same language. We come in, [having] almost part of the same background.” She, like many patients and colleagues, immigrated to the United States. As a child, she didn’t have regular dental or other medical care, which led to dental problems later on. She said her own early experiences with the dentist involved a lot of hard work on her part, as well as learning about the links between oral health and systemic health. These personal experiences, along with a passion for her own continuing training, help Perez provide compassionate and comprehensive care as she educates her patients. She reminds her patients that oral health is connected to overall health. The bigger picture of prevention Research shows that as many as 57 systemic diseases and conditions have been linked with periodontitis, a condition in which inflammatory responses cause bone loss and tissues around the tooth to become detached. These illnesses include heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke/cerebrovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. Risk factors for periodontitis include genetic susceptibility and illness due to other diseases, as well as risky behaviors like inadequate oral hygiene or smoking.
“I like hygiene, because it’s more prevention for everything,” Perez said. With so much at stake, dental hygienists become a first line of defense as they educate patients about the importance of good oral health. And with education comes the potential for healthy habits and healing. In the case of Jose, Perez knew that a successful surgery started with addressing his dental problems. And she and the OneWorld team were ready to set him on a path of success. “You’ve been in their shoes. Or if not, you know somebody who’s been in the same shoes, and the last thing you want is for them to be having this trouble. You want to help this person,” Perez said. “You want to do everything.”
Oral health: The facts about cavities
57%
Children and adolescents aged 12–19 in the United States who have had cavities Adults 20 or older who have had cavities in their permanent teeth U.S. children who have dental sealants on any of their permanent teeth - although dental sealants can be used to prevent cavities Reduction of cavities in baby teeth as a result of fluoride varnishes
90%+
42%
33%
8
EXCHANGE | ISSUE 1 2025
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