MetLife Beefs Up Intl. Dental Care Services

A MetLife news release said a covered participant can place a collect call to a special telephone number and receive a referral to dental providers in over 200 countries. The program provides participants traveling internationally with around-the-clock access to multilingual assistance coordinators.

According to the news release, the providers have been selected based on strict criteria including schooling and training background; local accreditation; specialties covered and staff experience; experience working with foreign patients; English-language proficiency; and access to the technology needed to provide adequate assistance.

“Access to timely and quality oral health care is important, yet people who experience a dental event away from familiar surroundings may not know where to obtain the services they need. These obstacles may be compounded when the person also does not speak the native language,” said Mike Schwartz, vice president, MetLife Dental Product Management, in the news release.

International dental travel assistance services are provided through an agreement with AXA Assistance USA, Inc.