Association of receipt of regular dental care with medical costs for adults with diabetes

Objective: Regular dental care may reduce medical costs for adults with diabetes through reducing health care utilization. However, the area has not been studied extensively. We examined the effect of receipt of regular dental care with total medical costs, inpatient and emergency department (ED) costs among adults with diabetes.

Study Design: Using a retrospective, cohort design, we identified 493 persons with diabetes that received regular dental care compared to 493 persons that did not. The two patient groups were matched on age, gender and prior utilization, followed for 3 years and retained medical and dental benefits during the observation period. Both groups also received >= 1 outpatient medical visits during each 12 month period. Receipt of regular dental care was defined as >=2 dental hygiene and/or periodontal visits in each 12 month period. Health plan costs (total, inpatient, ED) in per member per month (PMPM) dollars were extracted from administrative data and presented in 2007 dollars. Non-receipt of dental care included no dental visits of any kind. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine the effect of receipt of dental care with cost measures; adjusting for demographics, prior utilization, severity of illness, periodontal status, HgA1c value and body mass index (BMI).

Results: Receipt of regular dental care was associated with lower inpatient (beta coefficient = -101, p =.02) and ED costs (beta coefficient = -101, p =.03), but not total costs.

Conclusions: Regular receipt of dental care was associated with lower inpatient and ED costs among adults with diabetes.