Dentists can be the first to diagnose some diseases

Filed under: Prevention

Some dentists are giving patients blood tests before and after the treatment of gum disease and these tests can help screen for more than 20 conditions, according to a Chicago Sun-Times report via the Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report.

Bacteria that cause gum disease can release by-products into the blood, which can increase blood sugar, cholesterol and C-reactive protein. If the treatment of the gum disease by the dentist does not lead to a lowering of these levels, it may indicate an underlying disease such as diabetes, heart disease, colon cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic heartburn. Such testing costs about $150 but is generally not covered by insurance according to Ronald Schefdore, a dentist who gives such blood tests.

According to Ivan Valcarenghi, another dentist profiled in the story, "If every dentist practiced this way, we could improve the health of the world overnight."

Might be something worth asking about at your next cleaning.

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[Source: The Cancer Blog]