AADR 2016: Chairside medical screening at dental visits provides benefit

Both dentists and patients reported an increased appreciation of the relationship of oral and overall health after chairside medical screening in a dental setting, according to a study presented at this week's 2016 American Association of Dental Research (AADR) annual meeting in Los Angeles.

The researchers noted that while previous studies have examined attitudes toward chairside medical screenings, this study presented attitudes from providers who actually conducted or received chairside medical screenings as part of a demonstration project.

For the study, 35 participating dentists received a three-hour didactic and hands-on training session. The training focused on screening patients for diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk using tests that yield immediate results, according to the researchers.

Fourteen of the dentists who received the training subsequently participated in the implementation phase along with 537 patients who were screened from September to December 2014.

The vast majority (80%) of the providers felt that their patients were willing to accept medical screening from them, and 90% reported that their patients found the results helpful. Interestingly, 70% of respondents noted that screening tests helped when determining patient's treatment, and almost 80% said that offering the screenings helped them discuss the relationship of oral and overall health.

Does offering these screenings add value to a practice? Almost two-thirds of practitioners said it did. More than 80% also reported that "their patients understood the added value of having their dentist engaged in their overall health." In addition, 72% identified patients needing medical referral.

The study also included a patient survey, with 112 patients completing the survey. The following are some of the survey findings:

• 81% of respondents felt comfortable with their dentist conducting health screenings.
• 75% found it valuable.
• 62% followed up on the medical referral.
• 67% want their dentist to conduct medical screening at future visits.
• 63% said the screening tests increased their awareness of how oral health can impact overall health.

Chairside medical screenings in the dental setting offered a "means to discuss and increase appreciation of the relationship of oral and overall health," the researchers concluded.