Grand Rounds: The Mouth Matters--POSTPONED to LATER DATE

Thank you for your interest in this event. This event is being POSTPONED to a later date.

Join the Section on Public Health and Preventative Medicine for an enlightening evening exploring the critical intersection of oral and public health.

Nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide are affected by oral diseases, making this one of the most prevalent yet often overlooked public health challenges.

About the Topic:

Oral health is crucial to overall systemic health, as it is closely linked to several chronic conditions and diseases. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on oral health, "oral health is essential to general health and well-being" and "it is integral to the prevention and management of many systemic conditions."  Poor oral hygiene has been shown to exacerbate systemic inflammation, which can, in turn, impact other parts of the body. Thus, maintaining good oral health ensures a healthy mouth and supports broader physical health, underscoring the importance of preventive dental care and early intervention.  This program explores the vital connection between oral health and overall health, emphasizing the importance of integrating medical and dental care throughout life stages and special health care needs. Faculty will discuss unique challenges and strategies appropriate for each age group, emphasizing the bi-directional relationship between oral health and systemic health conditions.   At the end of the program, participants will be able to identify the critical role that oral health plays in the continuum of care, advocate for integrated health models, and implement strategies to improve health outcomes through enhanced collaboration among healthcare providers. This course is ideal for healthcare providers across all specialties, oral healthcare professionals, public health workers, and anyone interested in advancing medical and dental care integration.

Featured Speakers

Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD

• Morton Amsterdam Dean, Professor of Restorative Dentistry, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

Miriam Robbins, DDS, MS

• Director, Care Center for Persons with Disabilities, Professor of Clinical Oral Medicine, Professor of Clinical Restorative Dentistry, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

Joan Gluch, Ph.D, RDH, PHDHP

• Professor of Clinical Community Oral Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine