Table of Contents
Special Section
Good Oral Health – More than a Beautiful Smile
Dental Branch dean discusses oral health as a gateway to overall health
Eyes opened wide at the River Oaks Country Club April 13 as Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, shared the seriousness of oral health in connection to overall health.
Eyebrows were raised each time oral health was linked to systemic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Recent studies show important links between periodontal disease
and an increased risk for premature births, heart and lung disease,
strokes, and poorly controlled diabetes," Flaitz said.
Looks of surprise were cast across tables with the mention of recent research that has found baby teeth to be a viable source for stem cells.
And quite a few guests nudged their neighbors when hearing that nearly 2,000 needy people had come to the Dental Branch on April 9 in search of much-needed dental care.
The expressions confirmed what Flaitz and many dentists of today already knew - not enough people know about the benefits of quality oral health education, research or service.
Flaitz's talk for the President's Executive Luncheon, "Oral Health - So Much More Than a Beautiful Smile," was right on target. The luncheon was hosted by James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the UT Health Science Center at Houston.
"I must say that the term 'oral health' is often misleading," Flaitz said. "A visual image pops up - beautiful smiles with perfectly shaped and aligned white teeth. It is important to realize that oral health is truly so much more. It is the gateway to overall health and positively linked to one's quality of life."
Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, talks with, from left, Rusty Schlattman II, D.D.S.; Jerry Long, D.D.S.; and Greg Condrey, D.D.S., Dental Branch alumni, at the April 13 President's Executive Luncheon. Photo by Kim Coffman
One of the first steps to quality oral health is access to the care that is needed. In April, the Dental Branch provided preventive and restorative dental services to nearly 500 needy people through Centennial Smiles II, co-sponsored by the Greater Houston Dental Society. Another 1,500 were encouraged to return for care another day.
A low percentage of practicing dentists, compounded by a high rate of those retiring, is partially to blame. A lack of dental insurance - 2.5 times the number who lack medical insurance - also contributes to the problem, Flaitz said.
Disease is no stranger to oral health. Dental caries (decay) is the most chronic childhood disease with over 50 percent of children having at least one cavity under the age of 10.
And to make matters worse, there is a serious disparity by income level, with 25 percent of the children having 80 percent of the caries. More than 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illnesses.
Flaitz reported that her coinvestigators at Texas Children's Hospital have received funding from the National Institutes of Health to evaluate replacing the bacteria that cause cavities with bacteria that protect against cavities, using probiotics, which are found naturally in mother's breast milk.
Information regarding periodontal disease, which affects up to 60 percent of adults, also produced quite a reaction from the crowd. "Recent studies show important links between periodontal disease and an increased risk for premature births, heart and lung disease, strokes, and poorly controlled diabetes," Flaitz said.
In addition, oral health is linked to head and neck cancer, which kills one American per hour. Because of this, the Dental Branch has continued to make strides in cancer research through the testing of a biopsy brush, the development of a special light for diagnosing the disease and the recruitment of a new scientist, Charles Streckfus, D.D.S., who researches ways to diagnose breast cancer through saliva.
Following the presentation Peggy Barnett, a member of the UT Health Science Center Development Board, said Flaitz' comments regarding access to care made a significant impression on her. "She made me realize that we have so much more to do," Barnett said.
Flaitz received a variety of questions from guests, including concerns about the use of fluoride in dentistry, access to dental care and even the flavor of the complimentary toothpaste that served as a party favor - Vanilla Mint.
"There are so many important advances going on at the Dental Branch, and that is why we are excited to capitalize on the rich resources within the Texas Medical Center, while also participating in Dr. Willerson's vision for the health science center," Flaitz said. "It is our goal to recruit the most compassionate clinicians and the brightest scientists and build a state-of-the-art dental school so that more Texans can reap the true benefits of a beautiful smile."