What are the main preventive steps according to Dr. Mandikos? Minimising the intake of cariogenic foods, and removing plaque from teeth and prosthetic surfaces.
His greatest job satisfaction is seeing patients who had significant problems happy with the results they achieve together. Dr. Michael Mandikos is a registered specialist in prosthodontics, researcher and teacher based in Brisbane, Australia. Read the interview with this inspiring dental professional to learn why “being regular” is his golden rule, and the biggest problem he sees from the “health-conscious” patients.
What routines do you find most critical for maintaining proper oral health?
I believe proper oral health comes from controlling pathogenic biofilms. Most of us tend to eat good and bad foods, and so we grow a biofilm in part according to our diet. I believe that cleaning twice a day means that there is more chance of removing most of the bacteria and plaque than cleaning once a day, and trying to be methodical about the cleaning process (using a good brush, a “pro-active” toothpaste, and adding a floss for inter proximal cleaning) leads to a greater reduction in the biofilm.
What does the word prevention mean to you?
Prevention means being proactive. In order to prevent the onset of oral diseases, it is essential to be active in the preventive steps of minimising the intake of cariogenic foods, and actively removing plaque from teeth and prosthetic surfaces. Prevention is not a passive process, it means a commitment from both the patient and the practitioner to try to ensure problems and disease do not occur.
What is your “golden rule” or advice that you tell your patients often?
The golden rule is to remain regular. Regular cleaning and home care on their part, and regular review and maintenance on our part for them.
What’s the biggest challenge of your job?
The biggest challenge often looks like rehabilitation of the broken-down mouth that has just presented with the patient. But in reality, the biggest challenge is ensuring the fine restorative care we provide lasts, after it has been successfully placed in that mouth. Ongoing review, maintenance and good home care by the patient are essential to this.
Welcome to the Billion Healthy Mouths Club
Proper prevention is the future of dentistry – that’s why we at Curaden launched the Billion Healthy Mouths Club – a community of dental professionals committed to the idea of having regular routines in prevention and a holistic approach to dentistry. is one of those dental professionals who shares these values, and we proudly present his experience and thoughts with other like-minded people from the field. Keep reading our Gently magazine to discover more interviews with forward-thinking professionals from around the world.
What’s the thing that you like about your job the most?
My greatest job satisfaction comes from seeing satisfied patients. By the time they come to me, these patients know that their teeth are in the “too hard” basket for most dentists, and they know they have some significant problems. So if we can achieve a good result for them, their reaction, their appreciation and their happiness is what really makes my role satisfying.
What’s the most important thing in terms of an oral care routine from your point of view?
The most important thing in the oral care routine for a patient, is to have home implements that work for them. Usually this involves an electric toothbrush that makes the cleaning easier and more effective, and a toothpaste that can equally be “active” in the process via the inclusion of additives with cleaning or antimicrobial activity.
What’s the biggest oral health myth that you fight against?
The biggest oral health myth I see is the health-conscious person who consumes “healthy” apple cider vinegar and or lemon juice each day, to “assist” their health. The impact on tooth structure over a relatively short period of just a couple of years, is significant, and leads to significant restorative needs.
Dr. Michael Mandikos received his Bachelor of Dental Science with first class honours from the University of Queensland, before completing a three-year residency program at the State University of New York in Buffalo (USA) in 1998, graduating with a certificate in prosthodontics and a master’s degree in biomaterials. He has researched composite resin materials and published research papers in both Australian and international journals, and clinical technique articles in local dental magazines. Michael has been a visiting specialist prosthodontist to the University of Queensland Dental School and the Royal Australian Air Force. He has presented continuing education programs at dental meetings throughout Australia, Southeast Asia, Antarctica and the USA and maintains a private practice limited to implant and restorative dentistry in Graceville, Brisbane. He also teaches at the Australian Dental Centre of Excellence in Brisbane. Follow @drmichaelmandikos on Instagram to learn more about his activities.
