Excellence in Administration Dedication in Service
PlanAm’s reinsurance programs can also eliminate any financial risk that a you may have, as to the cost of your dental plans, if desired. Contact our team today for a stable, cost-effective benefit for your employees and dependents.
Who We Are
Having over sixty years of combined leadership experience in the field, PlanAm’s staff has been at the forefront of development in the industry. Its leaders have been founders and officers of the National Association of Dental Plans, the National Dental EDI Council (NDEDIC) and other organizations both nationally and internationally. We are proudly 100% American owned and operated. Our commitment is to Excellence in Administration and Dedication in Service. We look forward to collaborating with you on the needs of your company, employees and their dependents.
What We Do
The PlanAm Group of companies was created to provide state-of-the-art dental benefit programs to its large employer and Taft Hartley clients. Utilizing technology to share oral and general health care information, aiding in whole body wellness.
Subsidiaries
Plan Administrators of North America
Plan Administrators of North America “PANA” is a national Third Party Administrator working with large clients to implement and administer state-of-the-art self-insured dental programs. Utilizing recent advances in technology, the Company can provide more accurate and faster claim adjudication while focusing on unnecessary or redundant costs its clients may normally incur. Working in conjunction with our reinsurance company, if desired by a client, any financial risk for these innovative programs can be minimized. As dental science continues to integrate oral health into general health, PANA can work with its clients to make certain such benefits can be integrated into their dental programs.
PlanAm RE
PlanAm RE is a U.S.-based reinsurance company providing aggregate stop-loss insurance coverage for our self-insured dental benefit plan clients. Aggregate stop-loss insurance limits our clients’ maximum liability for incurred dental claims providing predictability of costs. Through a set monthly fee, we enable our clients to plan their cost-of-care budget for the entire year. Clients will always know the maximum amount of claim dollars that they will have to pay. This, combined with the administration of their program through Plan Administrators of North America, will yield a stable, cost-effective benefit for their employees and dependents.
News
The landscape of dental care is rapidly evolving so staying ahead of technological and procedural enhancements is crucial for practitioners and patients alike. The American Dental Association (ADA) announced CDT 2026, featuring 60 code changes, including 31 additions, all effective January 1st, 2026. This article will touch on several of the CDT 2026 updates and how they allow for standardized documentation of procedures.
The CDT 2026 additions enable precise documentation and billing, streamline insurance processes, and enhance practice efficiency. Here’s a look at a few updates that PlanAm finds noteworthy:
- Point-of-Care Saliva Testing – Technological advancements have eliminated the need for external lab processing, and this new code allows dentists to document in-office saliva analysis, improving efficiency and patient care.
- Testing for Cracked Tooth – This code covers comprehensive testing to identify cracks on multiple teeth and rule out disorders that “mimic the symptoms of a cracked tooth”. Often brought to the dentist’s attention by the patient, the code ensures accurate diagnostic documentation and clear communication.
- Scaling and Debridement for Implant with Peri-Implantitis – This code documents non-surgical treatment of implant-related inflammation, a key indicator of potential implant failure, addressing a growing need in implant care.
As dentistry continues to evolve, CDT 2026 stands as the foundational tool for practitioners navigating the complexities of modern dental care. At PlanAm, we recognize the transformative power of data, with CDT codes playing a vital role in promoting global health through precise dental care documentation. Learn more at ADA.org/CDT.
Sources: https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/september/new-cdt-codes-you-should-know-for-2026/
The FDI (Federation Dentaire Internationale) World Dental Federation’s “Consensus Statement: Integrated Electronic Health Records” marks a landmark move toward the unification of dental and medical records to achieve truly comprehensive healthcare. Guiding this visionary effort is FDI’s Integrated Electronic Health Records Task Team, and we’re thrilled to spotlight PlanAm’s very own Dr. Fred Horowitz as a key contributor and member of this Task Team. As President of PlanAm Group, LLC, and Executive Chair of OpenView Consulting, LLC, Dr. Horowitz brought his depth of expertise in oral healthcare to this prestigious team, joining individuals like Professor Mark Wolff, Morton Amsterdam Dean at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Jina Linton of the FDI Dental Practice Committee.
Published in 2025, the Consensus Statement lays out a framework to weave critical oral health indicators—periodontal disease, caries, and oral cancer screening—alongside general health factors like diabetes and drug interactions into electronic health records (EHRs). The goal? A holistic approach to patient care that bridges the gap between dental and medical systems. With Dr. Horowitz’s input, the task team tackled tough challenges like standardization and data security, offering practical solutions such as pilot programs, stakeholder collaboration, and continuing professional development (CPD) initiatives to drive progress.
This statement is more than a document—it’s a call to transform healthcare. It envisions integrated EHRs boosting research, supporting universal health coverage, and delivering better patient outcomes through standardized data, enhanced training, and strategic funding. Dr. Horowitz’s role in this effort exemplifies the power of expertise and forward-thinking leadership in reshaping how we view oral health as part of overall wellness.
As we step into a future where dental and medical care are seamlessly connected, Dr. Horowitz’s contributions remind us that innovation starts with visionaries willing to lead the charge. Stay tuned – we are just warming up!
Reference: FDI World Dental Federation. (2025). Consensus Statement: Integrated Electronic Health Records. Geneva: FDI World Dental Federation. Available from: fdiworlddental.org
Bridging the Gap: Why Integrating Oral Health and Medical Wellness is Key to Comprehensive Health
Health as we experience it is often compartmentalized – annual medical checks up for the body and biannual dental visits for the mouth. At PlanAm we find ourselves questioning why such rigid boundaries persist between oral health and medical wellness. The reality is that our health does not operate in silos. The mouth is not an island. Far from it -it’s a vital gateway connected to every aspect of our physical well-being. Therefore the integration between these fields is necessary to achieve comprehensive health.
Why hasn’t this integration already taken root? Historically, dental and medical fields have operated separately- from the schools to the insurance and especially the approach to care. Patients often treated their dentist as optional whereas their primary care doctor was of the upmost importance. But that’s changing. Forward thinking healthcare providers and industry leaders are starting to form the bridge to the gap that exists between dentistry and primary care. Perhaps no better example of this occurs than clinics who offer dental, medical and a whole host of services all under one roof. Despite this, patients remain key in driving this movement forward through their demand for a holistic approach and providers need to, in turn, prioritize their patients concerns.
Close your eyes and imagine a world in which your primary care doctor and dentist share their notes on you. A dental exam could reveal early signs of vitamin deficiencies which could potentially lead to a medical follow up which, in turn, could prevent larger issues from occurring down the line. This collaborative approach saves the patient and caregiver time, money, and most importantly health. We must be our own advocates, the integration of medical and dental wellness is not a luxury only afforded to some but a necessity in achieving a healthier world.
Bridging the Gap: Why Integrating Oral Health and Medical Wellness is Key to Comprehensive Health
Health as we experience it is often compartmentalized – annual medical checks up for the body and biannual dental visits for the mouth. At PlanAm we find ourselves questioning why such rigid boundaries persist between oral health and medical wellness. The reality is that our health does not operate in silos. The mouth is not an island. Far from it -it’s a vital gateway connected to every aspect of our physical well-being. Therefore the integration between these fields is necessary to achieve comprehensive health.
Why hasn’t this integration already taken root? Historically, dental and medical fields have operated separately- from the schools to the insurance and especially the approach to care. Patients often treated their dentist as optional whereas their primary care doctor was of the upmost importance. But that’s changing. Forward thinking healthcare providers and industry leaders are starting to form the bridge to the gap that exists between dentistry and primary care. Perhaps no better example of this occurs than clinics who offer dental, medical and a whole host of services all under one roof. Despite this, patients remain key in driving this movement forward through their demand for a holistic approach and providers need to, in turn, prioritize their patients concerns.
Close your eyes and imagine a world in which your primary care doctor and dentist share their notes on you. A dental exam could reveal early signs of vitamin deficiencies which could potentially lead to a medical follow up which, in turn, could prevent larger issues from occurring down the line. This collaborative approach saves the patient and caregiver time, money, and most importantly health. We must be our own advocates, the integration of medical and dental wellness is not a luxury only afforded to some but a necessity in achieving a healthier world.
The history of oral health has its fair share of old wives’ remedies or tall tales. Let’s set the record straight on just a few.
Myth 1: “Harder You Brush t he Better”
Truth: Just put some elbow grease in it! This might work wonders for scrubbing pots, but not your teeth. Brushing too hard wears down the enamel- the built-in protective shield on your teeth – and gums. It’s more about technique than it is the force. Use a soft bristle tooth brush, try to brush at least twice a day, and think gentle massage not scrubbing the deck. Overzealous brushers are setting themselves up for a bigger dental bill long-term, don’t let that be you.
Myth 2: “Baby Teeth Don’t Matter”
Truth: If a tooth is temporary, why concern yourself? As it turns out baby teeth have a profound effect on the future of our oral health. They are space holders for adult teeth, guide jaw growth, and help children form their chew and speech patterns. Neglect them and you place your permanent teeth in jeopardy. Those baby teeth are the training wheels for a lifetime of healthy smiles, or not.
Myth 3: Myth: Dental Health Is Separate from Overall Health:
Truth: Your mouth’s health is interconnected to your whole-body wellness. Issues like gum disease are linked to bigger problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Keeping your oral health in check helps build a healthier you!
The history of oral health has its fair share of old wives’ remedies or tall tales. Let’s set the record straight on just a few.
Myth 1: “Harder You Brush t he Better”
Truth: Just put some elbow grease in it! This might work wonders for scrubbing pots, but not your teeth. Brushing too hard wears down the enamel- the built-in protective shield on your teeth – and gums. It’s more about technique than it is the force. Use a soft bristle tooth brush, try to brush at least twice a day, and think gentle massage not scrubbing the deck. Overzealous brushers are setting themselves up for a bigger dental bill long-term, don’t let that be you.
Myth 2: “Baby Teeth Don’t Matter”
Truth: If a tooth is temporary, why concern yourself? As it turns out baby teeth have a profound effect on the future of our oral health. They are space holders for adult teeth, guide jaw growth, and help children form their chew and speech patterns. Neglect them and you place your permanent teeth in jeopardy. Those baby teeth are the training wheels for a lifetime of healthy smiles, or not.
Myth 3: Myth: Dental Health Is Separate from Overall Health:
Truth: Your mouth’s health is interconnected to your whole-body wellness. Issues like gum disease are linked to bigger problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Keeping your oral health in check helps build a healthier you!
In order to achieve comprehensive health care, it must be recognized that the mouth is not an isolated system, but a critical gateway to overall wellness. The relationship between diabetes and oral health exemplifies this connection, as elevated blood sugar levels can fuel gum disease and tooth decay, while poor oral health can complicate diabetes control, creating a vicious cycle. The treatment varies depending on the specific diagnosis or condition a patient presents. For example, periodontal disease must be treated by a dentist while thrush – a painful fungal infection in the mouth – can result in the inability to eat, leading to malnutrition. It is typically resolved with antifungal medication prescribed by either a dentist or a physician.
This interplay between oral and medical health care highlights why the integration is essential. Patients who visit their dentist regularly for checkups can potentially catch these issues early, but many are unaware of the risks and skip the visit. Education remains key – dentists and physicians must collaborate to teach their patients that these two areas of medicine are not independent. It’s a health priority that could reduce complications and improve the well-being of countless individuals globally.
At PlanAm Group, we recognize the importance of closing this divide, which is why we have partnered with industry leaders to leverage our decades of expertise to fuel this initiative. Our goal is to ultimately help achieve holistic health care by reintegrating the mouth back into the body’s overall wellness.
In order to achieve comprehensive health care, it must be recognized that the mouth is not an isolated system, but a critical gateway to overall wellness. The relationship between diabetes and oral health exemplifies this connection, as elevated blood sugar levels can fuel gum disease and tooth decay, while poor oral health can complicate diabetes control, creating a vicious cycle. The treatment varies depending on the specific diagnosis or condition a patient presents. For example, periodontal disease must be treated by a dentist while thrush – a painful fungal infection in the mouth – can result in the inability to eat, leading to malnutrition. It is typically resolved with antifungal medication prescribed by either a dentist or a physician.
This interplay between oral and medical health care highlights why the integration is essential. Patients who visit their dentist regularly for checkups can potentially catch these issues early, but many are unaware of the risks and skip the visit. Education remains key – dentists and physicians must collaborate to teach their patients that these two areas of medicine are not independent. It’s a health priority that could reduce complications and improve the well-being of countless individuals globally.
At PlanAm Group, we recognize the importance of closing this divide, which is why we have partnered with industry leaders to leverage our decades of expertise to fuel this initiative. Our goal is to ultimately help achieve holistic health care by reintegrating the mouth back into the body’s overall wellness.