Mouth Health is Connected to Body Health

CHICAGO, IL, September 02, 2011 (Press-News.org) At a landmark meeting for medical and dental professionals on June 24-25, AAOSH brought together experts from diverse disciplines for the purpose of understanding and advancing awareness of the oral and systemic health link. The organization's mission is to bridge the outdated communication gap between medicine and dentistry.

The newly-inaugurated AAOSH has brought together medical professionals from all fields in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration. Members have committed themselves to sharing critical, even life-saving information with one another, so that patients everywhere can enjoy the resulting benefits of improved general health, healing, longevity and wellness. "The formation of this organization could not have come at a better time," says Dr Samaha, a Hampton Roads' general dentist and founder and director of a nationally recognized teaching and research institute (www.PerioArtsInstitute.com) devoted to the oral systemic (or mouth/body) connection. "We now have thousands of pieces of research from around the world confirming the critical connections between the health of the mouth and the resulting health of the body. Poor oral health is linked to the deadliest of diseases including heart attack, stroke, diabetes and multiple cancers. Oral health problems are linked to many other serious health concerns like Alzheimer's, arthritis, lung infections, and pregnancy complications. It is time that we join hands and engage with all health care professionals about this new and timely organization - the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health - the first of its kind worldwide."

"When dentists and physicians work together, medical outcomes will be improved and lives will be lengthened," states AAOSH President Dr. Chris Kammer. "Many people still don't understand that good dental health can add years to your life, so one of our missions is to educate the public, as well."

The meeting featured two of the country's leading heart attack, stroke and diabetic prevention experts, Bradley Bale, MD and Amy Doneen, RN, BSN, MSN, ARNP. They are the founders and the national educators of the Bale/Doneen Method and are looked upon by the media as national thought leaders on this topic.

World-renowned cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, Dr Lloyd Rudy, along with several other internationally-known clinicians and researchers were also invited to give presentations on the latest findings related to the impact of oral disease. One speaker revealed how a couple was not able to conceive a child until the mother's rampant gum infection was under control. Especially targeted, were the issues of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, while speakers pointed out the vicious "circle of death" will continue unless dentists and physicians unite and intervene. Dr Rudy proclaimed the AAOSH meeting to be "the most important medical meeting I have ever attended."

"We're excited about finally working closely with cardiologists, diabetic specialists, obstetricians and many more medical specialties," explains Dr Samaha. "AAOSH is all about opening those doors of communication so that dentists can effectively contribute to the improved health of the patients we share. We know how to make this information relevant to each of our patients by using diagnostic testing from blood serum, urine and saliva. Now, we can identify who is sick long before they have a heart attack, stroke or diabetes. With dentists and physicians working together, we can save lives and prevent these three most deadly diseases, along w many others."

Dr Lisa Marie Samaha is owner of Port Warwick Dental Arts (www.PWDentalArts.com) in Newport News, VA and Founder and Director of the Perio Arts Institute, a leading-edge teaching and research institute devoted to the mouth/body connection. She is committed to advancing the dental profession for the benefit of her patients and all patients everywhere.

About AAOSH
The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH) was founded in 2010. Comprised of a network of dedicated health care leaders, the organization is working to change professional and public behaviors and address the importance of oral health as it relates to whole body health. AAOSH will bridge the gaps among all health care professionals through unprecedented cooperation across all disciplines and professions based on sound research principles. AAOSH is passionate about elevating the quality of health care services and will work to communicate the mouth-body health link, so that millions of people worldwide can live healthier, longer and happier lives. AAOSH will also support a forum for rapid and accurate exchange of knowledge about the mouth-body connection to benefit all physicians, dentists and other health care providers, as well as the public. For more about AAOSH, please visit www.AAOSH.com.