As the issue continues to expand of a “systemic” approach to complete health including your mouth, on very interesting component is how dentists may soon be doing routine checks of their patients for diabetes. Dentists do look for signs now, such as if a patient complains of or shows symptoms of dry mouth or if a patient is slow to heal after a procedure.
However, one of the latest developments in diagnosing diabetes has been noted in a new study by New York University and published in the American Journal of Public Health. The study shows that a test easily done at a dental office can help expose undiagnosed diabetes for patients.
The report is important because some people see their dentist more regularly than they see a primary care doctors for such things as an annual physical. Here’s a quote from the NYU study:
“In light of findings from the study, the dental visit could be a useful opportunity to conduct diabetes screening among at-risk, undiagnosed patients – an important first step in identifying those who need further testing to determine their diabetes status,” according to Dr. Shiela Strauss, associate professor of nursing for NYU’s Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry.
