Prevalence and severity of hypertension in a dental hygiene clinic

Abstract

This study assessed the prevalence and severity of hypertension in a dental hygiene clinic. Records of 615 patients, treated by dental hygiene students during 2003, were reviewed. Data collected included systolic and diastolic blood pressure, presence of \ I diabetes and renal' disease, non-modifiers (race, gender, age), and modifiers (marital status, smoking habits, and occupation). According to the JNC7 Classification, 154 (25%) of the subjects had Normal blood pressure readings, 374 (60.8%) had Prehypertension, and 87 (14.1 %) had Stag~ 1 Hypertension. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the JNC7 Classification between groups when considering the non-modifier, race (p = .02), and the modifiers, smoking habits· (p = .03) and occupation (p = .01). A statistically significant difference in the JNC7 Classification existed between groups with diabetes (p = .00). Several recommendations were made to align the dental hygiene clinic policy for assessing and diagnosing hypertension with the 2003 JNC7 Classification.