Dental health lowers hospitalizations of diabetics

A new study suggests that diabetic patients who suffer from gum disease are at a significant higher risk of experiencing complications and hospital admissions. A survey of nearly 1.7 million people revealed that regular dental care including teeth cleaning and treatment of periodontal gum disease would decrease the cost of medical care in patients with diabetes. Findings showed that diabetics who received periodontal care experienced fewer hospital admissions and medical visits. The overall medical cost for those with a good dental care was reduced by 25 percent with an average saving of USD 1,814 per year, says the report presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research. “A considerable amount of literature exists pointing to an association between dental disease and certain medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature or low birth weight infants,” said lead author Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat of the University of Pennsylvania. Diabetics over the age of 45 whose blood sugar is not well controlled are also three times as likely to have severe gum disease compared with non-diabetics of the same age. Patients older than 45 who smoke and have poor diabetes control are nearly five times more likely to have serious gum disease. "It is really a landmark study because of its size and three-year duration. These numbers clearly demonstrate the importance of the study's findings for people with diabetes, as well as the impact the treatment of gum disease can have on the rising medical costs associated with diabetes," said chief dental officer for United Concordia Dr. James Bramson. “We hope these additional findings will show medically related cost savings as well. What's clear now is that appropriate dental treatment and maintenance for diabetics can predict lower medical costs,” Dr. Bramson added.