Saturday, October 12, 2013

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Date: October 12, 2013

Contact: IntentionalDental Consulting

517-331-3688 or IntentionalDental@gmail.com

Dr. Lisa Knowles will be going way beyond 32 teeth on October 23rd, 2013, 5:00 p.m.EST. This University of Michigan dentist will launch her new blog site at Beyond32Teeth.com.

After fifteen years in practice, Dr. Knowles sold her own private practice to pursue a new direction in dentistry, dedicated to the education and implementation of a broader scope dental care plan.

"My new site is for dental professionals and patients who want to learn how the mouth can be a health indicator for problems with our systemic health. I was able to connect the dots for my patients, and I finally decided I needed to take this show on the road. It's my goal to help dentists recognize these early oral warning signs and then effectively communicate these signs to patients. Together, the patient and dentist form a very effective health alliance working towards better overall health--not just healthy teeth, but a healthy mind and body, too. They are not separate, and dental professionals serve as a great set of eyes and ears to first spot or hear about a problem."

The Surgeon General's 2000 report on Oral Health in America states the following:

"…. The mouth reflects general health and well-being. The mouth is a readily accessible and visible part of the body and provides health care providers and individuals with a window on their general health status. As the gateway of the body, the mouth senses and responds to the external world and at the same time reflects what is happening deep inside the body. The mouth may show signs of nutritional deficiencies and serve as an early warning system for diseases such as HIV infection and other immune system problems. The mouth can also show signs of general infection and stress...

Progress in understanding all of these early warning signs has been slow, but not without some success. There is a known correlation between heart disease and periodontal disease. Also, gum disease and diabetes are linked. However, more research and awareness is needed in the profession to continually push our healthcare services into a direction of collaboration and cooperation. Dentists serve as a unique hub to many healthcare providers because dentists often see patients preventively semi-annually and have the ability to communicate with patients about their overall health, in addition to their oral health.

"I have a hard time just talking to my patients about their cavities from an over-sugared diet when I see they also struggle with obesity and/or diabetes. Often these are caused by the same problem--poor nutrition, specifically, and coinciding with a lack of exercise. You do not have to be a nutritionist or a exercise physiologist to see this. As dentists, we can get better at referring our patients to resources in the community to help them lead a more balanced lifestyle," explained Dr. Knowles.

Dr. Knowles admits that talking to patients about sensitive topics such as obesity, dependencies, or mental wellness is no easy task. She recommends communication training and additional continuing education in nutrition and exercise health.

"It is difficult. I remember sweating pretty hard the first time I discussed childhood obesity with a parent. But, I also sweated pretty hard the first time I took out a tooth. It's just something we have to learn to do better as dentists. It starts with communication training and getting comfortable with the topics. It can be done," said Knowles with a smile.