Scientists from the University of Plymouth (PU) have shown that dentists can make a significant and positive contribution to public health if they are trained to detect some of the key signs of cardiovascular disease. The study was published on: British Dental Journal.
A new study of more than 500 dental patients examined found that 78% had elevated blood pressure, more than half (55.8%) were overweight or obese, and almost 40% had an above-average waist-to-height ratio . Almost 17% had high blood cholesterol and 3% had high blood sugar levels. All patients whose results were outside the normal range were advised to make an appointment with their doctor.
The study authors said the results support previous suggestions that health screening in dental settings offers significant potential in identifying patients with risk factors for chronic disease. People may not see a therapist for years, but they come in for a dental checkup every 6-12 months. A few extra minutes can make a big difference in identifying dangerous diseases.
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