United Concordia Dental and PDS Health®, leaders in oral health and dental-medical integration, respectively, launched a saliva screening pilot in Southern California earlier this week that aims to improve oral health and overall health by investigating the screening’s impact on periodontal (gum) disease management.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 40% of U.S. adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease. Left untreated, this condition can lead to tooth loss and infections and is associated with systemic conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
“Gum disease is not just an oral health issue. It’s closely connected to a person’s well-being,” said Ed Shellard, DMD, president and CEO of United Concordia. “This partnership with PDS Health underscores our shared commitment to dental-medical integration and allows us to empower patients with on-the-spot data about the current status of their gum health.”
The United Concordia Dental and PDS Health saliva screening pilot is expected to span up to 18 months and plans to measure levels of active Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), a biomarker associated with collagen breakdown and active periodontal tissue destruction, among approximately 1,500 – 2,000 eligible United Concordia members diagnosed with or at risk for gum disease and undergoing treatment. The pilot will take place at nearly 125 PDS Health dental practices in Southern California.
“This pilot reflects our commitment to connecting oral health and overall health in a measurable way for the patients and members we serve together with United Concordia,” said Jeremy Jonckheere, vice president of strategic payor partnerships at PDS Health. “By bringing saliva screening into everyday periodontal care, we’re giving patients real insight into their periodontal health and helping them stay engaged in the treatment plans their dentists recommend.”
Advancing Prevention Through Data-Driven Periodontal Care
The pilot will evaluate the role saliva screening may play in periodontal disease management and future benefit design by:
- Assessing its ability to motivate patients to actively manage their gum disease and follow treatment plans recommended by their dentist; and
- Using results data to investigate when appropriate education interventions may be needed to support at-home care and better inform benefit design for covering saliva screening during gum disease treatment.
How the Saliva Screening Pilot Works
Participation in the pilot is voluntary. United Concordia will fund the saliva screenings at no cost to eligible members diagnosed with gum disease. Eligible patients will have the option to receive a quick, in-office saliva screening that measures aMMP-8, a biomarker associated with active periodontal tissue breakdown.
Additional screenings will be administered at follow-up periodontal appointments throughout the duration of the pilot to measure a participant’s aMMP-8 level at different points during treatment, helping clinicians assess changes in disease activity and the participant’s response to treatment over time. Self-reported surveys will also evaluate how often patients are flossing, brushing and caring for their oral health at home.
“A patient’s dental care routine at home is just as important as the professional scaling and root planing treatments they receive in the office,” said Shellard. “By incorporating saliva screening into routine gum disease management, we have an opportunity to better engage patients in their care, improve clinical outcomes and support more personalized treatment approaches.”
About United Concordia Dental
United Concordia Dental is a leading national dental solutions partner focused on providing access to personalized, high-quality, cost-effective dental care, with an emphasis on improving total health. Headquartered in Camp Hill, Pa., the company, which serves 11.9 million people, has one of the nation’s largest dentist networks, an AM Best “A” (Excellent) financial strength rating and licensed entities in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. United Concordia offers flexible benefit solutions and products that meet the unique overall health needs of customers of all sizes. For more information about United Concordia, visit UnitedConcordia.com.
About PDS Health
PDS Health® continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994, with a vision to redefine healthcare through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health and its vision, visit pdshealth.com.
Mouth-Body Connection® is a registered trademark of PDS Health.
