The dentist as the gatekeeper of systemic health: A case report

Many in the dental field often practice with blinders-they focus on the decay in front of them, the crown that must be prepared, the canal that must be shaped. The series of events that led to that existing issue, the underlying habit, disease, etc. is often overlooked. Many in our profession have gotten into the habit of becoming "tooth mechanics," fixing several issues and ensuring that our patients leave with adequate oral health, rather than addressing the larger, often systemic issues that resulted in the state of their oral health. Although the steps within this large diagnostic process often require the formation of a multidisciplinary healthcare team comprised of different fields in healthcare unique to each patient, this idea is often overlooked. Our case report examines unique and surprising oral health findings that prompted the formation of such a team. Our role as a valued member of the healthcare team should be of paramount importance to our practice, and this case discusses a patient whose health required such. The conversation between physician and dentist is of continued importance and in this case one will be able to identify how systemic health is ultimately preserved and improved in this conversation.