Gasping for Life

Presented by: Mark Cannon, DDS, MS

Original Publication Date: September 17, 2015

Course Description:

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.”- L. Frank Baum
Breathing is essential for life, and somehow, our understanding of its importance in the young is relegated to an afterthought. All published research reaffirms the great importance of airway patency for the child's normal development. This primary research that prompts early intervention will be explored, along with a description of clinical techniques, including but not limited to appliance therapy in treating oral and airway issues. Most importantly, the effect of the airway on the microbiome, neurological development, and systemic health (and their inter-relationships) will be discussed. As an exciting twist, the microbiome effect on the airway will additionally be explained, somewhat like the “circle of life” concept. Exceptional clinical cases will be presented, especially concerning young patients presenting with systemic symptoms.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognition of the importance of evolution on airway development.
• Familiarity with identifying the origins of airway constriction and the effects of diet/microbiome.
• Familiarity with protocol proposals for early orthodontic/orthopedic interventions.

Speaker Bio:

Mark L. Cannon received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Nebraska and then attended Northwestern University for his Masters of Pediatric Dentistry. He completed his Children’s Memorial Hospital residency and received his Diplomate status from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is a past president of the Illinois Society of Dentistry for Children, a Professor of Otolaryngology Division of Dentistry at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, and a member of the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry. In addition to maintaining an extensive private practice in the suburbs of Chicago, he is the Research Coordinator of the residency program at Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Cannon has presented guest lectures at the University of Athens, Greece; Sao Paulista State University, UNESP, Aracatuba, Brazil; the University of Texas- Houston; University of Alabama-Birmingham; and at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Department of Pediatric Dentistry.