This entry was posted on 11/28/2007 3:30 PM and is filed under ARTICLES.
TOKYO, Nov. 28 A study conducted in Japan found the prevention of gum diseases not only lowers dental expenses, but also lowers overall medical costs as well.
The study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, examined the medical and dental costs of 4,285 patients ages 40 to 59 over more than three years, and found cumulative healthcare costs were 21 percent higher for patients with severe periodontal disease -- disease of gums and supporting tissues.
"While previous studies have evaluated the potential link between periodontal diseases and other systemic conditions, this study provides an interesting analysis of total healthcare costs and the financial impact of having periodontal diseases," Journal of Periodontology editor Kenneth Kornman said in a statement. "The research suggests that patients with severe periodontal diseases incur higher overall healthcare expenses as compared to those patients with no periodontal disease. Prevention of periodontal disease may be very important in overall health, and this study suggests that it may also indirectly translate into lower total healthcare costs."
Gum diseases have been linked by other studies to systemic health conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory problems.
