Take a Bite Out of Dental Expenses

Pay now or pay more later. That’s the reality of oral health care. While you may not enjoy a visit to the dental hygienist, it’s a preventive measure that can mean the difference between a mouthful of natural teeth or a mouthful of implants.

For every $1 spent on prevention in oral health care, $8 to $50 are saved in restorative and emergency treatment. That’s significant when you consider that consumers dig deeper into their own pockets to pay their dental bills than other medical bills. The primary source of payment of oral health care services is out-of-pocket, even though industry figures do show that in 1995 over 40 million Americans were covered under some kind of dental plan.

If untreated, gum disease causes bone deterioration and eventual loss of teeth, loss of oral functions, and possible systemic infection requiring expensive treatment. Unlike many medical conditions that are self-limiting, untreated oral diseases typically become more serious, and more difficult and expensive to treat.

Luckily, oral health preventive services like those provided by dental hygienists are some of the least costly health services available.

The cost-effectiveness of oral health care services provided by dental hygienists was recognized in a recent report to Congress on the health professions. Regular oral health care is required to detect and treat problems promptly. Yet, currently, only 50 percent of all Americans receive regular oral health care. Oral health care providers know that preventing cavities and periodontal disease is cheaper than treating them; it’s essential to promote preventive intervention to the public so consumers will understand them too.

Dental hygienists are preventive specialists who provide direct patient services and educate patients to follow preventive measures at home. Educational preparation for registered dental hygienists typically involves an average of nearly 2,000 hours of classroom study in academic subjects emphasizing basic sciences, dental sciences, and dental hygiene theory. Included as part of the 2,000 hours are at least 600 hours of supervised instruction in preclinical and clinical skills.

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