Monitoring Vision and Dental Health is Vital to your Well-being

November 18, 2021

We’re well acquainted with the importance of eating healthy, exercising, and having regular checkups with our doctor. In fact, these are all crucial to maintain good health. However, many people seem to forget about two increasingly important aspects of their health: Vision and dental health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), approximately 11 million Americans over age 12 need vision correction and about 90 million Americans over 40 have vision and eye problems. That’s more than 3 in 5 Americans. Overall, an alarming 81% of Americans use some form of eyesight correction, whether it be glasses or contact lenses.¹

Even if you think you have good vision, you should not avoid getting regular eye exams, especially if you have family history of eye/vision problems. Many eye diseases do not have symptoms that are easily recognized. Eye doctors can detect vision changes caused by diseases like hypertension or diabetes before it gets worse. Without effective intervention, eye and vision problems can develop into chronic conditions, such as Retinopathy, Glaucoma, and Cataracts. In short, routine eye exams can help catch other problems early and keep your eyes in good condition.¹

Not only is it important to take care of your eyes, but your teeth play a huge role in your overall health, especially as you age. According to the data from the CDC, tooth decay is the most common health condition in the U.S. as 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 64 currently has at least one cavity and nearly half (46%) of all adults aged 30 years or older show signs of gum disease. Untreated cavities and gum disease can lead to abscesses and other, more serious conditions that can affect your quality of life. As such, regular dentist appointments are a must if you want to prevent this from happening to you. Brushing your teeth, flossing, and using fluoride mouthwash are all great ways to keep your teeth as healthy as possible, but during a dental exam, a dentist can carefully evaluate your teeth and analyze your gums for signs of oral or medical concerns that can lead to certain cancers, thyroid problems, or even diabetes if left untreated.²

The New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund provides dental and vision care benefits for eligible participants and their covered dependents. Vision care benefits are provided through Comprehensive Professional Systems (“CPS”), and General Vision Services (“GVS”). Dental coverage is provided through Self-Insured Dental Services, Inc. (“ASO/SIDS”).

Remember, taking care of your eyes and teeth is key to enjoying a healthy lifestyle. By learning and doing what’s necessary to achieve and maintain eye and vision health, you can appreciate the benefits for the rest of your life. If you are eligible for coverage under the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund, use the contact information below to learn more about your vision and dental benefits.

Vision

Comprehensive Professional Systems (“CPS”)
(212) 675-5745
http://www.cpsoptical.com

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General Vision Services (“GVS”)
(800) 847-4661
http://www.generalvision.com/

Dental

 Self-Insured Dental Services, Inc. (“ASO/SIDS”)
(800) 537-1238
https://www.asonet.com

1. “Keep an Eye on Your Vision Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Oct. 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/keep-eye-on-vision-health.html.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/OHSR-2019-index.html