Association between the interval of worksite dental check-ups and dental and medical expenditures: a single-site, 12-year follow-up study in Japan

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify the effective intervals of worksite dental check-ups to reduce cumulative dental expenditures (CDEs) and cumulative medical expenditures (CMEs), based on 12 years of follow-up dental check-ups.Setting, design and participants A longitudinal study was conducted between 2002 and 2014 fiscal years. A total of 2691 full-time employees (2099 males and 592 females) aged 20–59 years in a manufacturing company in Japan were recruited.Primary and secondary outcome measures Based on the follow-up of 12-year dental check-ups, the interval of dental check-ups visits was classified into the following categories: ‘Once per year’ as the regular group, ‘At least once per 2 years’ as the subregular group and others as the irregular group. CDEs and CMEs per capita were examined by the three groups of dental check-ups interval after adjustment for sex, age, occupation and total CMEs at baseline. For sensitivity analysis, decayed teeth, missing teeth and Community Periodontal Index were added as adjustment factors.Results Compared with the irregular group, the pooled CDEs (including dental check-ups fee) per capita in the subregular group (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.98) and regular group (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.93) were significantly lower overall. The younger adults in the subregular group and younger-aged and middle-aged adults in the regular group had significantly lower CDEs. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these findings.Conclusions Our findings suggest that regular and subregular worksite dental check-ups were related to reduction of CDEs. It is important to promote a yearly interval between dental check-ups.