INTEGRATING ORAL HEALTH CARE ACROSS NON-DENTAL PROFESSIONALS: Part 1: How oral health and cardiovascular health, diabetes and cognitive decline are related
Associate Professor Rachel Martin, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Melbourne & Western Sydney University & Director, Australian Network for the Integration of Oral Health (NIOH) & Director, Australian Dental Research Foundation
Dr Ajesh George, Professor of Interprofessional Oral Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University & Co-Founder & Director, Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health – ACIOH
SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne & Liverpool, NSW | January 2025
Poor oral health can contribute to or exacerbate several systemic health conditions due to the close connection between oral bacteria, inflammation, and systemic processes. These conditions include cardiovascular health, diabetes, respiratory health, cognitive health, pregnancy and birth outcomes.
The Australian Network for the Integration of Oral Health (NIOH) was founded in 2017 to promote and drive the alignment and integration of oral and general health systems. The mission of NIOH is to promote collaborative practice among various health professionals, enhancing access to oral health services and encouraging early preventive care. NIOH has over 120 members across universities, government agencies, not-for-profits, consumer groups, and industry within Australia.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Associate Professor Rachel Martin, Director at NIOH about the oral health being intricately linked to overall health, particularly concerning two prevalent diseases: periodontal disease and dental caries, which often go untreated.
Assoc Prof Martin, talks about primary healthcare practitioners playing a vital role in early intervention by proactively asking patients about symptoms such as loose teeth and bleeding gums. She comments on AIHW statistics on Australians hospitalised despite potentially preventable oral conditions, underscoring the need for timely care.
The Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (ACIOH), is the research arm of NIOH. Dr Ajesh George as Co-Founder & Director, of ACIOH spoke to Australian Health Journal about the opportunities that clinical professionals, in dental health care and general health care can play in integrated models of health care and on prevention, early intervention to reduce the burden of disease in Australia.
To see the Australian Health Journal segment, “Integrating oral health care across non-dental professionals, Part 1: How Oral Health and Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes and Cognitive Decline Are Related”, click here.
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Raising awareness, engagement and inclusion of Allied Health
Anita Hobson-Powell holds the position of Chief Allied Health Officer for the Australian Government within the Department of Health and Aged Care. With a background as an exercise physiologist and extensive experience leading allied health professional associations*, she has been entrusted with three main priorities. First, she aims to raise awareness about the significance of allied health professionals and their role in the healthcare system. This involves ensuring that decision makers and individuals engaging with health services understand the contributions of allied health professionals.
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Generosity of spirit in teaching
The Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence is considered one of the most prestigious awards in biomedical research in Australia and is highly sought after by researchers in the field.
In 2022, Professor Matthew Kiernan was the recipient of the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence and the associated $50,000 award.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Professor Kiernan to hear about his journey in medicine and science to try and uncover and understand diseases and his generosity of spirit to pass on what he has learnt.
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More health care volunteers needed for Street Side Medics
Identifying a gap in the healthcare of vulnerable people in New South Wales, Dr Daniel Nour founded Street Side Medics in August 2020, a not-for-profit, GP-led mobile medical service for people experiencing homelessness.
Dr. Daniel Nour is a cardiology advanced trainee at Royal North Shore Hospital and the founder of Street Side Medics, a mobile medical service dedicated to providing GP-led care to individuals experiencing homelessness. The initiative started from a customised van, which serves as a medical clinic, visiting food services and shelters across New South Wales and recently Victoria. Street Side Medics offers free medical care without requiring documentation, ID, or a Medicare card.
