The California Dental Hygienists' Association Has Been
Invited to Participate in Steps to a HealthierUS

Februrary 21, 2004 - The California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) has been invited to participate in the 2nd National Steps To A HealthierUS Summit, April 29-30, 2004, in Baltimore, Maryland. The Steps To A HealthierUS initiative, launched by HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson in 2003, envisions a healthy, strong U.S. population supported by a healthcare system in which diseases are prevented when possible, controlled when necessary, and treated when appropriate.

The summit will focus on chronic disease prevention and health promotion, as well lifestyle choices, including nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco use. The CDHA will present evidence-based clinical preventive and intervention services that can be applied in a dental setting, to include, tobacco cessation, proper dietary choices and physical activity, as well as blood pressure control. The CDHA will illustrate the connection between chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, obesity, stroke) and lifestyle choices, and how dental hygienists can promote healthy lifestyles to prevent these chronic diseases. The CDHA will present information on the:

• American Dental Hygienists’ Association Smoking Cessation Initiative (SCI)
• Harvard School of Public Health recommendations on healthy eating
• American Heart Association recommendations on physical activity
• Joint National Committee recommendations on blood pressure control
• U.S. Health and Human Services Diabetes Detection Initiative (DDI)
• Healthy People 2010 objectives related to oral health and general health
• The role of the dental hygienist as healthcare team members in the U.S. healthcare system

The California Dental Hygienists’ Association will provide a poster presentation on the following abstract:

Abstract for the 2nd National Steps To A HealthierUS Summit, April 29-30, 2004.

Dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to screen for and monitor risk factors associated with heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes and oral cancer; also to provide and facilitate patient education. Dental hygienists have more interaction time with their patients, and their patients visit them two to four times per year when they perceive themselves as healthy. This conduct gives dental hygienists the opportunity to screen for underlying medical conditions for which the patient may be unaware. By taking a comprehensive health history, measuring blood pressure, obtaining nutrition and physical activity information, and identifying tobacco use, dental hygienists can establish the presence or risk of disease, and refer to an appropriate medical provider for further evaluation.

Many chronic diseases are discovered at a late stage in life when the patient is compelled to seek medical care. As prevention specialists, dental hygienists understand that early recognition and intervention can prevent or delay the onset of disease. Dental hygienists encourage care seeking on a regular basis whenever a problem manifests. Dental hygienists motivate to bring about healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding tobacco use, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and controlling blood pressure.

Dental hygienists are in a position to act in raising awareness that chronic diseases can be prevented and encourage healthy lifestyles so people can make informed decisions and take responsibility for their overall health.

Dental hygienists, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, can improve quality of life, reduce the burden of disease through lifestyle change, and effective health promotion and disease prevention measures.

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