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Aims Little evidence exists to confirm that better oral health is associated with better overall health and well‐being. The present study aimed to examine the impact of oral health on the overall health of the population greater than 65‐year old in the entire United States. Methods and results Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2016 were used. Variables included demographics and perceptions of oral health and overall health and well‐being. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated using mean, standard deviation, and percentage as appropriate. Chi‐square tests and logistic regressions were performed to examine the association of oral health with physical health, mental health, general health, and systemic disease conditions. Analyses showed statistically significant relationships between oral health, physical, mental and general health, energy levels, work limitation, depression, and appetite. Out of the 10 systemic diseases being investigated, six of them were directly related to oral health outcome. Conclusion This study provided strong empirical evidence that oral health is directly associated with different disease conditions and contributes largely to an individual's general health, particularly in the elderly. In the current landscape of patient‐centered and value‐based care, addressing the oral health needs of the elderly, who generally find themselves with limited access to care, should be a priority.

Introduction As total health and dental care expenditures in the United States continue to rise, healthcare disparities for low to middle-income Americans creates an imperative to analyze existing expenditures. This study examined health and dental care expenditures in the United States from 1996 to 2016 and explored trends in spending across various population subgroups. Methods Using data collected by the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, this study examined health and dental care expenditures in the United States from 1996 to 2016. Trends in spending were displayed graphically and spending across subgroups examined. All expenditures were adjusted for inflation or deflation to the 2016 dollar. Results Both total health and dental expenditures increased between 1996 and 2016 with total healthcare expenditures increasing from $838.33 billion in 1996 to $1.62 trillion in 2016, a 1.9-fold increase. Despite an overall increase, total expenditures slowed between 2004 and 2012 with the exception of the older adult population. Over the study period, expenditures increased across all groups with the greatest increases seen in older adult health and dental care. The per capita geriatric dental care expenditure increased 59% while the per capita geriatric healthcare expenditure increased 50% across the two decades. For the overall US population, the per capita dental care expenditure increased 27% while the per capita healthcare expenditure increased 60% over the two decades. All groups except the uninsured experienced increased dental care expenditure over the study period.

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