Recent dental research shows that bacteria around the gum line produces a substance that in sufficient amounts can induce preterm labor in pregnant women and can cause heart disease by clogging arteries. Both medical outcomes add to payouts by health insurers to medical-service providers. The bacteria is best removed by a dentist or trained hygienist during a routine cleaning. One health insurer has calculated that it can reduce its payouts by reimbursing subscribers who are either pregnant or at high risk of developing heart disease for the cost of one professional dental cleaning per year.
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the assertion that the insurer's payouts to medical-service providers will decrease if it implements the reimbursement plan described above?
Show Hint
- Dental-hygiene regimens such as brushing or flossing can slow the accumulation of the bacteria-produced substance.
- Individuals are generally less likely to postpone or forego inexpensive or free dental procedures than expensive ones.
- Pregnant women typically crave sugary foods, which are proven to contribute to tooth decay.
- The risk of developing heart disease is greater for individuals with a family history of heart disease than for those with no such history.
- The dental health of pregnant women and heart-disease patients, as a group, is similar to that of the general population.
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the argument.
The insurer expects to reduce its payouts by reimbursing subscribers for dental cleanings. This will be effective only if regular dental hygiene prevents the accumulation of bacteria, which would reduce the associated health risks.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) Dental-hygiene regimens such as brushing or flossing can slow the accumulation of the bacteria-produced substance: Correct. This option supports the idea that maintaining oral hygiene can reduce the buildup of bacteria, thereby preventing medical conditions that lead to higher insurance payouts.
- (B) Individuals are generally less likely to postpone or forego inexpensive or free dental procedures than expensive ones: Incorrect. This doesn't directly address the issue of how dental cleanings affect the insurer's costs.
- (C) Pregnant women typically crave sugary foods, which are proven to contribute to tooth decay: Incorrect. While this might explain a risk factor for dental issues, it does not support the assertion about reduced insurance payouts due to preventive care.
- (D) The risk of developing heart disease is greater for individuals with a family history of heart disease than for those with no such history: Incorrect. This option is irrelevant to the issue of dental hygiene and its effect on insurance payouts.
- (E) The dental health of pregnant women and heart-disease patients, as a group, is similar to that of the general population: Incorrect. This does not suggest that improving dental hygiene will reduce the insurer's payouts.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (A) Dental-hygiene regimens such as brushing or flossing can slow the accumulation of the bacteria-produced substance.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{(A) \, \text{Dental-hygiene regimens such as brushing or flossing can slow the accumulation of the bacteria-produced substance.}} \]
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