Estimated cost of dental treatment for active duty and recruit US militarypersonnel

This paper estimates the cost of restoring U.S, military personnel to optim al oral health, The data come from a 30-site oral health survey of Army, Na vy, Marine Corps, and Air Force personnel conducted from February 1994 to J anuary 1995, A systematic random sample of 2,711 recruits was drawn, From a prestratified, random sample of 15,924 active duty personnel, 13,050 (82% response rate) participated in the survey, Applying their best clinical jud gment, one dentist per site charted comprehensive dental treatment needs on each service member. Radiographs were used. After the samples were weighte d to reflect the 1994 population of recruits (202,144) and active duty pers onnel (1,699,662), treatment costs were calculated applying median fees rep orted by U.S. general dentists in 1.995. Results show total estimated costs of $1.9 billion for active duty personnel and $203 million for recruits. P eriodontal disease accounts for the greatest proportion (47%) of active dut y treatment costs, and oral surgery accounts for the greatest proportion (3 2%) of recruit treatment costs. The cost of restoring U.S. service members to optimal oral health is substantial.