The American Heart Association and Delta Dental of California have launched a set of resources designed to help dental practices incorporate blood pressure screenings and primary care referrals into routine dental visits. According to the association, the Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative establishes a standard of care for identifying hypertension and cardiovascular risk in dental settings.
The organizations note that each year millions of people visit a dentist but not another medical professional, creating a point of contact where chronic conditions may be identified earlier. According to the company, approximately 29 million people see a dentist but no other clinician annually. The American Heart Association cites hypertension as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke and states that early detection during dental visits could support timely referrals.
Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts provides an e-module and professional education covering the relationship between oral health and cardiovascular health, a standard screening and referral guide, and patient-facing materials that explain how blood pressure relates to overall health. The initiative aligns with a joint guideline released in August 2025 by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommending earlier treatment approaches for hypertension, including lifestyle modification and medications as appropriate.
"For many, the dental chair is the only point of contact with the health care system, and that makes dental professionals an essential partner in chronic disease early detection," said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention at the American Heart Association. "That early detection can lead to timely referrals, better outcomes and lives saved."
"The mouth is a gateway to the body, and oral health professionals have a powerful opportunity to integrate more into their patients' collective health care team beyond protecting their patients' teeth," said Daniel Croley, D.M.D., chief dental officer at Delta Dental of California and Affiliates. "By connecting oral health and heart health, this initiative helps dentists identify risks early and guide patients toward care that can improve and even save lives."
According to the association, consumers express openness to greater integration of dental and medical care. A 2024 survey conducted by The Harris Poll for the American Heart Association found that 88 percent of dental patients view their dental care team as part of their overall health care team, and more than 80 percent are open to having their blood pressure measured during dental visits. Yet the organizations report that only one in four dental patients currently receives a blood pressure screening during an appointment.
The initiative aims to support widespread adoption of standardized processes in dental settings. According to the company, the resources help dental professionals engage with current science on blood pressure management, adopt consistent screening and referral steps, and provide patients with educational materials on the connection between oral and cardiovascular health.
The American Heart Association describes itself as an organization dedicated to longer, healthier lives and says it advances science, policy, and community health through research funding and advocacy. Delta Dental of California and its affiliates provide dental benefits across multiple states and maintain a national network through the Delta Dental Plans Association.
More information on the joint initiative is available at www.heart.org/HealthySmiles.
