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Public Periodontal Screening Increases Subsequent Regular Dental Visits: The Life Study
Y Tamada1,2, T Kusama1,3, M Maeda4
1Department of International and Community Oral Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Miyagi, Japan.
JDR Clinical and Translational Research
|September 25, 2024
Summary
Public periodontal disease screening in Japan significantly increased subsequent regular dental visits. This oral health initiative showed a notable rise in dental care attendance, particularly among younger individuals.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Preventive Dentistry
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Public oral health screenings, specifically for periodontal disease, are established in Japan.
- The impact of these screenings on encouraging regular dental visits remains uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if periodontal disease screening motivates individuals to attend dental appointments more regularly.
- To analyze the change in dental visit frequency post-screening compared to pre-screening using a difference-in-differences (DID) approach.
Main Methods:
- Utilized health care claims data from municipality residents who underwent periodontal disease screening in 2017-2018.
- Employed a DID analysis comparing screening recipients with carefully selected controls (1:4 ratio).
- Assessed the change in the proportion of individuals visiting a dentist at least once every 180 days after screening.
Main Results:
- Analysis included 4,050 participants; screening recipients showed a significant increase in dental visits post-screening (81.2%) compared to before (approx. 60%).
- DID analysis revealed a 12.9% increase in the proportion of dental visits after screening.
- Younger age groups demonstrated higher DID estimates: 20-35 years (13.9%), 40-55 years (12.8%).
Conclusions:
- Periodontal disease screening is associated with increased subsequent regular dental visits.
- Public oral health screenings have the potential to improve and maintain oral health, especially in younger populations.
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