The Mind-Body Connection in Dentistry by Rhythm

The Mind-Body Connection in Dentistry by Rhythm - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

One thing that had always fascinated me throughout my childhood was how the state of one's mind interrelated with physical health. I wanted to research how psychological disorders could affect an individual's oral health. Later on, through undergraduate research at Dr. Anna Bardone-Cone's lab, my desire deepened for the subject and studied the various linkages of eating disorders to dental health. This experience crystallized my interest in the field of dentistry and instigated a long-term goal to improve oral health literacy for anxious dental patients. In the RRED study, I specifically examined how individuals recovering from eating disorders go through severe oral health complications, such as enamel erosion, gum disease, and hypersensitivity.

Many in our research reported fear and shame associated with dental visits; thus, many avoided treatment either due to apprehension or because they were unaware of how their disorder impacts them dentally. The witnessing of this pattern strengthened my goal in connecting the gaps between psychological wellness and dentistry. I became especially interested in learning how trauma-informed dental care and patient education may be used to decrease fear and improve access for the most vulnerable populations. Outside of research, my shadowing experiences and those working at Southpoint Pediatric Dentistry have truly shown me how important it is to have compassionate patient care. I would see how a reassuring voice or an explanation of a procedure could change a patient's experience in the chair.

Many patients, especially those with special needs or past traumatic experiences, would come in looking very anxious and then leave their appointments feeling safe and understood with the right approach. I would like to continue learning methods to put patients at ease and incorporate them into my future dental practice. This passion has guided my academic choices, leading me to take courses in both psychology and the sciences to build a strong foundation for my future in dentistry. My background in psychology gave me a different perspective on patient care, while studies in chemistry and anatomy strengthened my understanding of the biological aspects of oral health. These interests will continue to be integrated throughout dental school, through research involving behavioral methods in the management of dental anxiety, and through participation in community outreach that teaches the value of good oral health.

This curiosity-the point at which psychology meets dentistry-eventually shaped my educational goals and career aspirations. I look forward with great anticipation to being part of a field offering so much more than technical skill: patient-centered care. It is my hope that through the incorporation of psychological principles into my dental practice, meaningful changes may occur in the lives of patients who, otherwise, might go unheard or unseen.