Diabetes Screening While at Your Austin Dentists Office?

By AustinDentalSpa on September 10, 2011

Austin dentists may offer an advantage for medical diagnostics if they can play a bigger role in the diagnosis of medical conditions, especially since people be more likely to go to their dentist than their physician.  Since the advent of sedation dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, more people have not been intimidated by dentistry and welcome the refreshing changes in their smiles with cosmetic dentistry. People today may also be more likely to make visit their dentist twice a year to maintain their beautiful smiles. On the other hand, people may not be inclined to visit their physician for a check-up unless they have a medical concern. In fact, an annual physician visit is the typical recommendation unless a health issue arises. So, the turf may be opening up for Austin dentists.

Since dentists may be more likely to see patients more often, there may be an opportunity to have dentists play a bigger role in medical diagnostics. It is now widely recognized that there is an oral body connection. Undoubtedly, oral health and physical health go hand in hand.   Several medical conditions have been linked to unhealthy biofilm layers in the oral cavity. There are other symptoms in the oral cavity, such as, gum disease, that suggest links to medical   conditions. So, Columbia University researchers conducted a study in which periodontal health and the finger stick hemoglobin blood tests could be performed on study participant to identify risk for diabetes and other diseases. Those identified at risk returned for a plasma glucose test to see if they were diabetic or in the pre stage of diabetes. In this way, researchers could better identify protocols for dentists and physicians to follow in the treatment of their patients.

Twenty-five percent of people in the U.S do not know they have type 2 diabetes and people in the pre-diabetic stage are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and other vascular conditions,  according to the Centers for Disease Control. It is for this reason that an opportunity for dentist to play a role in medical care may one day become a reality.

If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's