Episode 172. Oral Medicine with Dr Asef Anwar

Good oral health is fundamental to overall health and well-being, and a person's quality of life is compromised without it. By Oral health, we are referring to the condition of a person's teeth and gums, as well as the health of the muscles and bones in their mouth. Tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss affect many Australian children and adults and contribute 4.5% of all the burden that non-fatal diseases place on the community. Most oral health conditions are largely preventable, and it is estimated by the World Health Organization that oral diseases affect close to 3.5 billion people worldwide, with three out of four people affected living in middle-income countries. Many factors contribute to poor oral health, including consumption of sugar, tobacco and alcohol as well as a lack of good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. Additionally, a lack of fluoridation in some water supplies and a lack of access and availability to dental care impact adversely. There are also recognised links between poor oral health and chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, oral cancers, pulmonary conditions and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Socially disadvantaged and indigenous Australians are more likely than others to experience untreated dental and oral disease, which negatively impacts their health outcomes.

This important subject is certainly worthy of further discussion, and it was a pleasure to meet Dr Asef Anwar, a registered Dental Surgeon with a passion for oral medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Sydney Dental School and has degrees as a Bachelor of Medical Science as well as being a Doctor of Dental Medicine. He has worked across private practices in both New South Wales and Victoria and has special interests in complex Full Mouth Rehabilitation, Dental Implants, Oral Surgery and Cosmetic Dentistry. He is committed to continuing education and research and is extending his knowledge and studies as the Oral Medicine Registrar at the University of Melbourne. It was a real pleasure to conduct a conversation with him today on the subject of Oral Medicine, exploring its interface with the practice of general medicine. I was curious to learn more about the relationship between oral mucosal and dermatological conditions, oral manifestations of systemic conditions, orofacial pain management and oral cancers. Another area of interest I was keen to explore related to the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with mandibular advancement and dental splints, as well as broaching the subject of dental implants. With these points in mind, please welcome Dr Asef Anwar to the podcast.

References :

Dr Asef Anwar, MBedSci, DMD, FRACDS, FICOI. https://www.drasef.com.au

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. aihw.gov.au

Australian Dental Association. https://ada.org.au