Removing barriers to quality health care is critical to reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.

The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts Initiative focuses on:

• Engaging oral health professionals to create a new standard of care for heart health screening at the dentist’s office, with a focus on blood pressure screening and referral to primary care.
• Educating health care professionals, oral health care professionals and patients on the link between cardiovascular health and oral health.