Prof. R. Slavicek: At university dental studies and general medicine are two separate studies.

Nevertheless I consider all stages of the dental education and formation as well as practical work integrated in general medicine, whereby interdisciplinary issues must not be neglected in any of these areas.

Interdisciplinary dentistry means the cooperation and coordination between different medical specialist areas and dentistry. In dentistry we include for instance orthodontics, prosthodontics, periodontology and all the others, and not to forget prosthetic dentistry. But for a responsible approach in interdisciplinary dentistry other medical fields have to be called in.

The interdisciplinary approach should be a concept which can be used in a standardized way for all patient cases. Problems can be identified already at an early stage without taking the risk that health problems settle or become chronic. 

Prof. R. Slavicek: With due regard being paid to the patient’s requirements and wishes an exact diagnosis and hence a detailed case planning has to be made. This gives the necessary evidence if a specialist of another medical field has to be called in. In any case, the patient always is the centre of attention.

Prof. R. Slavicek: To guarantee a successful and a frictionless procedure, the main contact person will be the dentist responsible for the restoration. In the final therapy plan he /she will involve other specialists, e.g. orthopaedics, physiotherapists, ENT physician, eye specialists or psychotherapists.

Prof. R. Slavicek: For patients with psychic or psychiatrical problems it is necessary to be very sensitive and empathic. In these cases psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists play an important role to support both the patient and the dentist. This team should consist of a well matched group of very experienced specialists.

Prof. R. Slavicek: The various and increasingly occuring problems due to bad posture are mainly caused and intensified by our sedentary way of life.  Our upright posture is one of the risk factors which we have to owe to evolution and our becoming two-legs. Posture problems, backache, headaches and tension are caused by shortened and weakened muscles. A large part of the problems and of the pain can be put down to a lack of mobility. For these cases we call into action the parallel disciplines of manual medicine, first of all physiotherapy for a physical treatment of muscle problems. The treatment of posture problems with pain resulting out of it and other symptoms has to be done in consultation with the dentist

Prof. R. Slavicek: During treatment of complex cases the dentist, as the main contact person, should in any case be informed by all other attending physicians about diagnosis, therapy plans and medication. Well performed communication with the regular exchange of medical findings can make it easier to establish a good therapy plan and to get optimal and satisfying results.

Prof. R. Slavicek: Especially during childhood and youth it is important to focus on dental prophylaxis. Early disorders can lead to serious consequences if not noticed in time. Regular checks in all stages from primary dentition to mature dentition must also be seen from an interdisciplinary aspect and are therefore a definite must.