Hartford managed care provider Aetna Inc. has produced more evidence of a positive link between good oral care and those suffering chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney ailments.
Aetna says analysis of its four-year-old Dental Medical Integration (DMI) program shows more than half the participants sought dental treatment, including care for periodontal disease that affects two-thirds of the U.S. population.
More than 930,000 people participated in the DMI program and Aetna sent 652,000 educational mailings since 1997, Aetna said.
In addition, dental care coordinators made over 250,000 follow up phone calls to members who have not had a recent dental visit.
The analysis also showed that DMI members with access to regular dental care had better control of their diabetes including more regulated blood glucose levels.
Aetna recently shared its findings at chronic disease and oral health symposium of the New York Academy of the Sciences in New York.
Aetna Dental serves more than 13.4 million dental members.
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