Academics:
Faculty, USC School of Dentistry
Graduate, USC School of Dentistry
Special Qualifications:
Fellow,
Academy of General Dentistry
Fellow, International College of
Cranio- Mandibular Orthopaedics
Fellow, International Academy of
Mini Dental Implants
Fellow, International Congress of
Oral Implantologists
Fellow, Institute for Advanced
Laser Dentistry
Conscious Sedation Permit,
Dental Board of California
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Member, American Dental Association
Member, California Dental Association
Associate Member, American
Academy of Periodontology
Associate Member, Western Society
Academy of Periodontology
Member, American Academy of
Dental Sleep Medicine
Member, American Academy of
Implant Dentistry
Member, American Dental Society
of Anesthesiology
Member, American Academy of
Pain Management
Member, American Academy of
Sleep Medicine
Member, Academy of Microscope
Enhanced Dentistry
Member, Special Care Dentistry
Association
Lectures & Presentations:
San Gabriel Valley Dental Society
San Gabriel Valley Dental
Assistants Society
San Fernando Valley Dental Society
Western Dental Society
Indian Dental Society
Chinese Dental Society
Punjabi Dental Society
Academy for Excellence in Dentistry
University of Texas, Department
of Periodontics
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SMILE TALK, KRLA
Radio Talk Show Host, KDAR
KSPA
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Columnist, Cascades
Operation Gratitude
Honors & Recognition:
Doctor of Divinity, Chinese for
Christ Theological Seminary
Lifetime Member, ADA, CDA
USC Dentistry Associates, Dean’s
Member
Recognition for Outstanding Service,
USC School of Dentistry
Articles
John C. Chao, D.D.S., F.A.G.D
Anxiety Management,
Behavior Science,
Faculty, USC School of Dentistry
Your Dentist Can Detect Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is known as a disease that decreases bone density and weakens bones. It affects 10 million people. More than one-third of females over 65 have signs and symptoms of the disease. Most individuals afflicted with osteoporosis are not diagnosed until a fracture occurs, a little bit too late.
Some early signs and symptoms of osteoporosis, such as gum disease, loose teeth, and generalized bone loss can be detected by dental X-rays and a clinical examination at your regular dental visit. Your dentist will assess other risk factors for osteoporosis which include: age, heredity, calcium deficiency, smoking, post menopausal, excessive caffeine, alcohol and an inactive lifestyle. Based on all the information available a referral may be made to your physician for further study. A bone mineral density may be ordered by your physician to confirm diagnosis for osteoporosis.
Early diagnosis is important because as the disease progresses, the vertebral bones can become weakened, resulting in a curved back bone. Also, the other bones in the body, such as the hip, will become susceptible to fracture during normal everyday activities. Fractures of any kind, particularly of the hip, may result in the need for surgery, such as hip replacement, and a long period of convalescence. Incidental to the dental examination, your dentist may be able to pick up signs of osteoporosis in some cases with the use of a routine X-ray procedure, called the panoramic radiograph. This single-sheet X-ray film (radiograph) allows the visualization of the entire mouth in a single image. Sometimes comparing panoramic radiographs in past years can show progressive loss of bone density. In a recent study published by the American Roentgen Ray Society, it was reported that the panoramic radiograph (read by an appropriately trained dentist) is just as predictive of osteoporosis as the routine questionnaire used to screen for the disease. It is postulated that with advances in X-ray technology, radiographs will be sensitive enough to detect enough significant changes in bone density for the dentist to be able to regularly screen for osteoporosis.
For patients with osteoporosis, it is important to practice good oral hygiene, see the dentist regularly, consume sufficient calcium and Vitamin D, and add weight to their exercise regimen. In fact, this is also good advice for any adult in the at-risk age group.
