Introducing the Delta Dental of Rhode Island Dentist Loan Repayment Program
Delta Dental of Rhode Island is proud to announce the launch of the Delta Dental of Rhode Island Dentist Loan Repayment Program, a new initiative supporting recent dental school graduates. The program will provide loan repayment assistance of up to $20,000 per year for up to three years. Up to 10 awardees will be selected annually, after review of their qualifications by a local advisory committee.
Program overview
Administered by the Rhode Island Foundation and funded through a $5 million investment from Delta Dental of Rhode Island’s reserves, the program aims to ease the student loan burden for early-career dentists while expanding access to care in underserved communities. As the only loan repayment initiative in Rhode Island exclusively for dentists and dental specialists, the program is open to those practicing in a variety of settings, including private practices, dental service organizations (DSOs), and community health centers.
Eligibility criteria
• Applicants must be within the first two years of practice since graduating from a U.S.-based or foreign dental school
• Work a minimum of 32 hours per week in Rhode Island
• Participate in the Delta Dental of Rhode Island network
• Commit to helping address the oral health needs of under-served Rhode Islanders
Application information
Interested candidates are encouraged to visit rifoundation.org/deltadental to review full eligibility requirements and application details.
rolls
into Blackstone Valley
The Molar Express, a vital pediatric mobile dental program in Rhode Island, is expanding its reach—thanks to a new partnership with Blackstone Valley Community Health Care (BVCHC) and financial support from Delta Dental of Rhode Island.
Since 2007, The Molar Express has delivered essential dental services to children and young adults at schools, Head Start programs and other community programs through a custom-built, 40-foot mobile clinic. The Molar Express is a nonprofit collaboration between Ronald McDonald House Charities of New England, East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP), Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP), and BVCHC.
The expansion into the Blackstone Valley expands access to critical oral health care for children in underserved neighborhoods in Central Falls and Pawtucket. In 2024 alone, the program served nearly 1,500 patients, with the vast majority insured through Medicaid.
This collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to ensuring every child, regardless of circumstance, has access to the dental care they need and deserve.
Welcome to the Delta Dental of Rhode Island network
Delta Dental of Rhode Island is pleased to welcome the following recently credentialed dentists to our network:
Rawan Abu-Gazzeh, DMD
Harrisville Dental Associates
Vrunda Adeshara, DMD
Comprehensive Community Action Program
Juyong An, DMD
Pediatric Dentistry Limited
Oluwabukola Awoleye, DDS
Providence Community Health Centers
Lujane Barakat, DMD
Providence Community Health Centers
Alexandra Brennan, DMD
Children’s Dentistry of RI II
Laura Carrasco, DDS
Comfort Dental
Ashley Cuevas, DMD
Thundermist Health Center
Laila Dantas, DMD
Cumberland Dental Specialists
Hannah Demers, DMD
Atwill Conroy Dental Smithfield
Kevin Eagan, DDS
Jefferson Dental Associates
Robert Gargano, DDS
Cranston Dental Associates
Zahra Hanif, DMD
Tourister Dental
Stephanie Harding, DDS
Jet Dental of Rhode Island, LLC
Kelsey Herbert, DMD
Paolucci Dental Associates
Christian Johnson, DDS
Happy Smile Rhode Island
Soung Kim, DMD
Premier Care Family Dental
East Greenwich
Kelly Kirtland, DDS
Tri-County Community Action Agency
Zachary Kofos, DMD
Pawtucket Orthodontics Health Centers
Yujin Lee, DMD
Warren Dental Associates
Yu Liu, DDS
Riverside Family Dental
Warwick Family Dental Group
Daniel Nho, DMD
Johnston Dental Group
Nindu Saini, DMD
Ocean State Endodontics
Dr. Matrullo & Associates
Aaron Shin, DDS
Happy Smile Rhode Island
Courtney Silva, DMD
Diamond Hill Dental and Associates
Janik Shingala, DMD
Paolucci Family Dentists
Manuela Teixeira, DMD
Pedro Teixeira, DDS
Weihao Wang, DMD
Paolucci Family Dentists
Michelle Yau, DMD
Dental Associates of Rhode Island
Complete claim standard
For your claims to be processed quickly and accurately, it’s important to include all the necessary information. We can only start processing once your claim meets our Complete Claim Standard.
Please ensure that your claim meets the following criteria:
• Paper claims must be submitted using a current ADA form. All information must be legible.
• Electronic claims must be in a HIPAA-compliant format.
• Submitted subscriber/patient information (name, date of birth, and Delta Dental ID number) must be accurate and must match Delta Dental’s records for that subscriber/patient.
• Treatment must be billed using the appropriate CDT codes.
• Date of service must be noted for each procedure.
• The providers’ charge for each procedure must be noted.
• The treating dentist and complete address of the treatment location must be indicated and must match the information that Delta Dental has in its records.
• The provider’s TIN and individual NPI must match the information that Delta Dental has in its records.
• Appropriate documentation from the other carrier must be included for claims that require Coordination of Benefits.
• Appropriate documentation must accompany claims for any procedures that are eligible for clinical review, in accordance with our Utilization Review Guidelines listed in the Dentist Section of the Delta Dental of Rhode Island website.
• Submitted X-rays must be less than two years old and of diagnostic quality showing the entire treatment site. X-rays must be mounted, labeled with the patient’s name, the date they were taken and if applicable, right or left must be indicated.
• Treatment notes, narratives or charting submitted with claims must be legible and may not contain abbreviations.
• Payer must have no reason to believe that the claim was submitted fraudulently and that there is no material misrepresentation.
If the above conditions are not met, the claim is not considered to be a complete claim and is therefore not subject to applicable statutory/regulatory prompt pay provisions.
To learn more about the requirements and timelines for claims documentation, visit www.deltadentalri.com, click on the Dentists tab, and then select the link for Utilization Review Guidelines.
2025 credentialing meeting schedule
Please ensure that your completed application is submitted at least 7 days before the scheduled meeting date. Only fully completed applications will be reviewed at the meeting. If your application is incomplete, it will be reviewed at the next available meeting date once all required documents have been received. Below, please find the remaining meeting and application due dates for 2025.
13
17
15
12
10
6
10
8
5
3 January 14, 2026 January 7, 2026
Remaining 2025 holiday schedule
Please make note of the following Delta Dental of Rhode Island corporate office closures.
August 11 (Monday) Victory Day*
September 1 (Monday) Labor Day
October 13 (Monday) Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples’ Day*
November 11 (Tuesday) Veterans Day*
November 27 (Thursday) Thanksgiving Day
November 28 (Friday) Day after Thanksgiving
December 25 (Thursday) Christmas Day
*Delta Dental of RI Customer Service office is open
National dental holidays
Every year, it’s important to take time to celebrate the hard work of your practice. These occasions also offer great opportunities to educate your patients about oral health issues. Be sure to add the dates below to your calendar.
Reminders
Help keep our records accurate Accurate information helps us process your claims quickly and efficiently. When changes happen in your office, contact Debra Fernandes in our Professional Relations Department at 401-752-6206, or email dfernandes@deltadentalri.com
Electronic attachments
Delta Dental accepts electronic attachments like X-rays, periodontal charting, narratives, and COB information using National Electronic Attachment, Inc. (NEA) services, Dental Xchange and Change Healthcare.
ADA dental claim form
To ensure your claim is processed without delay, please use the current ADA dental claim form.
Honoring achievements in 2025
Leadership
update
Congratulations to Dr. Fotini Dionisopolous on being named President of the Rhode Island Dental Association.
2025 RIDA awards
Congratulations to the following award recipients:
• Dr. Elizabeth Benz, Humanitarian Award
• Dr. Robert Conte, Dr. A. James Kershaw Award
• Dr. Michael Reilly, Good Citizen Award
• Dr. Fred Hartman, Dr. Joseph Box Everyday Leadership Award
Re-credentialing policy
When re-credentialing, please return the following documents:
• Your completed re-credentialing profile.
• A copy of the first page of your current professional liability insurance.
• An updated W-9 form if changes have been made.
Appeals and complaints
To learn more about our appeals and complaints processes, please visit the FAQs page at https:// deltadentalri.com/Provider/PublicFAQ
Value-Based Care program
Mid-year Practice Profile Scorecards used for our Value-Based Care program will be mailed to eligible offices in August. For questions about the program or your practice scorecard, please contact our Professional Relations Department. Contact Professional
10 Charles Street, Providence, RI 02904-2208
Telephone: 401-752-6206
Fax: 401-752-6060
Website: www.deltadentalri.com
