Comments on: New York Times: “Short of Dentists, Maine Adds Teeth to Doctors’ Training” http://blog.hcfama.org/2009/03/08/new-york-times-%e2%80%9cshort-of-dentists-maine-adds-teeth-to-doctors%e2%80%99-training%e2%80%9d/ The Ultimate Massachusetts Health Care Insider Information Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:02:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Mishca Porter http://blog.hcfama.org/2009/03/08/new-york-times-%e2%80%9cshort-of-dentists-maine-adds-teeth-to-doctors%e2%80%99-training%e2%80%9d/#comment-2251 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:24:13 +0000 http://blog.hcfama.org/?p=2501#comment-2251 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.

]]> By: Hugh Silk, MD http://blog.hcfama.org/2009/03/08/new-york-times-%e2%80%9cshort-of-dentists-maine-adds-teeth-to-doctors%e2%80%99-training%e2%80%9d/#comment-2250 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:30:11 +0000 http://blog.hcfama.org/?p=2501#comment-2250 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.

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