Annual medical costs are lower by nearly $4,000 for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and $2,400 for pregnant women when treated for periodontal disease, according to the latest findings from an oral health study by United Concordia and Highmark.
The study, conducted by lead researcher Marjorie Jeffcoat, DMD, a professor and dean emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, is the largest of its kind showing a connection between oral health and medical costs.
Starting July 1, United Concordia will expand the medical conditions covered by its UCWellness dental program to include rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, heart disease, and stroke. The dental program is the first to integrate an active member engagement and education component, 100% coverage for periodontal scaling and root planing, and periodontal surgery benefits that members need to treat their periodontal disease.
Since March 2012, United Concordia has released a number of findings that show annual healthcare costs are lower for individuals who are pregnant or have chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, and are treated for periodontal disease.
Those findings include the following:
- Annual medical costs are lower by $2,956 and $1,029 for individuals with heart disease or cerebrovascular disease, respectively, who are treated for periodontal disease.
- Annual reductions in medical costs ($1,814), hospitalizations (33%), and physician visits (13%) are possible for individuals with diabetes who received treatment and ongoing maintenance for periodontal disease.
- Pharmaceutical costs can be reduced by $1,477 when individuals with diabetes are treated at least seven times for periodontal disease.
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