Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry

Register      Login

VOLUME 18 , ISSUE 3 ( September-December, 2024 ) > List of Articles

REVIEW ARTICLE

Oral Physicians: Redefining Dentistry's Role in Chronic Disease Management

Steven Zhu, Navkiran Deol, Matthew Watt, Jaskiran Deol, Tejasvita Chandel

Keywords : Curriculum innovation, Dental care access, Oral-systemic links, Public health professional

Citation Information : Zhu S, Deol N, Watt M, Deol J, Chandel T. Oral Physicians: Redefining Dentistry's Role in Chronic Disease Management. J Oral Health Comm Dent 2024; 18 (3):126-130.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10062-0201

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 20-03-2025

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aims: This article aims to explore the evolving role of dentistry in chronic disease management by emphasizing the oral-systemic health connection and advocating for an interdisciplinary approach that positions dentists as pivotal players in early diagnosis and management of systemic diseases. Background: The connection between oral health and systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke has been increasingly recognized, highlighting the importance of an integrated approach to healthcare. Dentists, often the first to detect oral manifestations of systemic diseases, are uniquely positioned to contribute to early diagnosis and management, thereby improving patient outcomes and potentially reducing the burden on the healthcare system. Case description: The article discusses specific examples where oral health serves as an indicator of systemic conditions. For instance, periodontal disease is linked to diabetes, and oral inflammation may signal cardiovascular issues. By identifying these early signs, dentists can initiate timely interventions and coordinate with medical professionals to manage chronic diseases more effectively. Conclusion: The article concludes that the integration of dental care with general healthcare practices offers significant potential for improving public health. Dentists, acting as “Oral Physicians,” can contribute to preventive care and early management of chronic diseases, thus playing a crucial role in a more holistic, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system. Clinical significance: By recognizing and embracing their role in chronic disease management, dentists can enhance patient outcomes and help optimize healthcare resources. This integrated approach represents a promising avenue for addressing the growing burden of chronic diseases and improving overall public health.


HTML PDF Share
  1. Alpert PT. Oral health: The oral-systemic health connection. Home Healthcare Manag Pract 2017;29(1):56–59. DOI: 10.1177/1084822316651658.
  2. Reissmann DR, John MT, Schierz O, et al. Association between perceived oral and general health. J Dent 2013;41(7):581–589. DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2013.05.007.
  3. Chapple ILC. The impact of oral disease upon systemic health-Symposium overview. J Dent 2009;37(8):S568–S571. DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2009.05.022.
  4. Kapila YL. Oral health's inextricable connection to systemic health: Special populations bring to bear multimodal relationships and factors connecting periodontal disease to systemic diseases and conditions. Periodontology 2000 2021;87(1):11–16. DOI: 10.1111/prd.12398.
  5. Capodiferro S, Limongelli L, Favia G. Oral and maxillo-facial manifestations of systemic diseases: An overview. Med Kaunas Lith 2021;57(3):271. DOI: 10.3390/medicina57030271.
  6. Braz-Silva PH, Schussel JL, López Ortega K, et al. Oral lesions as an important marker for HIV progression. Dermatol Online J 2017;23(9):13030/qt9t26m7n3. PMID: 29469724.
  7. Pedreira EN, Cardoso CL, Barroso E do C, et al. Epidemiological and oral manifestations of HIV-positive patients in a specialized service in Brazil. J Appl Oral Sci Rev FOB 2008;16(6):369–375. DOI: 10.1590/s1678-77572008000600003.
  8. Lankarani KB, Sivandzadeh GR, Hassanpour S. Oral manifestation in inflammatory bowel disease: A review. World J Gastroenterol 2013;19(46):8571–8579. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i46.8571.
  9. Plauth M, Jenss H, Meyle J. Oral manifestations of Crohn's disease. An analysis of 79 cases. J Clin Gastroenterol 1991;13(1):29–37. DOI: 10.1097/00004836-199102000-00008.
  10. Leader D, Vujicic M, Harrison B, et al. Could Dentists Relieve Physician Shortages, Manage Chronic Disease? American Dental Association; 2018.
  11. Han SJ, Son YJ, Kim BH. Association between diabetes mellitus and oral health status in patients with cardiovascular diseases: A nationwide population-based study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021;18(9):4889. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094889.
  12. Casanova L, Hughes FJ, Preshaw PM. Diabetes and periodontal disease. BDJ Team 2015;1(1):7–11. DOI: 10.1038/bdjteam.2015.7.
  13. Dhadse P, Gattani D, Mishra R. The link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease: How far we have come in last two decades? J Indian Soc Periodontol 2010;14(3):148–154. DOI: 10.4103/0972-124X.75908.
  14. Weatherspoon DJ, Borrell LN, Johnson CW, et al. Racial and ethnic differences in self-reported periodontal disease in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA). Oral Health Prev Dent 2016;14(3):249–257. DOI: 10.3290/j.ohpd.a35614.
  15. Martínez-García M, Hernández-Lemus E. Periodontal inflammation and systemic diseases: An overview. Front Physiol 2021;12:709438. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.709438.
  16. Barranca-Enríquez A, Romo-González T. Your health is in your mouth: A comprehensive view to promote general wellness. Front Oral Health 2022;3:971223. DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.971223.
  17. James K, Toner M, Stassen LFA. Performing mucosal tissue biopsies in general dental practice. J Ir Dent Assoc 2011;57(4):203–208. PMID: 21922996.
  18. Nash D. The oral physician… creating a new oral health professional for a new century. J Dent Educ 1995;59(5):587–597. DOI: 10.1002/j.0022-0337.1995.59.5.tb02949.x.
  19. Gambhir RS. Primary care in dentistry: An untapped potential. J Fam Med Prim Care 2015;4(1):13–18. DOI: 10.4103/2249-4863.152239.
  20. Ward RE, Jamison PL, Allanson JE. Quantitative approach to identifying abnormal variation in the human face exemplified by a study of 278 individuals with five craniofacial syndromes. Am J Med Genet 2000;91(1):8–17. DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8628(20000306)91:1<8::aid-ajmg2>3.0.co;2-#.
  21. Nasseh K, Greenberg B, Vujicic M, et al. The effect of chairside chronic disease screenings by oral health professionals on healthcare costs. Am J Public Health 2014;104(4):744–750. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301644.
  22. Gordon SC, Kaste LM, Mouradian WE, et al. Dentists as primary care providers: Expert opinion on predoctoral competencies. Front Dent Med 2021;2.
  23. Blue AV, Mitcham M, Smith T, et al. Changing the future of health professions: Embedding interprofessional education within an academic health center. Acad Med J Assoc Am Med Coll 2010;85(8):1290–1295. DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0b013e3181e53e07.
  24. Valachovic RW. An introduction to the ADEA Commission on change and innovation in dental education. J Am Coll Dent 2010;77(2):4–6. PMID: 20836408.
  25. Mitchell PH, Belza B, Schaad DC, et al. Working across the boundaries of health professions disciplines in education, research, and service: The University of Washington experience. Acad Med J Assoc Am Med Coll 2006;81(10):891–896. DOI: 10.1097/01.ACM.0000238078.93713.a6.
  26. Dall TM, West T, Chakrabarti R, et al. The complexities of physician supply and demand: Projections from 2013 to 2025 final report Association of American Medical Colleges. 2015. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13111.57764.
  27. Raghupathi W, Raghupathi V. An empirical study of chronic diseases in the United States: A visual analytics approach to public health. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018;15(3):431. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15030431.
  28. Sippli K, Rieger MA, Huettig F. GPs’ and dentists’ experiences and expectations of interprofessional collaboration: Findings from a qualitative study in Germany. BMC Health Serv Res 2017;17(1):179. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2116-4.
  29. Friman G, Hultin M, Nilsson GH, et al. Medical screening in dental settings: A qualitative study of the views of authorities and organizations. BMC Res Notes 2015;8:580. DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1543-8.
  30. Bodenheimer T, Sinsky C. From triple to quadruple aim: Care of the patient requires care of the provider. Ann Fam Med 2014;12(6):573–576. DOI: 10.1370/afm.1713.
  31. Detsky AS, Garber AM. Uber's message for health care. N Engl J Med 2016;374(9):806–809. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1512206.
  32. Huffstetler A, Greiner A, Siddiqi A, et al. Health is primary: Charting a path to equity and sustainability (Primary Care Evidence Report 2023). Primary Care Collaborative. 2023. Available from https://www.aafp.org/dam/rgc/documents/publications-reports/reports/pcc-evidence-report-2023.pdf [Last accessed February, 2024].
  33. Rotenstein LS, Torre M, Ramos MA, et al. Prevalence of burnout among physicians. JAMA 2018;320(11):1131–1150. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.12777.
  34. Hodkinson A, Zhou, A, Johnson J, et al. Associations of physician burnout with career engagement and quality of patient care: Systematic review and meta-analysis. The BMJ 2022;378:e070442. DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-070442.
  35. Norful AA, He Y, Rosenfeld A, et al. Mitigating primary care provider burnout with interdisciplinary dyads and shared care delivery. J Eval Clin Pract 2022;28(3):363–370. DOI: 10.1111/jep. 13642.
  36. Owoc J, Mańczak M, Jabłońska M, et al. Association between physician burnout and self-reported errors: Meta-analysis. J Patient Saf 2022;18(1):e180. DOI: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000000724.
  37. Sinsky CA, Shanafelt TD, Dyrbye LN, et al. Healthcare expenditures attributable to primary care physician overall and burnout-related turnover: A cross-sectional Analysis. Mayo Clin Proc 2022;97(4):693–702. DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.09.013.
  38. Giddon DB, Swann B, Donoff RB, et al. Dentists as oral physicians: The overlooked primary health care resource. J Prim Prev 2013;34(4):279–291. DOI: 10.1007/s10935-013-0310-7.
  39. Ahern J, Singer S, Bhanja A, et al. Considering dentists within the healthcare team: A cross-sectional, multi-state analysis of primary care provider and staff perspectives. J Gen Intern Med 2022;37(1):246–248. DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06564-w.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.