By Dr. Joseph D. Lim There is a lesson to be learned from Thailand. In that beautiful country, oral health is a right, not a privilege. Through Universal Health Coverage (UHC) — what Filipinos call PhilHealth is just a part of it — a range of oral health services are being made available to reverse …
The Dentist is In
Toothache: Why you should be worried
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim A toothache is more than just a minor inconvenience. It can be a sign of something far more serious. In fact, a toothache — a persistent pain in or around a tooth — should never be taken for granted. It’s nature way telling you something’s wrong. Like tooth decay, this …
Exciting jobs in oral care you didn’t know exist
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Oral health care is more than just dentists and hygienists. It is a lot wider profession — from professionals who solve crimes to technicians who develop new dental materials. Indeed, “the world of dental science is full of opportunities,” the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom points out, …
The latest on oral health (Part 2)
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim We continue to share the latest information on oral health, according to current data from the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the United Nations health agency, there are several issues pertaining to oral health. They are: Dental caries or tooth decay Dental caries results when plaque forms on the …
The latest on oral health (Part 1)
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the latest data on oral health. The key facts: Oral diseases, while largely preventable, pose a major health burden for many countries and affect people throughout their lifetime, causing pain, discomfort, disfigurement, and even death. The WHO estimates that oral diseases affect nearly …
Protect your smile — and your heart
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Chronic gum disease, for example, may cause the development of atherosclerosis which narrows arteries, raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Another example is poor oral hygiene. It may increase the risk of infective endocarditis (IE), a serious infection of the heart’s inner lining or …
‘Ngiti,’ a hit
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim “Ngiti” is a haunting ballad. “Smile,” in English, has gripped the hearts of countless fans of Ronnie Liang. It is more than just a smile for Liang who, as the Philippine Daily Inquirer describes him, “put a smile on people’s faces, even those who physically couldn’t.” Liang was part of …
Lab-grown teeth
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim It could be the best thing to happen since fillings, root canals and implants have become common. And that’s growing real teeth in the laboratory. A new, special material has been developed in the United Kingdom that lets scientists take cells from a patient, enabling these cells to interact with …
Ateneo, Taiwan scientists develop AI tool that will ‘revolutionize’ dentistry
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Scientists in Taiwan and the Ateneo de Manila University have developed an artificial intelligence tool that detects with high accuracy a sinus infection that may affect the brain. They say it will revolutionize dentistry. It detects with high accuracy a sinus infection that may affect the brain. Along with a …
Oral health and frailty
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim By the middle of this century, one in four people will be aged 60 years and older. That’s around two billion people. The United Nations estimates that regional life expectancy is now approaching 65 years in Africa and between 75 and 80 years in Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, …