From the Co-Editor

Louis F. Rose, DDS, MD

Dear Readers,

The partnerships we forge with the medical community are essential for us to treat the whole patient. Each day, the evidence between medical and oral conditions continues to emerge and strengthen. We have a number of articles in this issue demonstrating this vital principle.

One of the continuing education (CE) articles this month illustrates an important point—xerostomia as a potential side effect of about 400 commonly used medications, such as antidepressants and a-blockers. The oral aspect of these drugs may be an overlooked problem within the medical community.

Attention must also be paid to the oral healthcare needs of our pediatric population, particularly those children and adolescents who are overweight and have diabetes. This is because they are more likely to have poor lifestyle behaviors, for example, a poor diet may lead to tooth decay. Our guest editorial discusses the creation of a novel approach to pediatric healthcare: an integrated clinic where pediatricians work side by side with dentists. Their concept is simple: Oral health problems are not isolated.

In this issue, Compendium has the distinct honor of publishing the interim results of a postoperative sensitivity study being conducted the Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning (PEARL) Network, which is one of only three such dentistry study initiatives in the country, and funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. This program is a landmark in the evolving science of dentistry because of its singular focus on collecting data from a broad base of practitioners and their patients. We also have a new online-only article that further discusses the PEARL program.

As the sentinels of oral healthcare, we must maintain and encourage an open dialogue with the medical community. One of the ways you can do this is by sharing your copy of Compendium with your medical counterparts after you have finished reading and using it to obtain your CE credits. Fostering deeper understanding in the medical community of oral healthcare’s importance is essential and something we must not forget to do.

In addition to this month’s print articles, there are additional resources online. Please be sure to visit us at compendiumlive.com, where you can find cutting-edge, practical information and earn some of your CE credits. You can also contact us through the Web site. I welcome your comments and suggestions: Please contact me at lrose@aegiscomm.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Louis F. Rose, DDS, MD