According to new research, dental professionals who are trained to recognise signs of non-dental illnesses can significantly improve their patients’ health.
The study was published in the British Dental Journal. It focused on two dental clinics which screened for cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI.
In total, the clinics screened over 500 patients. Of these, more than 75% had above average blood pressure levels. More than 50% fell outside of recommended BMI values also.
The patients who fell outside of the normal range were encouraged to book a follow up appointment with their doctor.
Jane Dougherty is the lead author of the study. She said: ‘A health check at the dentist could provide reassurance for many patients, and a wake-up call for others to become healthier.
‘We have someone already sitting in the chair, who visits the dentist every six to 12 months, yet who may not have seen a GP for years. It is simple to give them a few minutes of health checks at the same time.’
Wider healthcare
According to a recent survey, 59% of Brits see the same dentist more consistently than they see the same GP. A further 28% of respondents said they had spoken to their dentist about other health problems.
The research also found that 15% of participants had been referred to another health practitioner by their dentist. Significant percentages of these respondents went on to be diagnosed with non-dental illnesses. These included skin conditions, anaemia, diabetes and viral conditions.
Dentist Shamir Chandarana, principal dentist at Dental House, Sunbury-on-Thames, commented on these findings. He said: ‘Many of us have supported patients far beyond just their dental needs. Whether being able to advise on common health conditions, simply listen to their current concerns, or refer them to another healthcare professional.
‘At a time when GP appointments are increasingly difficult to come by, my colleagues and I have definitely noticed an uptick in wider healthcare questions – a role that would have traditionally been played by the family doctor.
‘We can help to identify other health conditions, but then need to refer patients on for any symptoms to be managed properly.’
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