FYI

You already know that your patients’ oral health can be an indicator of their overall health and well-being, but are they aware of this connection? As a way to improve the total health of patients nationwide, we’re pleased to announce that we’re collaborating with the American Heart Association (AHA) on the newly launched Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative.

This initiative aims to expand access to equitable, integrated health care and to educate patients and clinicians on the connection between heart health and oral health. According to the AHA, the prevention or early detection of heart disease can result in significantly better health outcomes.

Through the Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative, the AHA and Delta Dental will engage oral health clinicians to create and implement a new standard of care for heart health screening. In the words of Dr. Daniel Croley, Delta Dental’s Chief Dental Officer, “Our collaboration with the American Heart Association marks a pivotal step towards strengthening access to quality, integrated care and emphasizes the role of dental visits as a part of a holistic health check which can offer early detection of cardiovascular disease and other conditions.”

Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer president notes that “oral health care professionals can play a pivotal role as part of a whole-body care team to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. When dentists and primary care physicians work together, we can create many more access points for quality, integrated health care and educate our patients on the impact of good oral hygiene on total health and well-being.”

Learn more about the American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative, developed in collaboration with Delta Dental.