An examination of periodontal treatment and per member per month (PMPM) medical costs in an insured population.

Background: Chronic medical conditions have been associated with periodontal disease. This study examined if periodontal treatment can contribute to changes in overall risk and medical expenditures for three chronic conditions [Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD)].

Methods: 116,306 enrollees participating in a preferred provider organization (PPO) insurance plan with continuous dental and medical coverage between January 1, 2001 and December 30, 2002, exhibiting one of three chronic conditions (DM, CAD, or CVD) were examined.

The use of 'academic detailing' to promote tobacco-use cessation counseling in dental offices.

Background: The authors conducted this study to ascertain the feasibility of face-to-face educational outreach visits, also called "academic detailing," as a methodology to promote dentists' adoption and incorporation of tobacco-use cessation counseling activities into their practices.

Methods: The authors obtained a sampling frame of one dental health maintenance organization's, or DHMO's, enrolled dentists who practiced in one of four Northeastern states and who had more than 300 DHMO patients. Of 507 eligible dentists, 88 agreed to participate, and the authors randomly assigned them to either intervention (an academic detailing program) or control (practice as usual) conditions.

Oral disease burden and dental services utilization by Latino and African-American seniors in Northern Manhattan.

Although oral diseases are among the most common chronic conditions affecting older adults, utilization of dental services by the elderly, especially minority elderly is low. This pilot study determined whether there are racial/ethnic differences in oral disease burden, perceived oral health-related quality of life, perceived need for dental services and dental services utilization between African-American and Latino seniors in Northern Manhattan. Subjects received an oral examination and a face-to-face survey to assess oral health status, perceived need, perceived oral health-related quality of life, and utilization of dental services.

Addressing tobacco in managed care: a survey of dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.

Objectives: This study assessed the tobacco cessation knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of dentists participating in a large managed care dental plan.

Methods: Participating dentists in 4 states were surveyed via mail.

Results: Dentists' perceived success in helping patients quit using tobacco was highly correlated with discussion of specific strategies for quitting, advice about the use of nicotine gum, and time spent counseling patients.