Oral health and multimorbidity: is diet the chicken or the egg?

This webinar will explore the complex interplay between diet, oral health, and multimorbidity. Join Dr Teresa Marshall as she defines oral health and oral disease, and investigates how oral dysfunction is linked to poor dietary patterns. Special focus will be given to the role of diet, particularly that of sugar-sweetened beverages, as a key risk factor for a range of multimorbidities, including dental caries, periodontal disease, obesity, and oropharyngeal cancer. Dr Marshall will also discuss early childhood caries as a potential marker for chronic disease and a critical opportunity for dietary counselling—both for individuals and their families. In addition, effective strategies for collaborating with oral health care providers will be given, with particular consideration of the impact of social determinants of health.

What will I gain from this webinar?

• You will be able to identify the diet-related risk factors for oral diseases including dental caries, periodontal disease, enamel erosion, and oropharyngeal cancer.
• You will be able to describe the impact of oral disease and dysfunction on overall well-being and dietary intake.
• You will be able to identify indicators of oral disease, thereby supporting referral to oral health care providers.