Among emergency room visits from 2005 to 2016 that could have been avoided by access to quality care, an estimated 11% were for dental issues, according to a February study from the Public Policy Institute of California.
The problems can be particularly stark among seniors, who make up a disproportionately large share of the dental uninsured and are at greater risk for a range of health problems.
Although it can be tempting to skimp on dental care for those who lack insurance, untreated dental problems can lead to other health complications and higher medical costs, said Evelyn Ireland, executive director of the National Association of Dental Plans.
A 2014 study by the group showed that when adult Medicaid recipients had preventive dental care, medical costs for seven chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and coronary heart disease, were lower by 31% to 67%.
