December 3, 2004

Preventive dentistry costs less

New study supports economics of early care

By Douglas W. Vierra, DDS
Special to the Times

Here’s a simple formula to keep down the cost of dentistry: get kids to the dentist early.

That’s because preschool age children who seek preventive dental care are more likely to continue using preventive services. Those who wait to visit a dentist are more likely to visit for a costly dental problem or emergency. This is all according to a recent study in the journal of Pediatrics.

The study, “Early Preventive Dental Visits: Effects on Subsequent Utilization and Costs,” found the average cost for a dental visit was far less when a child visits a dentist by age 3 rather than waiting until 5 or 6. This supports what dentists have been saying for a while: Getting children to the dentist early for preventive care is cost-effective.

Treatment can become very expensive as disease severity increases, even as early as age 5. Part of the reason for the increasing expense is hospital, emergency and sedation costs that come with the dental care needed.

Young children with serious dental problems are often unable to be managed in a dental chair without appropriate sedation or may need emergency or hospital operating rooms.

Also, more extensive dental treatment at young ages can negatively influence children’s perception of visiting the dentist. This can result in unwillingness to seek routine preventive services, resulting in a cycle of dental visits based always on treating problems instead of preventing them.

Early preventive services are strongly geared toward education of both parent and child. Instruction on proper home care and diet, and routine professional cleaning and fluoride greatly reduces treatment needs and cost.

Early detection of any dental disease minimizes treatment needs and establishes more positive dental experiences. The end result: Children who willingly come in for preventative services have minimal costs for treatment.

Rising health care costs continue to be of major concern. Prevention is perhaps the best combatant of these costs. In dentistry there is no better time to start than when your child is young. Get them off to the right start by seeking preventive services early in life.

Information in this article is based on news published in the ADA News, prepared by Douglas W. Vierra, DDS, Plaza Dental Group, 1654 E. Capitol Expressway, San Jose, CA, 95121, phone (408) 270-4333.