As a partner in patient-centered care, screening patients during an oral health visit for hypertension is an important service that is both innovative and efficient. In the OACHC-ODA initiative, while preparing a patient to be seen by the dentist, a dental assistant will take a patient’s blood pressure right in the dental chair. Seamlessly, the assistant will offer health education and can even make a warm referral to a health center physician as necessary.
Like most health center initiatives, the blood pressure screening dental project boasts a quality improvement facet. Health center dental practices will collect data including the numbers of health centers participating, patients screened and how many referrals are made for further screening and treatment. The QI results will be shared to showcase the promotion of overall health during dental visits.
Prior to the collaboration, one of the barriers to screening for hypertension was a lack of blood pressure monitoring devices in each dental operatory. The financial support of this initiative provides funding for the monitors, educational handouts and comprehensive training that will be provided to each of the 33 dental centers across Ohio.
This collaboration illustrates the commitment of Ohio’s Community Health Centers to provide comprehensive care, amplifying the dentist’s role as a health professional who sees the importance of addressing patients’ total health during their oral health visit.
Please contact OACHC’s Oral Health Program Manager, Susan Lawson for more information.
