Consumers who had coverage but did not receive preventive dental services had a 19 percent higher rate of trips to the emergency room than those with coverage who received preventive dental services. (Photo: Shuterrstock)

Getting preventive dental care could be the catalyst in lowering costs for patients with chronic medical conditions.

A new two-year study from dental insurer Dominion National, in partnership with Capital BlueCross and analytical support firm Geneia, finds that people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease who received preventive dental care covered by Capital BlueCross' BlueCross Dental benefits were found to have fewer costly emergency room visits and hospital stays.

“We know that having quality dental coverage, and using it for preventive care, can contribute to overall good health,” Gary St. Hilaire, president and CEO of Capital BlueCross, says in a statement.

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St. Hilaire adds, “The findings of this study reinforce how integrating medical and dental coverage and care can be associated with improved health and lower costs for those dealing with chronic medical issues.”

The research compared medical costs and use between Capital BlueCross members with chronic conditions and BlueCross Dental coverage who have received preventive dental services and those who have not received preventive dental services. According to the findings, people with chronic conditions, but no BlueCross Dental coverage, had a 7 percent higher rate of inpatient hospital stays than those with coverage who received a preventive dental service.

In addition, those who had coverage but did not receive preventive dental services had a 19 percent higher rate of trips to the emergency room than those with coverage who received preventive dental services.

Claims were studied for patients who had been diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions: asthma, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes maternity, osteoporosis, renal failure and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dominion National assists in the administration of BlueCross Dental benefits, while Geneia provides data and analytical support, as well as assisting in the administration of care and disease management programs.

Read more: 

• When dental coverage falls short, dentists bill medical insurance
• Diabetes and workplace health: the role of dental and vision coverage
• Children with dental coverage at all-time high