Emphasizing the Medicine in Dental Medicine

TRADITIONALLY, public perception of the dental profession has mainly focused on ensuring the health of the teeth and gingiva. It is still common for individuals to make the distinction between a “doctor” and a “dentist,” rather than distinguishing between a “physician” and a “dentist,” which is the more appropriate terminology for these types of healthcare providers. In recent times, oral health care providers have not only been appreciated for maintaining oral health, but also for their ability to identify systemic diseases that initially present with signs and symptoms affecting the oral cavity.1 Autoimmune, gastrointestinal, and hematologic disorders are but a few systemic conditions that can initially present with oral manifestations, such as ulcers, masses, and/or chemosensory disturbances.1 Patients with these complaints often present to several health care providers for evaluation and management without satisfactory results. In these instances, it is often the dentist who makes the connection between oral and systemic conditions, which starts the patient down the path toward effective management.

Read the full document now.