Australian Journal of General Practice
Formerly Australian Family Physician (AFP)
BDSc, PhD, Adjunct lecturer, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Qld
The two professions have evolved with different social drivers and scientific underpinnings, with only a recent appreciation of the connections between the health of the mouth and the body.
Education in oral health literacy is key, and timely referral to dental practitioners may provide better patient outcomes with fewer potentially preventable hospitalisations.