Healthy Smiles Healthy Hearts™ Recognition Program

A patient’s oral health can be an indicator of overall health and well-being. Research shows that chronic gum inflammation may be associated with other chronic diseases including coronary artery disease and diabetes. Additionally, there are certain bacteria that live in the mouth that can travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, including the heart and lungs. While research has established a connection between oral health and cardiovascular health, linking these health specialties into an integrated care model remains a significant opportunity. 

The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative, in collaboration with Delta Dental, aims to improve health and well-being by helping dental care teams, primary care teams and patients to better understand and address the connection between oral and cardiovascular health.  

The Ready, Set, Go Implementation Guide was created to facilitate quality integration of blood pressure screen and refer into oral health practices. Once quality implementation is complete, our Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts Recognition program will acknowledge participating sites annually for their implementation and dedication to quality blood pressure screen and refer processes in oral health settings.