Henry Schein Supported Study Demonstrates Link Between Poor Oral Health and Emergency Department Use
First-of-its Kind Study by the Florida Dental Association Foundation and Florida Mission of Mercy Suggests Significant Cost Savings Opportunity for Taxpayers by Reducing Emergency Visits
MELVILLE, N.Y., February 23, 2017 – Volunteer dental missions represent a significant opportunity to reduce the number and cost of visits to hospital emergency departments by patients seeking relief from oral pain and disease, according to a first-of-its-kind study by Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the Florida Dental Association (FDA) Foundation and the Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM).
The study, made public today at the Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting, was designed to measure the impact that volunteer dental outreach events can have on the health of local community members and hospital emergency department usage. The preliminary results of the study were discussed today by a panel of experts and key stakeholders at the Chicago meeting.
The two-year study led by the FDA Foundation began in September 2015 and focused on the two-day FLA-MOM dental clinic held in Jacksonville, Florida, in April 2016. The study aimed to gather data about FLA-MOM attendees and to measure the effect of the clinic on the use of local hospital emergency departments for dental care problems and corresponding charges. In 2014, more than 163,000 Floridians visited the emergency department for a dental-related issue resulting in charges of more than $234 million, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
As part of this study, more than 1,600 of the 2,800 patients who attended the FLA-MOM event were surveyed about their oral health and dental care access.
"The preliminary results of this study provide critical data that can help community health stakeholders across the country develop their own events for the maximum benefit not only of local residents, but the medical community as well," said Steven W. Kess, Vice President, Global Professional Relations, Henry Schein, and the panel's moderator. "There is an inextricable link between oral health and overall health, and the results of this study reinforce the benefits that can emerge when the oral health and medical communities are working with a shared vision."
While the survey's complete findings will be released later this year, preliminary findings include:
- Three out of four patients surveyed said they would rate their overall teeth and gum health as fair or poor.
- One-third of all respondents had not seen a dentist in more than five years; one-fourth of respondents shared they had no place to go for dental care.
- Of patients surveyed, 27 percent have visited a hospital emergency department for a dental problem.
- Sixty-three percent of patients surveyed shared they were in pain at the time of the event; one-third had been in pain for more than a year.
- Almost half of the respondents were without health insurance, and 82 percent were without insurance coverage for dental care.
- Seventy percent of respondents had a household income of less than $20,000, and 58 percent were living below the federal poverty level.
"Without data, we lack a complete understanding of the patients who visit our Florida Mission of Mercy events, their access to dental care outside of this event, their use of hospital emergency departments for dental problems, and the effect of the Florida Mission of Mercy on emergency department utilization," said Dr. Jolene Paramore, First Vice President, FDA and Principal Investigator of the Florida Mission of Mercy Impact Study. "The data collected through this survey will allow us to enhance the impact of future events and develop new opportunities to protect the health of our community members in need. What's more, these results can serve as a policy-setting tool as governments determine how best to deploy taxpayer dollars to achieve the twin health care goals of lower cost and better outcomes."
The study was underwritten by a research grant from Henry Schein Cares, the global corporate social responsibility program of Henry Schein, Inc., with additional resources from the Shils Fund, Colgate, Riverside Hospital Foundation, Baptist Health Foundation and the FDA Foundation.
About Henry Schein Cares
Henry Schein Cares stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.
Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of "doing well by doing good." Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success. "Helping Health Happen Blog" is a platform for health care professionals to share their volunteer experiences delivering assistance to those in need globally. To read more about how Henry Schein Cares is making a difference, please visit our blog: www.helpinghealthhappen.org.
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental animal health and medical practitioners. The company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the S&P 500® and the NASDAQ 100® indexes, Henry Schein employs more than 21,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 1 million customers.
The company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 120,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 180,000 additional products available as special-order items. The company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 33 countries. The company's sales reached a record $11.6 billion in 2016, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 15 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein and @HenrySchein on Twitter.
CONTACT: Ann Marie Gothard
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