Health Screenings in the Dentist’s Office: A Step Toward Integrated Care

Could a routine dental visit help save lives?

For some patients, an annual dental visit is the only interaction they will have with a healthcare professional. That appointment presents a powerful opportunity to address both oral and overall health, including detecting symptoms of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Traditionally, dentistry and medicine have existed as discrete disciplines, intersecting only when treatment plans require clearance from another provider. Yet a growing body of research suggests these disciplines are intertwined, and some clinicians now say that care should be integrated rather than siloed.

The American Heart Association’s recently unveiled Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative represents a welcome advancement in the fight against heart disease and stroke. By equipping dentists with tools to identify patients at risk for cardiovascular disease and refer them to physicians, the initiative highlights the essential role dental professionals play in supporting whole-person health.

Since the 1970s, the American Dental Association (ADA) has recommended that dentists measure blood pressure during routine visits. The AHA’s new initiative strengthens that long-standing guidance, emphasizing early detection of hypertension—a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. The initiative’s resources for dental teams include standardized blood pressure-screening protocols, patient education materials explaining the oral–cardiovascular health connection, and guidance on referring patients to primary care practices.

If these measures are implemented widely, they could improve public health and help reduce long-term healthcare costs. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., responsible for nearly one in five deaths each year. The economic toll is staggering: Annual healthcare costs for heart-disease-related conditions are projected to jump from $393 billion in 2020 to $1.49 trillion by 2050, while productivity losses are expected to rise 54 percent to $361 billion, according to the journal Circulation.

These realities demand new approaches to prevention. Standardized blood pressure screening in dental offices is an important step, but only the beginning.

Dentists are well-positioned to also help detect early signs of diabetes, another major cause of death and disability. Certain oral conditions, such as thrush or persistent dry mouth, may point to underlying diabetes, enabling dentists to refer patients to physicians for further evaluation.

But what about patients who show no visible symptoms?

Research is underway to answer that question. Launched last year, a new five-clinic, yearlong study examining how free hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing during dental appointments influences early diabetes detection, patient engagement, and care coordination.

Efforts like this study and the AHA initiative reflect a growing movement toward equipping dental practices with select medical screening and patient education tools as part of preventive care. 

The next frontier of integration involves co-locating medical and dental services, allowing primary care and dental teams to work side by side. Healthcare organizations and institutions are already exploring this innovative model. By dissolving the traditional boundaries between dentistry and medicine, we move closer to a future where every patient receives seamless, comprehensive care, delivered by providers who see the full picture of their health.