Prosthodontist Michael Mandikos: “Prevention means a commitment from both the patient and the practitioner.”

What are the main preventive steps according to Dr Mandikos? Minimising the intake of cariogenic foods, and removing plaque from teeth.

His greatest job satisfaction is seeing patients who had significant problems happy with the results they achieve together. Dr Michael Mandikos is a registered specialist in prosthodontics, researcher and teacher based in Brisbane, Australia. Read the interview with this inspiring dental professional to learn why “being regular” is his golden rule, and the biggest problem he sees from the “health-conscious” patients.

What routines do you find most critical for maintaining proper oral health?

I believe proper oral health comes from controlling pathogenic biofilms. Most of us tend to eat good and bad foods, and so we grow a biofilm in part according to our diet. I believe that cleaning twice a day means that there is more chance of removing most of the bacteria and plaque than cleaning once a day, and trying to be methodical about the cleaning process (using a good brush, a “pro-active” toothpaste, and adding a floss for inter proximal cleaning) leads to a greater reduction in the biofilm.

What does the word prevention mean to you?

Prevention means being proactive. In order to prevent the onset of oral diseases, it is essential to be active in the preventive steps of minimising the intake of cariogenic foods, and actively removing plaque from teeth and prosthetic surfaces. Prevention is not a passive process, it means a commitment from both the patient and the practitioner to try to ensure problems and disease do not occur.

What is your “golden rule” or advice that you tell your patients often?

The golden rule is to remain regular. Regular cleaning and home care on their part, and regular review and maintenance on our part for them.

What’s the biggest challenge of your job?

The biggest challenge often looks like rehabilitation of the broken-down mouth that has just presented with the patient. But in reality, the biggest challenge is ensuring the fine restorative care we provide lasts, after it has been successfully placed in that mouth. Ongoing review, maintenance and good home care by the patient are essential to this.

What’s the thing that you like about your job the most?

My greatest job satisfaction comes from seeing satisfied patients. By the time they come to me, these patients know that their teeth are in the “too hard” basket for most dentists, and they know they have some significant problems. So if we can achieve a good result for them, their reaction, their appreciation and their happiness is what really makes my role satisfying.

What’s the most important thing in terms of an oral care routine from your point of view?

The most important thing in the oral care routine for a patient, is to have home implements that work for them. Usually this involves an electric toothbrush that makes the cleaning easier and more effective, and a toothpaste that can equally be “active” in the process via the inclusion of additives with cleaning or antimicrobial activity.

What’s the biggest oral health myth that you fight against?

The biggest oral health myth I see is the health-conscious person who consumes “healthy” apple cider vinegar and or lemon juice each day, to “assist” their health. The impact on tooth structure over a relatively short period of just a couple of years, is significant, and leads to significant restorative needs.

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