“Oral health is inextricably linked to an individual's overall health and well-being.” This is the message postulated by the American Dental Association as the ADA and the American Medical Association (AMA) began their media briefing held on February 23, 2006 entitled “Oral and Systemic Health: Exploring the Connection.” “Who benefits from medicine and dentistry working together? The patient!” stated ADA Executive Director James Bramson as he kicked off the joint media conference hosted by the ADA and AMA as a part of the ADA's national campaign to educate the public about the relationship between oral health and overall health. On this day “medical and dental experts shared their ongoing research” as to how a “relationship may exist between the health of the mouth and the entire body.” “The conference addressed periodontal inflammation; diabetes and periodontal disease; oral infections and cardiovascular risk factors; and pregnancy risks and periodontal disease. Additionally, a new report linking smoking and root canals was discussed.” Overall this historic media event (reportedly the first time the ADA and the AMA have worked together on a media briefing) “addressed how a multidisciplinary approach may lead to better overall health.” Congratulations to the ADA and AMA for this historic first step. Amen and welcome aboard! It would be wonderful if the ADA leadership and all its' members could be singing from the same page, so to speak, along with its' many ADA member practitioners in the field of TMD and/or craniofacial pain. These are practitioners who for years have worked tirelessly, across professional boundaries, for betterment of the health and well-being of their patients. This is a page (multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment) very familiar to those who devote their time and abilities to assist patients with TMD and/or craniofacial pain, a multi-faceted problem that often challenges even the most efficient, dedicated multi-disciplinary model. It is a problem that is far-reaching from the wealthy to the impoverished, from scholar to school drop-out. It knows no boundaries but it's alteration of physical and mental values often have a devastating impact on the well-being and overall health of each patient. This is why I say “Amen” to working together in developing and improving multidisciplinary approaches to better overall health. As the ADA continues its national campaign to educate the public about the relationship of dental health to overall health, I urge them to expand their horizons to include TMD and craniofacial pain. Dental and medical practitioners working together have had a major impact on patient health and well-being through an expanded understanding and treatment of TMD and craniofacial pain. In the dental profession, we have progressed from correcting occlusal relationships of teeth as the singular approach to treatment (although occlusion is an important entity) to an inclusive multidisciplinary approach that takes advantage of the advancement in medical technology, pharmacology, knowledge, and experience to minimize the potential of patient devastation from TMD and craniofacial pain. While this is not a formalized patient care model and not a perfect model, it is an effective, practical, practitioner developed model that allows us to freely communicate with our medical colleagues, and they with us for the improvement of patient care. It is a model proven to be very successful in the restoration of the health and well-being of patients with TMD and/or craniofacial pain. So, “Who benefits from medicine and dentistry working together?” “The patient!” WELCOME ABOARD, ADA, and AMA!
William F. Slagle, D.D.S.
Professor and Dean Emeritus
University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
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