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Research into medical-dental integration is taking a giant step forward with the announcement from the Michigan Blues that it has granted almost $100,000 to the University of Michigan (UM) in Ann Arbor to determine whether early dental care helps reduce medical costs for diabetics. The carrier won't use the findings to revise its providers' standard of care, but will encourage dissemination of any new information. Researchers at the UM School of Dentistry will use the Blues' s $96,827 grant to determine whether early treatment of periodontal disease can result in fewer complications and better overall health among diabetics, leading to lower medical costs