25 Sep 08 Link Between Periodontal Treatment and Medical Costs for People With Diabetes Studied

Dental and Medical Claims For Chrysler Employees Will Be Analyzed

    OKEMOS, Mich., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers from the Delta
Dental Research and Data Institute and the University of Michigan School of
Dentistry are studying the impact that periodontal (gum) treatment may have
on the medical costs of people with diabetes.

    Analyzing seven years of dental and medical claims data from Chrysler
employees and their dependents, researchers will determine if medical costs
were lower for those with diabetes who also had treatment for periodontal
disease (inflammation of the gums). The healthcare business of Thomson
Reuters -- a global information services company -- is contributing to the
data analytics and methodologies for the study.

    Diabetes, a common and costly chronic disease, increased three-fold
between 1960 and 1990 and is projected to increase by 44 percent between
2002 and 2020. People with diabetes and poor blood sugar control are more
susceptible to periodontal disease. A growing body of evidence suggests
that the reverse is also true -- that periodontal disease can adversely
affect blood sugar control in those with diabetes. Researchers believe that
by keeping gum disease in check, people with diabetes can better manage
their blood glucose levels and avoid many of the serious complications of
diabetes.

    "Recent studies have shown that having periodontal disease makes those
with type 2 diabetes more likely to develop worsened glycemic control and
puts them at much greater risk of kidney disease and death due to kidney or
cardiovascular disease," said George W. Taylor, D.M.D., M.P.H., Dr.PH.,
associate professor, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and
principal investigator of the study. "Given the numerous medical studies
showing that good glycemic control results in reduced development and
progression of diabetes complications, we believe there is the potential
that periodontal treatment can provide an increment in improvement of
diabetes control and subsequently a reduction in the risk for diabetes
complications."

    "We hope to find a reduction in total medical care costs for
individuals with diabetes and periodontal disease who receive treatment,"
said Jed J. Jacobson, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., senior vice president and chief
science officer at Delta Dental. "If this proves true, it can lead to
changing the way we manage patients with diabetes, not only saving health
care costs, but lessening the burden of diabetes and, ultimately, saving
lives."

    The study, titled "Periodontal Therapy: Dental Insurance Claims and
Medical Care Costs in Diabetes," will analyze dental and medical claims
data from 2000 to 2007 for approximately 3,300 Chrysler employees and their
dependents with diabetes. Personal identifiable information will be
completely stripped and deleted from the data by Delta Dental and Thomson
Reuters prior to transfer to the researchers. The specific aim of the study
is to explore the association of periodontal treatment with total medical
care costs, medical care costs specifically related to diabetes, and costs
for medical care related to complications of diabetes, such as stroke,
heart disease, foot ulcers, and infections.

    "We continue to look for ways to help our employees improve their
health status and quality of life while containing our health care costs,"
said Kate Kohn-Parrott, director, Integrated Healthcare and Disability,
Chrysler LLC. "If the results of this study, and others like it, ultimately
lead to new ways to manage chronic illness, we all benefit."

    The study, expected to be completed in February 2009, is funded with a
grant from the Delta Dental Research and Data Institute.

    About the Delta Dental Research and Data Institute

    The Research and Data Institute was established in 2005 by Delta Dental
of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee and Indiana to develop innovative
and scientifically-based dental benefits that improve health. The
Institute, which has the world's largest database of dental claims
information, works closely with researchers from the University of Michigan
and other leading universities in the U.S. The affiliated Delta Dental
companies make up one of the largest dental plan administrators in the
nation. In 2007, the enterprise paid out nearly $1.8 billion for dental
care for more than 7.6 million enrollees. Offices are located in Okemos and
Farmington Hills, Mich.; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Lisle, Ill.;
Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, Tenn.; and, Indianapolis and Greenwood,
Ind. For more information, visit http://www.deltadentalmi.com .

    More information on the organizations affiliated with this study is
available at:

    -- http://www.dent.umich.edu.
    -- http://www.chryslerllc.com
    -- http://www.thomsonreuters.com .

Tags: diabetes, periodontal disease