end of the calendar year) in which to submit medical expenses which were incurred during the 2018 plan year to:
United HealthCare Service Corp. P.O. Box 1600
Kingston, N.Y. 12402-1600 empireplanproviders.com/ claimform.htm
For the Empire Plan Basic Medical Program, the Home Care Advocacy Program (HCAP) and for non-network physical therapy or chiropractic services.
Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield NYS Service Center
P.O. Box 1407 – Church Street Station New York, N.Y. 10008-1407
For Empire Plan and non-network Inpatient or outpatient hospital services.
Beacon Health Options
P.O. Box 1850
Hicksville, N.Y. 11802
For non-network mental health and substance abuse services.
CVS Caremark
P.O. Box 6590
Lee’s Summit, M.O. 64064-6590 For prescriptions filled at
non-participating pharmacies or at participating pharmacies without using your New York Government Employee Benefit Card.
Enrollees can call the Empire Plan at 1-877-7NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) with questions or to obtain claim forms. As a reminder, when using
the Empire Plan’s toll-free telephone number, please pay extra attention to the choices offered by the automated system.
Network providers/pharmacies will submit claims directly to the appropriate insurance carrier on your behalf when provided with all necessary information. If you have a
non-network claim submission, make sure you complete the requested subscriber information on the claim form, include the original billing
or receipt (if requested), and don’t forget to sign the claim form.
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April 2019
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