Maria Papavergos shares what she learned through conversations with six key figures in oral health, from the mouth-body connection to counteracting negative bias.
Knowledge is power. Power for behavioural change, power for better health. When I look into my patients’ mouths, I realise there is so much people don’t know.
Oral health is overlooked. Historically, dentistry has been a ‘fix the problem’ service, with little time and little value placed on education and prevention. And yet, the vast majority of the disease we treat is preventable. Moreover, it is not just the dental profession, but the education system that misses out on the message of health. Schools are not teaching children to be healthy, with sweets for snacks and processed foods presented. We have created a culture of snacking, compounded with poor food choices and a void in communication as to how lifestyle connects to our bodies, how health connects to our mouths.
‘It doesn’t have to be this way’
Looking into my patients’ mouths, there is so much I want to say. To motivate them, to enlighten them, to empower them. Because dental disease is debilitating, and it doesn’t have to be this way. We, as dental professionals, have an opportunity; to connect to our patients and have conversations that count.
People need to know that their mouths are the gateway to their health. The statistics for dental disease in children are stark, and they deserve better. As a mother, I see the challenges of mixed health messaging and, as a profession, we can help people and parents navigate through this noise. It’s time to pick out the facts from the fads, the experts from the influencers and make mouths matter.
This is why I launched my podcast, Straight to the Mouth – giving the real experts a voice, creating accessible conversations that connect professionals and patients, putting the mouth on the map to health. Here are some of my takeaways from the key voices in oral health I have spoken to on the podcast.
Professor Iain Chapple MBE – the mouth-body connection
Iain Chapple, professor of periodontology, eloquently articulates the importance of the mouth-body connection. By breaking down the science, he is breaking down barriers to achieving better oral health. Iain has the ability to educate without arrogance, explaining the condition of periodontitis, unpicking what inflammation is, exploring the mouth as an organ and why it is critical to full body health. He offers implementable advice and will broaden the perspective of any dentist. He might even get you squatting when you brush your teeth!
Victoria Sampson – salivary diagnostics and microbiome testing
Victoria Sampson is a dentist and researcher, known for her work in developing salivary diagnostics and microbiome testing. She explores the role of saliva in disease prevention and the path to personalised care.
Nicola Moore – nutrition and the mouth
When I talk about nutrition to my patients, I often notice their mouth is not considered. Healthy eating often completely bypasses the mouth and focuses just on the gut. Nutritional therapist Nicola Moore’s enthusiastic, down-to-earth approach is contagious. She sharpens the focus on nutrition through an oral health lens and explores how we can reframe snacking and make positive dietary swaps.
Diet can be a difficult conversation to address in the dental setting, and can be a sensitive subject. Nicola outlines some simple strategies, taking it back to basics, that could improve our patients’ dietary patterns, while empowering us professionals to impart some achievable advice. The more knowledge and education we have as the dental team, the more confident and happier we will feel to speak to our patients and engage them in their health journey towards better oral and overall health.
This is a conversation to help our patients; an avenue into a difficult discussion. A conversation to share, to encourage awareness without preaching. A conversation for schools and institutions to take heed, to shift towards a culture that cultivates health.
Sophie Maclaren – counteracting negative bias
With my background as a yoga teacher and with wellbeing at the heart of my ethos, drawing our attention to mindfulness as part of our daily professional lives, is another essential conversation. Connecting to our minds and becoming conscious of our patterns of behaviour can translate into personal flourishing, as leadership consultant Sophie Maclaren describes.
As dental professionals, we are faced with a disproportionate amount of negative bias, which we need to counteract. The good news is we can practise positivity and cultivate compassion for our patients as well as ourselves, to help us thrive both personally and in practice.
Aoife Stack – myofunctional therapy in dentistry
Aoife Stack is a general dentist and myofunctional therapist. She unpacks the science behind the breath and airway health to understand more about it as a tool to support not just our mouths, but also our sleep, wellbeing and long-term health.
Kuki Avery – menopause and the mouth
Dr Kuki Avery, GP and menopause specialist, opens up the conversation about all things menopause as she shares her expertise on how hormonal changes affect body, mind and mouth and what women can be doing to feel empowered and harness their health during this journey.
It is through connection that we can truly thrive. That might be within ourselves – mouth, mind and body – towards other professionals and experts who support and inspire us, or towards our patients to educate and empower them. It is about having conversations that count, and cultivating connection.
