(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
PATIENTS who receive dental care after a heart attack are better off.
A study, conducted by Dr. Romesh Nalliah and researchers at the University of Michigan, shows an association between oral health and overall health.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, found that patients who had heart attacks and received care for periodontal or gum issues had the shortest length of stay in the hospital and more follow-up visits.
The longest length of stay was experienced by the no-dental-care group.
“The periodontal care group had higher odds of having post-hospital visits,” said Dr. Nalliah, the study’s co-author and Associate Dean for Patient Services at the School of Dentistry, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
The study was based on the database of 2,370 patients who received periodontal care, dental cleanings or no dental care during 2016-2018 who also had acute myocardial infarction or heart attack in 2017.
Forty-seven percent of the patients received regular or other oral health care. Seven percent received active periodontal care (root planing and periodontal scaling). Ten percent received controlled periodontal care (maintenance).
More than 36 percent did not have oral health care before they were hospitalized after a heart attack.
The study looked at the possible link between periodontal care and heart attack hospitalization, and follow-up visits 30 days after.
It found that patients who received regular periodontal care had the shortest hospital stays and more follow-up visits in the next month.
There was no statistically significant difference between the group that received gum care and cleanings compared to those who had no dental care, according to the study.
“Dentistry is often practiced in isolation from overall health care,” said Dr. Nalliah, adding that the study shows evidence that medical and dental health are closely interrelated.
“More and more studies like ours are showing that it is a mistake to practice medicine without the thoughtful consideration of the patient’s oral health,” she said.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
