## **Core Concept**
The Delta Dental plan is a type of dental insurance plan that contracts with dentists to provide discounted dental services to plan members. The payment structure for participating versus non-participating dentists differs, affecting how much dentists are reimbursed for their services.

## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Participating dentists in the Delta Dental plan agree to accept a predetermined fee schedule, which is often based on a percentile of the usual fees charged by dentists in the area. The 90th percentile payment to participating dentists means they are paid at a rate that is at or below the 90th percentile of what dentists typically charge for services. Non-participating dentists, on the other hand, are usually paid at a lower rate, often around the 50th percentile, because they do not agree to accept the plan's fee schedule as payment in full. This structure incentivizes dentists to participate in the plan by guaranteeing a higher payment rate for plan members.

## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not specify a percentile that is lower than the 90th percentile paid to participating dentists, which would be expected for non-participating dentists.
- **Option B:** This option suggests a higher percentile than what is paid to participating dentists, which does not logically align with the payment structure for non-participating dentists.
- **Option C:** This option suggests the 50th percentile, which aligns with the common payment structure for non-participating dentists in many dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental.

## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that participating dentists in plans like Delta Dental accept a predetermined fee schedule, usually resulting in higher reimbursement rates (e.g., 90th percentile) compared to non-participating dentists, who are often reimbursed at a lower rate (e.g., 50th percentile). This difference can significantly impact a dentist's decision to participate in a plan.

## **Correct Answer:** . 50th percentile