February is National Heart Month, during which we’re encouraged to focus on our cardiovascular health. That makes it a particularly appropriate time to tell you about Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™. The American Heart Association (AHA) recently announced that this new initiative, developed collaboratively with Delta Dental, will improve the total health of patients nationwide by expanding access to equitable, integrated health care and educating patients and clinicians on the connection between heart health and oral health.
Our oral health can be an indicator of our overall health and well-being. Research shows that chronic gum inflammation may be associated with chronic diseases that include coronary artery disease. Certain bacteria that live in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, including the heart. Oral bacteria can cause an infection of the inner lining of the heart or heart valves.
The prevention or early detection of heart disease can result in significantly better health outcomes according to the AHA. Through the Healthy Smiles, Healthy HeartsTM initiative, AHA and Delta Dental will engage oral health clinicians to create and implement a new standard of care for heart health screening at dental offices by conducting blood pressure screenings and providing referrals to primary care, if necessary. The initiative will also educate health care professionals and patients on the link between heart health and oral health, while emphasizing the importance of a patient’s integrated care team in improving total health and well-being.
There are more than 134,000 dental practices in the United States, and approximately 27 million patients see their dentist each year but not necessarily their physician.Dentists can be an important resource to counsel and screen patients for many chronic diseases, including hypertension, creating valuable opportunities to drive prevention and earlier detection in the oral health setting.
More information:
To read a more detailed announcement of Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™: New initiative focuses on oral health clinicians in prevention and early detection of heart disease | American Heart Association.
To learn more about cardiovascular disease and oral health: The Connection Between Your Heart and Your Smile | Delta Dental.
To find out more about National Heart Month, also known as American Heart Month, visit American Heart Month 2024 Toolkits | cdc.gov, which provides toolkits for health care professionals, public health professionals and individuals and patients.