From chronic pain to sleep disorders, oral health conditions reveal why bridging medical and dental care improves patient outcomes.
Suzie Bergman, D.D.S., FTMJF
President-Elect, American Association of Women Dentists
When I began experiencing chronic jaw, head, and neck pain following a fluke accident involving a runaway car, I found myself stuck in healthcare’s proverbial no-man’s land. I wasn’t confused about whom to see; it was clear that I needed medical, dental, and behavioral health providers. Rather, the problem was that they weren’t talking to each other. That lack of coordination didn’t just delay my treatment; it highlighted a larger problem in our healthcare system: disjointed care.
This personal experience became the foundation of my TEDx Talk, “Why is Healthcare Disjointed?” It also illuminated the challenges that many patients face when their symptoms don’t fall neatly into one specialty. Conditions like temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are complex. They don’t exist solely in the mouth or entirely in the medical realm; they require a truly multidisciplinary approach.
Not just a mouth problem
For decades, oral health has been viewed as separate from systemic health, but the science — and patients’ lived experiences — tell a different story. We now understand that what happens in the mouth can affect the entire body. Sleep disruptions, chronic pain, inflammation, cardiovascular strain, and even mental health symptoms often intersect with oral and craniofacial conditions.
Despite this connection, patients with conditions like TMD and OSA are often forced to navigate a maze of providers. Is jaw pain a dental problem? Is disrupted sleep a medical issue? The truth is, they’re both, and patients deserve care that reflects that reality.
Oral appliances are not a cure-all
One common thread in managing these conditions is the use of oral appliances, custom-made devices that can support the jaw, protect the teeth, or keep the airway open during sleep. Dentists often play a central role in delivering and monitoring these appliances, but their use is ideally part of a coordinated plan involving other professionals like sleep specialists, otolaryngologists, physical therapists, and primary care providers.
Importantly, oral appliances are not one-size-fits-all. Their effectiveness can vary depending on the individual and the severity of the condition. For example, some patients with mild to moderate OSA may benefit from an oral appliance, while others may require CPAP therapy or surgical intervention. Similarly, patients with TMD may benefit from occlusal appliance therapy in combination with physical therapy or behavioral support. Oral appliances are not a silver bullet, but they are a valuable option when integrated into a broader, team-based treatment approach.
Access, equity, and awareness
Even when oral appliances are appropriate, many patients never learn they exist. Lack of awareness, limited insurance coverage, and disparities in access to both dental and medical care create significant barriers, particularly in underserved communities. This is especially concerning when you consider that untreated OSA has been linked to increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and metabolic disorders, and that chronic pain from TMD can significantly affect quality of life. Closing these gaps requires more than just better reimbursement policies; it demands better communication and collaboration across health disciplines.
Moving toward integrated care
While specialization in healthcare offers depth and innovation, it loses value when it comes at the expense of convergence. After all, patients don’t show up as separate body parts or systems. They walk into clinics and offices as entire beings with complex stories that deserve whole-person care.
As we continue to embrace the biopsychosocial model, we must recognize that oral health is systemic health. Oral appliances are just one example of where medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare collaboration should come together to improve outcomes. Because behind every jaw, tooth, or airway is a person trying to feel their best.
