In 2008, nearly 67,000 medically at-risk members sought dental care after being enrolled in Aetna's Dental Medical Integration (DMI) program, the company announced.
At-risk members are identified as pregnant women, diabetics, and heart disease patients who have not seen a dentist in 12 months or more.
Aetna Dental created the DMI program in 2006 following a published research analysis conducted with the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine that found that high-risk individuals that sought earlier dental care lowered the risk or severity of their condition and, subsequently, lowered their overall medical costs. The program became a standard offering at no additional cost for plan sponsors with both dental and medical benefits with Aetna last year, according to the company.
"The association between oral health and systemic health is consistently demonstrated in clinical studies, and the findings are positively impacting the treatment and management of patients," said Mary Lee Conicella, D.M.D., national director of clinical operations for Aetna Dental, in a press release. "Yet, at least 20% of an at-risk population is not getting regular preventive dental treatment. This number rises to 35% in older populations."
"Aetna's technology makes it possible for us to automatically identify members by condition, gender, and age. With that information we can make our educational outreach relevant and meaningful. We know the program will only work if our members take advantage of it," added Alan Hirschberg, head of Aetna Dental, in the release.
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