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FDI World Dental Congress 2023
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What COVID-19 research tells us about oro-systemic links

Fdi Session (On Demand)

FDI Session (On-demand)

3:00 pm

27 September 2023

C2.2 - 2.3

Session Description

What COVID-19 research tells us about oro-systemic links
Detailed understanding of the anatomical distribution and disease characteristics of acute COVID-19 lung disease points to vascular delivery of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to pulmonary vessels. Links between poor oral health and poor prognosis in COVID-19 leads to hypothesizing on direct entry from the mouth - a SARS-CoV-2 reservoir - to the pulmonary vessels, and frames periodontitis as a main risk factor for death.
In his presentation, Dr Graham Lloyd-Jones - a consultant radiologist from the UK - will explore what this teaches us about the anatomical delivery of pathogens from the mouth to the rest of the body via the bloodstream in the context of other important systemic diseases.  He will highlight the need for new public health messages regarding oro-systemic diseases, challenge the current language used in this area of research, and discuss the role dentists play in communicating with patients about the connections between poor oral health and development or worsening of diseases of the body.

 Learning Objectives
  •  The anatomy of COVID-19 lung disease, links between periodontitis and COVID-19 severity and the oral-vascular-pulmonary anatomical delivery route
  •  Evidence for oro-systemic diseases including – cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's etc.
  •  The World Dental Federation – Whole Body Health project
  •  Oro-systemic diseases – human embryological and oral microbiome evolutionary factors
  •  Public health messages – what dentists and doctors should tell their patients about oro-systemic diseases

Speakers

Resources