Pacific Dental Services® Raises Awareness on the Link Between Oral Health and Heart Health During American Heart Month

Dental and medical support organization, Pacific Dental Services (PDS), is celebrating American Heart Month throughout February to shed light on the crucial connection between oral health and heart health. Its new campaign aims to address the alarming lack of awareness surrounding the link and emphasizes the importance of maintaining optimal oral health for overall cardiovascular well-being, according to a press release from the company.

Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States for over a century, claiming over 1900 lives each day, according to the American Heart Association. Recent studies cited in the press release, indicate a strong association between oral health and heart health, revealing that individuals with periodontal disease are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience a stroke or heart attack. Despite these alarming statistics, a significant lack of awareness persists regarding this critical issue.

Stephen E. Thorne, founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services, stated, “During American Heart Month, our focus is on raising awareness about the importance of maintaining optimal oral health—a key contributor to improved heart health. Effective care coordination between dental professionals and primary care providers is vital for the early detection of heart disease. Just as we prioritize heart health this month, addressing periodontal disease early has shown to reduce cardiovascular risk.”

PDS-supported clinicians play a pivotal role in patient education on the Mouth-Body Connection®, emphasizing how oral health can impact overall health. Research shows that oral bacteria and inflammation can indicate and even contribute to systemic conditions throughout the body. Periodontal disease has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and other diseases.

To facilitate a deeper partnership between the dental and medical fields, PDS became the first dental support organization globally to implement Epic®, a popular and comprehensive health records system, into its supported dental practices. This integration is designed to enable more efficient exchange of patient data between oral health providers and medical providers, thereby improving overall patient care.

During American Heart Month, PDS is engaging in various activities to increase awareness oral-heart health connection. These initiatives include: “Wear Red Day,” making heart-shaped pillows, team member education initiatives, CPR demonstrations, movement challenges, Love Notes Around the World, and distributing a Generations of Smiles magazine issue focused on oral/heart health.

For more information on PDS and their initiatives during American Heart Month, visit the website here.