02/01/2025
1-Dental visits provide the perfect opportunity to screen for hypertension
2-Detecting hypertension in early stages can limit damage to the body
3-Screening can help avert a hypertensive crisis
4-Routine screenings can shine a spotlight on the negative effects associated with white-coat syndrome
For certain patients, the stress and anxiety associated with a dental visit is enough to increase their blood pressure, resulting in higher numbers than if it had been assessed in a more relaxed environment. This common medical condition-called white-coat hypertension or white-coat syndrome-is important for dental professionals to recognize for several reasons.
5-Measuring blood pressure can reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes
6-Diabetes is the other “silent killer”
Screening for hypertension during routine preventive dental appointments is imperative because elevated blood pressure is often indicative of another serious medical condition that commonly occurs without symptoms and remains undiagnosed during its earliest stages-type II diabetes mellitus. Moreover, high blood pressure is reported in over 66% of people with type 2 diabetes, and its progression coincides with the progression of hyperglycemia.5
7-Blood pressure readings are required in order to choose the appropriate local anesthetic for dental injections
8-An elevated blood pressure reading may signal the need that stress reduction protocols be enacted
For many patients, a simple trip to their dental office can initiate a fight or flight response which is often characterized by an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Elevated blood pressure readings can signal the dental hygienist that stress reduction tactics should be implemented to ease the patient.
9-Taking blood pressure is an easy action we can all take each day to advance our profession
10- You matter
At our office we take your blood pressure not because we are acting to be a “ chardiologist as per an unhappy patient today” but to ensure your health and to also follow our guidelines. We collaborate with your doctors, specliast to ensure you stay as healthy as possible and be monitored if need be.
