By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Dentists, too, need to balance the books. So do surgeons, obstetricians-gynecologists and others in the allied health profession who are in close contact with patients. For example, dentists work around the nose, throat and mouth areas of the patient, the very areas where the coronavirus lurk. The virus could be …
The Dentist is In
Michael Douglas
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Movie star Michael Douglas was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2010. Medical specialists found a “walnut-sized tumor” at the base of his tongue. After an intensive eight-week course of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the actor has reportedly been completely healed. He lost 45 pounds during a liquids-only …
Picture this
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath, not necessarily in that order. That’s what happens if you miss one of the two minimum times you should brush, floss and rinse. In pandemic times, taking good care of your oral health makes very good sense. Good oral health means not …
The cost of dental care
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Hold your breath: $136 billion. That’s the total annual costs in America related to dental care — as estimated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and based on several reports and studies. In the United States, on average, over 34 million school hours are lost each …
Fear factor
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim It’s called dentophobia. Or fear of the dentist, fear of going to the dental clinic and/or fear of sitting on the dental chair. It could be triggered by the whirring sound of the dental drill. Or the sight of the sharp stainless steel instruments common in dental clinics. Dentophobia …
Location, location, location
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Dental care depends on where one lives. Too often, good oral health care is more common in rich than in poor countries, according to research based on a questionnaire survey conducted among health authorities in the 194 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO). The study appears in the …
Ramen, white bread and tooth decay
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Even pre-lockdown, instant ramen was a staple to many, young and old, across the demographic board. During the three-month-plus shelter-in-place and long after as we stay-in for longer than ever, noodles and white bread are common table items, convenient, easy to prepare and, in between rice meals, filling as well. …
Bridging the gap
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Over P50 million. That’s how much New York University (NYU) will receive to train dentists and other health professionals to provide oral health care to people with disabilities and complex medical conditions. The NYU College of Dentistry received the nearly $2 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), …
Bad gums and cancer
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Gum ailment or periodontal disease may increase the risk of getting sick with cancer by half. A new study was published July 20 in the journal Gut, suggests that gum disease may increase the risk of stomach cancer by 52 percent and throat cancer by 43 percent. Compared to those …
A cavity-free future
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Tooth decay poses a significant challenge to health care worldwide. Tooth decay and oral diseases affect 3.9 billion people, with untreated tooth decay impacting almost half of the world’s population. In the Philippines, oral disease continues to be a “serious public health problem,” according to the Department of Health. The …