300 - Cost Savings Related to Sealants in Alabama Medicaid Children

Cost Savings Related to Sealants in Alabama Medicaid Children; Borges K, Mitchell S, (University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, Alabama)

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine if cost savings to Alabama Medicaid occurred for children who received dental sealants compared with those who did not.

Methods: Dental claims from continuously enrolled children in Alabama Medicaid aged 5-7 years old in 2010 were analyzed into two separate cohorts. The sealant group (SG) received sealants and the control group (CG) did not. The study assessed subsequent restorative cost for teeth #3, #14, #19, and #30.

Results: A total of 25,139 children were included in the study, with 16,086 (63.9%) in the SG and 9,053 (36%) in the CG. Sixty-nine percent of the sealant group received sealants on all four molars while only 6.4% received sealants on just one molar. Children in the CG when compared with the children who had all four molars sealed were more likely to need restorative care (CG: 67% vs SG: 51%; p<0.0001) and the treatment was significantly more complex than the SG (restorations—1-surface: 49.8% vs 39.5% (p < 0.0001); 2-surface 47.8% vs 26.2% (p < 0.0001); Root canal: 3.8% vs 0.26% (p < 0.0001); extractions: 3.42% vs 0.14% (p < 0.0001)). Median 3rd party payor cost incurred to treat a CG patient was higher than SG patients (CG: $150.92 vs SG: $102.20; p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Patients who receive sealants are less likely to need follow up restorative care, with reduced cost per patient, and reduction in disease severity.