Study Demonstrates the Value of Health Screenings Conducted by Oral Health Professionals

A recent study published in the British Dental Journal investigated the results of two dental practices that implemented a variety of general health screenings, such as blood pressure and body mass index (BMI), into their continuum of care. Results showed that the majority of patients seen had high blood pressure (78%) and more than 50% had BMI values above the healthy range. As such, the authors suggest that dental professionals’ scope of practice be expanded to include screening for health conditions. Dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists are positioned to contribute significantly to early detection of high-risk conditions associated with cardiovascular disease. Health screening within dental practices is seen as an opportunity to reach at-risk groups, such as smokers and individuals with high blood pressure, who may infrequently visit their primary care providers. Patients who received the health screenings provided by oral health professionals felt positive about the inclusion of such assessments in the dental setting, according to survey results. Click here to read more.