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HYPOTHESIS AND THEORY article

Front. Dent. Med
Sec. Oral-Systemic Immunology
Volume 5 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fdmed.2024.1398897
This article is part of the Research Topic Unique and Shared Predictive Biomarkers of Oral and Systemic Diseases View all articles

Integration of Precision Medicine into the Dental Care Setting

Provisionally accepted
Larissa Steigmann Larissa Steigmann 1*Željka P. Kačarević Željka P. Kačarević 2Jessica Khoury Jessica Khoury 3Magda Feres Magda Feres 1
  • 1 School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University, Boston, United States
  • 2 Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
  • 3 Department of Oral Biology, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This narrative review aims to discuss the incorporation of novel medical concepts and tools into dental practice, with the goal of improving early diagnosis and exploring new personalized treatment options for oral pathologies, such as caries and periodontitis. Preventative dental approaches concentrate on the timely detection of oral infections and the integration of biomarker analysis to recognize pathogenic changes at early stage of disease. Likewise, periodic monitoring after the treatment is relevant to ensure the balance in the oral biofilms and prevent relapse. Additionally, more attention has shifted towards the contributing factors to disease development, such as essential nutrients. Sufficient levels of vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc pre and post-operatively are employed to boost immune function and reduce the risk of postoperative infections. Omega-3 fatty acids, melatonin, and antioxidants like vitamin E, which have anti-inflammatory properties, are utilized to help minimize excessive inflammation and promote faster recovery. The data presented in this manuscript emphasize the crucial integration of innovative healthcare concepts and tools into dental practices. By adopting a more holistic view of the patient, clinicians can tailor treatments to each individual's predispositions, lifestyle, and oral health conditions. This review also highlights the potential of salivary biomarkers and point-of-care technologies in enhancing early diagnostic accuracy and personalizing treatment. Bridging the gap between oral and systemic health is the most effective approach to improving patient quality of life. These findings underscore the importance of continued interdisciplinary collaboration in dentistry.

    Keywords: precision medicine, salivary testing, biomarkers, Primary Care, point-of-care, Periodontal Diseases

    Received: 11 Mar 2024; Accepted: 09 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Steigmann, Kačarević, Khoury and Feres. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Larissa Steigmann, School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University, Boston, United States

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.