Delta sinks teeth into market

The state’s largest nonprofit dental-insurance carrier has expanded its presence in Northern Colorado this year by taking over coverage of city employees for both Fort Collins and Loveland.

Delta Dental Plan will provide dental coverage to the approximately 1,700 city employees in Fort Collins and about 600 city employees in Loveland, a company spokesman said.

Both cities have selected the Delta Preferred Option plan, which operates much like a preferred provider organization. Under the plan, dentists with private practices agree to accept a reduced fee to treat Delta members.

Dennis Phillips, vice president of marketing in Delta’s Denver office, said about 10 dentists…