What is integrative dental care?  As an experienced dentist and Chinese medicine practitioner, Dr Christine May BDS (Hons) BHSc(TCM) explains the integrative dentistry concept, and we get an insight into the relationship that diet and lifestyle have on oral health from this perspective.  Dr May operates her successful Facewell Integrative Dental clinic via telehealth FaceWell.com.au and also has teledentistry dental advice service for patients and practitioners.- Hellovide.com.au  We discuss the way telehealth concept can benefit the individual client and how this method is ..read more

The insight of a general dentist with a mind that never stopped learning (and discovering) is now playing a significant role in helping a wide range of the population. When Dr Kevin Bourke, a Newcastle (Australia) based practitioner invented a chewing device in the 1960's he was ahead of his time. His insight then into the orofacial myofunctional world is playing out today into the lives of young and old and in this episode, I chat with his daughter and CEO of Myo Munchee Australia Dr Mary Bourke. We look at the history of the ‘munchee’, the realms in which it is now being used and the effecti ..read more

From a geographical perspective, the ability to access dental care in Australia is certainly not an equal field. Lyn Carman, a South Australian Dental Hygienist, Life Coach and innovator is passionate about prevention, access to care and collaboration.  In the first part of this interview,  Lyn explains how an innovative team of health professionals is exploring ways the population of rural and remote areas of South Australia can be best serviced. The project has been designed and driven by those who are already working in that geographical area. Not only have they recognised the nee ..read more

Have you ever asked yourself the question ‘what exactly is Orofacial Myology’ or ‘what does an Orofacial Myologist do? Orofacial Myologists are registered allied health practitioners who already hold extensive knowledge and familiarity with the head and neck and who have undertaken further (and ongoing) study to combine their pre-existing knowledge and experience to offer functional assistance for clients.  In this episode, I explain how orofacial myofunctional therapy can be an important adjunct to traditional health services and the approach that Townsvile Orofacial Myology takes to he ..read more

Mary Bourke is a Newcastle (NSW, Australia) based chiropractor with qualifications in pediatric chiropractic care. Her wealth of experience and passion for health and wellness improvement in young children starts right from the very early months when the reflexes present in the newborn transfer to those that assist their progressive global development. In this episode, Mary explains the nature of the primative reflexes, how they integrate during infant development and the importance of allowing the infant to meet and progress through these developmental ‘milestones’ for optimal childhood devel ..read more

#3  Pat and Cathy are both orofacial myologists with dental backgrounds. The role of incorrect muscular movement and strength can adversely affect the development of oral habits, breathing, chewing and speaking and can be a powerful force in changing the shape of the teeth and jaws. They discuss their roles and the experiences that have made this part of their career so rewarding ..read more

Darron Goralsky is a Melbourne-based physiotherapist with a thriving specialist practice focusing on treating jaw joint pain and discomfort. Darron recognised early in his career that what he had initially learned about the management of TMJ disorders was insufficient and took on the challenge of continuing his education. That led him down an exciting pathway of discovery and enabled him to provide treatment based on the contributing factors, not just the symptoms.  Darron’s understanding of the complexities of pain management in this area has led him to develop a team of clinicians who s ..read more

Ever thought about how difficult is it to clean dentures, bite splints, night guards or mouthguards? Probably not unless you wear them… or have to care for someone who does!  With the confirmed links of poor oral health and adverse general health problems, it is a question that again we need to explore!  As a dentst, Dr Mark Wotherspoon, recognised the need for improvement in this area and, along with a team he brought together, invented Dr Mark’s HyGenie.  This easy to use device is designed for folks of all ages and abilities. 'Dr Mark’s HyGenie' and the accompanying aids effe ..read more

Tabitha Acret is an experienced dental hygienist and a popular guest on Beyond Brushing because of her knowledge, relevance and enjoyable discussions. When Tabitha and Cathy discovered they had both written articles this year outlining the oral health concerns that are often noted in teenagers they decided to share and discuss them in this episode.  Teens are particularly vulnerable to changes and challenges, and these years are considered ‘high risk’ in the dental community. Emerging independence, changing hormones, social risk-taking and lack of knowledge plays a significant role in the ..read more

Jacqueline Biggar is a Sydney based  Oral Health Therapist who recently made the move to offer routine preventive dental services where it is most needed by clients. Jacquie’s mobile dental ‘clinic’ is totally portable and allows clients to receive basic dental care and hygiene services comfort and confines of their own home or care facility. Every dental clinician acknowledges that are clients (especially older clients) are often unable to access traditional dental visits for routine or preventive dental care either temporarily or permanently.   In July 2020, Oral Health Therapists ..read more