title: Cost analysis of dental services needed before hematopoietic cell transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Streptococcal bacteremia occurs during hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), and treatment of active oral disease may reduce this risk. The objective of this study was to determine the type, number, and costs of pre-transplantation dental procedures in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected retrospectively from the records of patients who were to undergo HCT. The type, number, and costs of dental procedures were determined based on median charges of MassHealth (the Medicaid program in Massachusetts) and also on the median "usual and customary" fees charged by dentists in Massachusetts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 405 patients were evaluated. There were 243 men (60%) and 162 women, with a median age of 53 years. The median and average costs (in US dollars) of dental treatment before HCT were $275 and $384, respectively, for patients covered by MassHealth and $368 and $522, respectively, for those with private insurance, adjusted to 2012 levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental evaluation before HCT is an economical way for patients to minimize the risk of localized infection and possibly reduce the risk of bacteremia that may prolong the length of hospitalization.
authors: Attending Physician, Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Basic & Clinical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: hmawardi@partners.org.
authors: Hani
authors: H
authors: Mawardi
authors: Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors: Ashley E
authors: AE
authors: Manlove
authors: Professor and Chief, Section of Health Services Research, Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Linda S
authors: LS
authors: Elting
authors: Attending Physician, Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Francisco M
authors: FM
authors: Marty
authors: Attending Physician, Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Nathaniel S
authors: NS
authors: Treister
authors: Attending Physician, Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Associate Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Sook-Bin
authors: SB
authors: Woo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics*; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*