By JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA
February 13, 2026

A new AHA scientific statement just put dental hygienists in the spotlight.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recently released an updated scientific statement examining the relationship between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The update supports the goals of the Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative and reinforces the need for integrated care between dental and medical professionals in prevention and early detection.

The strength of these associations calls for collaborative care models that treat oral health as part of cardiovascular risk management.

Periodontal disease affects over 40% of U.S. adults aged 30 and older. It shares several risk factors with ASCVD, including smoking, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers continue to study whether periodontal disease independently contributes to cardiovascular disease. Associations have been observed between periodontal disease and several cardiovascular outcomes, including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and other cardiometabolic conditions. While the evidence does not confirm a causal relationship, the strength of these associations calls for collaborative care models that treat oral health as part of cardiovascular risk management.

Significant disparities in periodontal disease remain. It is more common among individuals with poor oral hygiene and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as men, older adults, and those with low physical activity. Social determinants of health, including lower socioeconomic status, food insecurity, and limited access to dental care, widen these gaps.

Researchers outline both direct and indirect biologic pathways that may explain the connection between periodontal disease and ASCVD. Direct pathways include bacteremia and vascular infection, while indirect pathways involve systemic inflammation. While the research does not prove cause and effect, these mechanisms may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk.

Interventions targeting periodontal disease have been shown to improve outcomes.

The update includes evidence supporting the benefits of periodontal treatment on cardiovascular health. Interventions targeting periodontal disease have been shown to improve outcomes such as blood pressure, HDL cholesterol levels, and systemic inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that oral health interventions could support cardiovascular risk reduction.

The statement calls for greater integration of dental and medical care. Prevention, early detection and patient education are central themes. Helping patients understand the oral-systemic connection—and improving communication across care teams—may reduce the burden of both periodontal disease and ASCVD. This approach aligns with broader efforts to address health equity and expand access to care for underserved populations.

Dental hygienists play a central role in this effort.

Dental hygienists play a central role in this effort. As frontline providers in oral healthcare, they are responsible for assessing periodontal status, educating patients about oral-systemic connections, and delivering preventive and therapeutic care. Hygienists can identify early signs of periodontal disease, reinforce lifestyle changes that reduce both oral and cardiovascular risk factors, and collaborate with medical teams to ensure integrated care. Their expertise in patient education and disease prevention makes them key partners in reaching underserved communities and expanding access to care.

To help put these recommendations into practice, the AHA will host a webinar, “Bridging Oral and Cardiovascular Health: A Discussion on the Connection and Coordination of Care” on February 27, 2026. This session will review the scientific evidence, discuss what this means for clinical practice, and highlight the work of the Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative.

The full scientific statement is available here.

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This article summarizes the findings of the scientific statement Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association as published online December 16, 2025.

JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA, is the ADHA Director of Education and Research, professor emerita in the Department of Dental Hygiene at ISU, past president of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists 2013-2016, and past president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association 1990-1991.