Physicians in Maine have had a new task added to their list. According to a recent article in the New York Times primary care doctors trained in Maine are learning to lance abscesses, pull teeth and perform other basic dental skills. Because Maine has about twice as many people per dentist as the national average, it has become necessary for physicians to step in and help treat oral health issues. Because oral health is an integral part of overall health, without treatment, children may have difficulty concentrating in school, eating, and speaking. Dental disease also increases the risk in adulthood for other chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Fortunately, oral health disease is almost entirely preventable. Good oral health begins with prevention in children, with access to preventive services such as dental sealants, fluoride, and regular visits to an oral health professional for exams and cleanings. Maine is now serving as an example of what can happen when access to these important services is denied.
Massachusetts has worked hard to remain a leader in health, including oral health. However, it is crucial that we speak up and demand that the mouth be put included in the body, and that oral health is included in overall health services. There is much that we can do as a community to ensure that we have enough oral health care providers to serve those in need and to create access to preventive services for everyone in Massachusetts.
To learn more about how to speak up for children’s oral health, please visit the Watch Your Mouth Campaign at www.WatchYourMouth.org or contact Christine at Ckeeves@hcfama.org.
Christine Keeves
While I think there is a place for physicians to practice dental work in a few very remote parts of the country, in general, primary care physicians need to focus their efforts on the prevention of oral disease.
For children that means taking risk histories, doing oral exams, giving advice about brushing, limiting sugary snacks and drinks, access to fluoride, and making early and timely referrals to dentists. In some states we can offer fluoride varnish in our office. For adolescents it’s all of this and safety issues and piercing risk education. For pregnant patients, we need to promote seeing the dentist, treating periodontitis to prevent preterm birth, and talk to mom about passing caries risks to her baby. And finally for adults and the elderly we need to promote flossing in addition to other aspects of oral hygiene, counsel about oral cancer risks and perform extensive oral health exams.
Many Americans have a medical home, long before they have a dental home – the first line of oral health promotion starts with physicians screening, advising and referring as needed.
I do agree that oral health is an integral part of overall health. Dental treatments and examinations are important, and it’s really impressive that these physicians are also able to help in performing basic skills in dentistry. I also agree with Mr. Silk though that its with physicians that advising is needed to find the right dental professional to properly take care of a child’s or anyone’s dental health.