Shavonne R. Healy, MSDH, RDH

Ms. Healy is a skilled oral health expert with over 20 years of experience. She earned a master's in dental hygiene from the University of Bridgeport: Fones School of Dental Hygiene and was named one of the Top Six Dental Hygienists in the nation. Ms. Healy is dedicated to introducing new technologies to enhance dental care worldwide. Her organization, A Higher Learning, LLC, offers five-star learning experiences for dental professionals and promotes preventive care.

Understanding Oral Disease: Its Challenges and Impact on Quality of Life

By the time Americans reach the age of 50, they tend to have lost an average of 12 teeth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) has revealed that over 36 million Americans do not have any teeth. 

Tooth loss can significantly impact one's general health, leading to physical, psychological, and social disability, thereby reducing the quality of life. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared oral disease a global public health challenge, affecting millions of adults and children worldwide. 

Over the last few decades, dentistry has significantly changed techniques, procedures, and patient demographics due to advances in healthcare science. Dental implants have emerged as the preferred mode of tooth replacement, exemplifying how innovative solutions can benefit millions of Americans suffering from tooth loss. However, these advancements have also given rise to new clinical challenges, such as peri-implantitis.

This program focuses on implant dentistry and aims to discuss the oral diseases that contribute to tooth loss and their impact on the quality of life.

Educational Objectives:

  1. Review the global statistics on the oral disease burden and compare them to the corresponding statistics for the United States. 

  2. List the leading causes of death and their correlation to oral health.

  3. Identify the oral diseases that contribute to tooth loss and their impact on the quality of life.

  4. Recognize the potential clinical challenges associated with advancement in dentistry, such as dental implants and peri-implantitis.

  5. Present an overview of current dental research on oral health challenges, highlighting key findings and recommendations.