For more than a few people, a trip to the dentist can raise their blood pressure. If that fear/anxiety raises your blood pressure to pre-hypertension levels—120-139 Systolic and greater than 80 Diastolic—then it might be risky treating that patient. That’s why Dr. Richard Wolfert, a South Weymouth dentist who goes by the moniker of The Toothboss, has added blood pressure screening as part of the comprehensive annual exam for patients.
“There are many reasons for doing a BP screening as part of a dental exam. Besides normal anxiety, some of the procedures we do utilize pharmacologies that can impact blood pressure. So having an accurate read prior to the start of treatment is extremely important, particularly if the patient has high blood pressure or is on medication for it,” said Wolfert. “The other part is that many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure, largely because they don’t get an annual check-up with their physician. A visit to the dentist should not replace that, but checking BP as part of the exam can alert patients to a potential problem.”
Hypertension or high blood pressure affects more than one in three adults in the United States. It’s also estimated that another 30 percent of the population has pre-hypertension. That’s blood pressure higher than what’s considered acceptable for an adult, 120 systolic/80 diastolic.
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“Prior to 2007, 135/85 had been considered an acceptable pressure. That now is considered pre-hypertension. So there’s a real need to stay on top of your blood pressure,” said Wolfert.
That’s a subject Dr. Wolfert does not take lightly. As a dental student, his professor assigned the students in class to practice taking blood pressure readings on friends and family. Wolfert practiced on his father. The first reading shocked him. So, he took another and another. Each came back with the same conclusion.
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“My father had high blood pressure. My practicing on him probably saved his life because I’m not sure he would have gone to the doctor on his own,” said Wolfert. “And that’s why we are taking this extra step by eventually doing blood pressure screenings on everybody who visits me or one of our hygienists.”
Dr. Wolfert’s practice is located at 1121 Main Street in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, and accepts most insurance plans. They also accept payment from most PPO and indemnity plans, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental.
For more information on The Toothboss, visit Dr. Wolfert’s website at www.toothboss.com or call 781-335-0604 to schedule a consultation.
About The Toothboss
The Toothboss offers: comprehensive examinations (written treatment and treatment plan provided); cosmetics; crowns, bridges and tooth-colored restorations; partial and full dentures; periodontics (early cases treated); oral surgery; restoration of conventional and small diameter implants; and emergency services (24-hour emergency phone number available).
The Toothboss accepts most insurance plans. They also accept payment from most PPO and indemnity plans, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental. They also accept all major credit cards and have arranged payment plans through CareCredit.
To schedule an initial consultation, please call 781-335-0604. For more information, visit www.toothboss.com.