This flowchart explains how diabetes and periodontal disease are inextricably intertwined.

In considering the poor financial health of our country, 1 in every 3 healthcare dollars is spent caring for people with diabetes (currently $332 Billion). That number is projected to double by 2020. Simply treating gum disease lowers annual cost by $2840 per patient and reduces diabetes hospital admissions by 39.4% per year. (10)