Lift-assist calls are associated with substantial subsequent utilization of EMS, and should trigger fall prevention and other safety interventions. Based on our data, these calls may be early indicators of medical problems that require more aggressive evaluation.

Background While a number of studies have explored the link between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes, both epidemiological studies and intervention trials have reached contradictory results with relatively small sample sizes. Utilizing large-scale claims data, we aim to investigate the association between maternal periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objective Utilizing large-scale claims data, we aim to investigate the association between maternal periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods Using de-identified claims data from a national commercial insurer in the USA, records of all observed pregnancies from 2015 to 2019 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birthweight (LBW) of the newborn, preterm birth (PTB) and spontaneous abortion, were primary outcomes. To evaluate the association between periodontal disease and pregnancy outcomes, logistic mixed-effect model was estimated with periodontal disease status, age, existing clinical conditions of mothers and geographic location as covariates. Results Out of 748 792 observed pregnancy records, 18.66% resulted in adverse pregnancy outcomes; 5.92% in LBW, 14.46% in PTB and 2.22 % in spontaneous abortion. Adjusting for individual-level risk factors, periodontal disease was significantly associated with maternal complications with odds ratios of 1.19 (95% CI:1.15, 1.24) for any adverse pregnancy outcomes, 1.10 (95% CI:1.03, 1.17) for LBW, 1.15 (95% CI:1.10, 1.19) for PTB and 1.34 (95% CI:1.23, 1.46) for spontaneous abortions. Conclusions Maternal periodontal disease may be associated with an increased risk of maternal complications and neonatal morbidity. A timely diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease during pregnancy should be encouraged by considering oral health as part of routine prenatal care.

ObjectiveTo determine whether best practice recommendations are being followed by primary care physicians (PCPs) by examining the integration of oral health‐related practices in their management of patients with diabetes.MethodsA cross‐sectional study design was used to examine PCPs' knowledge of the bidirectional link between diabetes and periodontal disease (PD), their adherence to international best practice recommendations, and their experience of interprofessional collaboration with dentists via an online survey.ResultsIn total, 79 of 173 PCPs completed the online survey. Almost 90 percent of PCPs neither inform patients with diabetes about the link with PD nor advise dental care. Approximately, one‐third of PCPs (32 percent) felt confident facilitating access to dentists. However, 93 percent of PCPs do not refer patients with diabetes to dentists as part of diabetes management.ConclusionPCPs tend not to inform their patients with diabetes of the bidirectional link with PD, or provide advice or referral to attend dental care as part of diabetes management.

Objectives: Rurality is associated with reduced dental access and worse oral health outcomes. It is unknown whether there is variation in dental services received by rural adults who visit a dentist. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of claims data from a large private insurer. All individuals who had at least one dental visit in 2018 were included. Patient demographics, whether or not a patient's ZIP code was rural as defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, as well as ZIP code demographics were collected. Differences in the frequency of dental services received were evaluated using χ 2 tests. Multilevel logistic regressions were used to evaluate the individual and ZIP code-level correlates of receiving a preventive dental procedure, a tooth extraction, or a denture-related dental procedure. Results: Rates of preventive, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and denture-related procedures were higher among rural adults. Accounting for individual age and gender, and ZIP code average income and dentist density, rural dwellers were more likely to receive a preventive procedure [odds ratio (OR) 1.15, P < 0.0001] or tooth extraction (OR 1.08, P < 0.0001), and less likely to have a denturerelated procedure (OR 0.94, P = 0.015) compared to nonrural dwellers. Female gender was the strongest predictor of receiving a preventive procedure (OR 1.30, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Even among privately insured individuals with known access to dental care, rurality was associated with significant differences in the frequency of various dental procedures. Rural dental patients may have higher needs for oral surgical procedures, even when they have access to preventive care.