Defining applied medical anthropology
The applied approach of medical anthropology deals with the research and analysis done on a specific problem or illness dealing with a specific client. Hospitals, organizations, or NGOs hire applied anthropologists to study and determine why a certain treatment or protocol for patients is not working (Lecture 6.1).
how globalization influences spread and treatment of periodontal disease
For starters globalization can be defined as processes that are intensifying worldwide social relations and interdependence. This considers complex interactions between cultures, economic systems, political organizations, and planetary ecology. Globalization does a great job of spreading the knowledge for treatment of certain illness across cultures and into those communities that need them the most. Clinicians have thus developed local health programs, national health policies, along with raising funds and awareness among countries more prone to certain illness (lecture 6.1)
As Periodontal Disease is concerned, effects of smoking tobacco are spoken out on a very global level, which could only benefit those smokers at risk if assuming they quit. Regardless of race, age, or other factors, tobacco is something that has very similar effects on the body of those who consume it.
By using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, medical anthropologists are able to formulate cultural solutions to the problems. With Periodontal Disease it may be ideal to not only get a number of those diagnosed per specific area of the world but to also sit down and discuss the disease with patients on a personal level while keeping their culture and values in consideration.
As Periodontal Disease is concerned, effects of smoking tobacco are spoken out on a very global level, which could only benefit those smokers at risk if assuming they quit. Regardless of race, age, or other factors, tobacco is something that has very similar effects on the body of those who consume it.
By using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, medical anthropologists are able to formulate cultural solutions to the problems. With Periodontal Disease it may be ideal to not only get a number of those diagnosed per specific area of the world but to also sit down and discuss the disease with patients on a personal level while keeping their culture and values in consideration.
Kevin boyd's Darwinian dentistry
Kevin Boyd, a pediatric dentist in Chicago has developed an innovative hypothesis in direction of biological anthropology research regarding the past and future of children’s health care by studying prehistoric fossil remains of human ancestors. This somewhat new approach termed Darwinian Dentistry (DD) offers the framework for understanding systemic disease. Boyd claims attitude toward facial structure, bone growth, and oral hygiene to ultimately impact sleeping habits, jaw growth, crooked teeth, and breathing patterns.
Boyd’s goal for support over DD points out that Mutans streptococcus species have co-existed with humans some 70,000 years ago while tooth decay had not appeared in human fossils until about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. He also states that in respect to early Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis, those who did not brush their teeth for several weeks under controlled experimental environments while consuming low-sugar/high-fiber diet experienced less inflammation and bleeding than those whom consumed a high-sugar/low-fiber diet under the same controlled conditions.
In conclusion Boyd claims that with appropriately targeted evidence based preventive (e.g. sugar over consumption reduction, breast feeding over bottle feeding, and baby-led weaning technique with unprocessed food) and treatment strategies (early palatal expansion and myofunctional therapy), prevalence of caries, gingivitis, malocclusion, and periodontitis could be significantly reduced and possibly totally eliminated within 1 or 2 generations (K. Boyd).
Boyd’s goal for support over DD points out that Mutans streptococcus species have co-existed with humans some 70,000 years ago while tooth decay had not appeared in human fossils until about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. He also states that in respect to early Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis, those who did not brush their teeth for several weeks under controlled experimental environments while consuming low-sugar/high-fiber diet experienced less inflammation and bleeding than those whom consumed a high-sugar/low-fiber diet under the same controlled conditions.
In conclusion Boyd claims that with appropriately targeted evidence based preventive (e.g. sugar over consumption reduction, breast feeding over bottle feeding, and baby-led weaning technique with unprocessed food) and treatment strategies (early palatal expansion and myofunctional therapy), prevalence of caries, gingivitis, malocclusion, and periodontitis could be significantly reduced and possibly totally eliminated within 1 or 2 generations (K. Boyd).
Medical Anthropologist versus Dentist
There are plenty of factors a medical anthropologist may better understand than a dentist just as I am sure the same goes the other way around. In regards to DD, the biological approach relating to the history of tooth decay is clearly something better understood by an anthropologist. Medical Anthropologists may also have more time to study specific variables leading to Periodontal Disease for example, which is something dental practitioners are more known to simply address to their everyday patients and clientele.
Sources
Karim, Tazin. "Lecture 6.1 ." . http://anthropology.msu.edu/anp204-us14/week-6-lecture-1/ (accessed August 4, 2014).
Boyd , Kevin , and Vicki Cheeseman . "Understanding Modern Systemic Diseases Through a Study of Anthropology ." . http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2012/06/understanding-modern-systemic-diseases-through-a-study-of-anthropology.html(accessed August 4, 2014).
Boyd , Kevin , and Vicki Cheeseman . "Understanding Modern Systemic Diseases Through a Study of Anthropology ." . http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2012/06/understanding-modern-systemic-diseases-through-a-study-of-anthropology.html(accessed August 4, 2014).