Future Trends 2022

Dentists leading the charge

By Andrew Smith, Executive Director, ADSO

A deeper appreciation for the mouth-body connection will be the defining trend for our industry in 2022. Simply put, the mouth-body connection is the idea that what happens in the mouth affects a person’s overall well-being. Like eating healthy and taking care of one’s mental health, people also need to maintain proper oral health. For years, the dental industry has understood that dentistry is integral to health care, as opposed to a separate function.

Now, due to the diligence and commitment of dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re seeing a larger recognition of the mouth-body connection throughout the greater health care landscape. One example of health and dental integration is the visibility of oral care, as the industry has embraced teledentistry and the ability for dentists to administer vaccinations.

Want to read the full article? Read Future Trends 2022 here.