Some Michigan dentists are testing patients' blood pressure in a pilot program to study the health effects on patients.
"Dentists are the champions of prevention and should be considered a key member of your personal health team to help maintain a healthy mouth and body," said Thomas Fleszar, D.D.S., president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Michigan, in a press release. "Many people see their dentist more often than a primary care physician, so this chair-side health team concept presents a tremendous opportunity for positive change."
Delta Michigan, Ingham Regional Medical Center (IRMC)/McLaren Health Care, and the Michigan Primary Care Association are spearheading the project, which is designed to have dentists and physicians work together more closely, according to Delta Dental.
At least one-third of Americans age 50 or older who have hypertension and see a dentist at least annually don't know they have the disease, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Under the pilot partnership kicking off in January 2009, dental offices in mid-Michigan will screen patients for high blood pressure. If they detect a problem, dentists will recommend patients see their primary care physician or offer a referral through IRMC/McLaren Health Care and the Michigan Primary Care Association. IRMC will then conduct follow-up calls to the patients offering further health education and referral assistance.
After the results of the pilot project are reviewed, the program could expand geographically and, eventually, dentists could start other screenings.
A study is scheduled to begin in early 2009 at the University of Michigan to examine the potential benefits of checking blood sugar levels of dental patients as a way to catch prediabetic and diabetic conditions, according to Delta Dental.
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