April 18, 2025

Ep 44: Osteoporosis And Oral Health: What Dental Professionals Need To Know

54 minutes

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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by dental hygienist and educator Kristin Evans to learn more about what is known as the silent killer: osteoporosis. That’s right! Osteoporosis is not just a condition reserved for “little old ladies.” Rather, it’s a serious disease (that affects both men and women) that requires attention much earlier in life – as early as your 30s.

Kristin shares with us her personal experience with being diagnosed with osteoporosis, the risk factors associated with this disease, noting that these factors often overlap with periodontal disease, and what we can do now to start protecting our bones and muscular health. She also offers insights on implementing early screenings in the dental field to identify potential systemic concerns.

One of the standout topics is the role of dental clinicians in preventive health care, emphasizing the opportunity to use CBCT scans and other technologies to screen for bone health issues. Lastly, we touched on a controversial topic, which is the impact of GLP-1 medications on bone density.

As dental health professionals, we have the unique opportunity to contribute to our patients' overall health and well-being by extending our focus beyond the teeth and gums, fostering an integrated approach to health care.

About Kristin Evans:

Kristin Evans BS, RDH graduated from Idaho State University and has been a clinical Dental Hygienist for over 30 years. Kristin expanded her career and became a Professional Educator in 2019 and an Independent Speaker in 2022. She loves educating Dental Professionals so they can understand their role in improving patient health outcomes. Kristin is passionate about researching oral health, functional nutrition, bone health, and the oral-systemic connection. She is professionally known as “The pH RDH” due to her passion for pH neutralizing and promoting health. She enjoys sharing her insights with others through collaborating with dental magazines, podcasts and study clubs. Her goal is to change lives with simple strategies and powerful education by bridging the gap between mental, physical, and oral health. Kristin’s greatest joy is being Gram K to her four grandchildren.

Connect with Kristin Evans:

Instagram

Email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Doug Lucas [Optimal Human Health MD]

Fitness with PJ [YouTube]

Dr. Ben Bikman [YouTube]

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast ar

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