Medicine and dentistry: Shall ever the twain meet?

Abstract

Background Oral health and general medical health are intimately linked. However, medical and dental practitioners often work in isolation from each other and have separate training, funding, regulatory and administrative systems. Objective The aim of this article is to explore the history behind the divide between medicine and dentistry, and the challenges this raises. Discussion The siloed nature of the two professional groups may be attributed to historical backgrounds, deficiencies in interdisciplinary education, government funding discrepancies and differing models of care. The two professions have evolved with different social drivers and scientific underpinnings, with only a recent appreciation of the many connections between the health of the mouth and the health of the body. Solutions to overcome this divide should be considered in order to ensure better outcomes for patients, the community and perhaps the professions themselves.