INTEGRATING ORAL HEALTH CARE ACROSS NON-DENTAL PROFESSIONALS: Part 1: How oral health and cardiovascular health, diabetes and cognitive decline are related
Associate Professor Rachel Martin, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Melbourne & Western Sydney University & Director, Australian Network for the Integration of Oral Health (NIOH) & Director, Australian Dental Research Foundation
Dr Ajesh George, Professor of Interprofessional Oral Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University & Co-Founder & Director, Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health – ACIOH
SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne & Liverpool, NSW | January 2025
Poor oral health can contribute to or exacerbate several systemic health conditions due to the close connection between oral bacteria, inflammation, and systemic processes. These conditions include cardiovascular health, diabetes, respiratory health, cognitive health, pregnancy and birth outcomes.
The Australian Network for the Integration of Oral Health (NIOH) was founded in 2017 to promote and drive the alignment and integration of oral and general health systems. The mission of NIOH is to promote collaborative practice among various health professionals, enhancing access to oral health services and encouraging early preventive care. NIOH has over 120 members across universities, government agencies, not-for-profits, consumer groups, and industry within Australia.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Associate Professor Rachel Martin, Director at NIOH about the oral health being intricately linked to overall health, particularly concerning two prevalent diseases: periodontal disease and dental caries, which often go untreated.
Assoc Prof Martin, talks about primary healthcare practitioners playing a vital role in early intervention by proactively asking patients about symptoms such as loose teeth and bleeding gums. She comments on AIHW statistics on Australians hospitalised despite potentially preventable oral conditions, underscoring the need for timely care.
The Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (ACIOH), is the research arm of NIOH. Dr Ajesh George as Co-Founder & Director, of ACIOH spoke to Australian Health Journal about the opportunities that clinical professionals, in dental health care and general health care can play in integrated models of health care and on prevention, early intervention to reduce the burden of disease in Australia.
To see the Australian Health Journal segment, “Integrating oral health care across non-dental professionals, Part 1: How Oral Health and Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes and Cognitive Decline Are Related”, click here.
-
Integrated oral health care in midwifery practice
There is limited emphasis being placed on perinatal oral health by prenatal care providers in Australia. Pregnant women have no system in place that can offer them regular oral assessment during pregnancy and prompt dental treatment at minimal or no cost as experienced in other countries. To address the oral health needs of pregnant women, a unique midwifery initiated oral health (MIOH) model was developed to promote and maintain maternal oral health.
-
Bridging the orthodontic knowledge gap
In recent years, the orthodontic sector has been growing rapidly due to success in B2C marketing and companies like Invisalign reaching the consumer, but there has also been a lack of knowledge sharing among general dental practitioners and specialists.
General dentists require mentorship and guidance from orthodontists to feel confident in providing orthodontic treatment to their patients, ultimately improving the quality of care in the community.
-
Updated handbook on chronic kidney disease management in primary care
Kidney Health Australia’s latest kidney disease guide for primary care practitioners is expected to be pivotal in slowing down the rates of kidney failure, which have doubled in the past 20 years and if left unchecked will grow by a further 42% by 2030, according to the health charity.
With specific reference to new kidney treatments and culturally safe kidney care for First Nations Australians, the 5th edition of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management in Primary Care handbook, known as the ‘kidney bible’, is a significant step-up in enabling earlier diagnosis of kidney disease for GPs and other front-line healthcare professionals.
