Dentists as Oral Physicians: Why Modern Dentistry is So Much More Than Teeth

Dentists are uniquely positioned to be an effective and critical part of a patient’s primary healthcare team. Oral health and systemic health are intimately related, and the dental team may currently be the most untapped resource for patients seeking improvements in not just their oral health, but their general health as well. Making a profound difference in the health of a patient does not have to be complicated, and you don’t have to bite off more than you can chew. Just understanding how to ask the right questions on a health history and making an effort to have more effective conversations can be enough to save a life.