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Article: BLOOD PRESSURE GUIDELINES AND SCREENING TECHNIQUES
- Article from:
- Dental Assistant
- Article date:
- March 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright American Dental Assistants Association Mar/Apr 2005. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Introduction
Taking patients' blood pressure during dental examinations is critical to their overall health. High blood pressure is a proven risk factor for cardiovascular disease, heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease. Many patients see a dentist more frequently than a physician, giving the dental team the responsibility to inform their patients of their blood pressure reading and how it can affect their overall health. Blood pressure should be taken at each annual dental examination and before procedures that cause apprehension, such as oral surgery. The patient should always be told what their blood pressure is, so they can keep track of differences themselves. Establishing a ...