Page 2 - Nellis Creech NTTR Bullseye 4-29-16

2 April 29, 2016
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Command Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson Jr. is the
Supreme Allied Command Transformation command
senior enlisted leader at Norfolk, Va.
Should My Child Have Dental Insurance?
By Lt. Col. John Davis
20th Dental Squadron
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — As
the month wraps up, I’d like to focus on
one of the questions we receive quite of-
ten: “Should I sign up my child for dental
insurance?” e answer is like many in
life — it depends.
First, the military o ers two great den-
tal insurance plans through TRICARE.
For Active Duty families, the TRICARE
Dental Program is available. e TRI-
CARE Retiree Dental Program is open to
families of retirees. Both programs have
competitive pricing with civilian plans,
a healthy selection of enrolled providers,
and at least partial coverage for most
dental services. e TDP is managed
by MetLife and the TRDP is managed
by Delta Dental. Visit www.tricare.mil/
dental.aspx for more information on
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Commentary BULLSEYE
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Introspection
NATO photograph By Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson Jr. everyone — even our lowest ranking ose attributes and/or actions
NATO Allied Command Transformation Airmen or family members — all developed during the 1960s and
have stories awaiting the best seller’s 1970s, in my view, were about build-
NORFOLK, Va. — We were all list. As our great Air Force Chief of ing our force with the best sustain-
created di erent. We think di er- Sta Gen. Mark A. Welsh III has able force to ght the current and
ently, perceive things differently said, “Every Airman has a story.” future wars. We addressed war ght-
and interpret success and failure ing, sustainment, readiness, quality
through very di erent lenses. Over my 53 continuous years of life and training and education,
with the Air Force, rst as the son with the strategy to win indecisively.
At each person’s unique period of a great senior NCO, and now as Not one Airman, nor his or her fam-
in life, they begin to look back, the longest serving enlisted Airman ily members, was not aware of what
wondering if they truly made a dif- on active duty, to which I owe Welsh alert status we were in, whether they
ference. and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air were overseas or stateside, in church
Force James A. Cody my deepest service or at a base matinee — they
For many, that difference can gratitude, I’ve seen a lot of historic knew!
only be de ned by one’s self, regard- advances. It is through my own per-
less of achievements, big or small. sonal and professional introspection The 1980s and 1990s brought
that I see many of our Air Force’s significant change, paved by all
e “should have,” “could have” and greatest attributes of yesteryear and those professional service members
“would have” perspectives some- today being centered on its promises serving before us and some with us
times occupy our thoughts. During to the American public, sometimes today. e Berlin Wall came down
this sometimes lonesome period, despite tremendous odds. rough and America began to reinvest pre-
even the highest achievers and the diligence and dedication of our cious assets elsewhere, sometimes
strongest leaders also go through a total force, we have always been _ See INTROSPECTION, on page 14
period of introspection. Introspec- successful.
tion has such a powerful impact on
a person’s life, not just the wise, but
both programs. You can also view more ings. Also, only certain providers known you undertake. If you are unable to set
information on the TDP at www.shaw. as network providers, can be utilized aside money, an expensive dental bill can
af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123439841. to maximize your bene ts. If you have easily wipe out savings. Some can cost as
been going to a dentist most of your life much as $10,000-$20,000. Even a routine
e bene ts of being enrolled in an and the dentist decides to opt out of the bill can stress your pocketbook if you have
insurance plan are mostly based around insurance plan or not enroll, you may not set aside money according to your
plan. If your family requires signi cant
nancial security. If your family mem- nd yourself looking for a new dentist dental care, I would highly recommend a
bers require a significant amount of or being charged additional fees. traditional plan over self-funding.
work, root canals, crowns, braces, the
premium cost is a small price to pay ver- If you elect not to sign up for dental With all the costs associated with
sus the total cost of care. Both military insurance, I would at least recommend dental care, I highly stress having a plan
programs have dental accident coverage starting a “self-funded plan” and set aside in place to ensure your family is taken
and dental emergency coverage to help money to prepare for future dental care. care of when needed. Which plan you
pay for those times when you weren’t choose, though, is your decision and
expecting additional dental treatment. ere are several potential bene ts to should be based on your family’s needs,
Considering the potential cost from an doing this. Some dentists o er discounts desires, and budget.
errant baseball to the mouth, this alone if the bill is paid in cash. Since you are
could be worth the premium price. not tied to a plan, you aren’t limited to To enroll your child in the TRICARE
just network providers. Finally, since you Dental Program, call (855) 638-8371 or
Some of the drawbacks of these in- own your plan, the money stays with visit www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/
surance plans revolve around fees and you so you are able to earn interest and Dental/TDP.aspx
choice. If you don’t require much dental determine how you spend it.
care, the cost can feel exorbitant for just To enroll your family in the TRICARE
an annual exam and a couple of clean- e biggest drawback of opting out of a Retiree Dental Program, visit www.trdp.org.
dental insurance plan is the nancial risk
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