Screening for coronary heart disease and diabetes risk in a dental setting

Abstract

The use of a dental setting in a developing country could serve as a resource for early identification of patients at increased risk of developing CHD and DM, yet unaware of their increased risk. The dental setting can also serve as an entry point into the medical care system by identifying asymptomatic patients at increased risk of disease and referring these individuals to a primary care provider.

American dental hygienists' attitudes towards chairside medical screening in a dental setting

“…Given the morbidity, mortality and associated economic cost of these diseases, it seems prudent to adopt non-traditional strategies to identify at-risk individuals who are otherwise unaware of their risk and are not seen regularly by a primary care provider. Utilizing the dental office and the oral healthcare team is one efficacious strategy (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22) that is endorsed by dentists, physicians, patients (23)(24)(25)(26)(27) and now DHs alike. This strategy could not only facilitate early identification of disease among individuals who could benefit from prevention/medical intervention but also serve as a portal of entry into the primary care system and improve patient outcomes.…”

“…Early treatment of HIV disease has also been shown to reduce disease transmission and decrease risky behaviour (14,15). Previous research has shown that targeted medical screening in the dental setting could be an effective strategy for identifying individuals who are unaware of their increased risk of developing CVD, DM and HIV and who are not routinely engaged with a primary care provider (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22). These individuals could benefit from prevention strategies or early interventions.…”

Indian patients’ attitudes towards chairside screening in a dental setting for medical conditions

“…The results of survey studies in the USA have shown that dentists and patients feel that screening for these diseases in a dental setting is important and that both are willing to participate in chairside screening Recently, the feasibility of conducting chairside screening in a dental setting has been explored in India, where it was also found to be feasible.…”

Physicians' attitudes toward medical screening in a dental setting

“…The integration of dentists and physicians in patient-centered health care services also fits in with the health home concept (4,5). There is a growing body of research literature demonstrating the efficacy and potential yield of medical screening in a dental setting to identify at-risk asymptomatic patients who are unaware of their risk of developing coronary heart disease and diabetes, and who could benefit from strategies to prevent disease onset or control disease severity (6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”