Dental News - Interview: Make the body-mouth connection for optimal health

Robert Selleck, DTA

Thu. 1 March 2012

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia: If there’s a journal article, research study or other report linking oral health to some broader aspect of wellness, Uche Odiatu, DDS, doesn’t just know about it — he can quote it and give you a concise, compelling summary of the science behind the findings.

And these days that covers a lot of territory: hardening of the arteries, heart disease, diabetes, liver cancer, blood cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer’s, preterm babies, poor digestion, poor wound healing, obesity, poor sleep quality and, perhaps most critical of all, inflammation with no anatomical borders — all have scientific evidence connecting them to oral health.

That’s prompted Odiatu to take on a one-man mission to share the most critical aspects of such research with fellow dental professionals. He steps away from his Toronto dental practice and personal-fitness ventures often enough to deliver about 30 presentations a year, turning dry, academic analysis into an entertaining, engaging multimedia performance.

“Dentists and hygienist don’t have time to read all the journals and research papers,” Odiatu said, “especially the research that’s coming from outside the dental profession. I’ve seen this dental/whole-health connection even appear in exercise physiology literature.

It’s challenging enough to keep up with dental-specific sources. My job is to stay up to date in this area. I gather together all of these snippets from across all disciplines — and I focus on the science — the evidence — that demonstrates a causal connection between the mouth and systemic health.”

Pacific Dental Conference attendees are getting two chances to hear Odiatu’s message, when he presents “The Body Mouth Link: Make the Connection for Optimal Health,” from 9-11:30 a.m. and again from 2-4:30 p.m. on March 8. Odiatu answered questions from Dental Tribune about his presentation.

Dental Tribune: Some dental professionals must be feeling pressure to be a patient's physician, psychologist, psychiatrist and nutritionist. Isn’t that just too much to take on?
Dr. Odiatu: Dentists are pretty amazing. Same with hygienists and dental assistants. We all have our continuing education conferences and requirements. We all want to keep getting better at what we do. We all want to stay on top of things.

There are always new procedures, new instruments and new techniques to try. And our patients demand us to be on the leading edge of what’s out there in the media. Patients are online Googling “mouth and body health” before their appointments. They’re researching antibiotics and wisdom teeth, and they have access to much of the same information that we do. Patients want to know about the oral systemic link, and we need to be prepared for that.

Is it possible to prompt patients to change behaviour? Shouldn’t a dental professional just offer facts and leave behaviour decisions entirely to the patient?
I think we can rise to the occasion. I think we can be on the cutting edge. Dentists and hygienists are known to be prevention focused. The way you influence behaviour isn’t by being a talking head. Telling isn’t teaching. Dentists and hygienist need to be aware of their expanded ability to change behaviour by being authentic role models — and teachers.

So, “teacher” is yet one more responsibility being added to the dental professional's list?
The word “doctor” comes from the Latin that means “teach.” It’s true that this is a whole new way to look at our profession. And also, it’s much more rewarding and fulfilling and interesting to look at a patient as a whole person. We also need to be aware that not everybody likes to receive information in the same manner. I help people learn how to recognize learning preferences. Some patients are going to be more visual, others auditory, others kinesthetic and some all three.

Many physicians understand that when a patient leaves the room about 50 percent of the information will be forgotten. Twenty percent of prescriptions don’t get filled. And only 60 percent of patients take medication the way they’re supposed to. I act out how to connect with different learning styles. I share examples showing how fulfilling it is to be a good communicator. It makes you a better care provider. We’re more than just being about helping people look good in their wedding pictures or graduation picture.

Is there risk that whole-body-health advocacy can drive patients away?
My patients tell me, “I enjoy the fact that you’re looking out for all of me, not just my mouth.” As I refer more patients to other allied professionals, I’ve seen referrals to my practice increase from medical doctors, personal trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists. There isn’t just a patient-health benefit to be realized. It also raises awareness in the community about the mouth/body connection.

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