Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Episode: Manish Naik, President of Dental and Vision at Cigna Healthcare
Date: September 21, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Manish Naik, President of Cigna Healthcare’s Dental and Vision unit, who discusses the major challenges, innovations, and strategies shaping the dental industry today. By emphasizing workforce shortages, affordability, integrated care, health equity, and the adoption of new technologies, Naik offers a comprehensive view of how Cigna Dental is advancing access, equity, and outcomes in oral health for millions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Guest Introduction & Background

[00:15 – 01:45]

• Manish Naik describes his career path, including his leadership at Cigna Dental and Vision and previous experience in financial services.
• Personal connection to the field: "My wife is actually a dentist and I helped her start her practice over 20 years ago... so while I'm a little newer working in this industry, I've been very close to it for a very long time through my wife." (B, 01:33)
• Emphasizes the holistic approach at Cigna: "When we think about our customers, we're thinking about their vitality, not just their teeth." (B, 01:40)

2. Top Issues Facing the Dental Industry

[01:55 – 03:38]

• Labor shortage, especially post-COVID hygienist scarcity, is putting strain on practices and causing delayed care.
• Cost pressures are rising for employers, pushing the need for affordable, innovative benefit plans.
  • "Employers...are having to deal with increasing medical, pharmacy, behavioral health expenses. And now...the dental industry as well." (B, 02:37)
• The rise of AI as a tool to reduce administrative burden in dental practices, enabling clinicians to spend more time on patient care.

3. Affordability Strategies & Preventive Care Uptake

[03:50 – 05:27]

• Cost is the top barrier: "60% of Americans forego dental care due to cost. That's a staggering number and it's a clear call to action." (B, 04:22)
• Employers/carriers should view dental benefits as an investment in whole-person health.
• Designing easy-to-understand, affordable plans plus innovative payment solutions can boost preventive care.
  • Example: Partnership with Patient, offering interest-free flexible payments for dental expenses.

4. Supporting Whole-Person Care

[05:37 – 07:24]

• Integration of dental and medical data to identify care gaps and engage members.
• Providers are critical as "they're often the first to detect signs of broader health issues." (B, 06:10)
• Industry organizations enhance integrated care through advocacy, research, and setting standards.
• Coordinated care, especially for those with mental health conditions, leads to improved outcomes.
  • "When we treat the whole person, not just isolated symptoms, we can really make a difference in their health journey." (B, 07:16)

5. Addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

[07:44 – 09:03]

• Recognizes impact of geography, income, education, and language on oral care access.
• Tactics include:
  • Expanding network access, including virtual and onsite care in underserved areas.
  • Simplifying health materials to a 7th grade reading level for greater accessibility.
  • Targeted outreach using data analytics.
• "It's really about meeting people where they are physically, financially and educationally..." (B, 08:46)

6. Innovation and Technology Adoption

[09:24 – 11:02]

• Teledentistry and mobile dental care have grown, especially since COVID.
• Benefits include improved access for rural communities and those facing logistical barriers.
  • Success with virtual consults at low/no cost reduces ER visits and improves outcomes.
• Launch of tools like SmartScan (free oral health assessment via smartphone photos).
• Innovation must balance technology with removing practical access barriers: "We don't think innovation in dental care is just about technology. It's really about meeting people where they are and then removing barriers to better health." (B, 10:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Dentists are not practicing at the highest level of their license. Patients are waiting longer...and that's ultimately leading to delayed care." (B, 02:11)
• "60% of Americans forego dental care due to cost. That's a staggering number and it's a clear call to action." (B, 04:22)
• "Integrated care can drive better outcomes. For example, our research shows that individuals with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety often neglect oral hygiene, which leads to more serious conditions down the line." (B, 06:37)
• "We're reviewing all of our member-facing materials to ensure they're written at a seventh grade reading level so that they're really easy to understand and actionable for the widest range of individuals..." (B, 08:28)
• "We don't think innovation in dental care is just about technology. It's really about meeting people where they are and then removing barriers to better health." (B, 10:44)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:15 — Manish Naik’s introduction and background
• 01:55 — Labor shortages and evolving employer cost pressures
• 03:50 — Affordability as a barrier and strategies for promoting preventive care
• 05:37 — Integrating dental and medical care for better whole-person health
• 07:44 — Addressing social determinants and access for underserved communities
• 09:24 — Teledentistry, mobile care, and inclusive technology adoption
• 11:02 — Closing remarks

Conclusion

This episode provides a concise yet thorough look into the dental industry's pressing issues and forward-thinking solutions, guided by Manish Naik’s leadership at Cigna Dental. The conversation highlights the centrality of affordability, access, integrated care, and technology in shaping equitable and effective oral healthcare today.