Impact of leaving periodontal disease untreated on healthcare expenditures: A retrospective cohort study

This study looked at whether people who were told by a dentist that they needed care for periodontal disease actually received treatment, and how this affected their healthcare costs. The research followed more than 600 adults in Japan for 2 years, comparing the cumulative healthcare costs of those who received dental care with those who did not. The results showed that people who did not treat their periodontal disease ended up spending more on medical care, even though they spent less on dental care. On average, untreated individuals had medical expenses that were around 600 higher than those who received treatment. This suggests that avoiding dental care for periodontal disease might lead to more serious health problems down the line, which can increase overall healthcare costs. Although skipping dental visits may seem like a way to save money, it could actually lead to higher medical bills in the future. These findings highlight the importance of early dental treatment not just for oral health, but also for managing overall healthcare costs and preventing other health complications.