American Heart Association

Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™

Dentist with patient during exam

Chronic gum inflammation and oral pathogens play a role in cardiovascular health, contributing to systemic inflammation and elevated blood pressure. Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to detect early signs of systemic disease, including elevated blood pressure.

The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative, in collaboration with Delta Dental, is dedicated to bridging the gap between oral and heart health care. Together, we are working to improve health and well-being nationwide by helping patients, dental care teams and primary care teams to better understand and address this connection.

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A Commitment Toward Integrated Health Care

Hear from American Heart Association and Delta Dental leaders on how we're helping patients, dental care teams and primary care teams better understand and address the connection between oral and heart health.

The Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative aims to advance equitable, integrated care by:

  • Giving dental and primary health care teams the tools and resources they need for prevention, early detection and better patient care coordination.
  • Helping patients and the public understand the connection between oral health and heart health and the steps they can take to protect both.

Turn Every Dental Visit into a Complete Health Check!

Red tooth

Every year, approximately
29 million people
have a dental visit but not a medical visit.

For many, the dental chair is the only point of contact with the healthcare system, and that makes dental professionals an essential partners in chronic disease early detection. Incorporating simple medical screenings like blood pressure checks into routine dental care, dental teams can help identify patients at risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, often before symptoms appear. This early detection can lead to timely referrals, better outcomes, and lives saved.

Ready to take action in your practice?

Help your dental team become a frontline partner in heart health. Here’s how you can get started:

Build Knowledge with Professional Education

Group of health professionals sitting and taking notes in class

Understand the oral-heart health connection and how to collaborate across care teams.

  • Access our interactive eModule to learn how oral inflammation and blood pressure relates to cardiovascular risk.
  • Discover best practices for interdisciplinary collaboration between dental and primary care teams.
  • Learn when and how to refer patients for medical follow up.

Start the eModule

Implement a Standard Screening and Referral Protocol

Two health care professionals in discussion

Use our evidence-based tools to screen, educate and refer patients.

  • Follow our validated protocol for blood pressure screening in dental settings.
  • Educate patients on their readings and what they mean for heart health.
  • Refer patients with elevated readings to primary care using our streamlined process.
  • Be recognized as a Heart Health Champion with our HSHH Recognition Program.

Coming soon

Engage Patients with Education Materials

Dentist reviewing a patient's options at her appointment

Empower patients to take charge of their total well-being.

  • Display materials in waiting areas and operatories for easy access
  • Encourage patients to follow up with their medical providers

Whether you are focused on improving your oral health or heart health, helping a loved one improve theirs, or you are a health care professional committed to offering the best care, Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ is here to support you. Together, we can create healthier communities, one smile and one heartbeat at a time.

Do you have a question or need support? Please contact: [email protected]


Learn more about the connection between oral health and heart health and how you can take care of both. 

Delta Dental is proud to collaborate with the American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative.
Learn more about Delta Dental(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window).

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