Medical Screenings & Dental Cleanings

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Dental News: New survey says dentists don't mind "playing doctor" with their patients.
Don't be surprised if the next time you visit your dentist you hear words uttered such as "Are you getting enough exercise" or "Have you had any unprotected sex lately or shared any dirty needles" in addition to the usual "Open wide" and "Okay, rinse".

According to the January issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, a new study finds that dentists are willing to screen their patients for common medical conditions and, if necessary, refer them to a general physician.

Survey Says...
Most of the dentists surveyed said it was very or somewhat important for dentists to conduct screenings for high blood pressure (86%), cardiovascular disease (77%), Diabetes (77%), Hepatitis (72%) and HIV (69%). Most were willing to collect saliva samples, measure blood pressure and take a patient's blood by finger stick. Nearly all (96%) were willing to refer patients to a physician for follow-up.

In addition, nearly three quarters of those dentists surveyed were willing to discuss the results of these screenings with their patients during the same dental visit... as well as recommending sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum.

(Note: That last sentence about chewing gum was not part of the study. I added it for humor sake.)

Researchers from two universities and the American Dental Association performed this study. The 1,945 dentists who were surveyed were roughly 85% male, white and had been practicing for more than 10 years. Why the survey asked dentists their gender and racial identity eludes this writer but... whatever.


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