Discover the vital link between your oral health and overall well-being. Our expert insights, shared at the Golden Triangle Kiwanis Meeting, emphasize the importance of integrated dental and medical care for a healthier you. Learn more today!
In August, members of the Golden Triangle Kiwanis Club heard an eye-opening presentation from Dr. Chuck Reinertsen, retired dentist and founder of The Dental Medical Convergence. As part of the nonprofit’s mission to educate families and healthcare professionals, Dr. Chuck focused on the mouth-body connection and how it affects systemic health.
In recent decades, growing evidence has revealed that oral health, especially gum (periodontal) disease, is very often responsible for serious chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Poor oral health in pregnant women has been linked to premature births and low birth weight, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). These findings inspired Dr. Chuck to launch The Dental Medical Convergence.
As of 2022, approximately 65.9% of U.S. adults aged 18 and over reported visiting a dentist within the past year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marking a notable increase from 2007, when only 44.5% of Americans aged two and older reported seeing a dentist within the previous 12 months. Despite these improvements, a significant portion of the population still does not receive regular dental care, calling attention to the need for continued public health efforts to promote oral health awareness and access to dental services.
At The Dental Medical Convergence, we believe that prevention is key, and it starts with oral hygiene. We recommend dedicating just 7–10 minutes daily to cleaning your teeth and gums. Combined with regular dental checkups, this simple routine can significantly reduce your risk of dental and systemic health issues. Prevention not only protects your health but also helps you avoid costly medical and dental treatments down the road.
We’re grateful to the Golden Triangle Kiwanis Club for the opportunity to speak and share this important information. We’re excited to return in October and expand our outreach to more Kiwanis chapters.
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