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Dentists in Great Britain are being asked to check on more than just their patients’ oral health.
In addition to their regular dental duties, these dentists may also monitor a patient’s eating habits, checking to see if the patient is maintaining a healthy diet. The dentists may also administer tests involving checking for STDs like Chlamydia.
These changes are being made because poor dental health may lead to subpar overall health. If these steps are taken, if will only result in a healthier population.
These changes to some dentists’ responsibilities are a result of the lack of knowledge many younger people have about the impact that oral health has on overall health. For example, there are roughly 80,000 people in Great Britain that have diabetes without knowing it.
There are some dental practices that want to take on an even larger role to prevent some diseases. There are now diabetes testing centers being set up by dentists.
Some oral and dental tests are much more encompassing than just looking for dental problems. If these tests can combine with dentists looking for other health issues that stem from dental problems, then people, as whole, will be healthier.
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