This recently issued report, and the actions produced by it, will have great impact on the expanding role of dentistry in the eyes of the public, and the way that dentistry is practiced as an integral part of the health care system in the future. Some key quotations from the report:

“The terms oral health and general health should not be interpreted as separate entities. Oral health is integral to general health; this report provides important reminders that oral health means more than healthy teeth and that you cannot be healthy without oral health”.

“A thorough oral examination can detect signs of nutritional deficiencies as well as a number of systemic diseases, including microbial infections, immune disorders, injuries, and some cancers. Indeed, the phrase the mouth is a mirror has been used to illustrate the wealth of information that can be derived from examining oral tissues".

Studies have demonstrated an association between periodontal diseases and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The past half century has seen the meaning of oral health evolve from a narrow focus on teeth and gingiva to the recognition that the mouth is the center of vital tissues and functions that are critical to total health and well-being across the life span.

US Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General-- Executive Summary. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 2000. www.nidcr.nih.gov/sgr/execsumm.htm

Wellness-oriented dentists consider their patients as members of the practice, as membership is a win/win two-way street. The practice member must be a partner in the therapy on a daily basis. The Practice specializes in oral health and believes that this is an essential part of, and cannot be separated from, general health. They care for the long-term welfare of the whole person as a part of the healthcare team.

These concepts have been applied over the last 20 years by the followers of Dr. Omer K Reed as part of movement away from one tooth at a time “episodic” dentistry to Comprehensive Care where a lifetime relationship is established between the practice and the person coming for care. These practices have broken out of the managed care- third party driven model of dentistry where the insurance industry defines how much and what kind of health care is sufficient and appropriate.

The wellness model provides greater professional fulfillment and the ability to establish fruitful long-range relationships with patients. Surprisingly, the result also is greater profitability for the practice. Just as most businesses find, it is much more efficient to retain existing customers than attract new ones. While it may cost the patient less to stay well than to get well, the dentist spends less attracting and enrolling new patients and looses fewer patients because they can see the value of the wellness partnership over the conventional practice’s model of chasing disease and drilling and filling cavities.

Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and other Systemic diseases. A good overall review of the relationship may be found at the website of the American Academy of Periodontology.

The most Significant research finding was The first National Health and Nutrition Examination survey followed 9760 subjects for 14 years. DeStafano and co-workers found that individuals with periodontitis at baseline had a 25% greater chance of having coronary artery disease. After adjusting for age, gender, race, education, poverty index, marital status, blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking, men with periodontitis had a 1.72 fold greater chance of cardiovascular disease!

While there is a wealth of information available today some significant papers include:

"The Link Between Systemic Conditions and Diseases and Oral Health." American Association for the Advancement of Science, University of Michigan dentistry Prof. Walter Loesche

The Link between Periodontal Disease and stroke presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 51st annual meeting in Toronto.

The Relationship Between Oral Malodor, Gingivitis and Periodontitis, A Review by Perry Ratcliff and Paul Johnson

“Women With Periodontal Disease More Likely to Deliver Premature Babies” American Academy of Periodontology's Specialty Conference on Periodontal Medicine in Washington, D.C http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1d077e.htm

Current understanding of the Causes of Periodontial Disease.

It was once thought that the presence of subgingival plaque and calculus resulted in gingivitis and that if untreated, gingivitis would always progress into periodontitis

Bacterial Infection
More recently it has been shown that certain bacteria caused periodontal disease. However because of the hundreds of possible candidates it has been difficult to identify the species precisely. The best evidence points to P(orphyromonas) gingivalis, and A(ctinobacillus) actinomycetemcomitans. B(acteroides) forsythus, Provetella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Campylobactum rectus, Eikenlla rectans and spirochetes have also been implicated.

However these bacteria would not normally be able to penetrate the epithelial barrier without the presence of volatile sulfur compounds that are created by oral microbial putrefaction, which attack the gums. These substances that include hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan, are also the primary cause of Halitosis

Chlorine Dioxide has been demonstrated to be an effective tool in the treatment of periodontal disease, by simultaneously neutralizing the VSC’s while being an effective bactericide. Over the last ten years of use in the office and for home care, it has been shown to control bleeding, reduce pocket depths and eliminate Halitosis, while having no known side effects..

The leading company in applying, Chlorine Dioxide in dentistry, founded by periodontal researcher Perry Ratcliff. Their research results my be found at http://www.rowpar.com/research.htm.

The Partnership for Oral Wellness The objectives of the Partnership for Oral Wellness are:

1. To produce the healthiest population of people on the planet by defining a relationship with our practice members where we are mutual activists for their oral health.
2. To demonstrate scientifically that comprehensive dentistry combined with preventative care offers the best value in healthcare.
3. To demonstrate that practices operating on this model are far more productive and profitable than the current mode of dentistry.

It is part management program, part clinical research but most of all it is good for your patients.

The program includes:

1. Membership in the ExceptionalPractice Network to support the implementation of Oral Wellness and comprehensive dentistry in the practice.
2. The availability of samples of Rowpar Pharmaceuticals products at reduced rates to introduce the program to your patients.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader for the documents below. Click here if you don’t yet have it on your computer.

To Learn about the Oral Wellness Partnership and assist you in implementing the Oral Wellness Concept in your practice download The Oral Wellness Partnership

To get the full story on Oral Wellness download our Oral Wellness Overview. This material is mastered by all team members participating in the Oral Wellness project.

To Test Your Knowledge of Oral Wellness, Take Our Online Oral Wellness Exam. All Team members and doctors must pass this knowledge requirement.

Patient Education - This web page may be added to your website to educate your patients regarding Oral Wellness.

Ride the Light to the Diamond Age of Dentistry - View presentation

Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy - View presentation

The Centers for Dental Medicine - View presentation