Redefining Dental Care for The Reluctant: Technology’s Role in the New Mouth-Body Connection Era

The Challenge:

Addressing the unique needs of a patient with a history of hesitancy towards dental care, compounded by complex health issues such as Tobacco Dependence Syndrome, Hypertension, and Prediabetes, presented a significant challenge. This task, however, was greatly facilitated by the integration of CBCT/OralDNA^® technologies.

The Background:

• Age: 44
• Sex: Male
• Medical History: Depression including PTSD, hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hip pain and prediabetes
• Last Dental Exam: One year ago, where non-surgical periodontal therapy was administered. Regular follow up was never established
• Home Care: Tendency to overlook regular oral hygiene practices
• Chief Complaint: The patient reported for an emergency with severe pain in the upper right quadrant
• Clinical assessment: With the history of non-surgical periodontal therapy and missed appointments for follow up, the patient is still in a diseased state
• Medical Assessment: Hemoglobin A1C at 5.9, indicating reasonable blood sugar control. Other notable results found through EPIC include vitamin D levels, a comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, and a complete blood count (CBC), with some values outside normal ranges.

The Solution:

• Date of Alert 2^™ (Pre-Therapy) test: 8/23/2023
• Periodontal Therapy: Full mouth debridement with ultrasonics with irrigation, hand scaling along with bacterial decontamination via LANAP therapy.
• Other treatment: Removal of #2

The Result:

These cutting-edge tools played a pivotal role in demystifying the pathos process, enabling a more clear and personalized approach to the patient’s treatment plan. Notably, this newfound understanding of their disease process has been empowering for the patient. Previously reluctant, they are now actively engaged and motivated to lower their oral bacterial load by any means necessary. This shift towards a proactive stance in their oral health care is a testament to the transformative power of patient education and technological advancement in dental care.

About the Author:

Dr. Benavides is a Multi-Practice Owner at San Antonio Texas supported by Pacific Dental Services. He brings clinical support at Stone Oak Modern Dentistry – A Group Practice in North San Antonio as a General Dentist. He enjoys working in collaboration with a suite of specialists to provide comprehensive care. He considers the Mouth-Body Connection to be paramount to the care of his patients.