The Forgotten Tooth: Dentistry and Medicine

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Periodontal disease and poor dental health are associated with the development of CVD, diabetes, stroke and preterm LBW, and disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people and low socioeconomic groups. In Tasmania, preventable tooth conditions are the number 1 cause of preventable hospital admissions. Despite the known benefits and cost effectiveness of early intervention, oral health remains outside the general scope of ‘health care’. Have you ever thought about why this is the case? In this session you will hear Dr Sid Garde and Dr Patrick Shanahan discuss why dentistry has remained outside the scope of medical care, how we can change this as doctors and why it’s so important to look after our pearly whites.

Speakers:

Dr Sid Garde

Dr Sid Garde is a general dentist currently in private practice in the greater Sydney region. Having grown up in New Zealand, Dr Garde completed his undergraduate dental studies at the University of Otago graduating in 2015. Alongside clinical practice, Dr Garde is working towards his doctorate examining the relationship between cardiovascular and periodontal diseases. His talk at the MDSC will concern the importance of integrating oral health as a part of systemic health.

Dr Patrick Shanahan

Dr Patrick Shanahan is an Oral Health Consultant, with particular interest and experience in the Aged Care, Mental Health, Aboriginal Health, General Practice & Disability sectors. In the past, he has worked with WA Public Health as a Dental Public Health Research officer investigating the unmet dental needs of older Australians, has has received grants to improve oral health outcomes in nursing homes, culminating in an appointment as Oral Health Consultant to WA’s largest aged care group. He has also developed his own programs to assist nurses, doctors, and the medically compromised to achieve better oral health outcomes. From 2004 to 2012, Dr. Shanahan developed the inaugural Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme programs for general practice, mental health, disability and aboriginal health. He is currently establishing an inaugural Primary Health Care Oral Health Providers Association (WA) Inc. to contract services to aged care, mental health and community organisations. He also has extensive clinical experience working in the United Kingdom and in Perth.