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Estimated cost of dental treatment for active duty and recruit U.S. military personnel.

This paper estimates the cost of restoring U.S. military personnel to optimal oral health. The data come from a 30-site oral health survey of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force personnel conducted from February 1994 to January 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 judgment, one dentist per site charted comprehensive dental treatment needs on each service member. Radiographs were used. After the samples were weighted to reflect the 1994 population of recruits (202,144) and active duty personnel (1,699,662), treatment costs were calculated applying median fees reported by U.S. general dentists in 1995. Results show total estimated costs of $1.9 billion for active duty personnel and $203 million for recruits. Periodontal disease accounts for the greatest proportion (47%) of active duty treatment costs, and oral surgery accounts for the greatest proportion (32%) of recruit treatment costs. The cost of restoring U.S. service members to optimal oral health is substantial.