Saving Lives: ‘Dentists can be valuable in combating hypertension’

In the absence of an effective healthcare system in Pakistan, dentists can screen their patients, warn them of risks.

KARACHI:

Dentists can effectively save lives by identifying hypertension in patients, said Fatima Jinnah Dental College (FJDC) head of dental public health, Dr Syed Hussain Askary.

He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Control Blood Pressure Save Lives’ during the blood pressure week organised by FJDC. “One in three people suffer from hypertension in Pakistan, 60 per cent of whom remain undiagnosed.” In the absence of an effective healthcare system in Pakistan, dentists can screen their patients, warn them of the risks and also ensure safety during dental treatment,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2013.