Dentists are less concerned about the general health of their patients, and medical doctors pay little heed to the oral hygiene of their patients.
Introduction
Dentistry and medicine have historically and traditionally been divided – from the curriculum, delivery of service and in many organizations, the insurance coverage.
Dentistry is a separate course rather than being sub-specialization in medicine like other fields of medicine. Dental students are taught almost similar basic medical courses but rarely in conjunction with medical students. In view of the fact that dentistry is separate, it has evolved considerably over the years, and further specializations in dentistry are attainable.
From a patient’s perspective
This divide has, however, kept the perspective that oral health is not linked with general health. Dentists are less concerned about the general health of their patients, and medical doctors pay little heed to the oral hygiene of their patients. Even a large number of hospitals do not have a dental section, and this becomes a burden for the patient.
It is true that dentists have a work environment that is different from doctors. Dentists work as surgeons and diagnosticians for oral diseases and have material knowledge in connection to dentistry. But for the most part, the divide is illogical; medical and dental health can not be viewed separately from a patient’s perspective. An argument could also be raised about other fields such as eye, ENT, skin etc., being taught as a separate course rather than pursuing them as specialization after a medical degree to save time and effort.
Oral health is a mirror for general health
The vast majority of adults in our society suffer from some kind of periodontal disease. Research has proven numerous links between oral and general health. It is well established that germs present in the mouth can cause cardiovascular disease or stroke if entered into the bloodstream, but new studies have suggested similar organisms from the oral cavity can be a source of pre-diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, medical and oral health are interdependent; keeping good oral health has many advantages. Along with a fresh breath and a healthy smile, it potentially reduces the risk of many systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis. On the other hand, keeping a healthy mouth also involves a whole-body approach. Maintaining a healthy weight by exercising, diet and quitting smoking are a few of the examples.
