Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts for Professionals

Individuals with periodontal disease face a 28% higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular conditions.1

The American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative is dedicated to bridging the gap between oral and heart care. It is important for clinicians to recognize the growing evidence linking oral health and cardiovascular outcomes. Integrating dental hygiene into preventive care strategies may help reduce systemic inflammation and improve long-term heart health.

Treating gum disease improves endothelial function and reduces systemic inflammation, highlighting the need to integrate oral health into cardiovascular prevention. Promoting oral hygiene and early periodontal care may help lower cardiovascular risk at the population level.


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Female dentist making heart shape with hands wearing medical gloves

The Cardiovascular-Oral Systemic Link:

A Groundbreaking Interprofessional course
Collaborative care between dental and primary care teams supports patient education on the link between oral and cardiovascular health. This foundational course helps your team understand and address these connections. CE credits available for dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician associates.
Earn Credit Cardiovascular-Oral Systemic Link

Vodcasts

CE credits available for dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician associates.

Beyond the Smile: Why Blood Pressure Checks Belong in Dentistry

Oral and systemic health are closely linked, with conditions like hypertension impacting dental care—and vice versa. This vodcast features expert faculty discussing the importance of blood pressure screening in dental settings, emphasizing routine evaluation, medical risk assessment, and patient safety. It also reviews the 2025 AHA/ACC High Blood Pressure Guidelines to help dental professionals interpret readings, assess risk, and decide when to proceed, modify, or defer treatment.

Additional Resources

More Ways to Engage:

  • Support your patients in understanding the vital link between oral health and heart health by using our ready-to-print educational resources. These materials are designed for easy display in waiting areas and operatories, making them accessible and visible during patient visits.
  • Explore all components of the American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative to bring integrated care to life in your setting.

Learn more here!

Education and Training Opportunities

Male dentist with female patient and assistant in dental office

Office Hours: Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts Implementation Guide and Recognition Program

Dental professionals play an important role in overall patient wellness that extends far beyond the dental chair.

The American Heart Association invites you to join dedicated Office Hours designed to help you better understand how to integrate the "Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts" (HSHH) Blood Pressure Screening and Referral Implementation Guide into your practice. During these live sessions, AHA staff will provide step-by-step guidance on utilizing the HSHH blood pressure screening and referral implementation guide, explain the benefits and criteria of the HSHH Recognition Program, and walk attendees through the simple registration process. Elevate your practice's participation in integrated health by attending one of the upcoming sessions.

Register Today
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Delta Dental is a proud to collaborate with the American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative.

References

  1. Hopkins S, Gajagowni S, Yusuf Q, et al. Oral health and cardiovascular disease. Am J Med. 2024;137(4): pp.304-307. DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.11.022