An estimated 1.2 million retirees are in danger of losing their dental coverage on Jan. 1 if they don't take action in the next six days.

About 1.8 million enrollees in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program are required to sign up instead for the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) by Dec. 10 if they wish to maintain dental insurance. As of Tuesday, only 600,000 people had completed open season enrollment, according to information provided by the Defense Health Agency.

This is concerning news, especially given an extensive global campaign aimed at preparing retirees for this coverage change.

To all TRICARE Beneficiaries: please ensure you are enrolled in FEDVIP if you want dental and/or vision coverage.

Please share this article with your military network. It's clear that hundreds of thousands of people across the globe are not getting the message.

Go on line now to register: BENEFEDS.com. Or call BENEFEDS, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., EST at 1-877-888-3337.

FEDVIP offers retirees 10 choices for dental coverage and four vision carriers. Compare rates using this tool. FEDVIP vision plans help pay for routine vision appointments and frames, lens and contacts. TRICARE health plans are primarily for medical issues associated with the eyes and they have some preventative care coverage.