Priority 13 from the Oral and Dental Health PSP

UNCERTAINTY: Do dental care professionals have a role in screening and treating for general health problems? (JLA PSP Priority 13)
Overall ranking 13
JLA question ID 0079/13
Explanatory note No strong evidence that the screening for general health problems undertaken by oral health professionals improves health outcomes. However, reviews highlight their ethical obligation to undertake screening.
Evidence

 None identified
Health Research Classification System category  Oral and gastrointestinal
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples Original questions refered to the current role of dentists as healthcare providers, and whether this could be extended to provide support in the following areas: alleviating pressures on the NHS, contributing to processes of diagnosis and referal, assisting in addressing the issue of childhood obesity and youth smoking,  containing the problem of malnutrition or chest infection in the aged, as well as influencing overall system health through the provision of periodontal health checks.
Submitted by  1 x patient, carer or member of public, 5 x health professionals
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0079
PSP name Oral and Dental Health
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP 38  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 12 December 2018