The Oral / Systemic Connection: Working Together to Prevent Heart Attacks and Ischemic Strokes
Why Dentists, Oral Surgeons, Periodontists, and Dental Hygienists should attend the Bale/Doneen AAOSH program?
Current literature is abundantly clear that the human organisms is a single unit composed of a seemingly infinite number of biologic processes that are so intertwined that abnormalities and diseases of any of its parts have a profound effect on multiple body areas, not just the organ or system directly affected. (Referenced from The American Journal of Cardiology and Journal of Periodontology Editors’ Consensus: Periodontitis and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease; J Periodontol, 2009; 80:1021-1032 and J of Cardiol 2009)
The aim of this document was to provide health professionals, especially cardiologists and periodontists, a better understanding of the link between atherosclerotic CVD and periodontitis, and the basis of current information, an approach to reducing the risk for primary and secondary atherosclerotic CVD events in patients with periodontitis.
In 2010, a similar consensus statement was made concerning this relationship between chronic periodontal infections and cardiovascular diseases: The European Society of Cardiology Consensus Document.
“As Periodontitis continues to have a high prevalence within the population, and the fact the CVD remains the major cause of human death in developed countries, in light of these associations we can legitimately, based on evidence, state that oral health has an influence on systemic health in general and on CVD in particular. Therefore we should promote oral health in general and periodontal health in particular as part of a healthy life style and hence as an important component in the prevention of CVD.” (Sanz M.: European Society of Cardiology April 2010)
These two documents are clear evidence that both the medical and dental professionals should all be aware of this important relationship between chronic periodontal diseases and heart disease. More importantly, each care giver should be aware of the need for early diagnosis and early treatment of both atherosclerosis and chronic infections such as periodontal diseases.
The dental clinician has been elevated to the need to know more about this important new role and is now in an important position to help achieve these goals: the prevention of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. However, the dental population at large needs to know how he/she can be involved and how to work with the medical team.
The Bale/Doneen/Nabors presentation is designed to help all health professionals (including the dental profession) understand each unique role that should be assigned: And, how physicians of all kinds communicate with each other through laboratory science.
Disease must be measurable and quantifiable. Plus, end stage treatment goals must be clearly outlined for each medical professional. Thus, this course will help you find your place in becoming a partner to the physician in preventing heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Please, find the time and the place: many of your patients that are in your practice may be already at risk.
Your role as a Dentist, Periodontist, Oral Surgeon or Dental Hygienist will be elevated to becoming the oral medicine expert that we all need to become. The lives of your family and the lives of your patients may depend on you.
The Oral / Systemic Connection: Working Together to Prevent Heart Attacks and Ischemic Strokes
Presenters: Brad Bale, MD; Thomas W. Nabors, DDS, FACD; Amy Doneen, RN, BSN, MSN, ARNP
AAOSH Scientific Session - June 2011, Chicago IL
Our Combined Mission:
“The medical and dental communities must join in partnership to recognize at the earliest possible time those at risk for vascular diseases. We must understand both the systemic and oral risk factors. And, we must compassionately treat each person at risk as an individual with quantifiable therapies that are understood by the patient and by all that are involved in the care of each patient.”
Course Objectives:
- To show that both systemic health and oral health are important to save the lives of our patients that are at risk for arterial disease, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
- To show the scientific evidence that the body is interconnected and that disease at any location may present risk to all areas of the body: not just the area affected.
- To help create a strategy of early intervention for all health care professionals in the earlier diagnosis and treatment of these patients. Including …
- When should a dentist refer a patient to a physician? Why?
- When should a physician refer a patient to a dentist? Why?
- What tests will the physician run?
- What tests will the dentist run?
- What risks do these combined tests and evaluations equate to regarding heart disease, stroke and diabetes?
- Who should each clinician refer to?
- To show the cumulative effect of many sources of inflammation that may increase risk: Including the oral / systemic connection.
- To help create a community of physicians and dentists that understands how to evaluate risk, to communicate with each other, and to effectively treat these patients.