Taking care of your teeth could have an impact far beyond your smile.
During a conversation with the Black Information Network's Vanessa Tyler at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference, Hiram Smith, Executive Director of Community Engagement for Rodeo Dental, discussed the connection between oral and overall health and efforts to make dental care more accessible.
For Smith, the issue is personal. He shared that after suffering a heart attack, doctors identified inflammation connected to untreated gum disease as a contributing factor, changing the way he thought about oral healthcare.
Research has established an association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, although the American Heart Association has cautioned that the evidence does not establish that gum disease directly causes heart disease.
Smith said access remains a major barrier, particularly in underserved communities where the cost of dental care, transportation and the ability to take time away from work can prevent people from getting treatment.
He also highlighted One Oral, an initiative aimed at making preventive dental care more accessible for families. Smith said the program combines services including 24-hour dental telehealth consultations, personalized oral healthcare kits and saliva-based testing that can provide information about oral health biomarkers.
Saliva testing can be used to measure a range of oral health markers, including bacteria associated with gum inflammation. Results are intended to complement, rather than replace, professional dental care.
Smith said his goal is to bring preventive care and information directly to communities, helping families address oral health concerns earlier and better understand the connection between their mouths and their overall health.
Listen to the full conversation below!
For more of our interviews from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 55th Annual Legislative Conference, check out Our Voices!
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