United Concordia Dental and PDS Health have launched an 18-month saliva screening pilot in Southern California to examine how the screening affects periodontal disease management.
The program will measure levels of aMMP-8, a biomarker linked to active periodontal tissue breakdown, among 1,500 to 2,000 eligible United Concordia members diagnosed with or at risk for gum disease, across nearly 125 PDS Health practices.
More than 40% of U.S. adults over 30 have some form of gum disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, a condition linked to systemic issues, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Dr. Ed Shellard, president and CEO of United Concordia, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to dental-medical integration and gives patients real-time data on their gum health.
United Concordia will fund the screenings at no cost to eligible members. Results will be tracked at follow-up appointments alongside self-reported surveys on at-home oral care habits, helping clinicians assess treatment response over time and informing future benefit design around saliva screening coverage.
Jeremy Jonckheere, PDS Health's vice president of strategic payor partnerships, said the pilot aims to give patients real insight into their periodontal health and keep them engaged in their treatment plans.
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