Study: Dentists' role in medical checkups

Dec 17 2011

A study in the American Journal of Public Health indicates that many people who don't have regular contact with a physician still see a dentist at least once a year -- potentially positioning these professionals to spot the early signs of chronic illnesses.   

CNN: Should Dentists Offer Health Screenings?
Each year, nearly 20 million men, women and children in the United States fail to see a family physician or similar health care professional, but they do pay at least one visit to the dentist, according to a new study in the American Journal of Public Health. For this segment of the population, dentists may be the only doctors in a position to spot the warning signs of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, and provide referrals or advice to prevent serious complications, says Shiela M. Strauss, Ph.D., the lead author of the study and an associate professor at New York University's Colleges of Dentistry and Nursing. Oral or dental abnormalities can signal a broad range of body-wide health problems, including HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, eating disorders, and substance abuse, in addition to diabetes (Harding, 12/15).

Fox News: Dentist's Chair Good Place For Medical Checkup, Study Says
A new study shows that 20 million Americans each year see a dentist but not a general health care provider. The finding suggests dental offices could be good places to screen patients for chronic health problems. By asking their patients a few questions or administering quick health test, dentists could identify those who are at risk for diseases such as diabetes. "The dental office might be a really good venue for identifying or screening for diseases. The dentist, in turn, could refer patients to a primary care provider for further workup," said Shiela Strauss, a professor at New York University College of Nursing, who was lead author of the study. The results are published in the American Journal of Public Health (12/16).