Dental patient reaction to electrocardiogram screening

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Dental Medicine
• Preventive Healthcare

Background:

• Routine dental care presents opportunities for broader health screenings.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening can detect cardiac arrhythmias.
• Integrating health screenings into dental appointments may improve patient access to care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient acceptance and tolerance of electrocardiogram (ECG) screening during routine dental treatment.
• To assess the feasibility and patient perception of ECG screening in a dental school clinic setting.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-one patients undergoing dental treatment at a dental school clinic participated.
• An electrocardiogram (ECG) was administered as a screening tool.
• Patient feedback on the experience, including ease, intrusiveness, and perceived value, was collected.

Main Results:

• The vast majority of patients found the ECG test easy to undergo and non-intrusive.
• Most patients considered the ECG screening a valuable service that should be available in dental offices.
• Twenty-six percent (24/91) of patients had arrhythmias, with six requiring medical referral prior to dental treatment.
• Few patients reported significant anxiety or concern regarding the ECG screening.

Conclusions:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening is a feasible and well-accepted procedure in a dental school clinic.
• ECG screening in dental settings can identify patients with potentially serious cardiac arrhythmias needing medical attention.
• The integration of ECG screening into routine dental care may enhance early detection of cardiac conditions.