Currently, 42% of the U.S. population, 47% of those aged 30 years and older, and 70% of those aged 65 years and older may be living with periodontal disease, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Further, approximately 50% of pediatric patients may have plaque-related periodontal disease. If left untreated, the conditions can increase the risk of tooth loss, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.
Patients with periodontal disease may live for years without showing symptoms of the disease, leaving them at higher risk of experiencing comorbidities. However, low-income patients may be the most susceptible to developing periodontal disease as a result of inaccessibility to oral health care.
In a study published in JAMA, lead study author Joseph L. Dieleman, PhD, of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and colleagues examined 76.6% of personal health care spending and utilization occurring across 3,110 U.S. counties and 4 payers—Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and out-of-pocket payments—between 2010 and 2019. The data included over 40 billion insurance claims and about 1 billion facility records.
They found that spending on oral diseases ($93 billion) fell between musculoskeletal diseases ($108.6 billion) and ischemic heart disease ($80.7 billion).
"Cross-county variation was driven more by variation in utilization rates than variation in price and intensity of care, although both types of variation were substantial for all payers but Medicare," Dieleman noted.
In response to the results, executives at the health care delivery organization Benevis recognized the significance of raising public awareness for periodontal health and the consequences of gingivitis and periodontitis, according to a press release from GlobeNewswire.
Bcause of the heightened risk of comorbidities associated with periodontal disease, Benevis has worked to improve oral health behaviors among U.S. patients by encouraging them to follow recommended daily hygiene practices and visit their dentists regularly. Routine habits such as brushing twice daily, flossing, and receiving professional dental treatment can prevent and reverse gingivitis; while appropriate professional care can help slow the progression of periodontitis.
“Gum disease is one of the most prevalent oral health issues, which only becomes more common with age, … but proper preventive dental care can have a profound impact on keeping the condition at bay,” concluded Dale Mayfield, DDS, Chief Dental Officer at Benevis.
Dr. Dieleman reported receiving grants from the National Pharmaceutical Council, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Massachusetts Center on Health Information and Analysis. The research in this study was additionally funded by the Peterson Center on Healthcare and Gates Ventures.
