Changes in consumer expectations and technology are driving fundamental shifts in every part of our lives and every sector of the economy. In some cases accelerated by the pandemic, these broader forces will also shape the future of dental care and benefits. In this panel session, industry leaders and members of the NADP Future of Dental Care Access Task Force will discuss the forces influencing change in the dental industry and strategic insights for organizations and the Association.
Mary Lee Conicella, DMD, FAGD
Chief Dental Officer, Aetna
Dr. Mary Lee Conicella is Aetna’s Chief Dental Officer and oversees dental clinical initiatives, policies and claim review. She is a member of Aetna’s Medical Affairs Team and serves on the Virtual-First and Health Equity Committees. She has published numerous articles related to the impact dental care has on holistic health and was instrumental in creating Aetna’s Rush to Brush Initiative to reduce hospital-acquired pneumonia, and Aetna's groundbreaking Dental-Medical Integration program. Dr. Conicella received her DMD from Temple University School of Dentistry and achieved Fellowship status in the Academy of General Dentistry during her time in private practice. She spent many years on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, and currently sits on the NYU College of Dentistry Dean’s Strategic Advisory Council. Mary Lee has been a volunteer with NADP since 2006 and she is currently serving her second term as a member of the NADP Board of Directors.
Jeremy Hedrick
SVP, Careington & President, DialCare
Jeremy Hedrick serves as Senior Vice President at Careington International Corporation as well as President of its affiliate telemedicine company, DialCare, which offers teledentistry, telemedicine, and telebehavioral health services nationwide. Jeremy has been a vital component of Careington’s growth for the last 20 years, serving in many critical senior leadership roles throughout the Careington companies. During his tenure, Jeremy has helped lead the strategic growth of Careington’s network development department, customer support call center, compliance, claims administration, operations of Careington’s affiliate nationally licensed TPA, Careington Benefit Solutions as well as operations of Careington’s UK affiliate, Munroe Sutton. In each of these roles, Jeremy has been intimately involved in the workings of these critical segments of the industry and an integral part of the growing discount dental market. Through his leadership at Careington, Jeremy and the Careington team have observed and proactively helped shape the industry from every point of view - customer, provider, regulator, claims payor and international expansion.
Jeremy’s experience and visibility lends credibility to his desire to take on a more proactive role in the dental benefits space as a whole; to allow him to apply his knowledge, experience, passion and vision to help further the advancement of the dental benefits industry; and to expand Careington’s reach in our quest to continue to improve access to affordable dental care.
Jeremy currently serves as NADP board chair. He has been on the NADP Board of Directors for the last three years, serving on the Executive Committee as treasurer during in 2020. During his time on the Board, Jeremy has served on the audit committee, the budget committee, and the board nomination committee. He also chairs the newly formed Future of Dental Care Access Task Force, which will review the trends of accessing and financing dental care as they may concern the industry and NADP, dental providers, dental consumers, policymakers, and the public, and recommend changes in the objectives, organization, and operations of the Association as may be indicated by these trends to the Board. In addition to his service on the Board, Jeremy has been an active member of the NADP Operations Workgroup for the last 9 years and an active participant in NADP CONVERGE conferences for the last 18 years.
Donna Hunter
VP, Strategic Business Development
United Concordia Dental
Donna Hunter, vice president, Strategic Business Development, is responsible for overseeing corporate strategy; marketing; business insights and analytics; corporate communications; and community outreach. She joined United Concordia Dental in 1997 and has held numerous positions within Finance and Sales before moving into her current role. Prior to joining United Concordia, Donna worked at both Sprint and Pennsylvania Blue Shield in Finance, where she developed cost management models. Knowing that an organization’s culture is key to overall success, Donna has worked in these roles with leaders at all levels to align strategy and organizational health. She leads the Women’s Network Group at United Concordia and regularly serves a panelist for other women’s groups in the community. With more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Donna holds a Master of Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Shippensburg University.
Theresa McConegheyAVP, Specialty Benefits DivisionPrincipalTheresa McConeghey is an assistant vice president in the Specialty Benefits Division of Principal®. She has more than 40 years of experience in the Life and Health industry working with employee benefits. Throughout her career, Theresa has held leadership roles in Group Administration, Claims, Underwriting, Compliance and Product Development. She is currently accountable for product management, product development and regulatory compliance associated with Principal Life’s Group Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Accident and Critical Illness product lines. Theresa’s role includes dental network activities for PPO, Discount and DHMO programs. She also oversees all Group product advocacy initiatives for Principal, including activities associated with health care reform.She was a member of the National Association of Dental Plan’s (NADP) health care reform taskforce throughout its lifespan. Currently Theresa co-chairs NADP’s Commission on Advocacy Policy (CAP) and is the immediate past chair of the NADP Board of Directors.
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