Taking Blood Pressure as Dental Hygienist? | @Toothlife.Irene & Tooth or Dare Podcast

RDH's...Are you taking BP at every visit?

In this episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast, Irene and Victoria break down one of the most common questions in dental hygiene:

“Is taking blood pressure at every visit mandatory?”

Patients often say:

“I’ve never had this done before.”

So what do the guidelines actually say?

We discuss:

• Is blood pressure screening mandatory in Canada or the U.S.?
• What provincial and ADA guidelines recommend
• What to do when a reading is over 180/110
• Can patients decline?
• When to defer treatment or refer
• Real clinical stories from practice
• The disconnect between dental and medical care

Clinical stories shared:

- A patient with BP over 200 systolic who went to ER and was later medicated

- A young patient with elevated BP who turned out to be pregnant with gestational diabetes

- Patients dismissed to physicians

- What happened when a patient was told by physicians, “We’re not concerned and monitor.”

- The disconnect between dental and medical frameworks

Blood pressure screening is strongly recommended — but in most places, not legally required. So, where does that leave us as preventive healthcare professionals?

We unpack it and discuss the following Resources & References:

CDHO Hypertension Advisory

https://cdho.org/advisories/hypertension/

CDHO Hypertension Factsheet

https://cdho.org/factsheets/hypertension-in-adults/

American Dental Association – Hypertension

https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/hypertension?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Today’s RDH – Pre-Operative BP Screening

https://www.todaysrdh.com/heart-health-importance-of-pre-operative-blood-pressure-screenings-in-the-dental-office/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Peer-Reviewed Study (PMC) – BP Screening in Dental Settings

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7523566/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

If you’re a hygienist, dentist, or healthcare provider navigating this conversation in your operatory — this episode is for you.

If you made it all the way down here, hit a like and share a comment.

Until next time, Peace out peeps! ✌️

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