DETROIT, Michigan--Linkages among oral health, diabetes and medical costs are the focus of a new study being funded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation.
Researchers at the University of Michigan's School of Dentistry will use a $96,827 grant to determine if early treatment of periodontal disease can result in fewer complications and better overall health among diabetics, leading to lower medical costs.
"Preliminary findings suggest that early periodontal care can help prevent medical complications for diabetics," said Ira Strumwasser, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation executive director and CEO. "This study will examine data from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to determine how medical costs are affected.
"According to the American Diabetes Association, one out of every 10 health care dollars in the United States is spent on diabetes and its complications so the potential exists for significant savings while helping diabetics lead healthier lives," Strumwasser said.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is uniquely positioned to help with the research because it has one of the largest health care databases in the United States that combines both medical and dental data.
Researchers will analyze Michigan Blues medical and dental claims from 2001 to 2005 that have been stripped of claimants' personal information to see if results provide evidence of a relationship between receiving periodontal services and reduced medical care costs for diabetics.
Diabetics with a poor history of keeping their disease under control are susceptible to circulation and periodontal complications, past research shows. Recent evidence also suggests gum and underlying bone infections may also adversely affect the ability of diabetics to control their disease.
"Seven percent of the U.S. population has diabetes," said George Taylor, DMD, PhD, of the Department of Cariology, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and the study's principal investigator. "In 2002, the direct and indirect economic cost was estimated to be $132 billion nationally. Between 1960 and 1990, diabetes prevalence increased threefold, and between 1997 and 2002, per capita costs of diabetes treatment rose 30 percent.
"Some preliminary evidence suggests that treating periodontal disease may have a positive effect on controlling diabetes, but there are no reports of studies of the relationship between treating gum disease and how it affects medical costs of diabetics," Taylor continued. "If a relationship can be shown, it could provide evidence of successfully treating or preventing periodontal disease in improving diabetes outcomes. It could also lead to new standards of care for diabetic patients that could lower their risk of complications, reduce medical care costs and improve their overall health."
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is also involved in two other dental initiatives.
Research suggests that hormonal changes in pregnant women place them at increased risk of gum disease, which can lead to premature or low birth weight babies and increase the chance of toxemia in expectant mothers.
Consequently, the company is offering expectant mothers with Blues' dental and medical coverage a coupon for one additional free dental cleaning from any dentist participating with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or its dental network subsidiary Dentemax.
About 3,000 women are expected to take advantage of the coupons, which will be distributed through Dec. 31 of this year and are valid for six months after receipt.
The Michigan Blues also support dental programs at free clinics. This year, for the second year in a row, the Blues granted $1 million to free clinics throughout the state that provide health services to the uninsured and underinsured. Some of that grant money will help fund dental programs at 20 free clinics, including two new clinics in Grand Rapids and Zeeland.
