We all know that a twice-yearly check up at the dentist is important for healthy teeth and gums, but did you know that you can also have a Total Health Screen at a dental practice too?
Bridging the gap between doctors and dentists, a Total Health Screen can help identify any problems that might start in the mouth and then spread to the body. And Affinity Dental Care & Implant Centre in Gloucester is the only dental surgery in the county to offer them.
Conditions such as type 1 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke and Alzheimer's have all been linked to poor oral health. And a health screening can pick up on these using simple tests carried out by trained staff.
Dr Peter Workman, practice owner and clinical director at Affinity Dental Care & Implant Centre, said: 'Our Total Health Screens are quick and convenient, taking only a few minutes, but the benefits are immeasurable. By participating in a health screening, you gain an early risk awareness of any potential issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke; and armed with this vital data, you can make informed decisions about your health and lifestyle.'
Once an appointment has been made, a patient will attend the surgery, having fasted for two hours beforehand, and a member of the team will take a small amount of blood from a finger which will be fed into a special analyser, with the results provided instantly.
The tests check blood pressure, lipid cholesterol, glucose levels, BMI and height-to-weight ratio — and if any issues are picked up during the assessments, you'll be advised to chat to your GP for further investigations.
Anyone can use this health screening service — it's not just for patients of the surgery — in fact, you can be registered with a different dentist but still attend Affinity Dental Centre & Implant Centre for a test.
The Total Health Screen service costs just £49 for non-members. Patients at Affinity Dental can access this service as part of their dental plan. For more information or to book a screening, call (01452) 526526 or visit affinitydentalcare.co.uk/health-screening/.
