Insurers Cover Extra Dental Cleanings To Reduce Costs

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 05 Mar 2007 - 14:00 PST

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The Minneapolis Star Tribune on Sunday examined the link between physical and dental health and its effect on the dental industry and insurers. Research by the U.S. surgeon general in 2000 found a link between good oral health and good physical health, and more recent research has found a link between gum disease and various other physical conditions. Although the research is not causal, the observed links "could mean a bonanza for dentistry, which long has been the afterthought of the health care industry," according to the Tribune. Aetna and Cigna both cover extra dental cleanings for pregnant women and people with heart disease or diabetes. Aetna recently studied medical records from 2001 and 2002 of 144,000 patients with three chronic diseases and found that those who had periodontal treatment in 2001 had lower medical bills than those who received dental treatment later in 2002 -- the bills were 9% lower for those with diabetes, 16% lower for those with coronary artery disease and 11% lower for those with cardiovascular disease. The Star Tribune notes that additional dental coverage often is only available to patients who use the same insurer for both dental and health coverage, which is not that common and therefore "a significant hurdle to integrating benefits." Greater integration of health and dental benefits is likely to come as baby boomers -- many of whom can expect to keep their teeth until their 90s -- age. Kim Harms, a dentist, said, "The last generation kept their teeth in a jar next to their bed. The baby boom generation wants to live longer and look better." Patrick Lloyd, dean of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, said that dental, medical, nursing and pharmacy students will take classes together for the first time this year at his institution. Lloyd said, "If we can show that investing small dollars in dental care saves big dollars in medical care, that's mind-boggling" (Chen, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 2/25).

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