Oral Health - A User's & Practitioner's Guide

Clinical strategies and techniques for Practitioners.

A course in 5 modules - available April 2024.

Why a course in Oral Health?

Chronic health conditions are a problem.

Over three quarters (78.6%) of Australians had at least one long-term health condition in 2020-21
Nearly half had at least one chronic condition (46.6% or 11.6 million)
Mental and behavioural conditions (20.1%), Back problems (15.7%), and Arthritis (12.5%) were the most common chronic conditions[1]

The common denominator in all conditions, physical and mental is chronic inflammation. If there is a common underlying condition, such as oral disease that goes undiagnosed the chance of resolving the health condition is unlikely. This then becomes a symptomatic management exercise, which largely describes our current healthcare system…’a chronic disease management system’.

Oral Disease are the most common disease globally.

Oral Health is often ignored or misdiagnosed….often self-reporting is used:

“Do you have any dental pain?”
“Have you seen the dentist lately? Was anything done?

In a busy practice, both medical and dental, it is easy to dismiss, overlook or ignore problems because ‘there is no pain associated’. The problem is:

The vast majority of oral disease has little, or no pain associated with them.
Oral disease is by far, the most common disease globally, as outlined in the WHO 2022 Global Oral Health Status Report [2]

what You'll learn

Course Benefits

This course is designed for both users (everyone with a mouth) and health practitioners.

By identifying the dynamics of the oral cavity, oral diseases and imbalances, new insights can be gained, and common treatments for patients can be more effective and should be complementary to other treatment protocols.

As the gateway to the respiratory tract the relationship between craniofacial development, the effect on breathing, posture and sleep disordered breathing, and health outcomes together with possible treatments using dental devices are profound.
The role of nutrition in craniofacial development, dental disease and chronic degenerative diseases will be reviewed.
The orofacial region is highly innervated with a third of the body’s sensory and motor cortex focused on this region. Structural imbalances have the potential to impact on health in general and neuromuscular activity.
A review of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions such as muscle-contraction or tension-type headaches and its relationship to increased parafunctional oral and cervical muscle activity (e.g. nocturnal bruxism) will be reviewed
Highly vascular and the site of the two most common infections, periodontal disease and tooth decay the implications of chronic oral inflammation and infections on various disease states throughout the body are becoming increasingly well-documented.
A review of oral cancer
Dentists implant more material into people’s bodies than all other professionals in the form of dental restorative materials and the potential for toxicity and biocompatibility issues need to be considered.

Modules available on demand in April 2024, register to be notified when released.

testimonials

Here’s what people are saying

❝

Thanks and congratulations on your workshop. It will take its place in the future among the most relevant and popular on the ‘circuit’, I have no doubt.

Dr Paul Nichols, Dentist, Sydney, NSW

I just wanted to contact you to let you know that I really enjoyed your talk at the wellness summit (It was definitely the most entertaining!) I really appreciated the chance to talk to you in the break also. I think you should run for PM! Or maybe health minister - I could imagine the change you could make (more than you already are)! Thanks again.

Jane McLeod, The Wellness Summit, Melbourne

I would like to sincerely thank you for your insightful presentation. It was an amazingly successful event from our perspective. The comments after the talk were ‘applicable and practical’, ‘incredibly knowledgeable presenter’, ‘fun and informative’ and ‘nice guy’. Your passion for the topic truly shone through.

Teresa Mitchell-Paterson, Head of Academic Studies, Australasian College of Natural Therapies

What have we been doing to our patients? You’ve changed my life. Thank you.coverage.

Dr Vesna Kokolich, Dentist, Windsor, NSW

Course content

Workshop Information

Module 1 - $150

Oral Health, Oral Disease, How & What to Assess

This module covers oral health and disease, detailing comprehensive oral exams and diagnostic tools like 2D and 3D radiographs (x-rays). It emphasizes oral cancer screening and includes a practical case study for real-world application.

Learning outcomes:

Define oral health.
Describe various oral diseases and their clinical significance, including the two most common infections occurring in the population.
Outline what constitutes a comprehensive oral health assessment.

Module 2 - $150

Oral Disease: Periodontal disease & its consequences

The module focuses on the link between oral (periodontal) diseases and systemic health, outlines diagnostic criteria, and explores various treatment options.

Learning outcomes:

Identify the various stages of periodontal health & disease.
Outline the various systemic diseases affected by periodontal disease.
Compare various treatment approaches to periodontal disease (gingivitis and mild, moderate and severe periodontitis

Module 3 - $150

Oral Disease: Tooth decay & its consequences

This module covers the impact of tooth decay, root canal, and jawbone infections on systemic health, and the biocompatibility of dental materials like mercury, composites, titanium, and zirconium. It details root canal treatments, including technique variations, success criteria, and treatment options. The module includes case studies on rheumatoid arthritis and chronic kidney infection to demonstrate practical applications.

Learning outcomes:

Examine OPG/panoramic radiograph as a screening tool
Classify and describe the progression of tooth decay > root canal infection > jawbone infection.
Describe various treatment options.
Describe SMART protocols for removing mercury fillings.

Module 4 - $150

Dental Crowding, Upper Airway & Breathing Well

This module examines the connection between dental crowding, narrow jaws, and upper airway issues, along with sleep-disordered breathing conditions. It also explores dysfunctional breathing and the relationship between breathing and head posture.

Learning outcomes:

Describe and contrast ideal craniofacial development and its impact on the upper respiratory system.
Differentiate
- the impact of diet on craniofacial development,
- potential airway problems,
- impact of dysfunctional breathing on head posture.
Define what constitutes ‘a consistently good night’s sleep’.
Define ‘sleep-disordered breathing’ e.g., snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea.
Outline the potential consequences of ‘sleep-disordered breathing’ conditions.
Differentiate optimal breathing & dysfunctional breathing.
Describe the impact of breathing on head posture.
Treatment options – Pros & Cons of Mandibular Advancement Splints

Module 5 - $150

The Role of Bruxism in Musculoskeletal Pain

This module covers pain classification, the epidemiology of chronic headaches, neck, and jaw pain, and identifies pain referral patterns and trigger points. It explores soft tissue lesions and the autonomic nervous system's role in chronic musculoskeletal pain, and outlines various treatment goals and options.

Learning outcomes:

Outline chronic musculoskeletal head, neck, and jaw pain.
Define pain (IASP Classification)
Identify:
- soft tissue lesions,
- signs of nocturnal bruxism
- various treatment options

Register for the series

About the course creators

Dr Ron Ehrlich - Facilitator

BDS (Syd Uni), FACNEM, FASLM

Ann Wilson - Educational Director

BA (Hons); Post Graduate Certificate in Education; MA (Adult Education)

Over 40 years of clinical practice Dr Ron Ehrlich has developed a holistic approach to health and wellness, as well as a comprehensive model of how stress impacts on our lives. Empowering individuals and organisations is his passion.

He has a fellowship in Nutritional and Environmental medicine (FACNEM), and a fellowship in lifestyle medicine (FASLM). He received his level 1 executive coaching accreditation from the Institute of Executive Coaching Leadership. He is immediate past present of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine.

His book A Life Less Stressed: the 5 pillars of health and wellness was published in the UK, USA and Australia in 2018. His weekly podcast Unstress with Dr. Ron Ehrlich explores themes he covers in his book. The model has also shaped his keynotes and workshops for the public, corporates and health professionals, both locally and internationally.

Ann has over 40 years of experience in further and higher education as a teacher, course designer, and academic developer. She has worked for the Securities Institute, the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), Learning & Teaching at Navitas and at University of NSW (UNSW).

She is currently a Senior Curriculum Designer at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) with a particular focus on assessment and feedback.

Faq

How is the course delivered?

The modules can be purchased separately or as a complete package. They are recordings and available anytime for access.

Are the modules accredited for CPD points?

This lecture is currently under review for CPD points.

How can I register for the lecture?

Registration will open in early 2024 for this lecture. You can currently register your interest here and we will contact you when the modules are availble.

What are the prerequisites for attending this lecture?

There are no specific prerequisites, but the lecture is primarily designed for GPs, allied health professionals, and natural therapists seeking to enhance their understanding of holistic dental health.

How long is the lecture and will it be available for later viewing?

Each module is 1hr. You will have access to the recording for 12mths.

Are there any materials or resources provided with this lecture?

Participants will receive supplementary materials, including oral screening (10 key questions), oral health patient handouts, lecture notes and reference list. There will also be opportunity to attend quarterly live Q&As for 12mths.

How does this lecture contribute to my professional practice?

This lecture provides insights into holistic dental health, offering practical strategies that can be integrated into your professional practice to enhance patient care.

Is there a certification or proof of completion provided?

Yes, participants will receive a certificate of completion, which can be used as proof for CPD accreditation purposes.

Who can I contact for more information or if I have specific questions?

For more information or specific inquiries, please contact our support team at ron@drronehrlich.com, and we will be happy to assist you.