# Effect of Overweight and Obesity on Periodontal Treatment Intensity and Cost

> **NIH NIH R03** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 2020 · $165,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Periodontitis affects nearly half of the adult US population and two-thirds of adults are overweight or
obese. Overweight and obesity increase the risk of periodontal disease incidence and progression as
well as comorbidities such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome that are strongly associated with
periodontal disease risk. It is clear from the medical literature that obese persons incur more total costs
for medical care, including inpatient stays, outpatient visits, diagnostic procedures, and prescription
drugs than non-obese. However, data regarding adverse effects of overweight and obesity on
periodontal outcomes and the excess costs they may impose on routine periodontal care are lacking.
This study is a retrospective cohort study of 7,300 new periodontal patients at a large urban dental
school clinic whose demographic and clinical data are housed in a data repository. The primary
exposure, obesity or overweight status will be determined from heights and weights reported on a
medical history screening form. Data on periodontal treatments performed and outcome measures on
each tooth (probing depth, attachment loss, plaque score, tooth retention) have been recorded. We will
quantify and compare periodontal disease treatment types (surgical, non-surgical, antimicrobial),
frequency, clinical outcomes and costs among patients who are obese, overweight and normal weight.
The results of this study will fill in gaps in our knowledge concerning the contributions of overweight and
obesity to parameters of routine treatment of periodontal disease.
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## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9893995
- **Project number:** 1R03DE028636-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **Principal Investigator:** ELIZABETH A KAYE
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $165,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9893995

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9893995, Effect of Overweight and Obesity on Periodontal Treatment Intensity and Cost (1R03DE028636-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9893995. Licensed CC0.

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