Evolutionary Oral Medicine

Presented by: Mark Cannon, DDS

Original Publication Date: July 19, 2017

Course Description:

The epidemic of chronic diseases did not start overnight but had its origin thousands of years ago. The first sign was the shift in the oral microbiome, but then the other “gateway” microbiomes would shortly follow. How did this all happen? What can we do to “save mankind”? Action is absolutely required as we have shifted the microbiome that co-speciated with homo sapiens over millions of years, and we haven’t a clue what direction we are now headed. Modern epigenetically derived diseases are now commonplace in children, such as A.S.D, anxiety, depression, I.B.D., obesity, diabetes, and allergies, creating a lifetime of illness. Modern medicine responded with numerous medications, all well-meaning, but all with their own specific set of side effects. Oral health specialists should be at the forefront of the battle to improve health. Fortunately, there is indeed hope, as new research has determined where we once were and where we must find our way back to. This presentation concludes with all the latest promising modalities to restore our health.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how and when the epidemic of "modern” disease started.
• Discuss how the health status of our ancestors will discussed along with data concerning their health conditions. Discover that it is not just about the pathogens but also about the commensals!
• Discover the modern health conditions, especially the epigenetically initiated diseases that have occurred due to the microbiome shifts. This will be documented for the attendees and a timeline of events.
• Examine the concepts of future treatment modalities that will restore the health of our population.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Mark L. Cannon is a native of the mid-west, born and raised in Nebraska. He 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.

After completing his hospital residency and obtaining his Master's in the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Cannon was asked to stay as a Faculty member of Northwestern University Dental School. He has continued his teaching as a Clinical Associate Professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine. He is the Research Coordinator for the Pediatric Dental Program at the Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Cannon has been very involved in research for many years, developing many new products and techniques for dentistry and obtaining patents.

He is a past president of the Illinois Society of Dentistry for Children and a member of the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry. In addition to maintaining an extensive private practice in the suburbs of Chicago, he has lectured at many national and international meetings, often as the keynote speaker. He has presented to a large number of state and local dental societies. Dr. Cannon is a guest lecturer at Sao Paulista State University, UNESP, in Aracatuba, Brazil, and at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

He has had presentations to the following organizations; I.A.D.R./A.A.D.R., the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Society of Dentistry for Children, Academy of Dental Materials, World Congress of Biological Materials, International Association of Pediatric Dentistry, Pediatric Dental Association of Asia, Australasian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, World Congress of Preventive Dentistry, Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Mexican Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.