Periodontal health is about more than healthy gums. The factors that influence oral health can be complex, individual and closely connected to what is happening elsewhere in a patient’s life and health.
Join us on Friday 2 October as we bring together expertise from dentistry and beyond to explore the connections between periodontal health, menopause, stress and neurodiversity, and consider what these mean for delivering more personalised, holistic patient care.
Led by Dr Louise O’Dowd and Dr Jackie Davidson, the programme will explore the relationship between periodontal disease, inflammation and wider health, alongside the factors that can influence periodontal tissues and patient wellbeing.
We will also be joined by experts from The Edinburgh Practice – Dr Julia Hannon, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead and Dr Rosemary Cochrane, Consultant Gynaecologist – who will bring their specialist perspectives on neurodiversity, mental health, menopause and hormonal health.
Together, these perspectives will broaden the conversation beyond dentistry, exploring how understanding the whole patient can help us provide more informed and effective care.
We’ll begin by exploring the relationship between periodontal disease, inflammation and systemic health, considering the evidence behind these associations and what they mean for everyday clinical practice.
Understanding the relationship between oral and wider health can help dental professionals take a more holistic approach to assessment, prevention and treatment, while recognising the many factors that can influence periodontal health.
Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect many aspects of a woman’s health, including her oral health. Yet these changes may not always be recognised or discussed within dental practice.
We’ll explore how menopause and stress impact periodontal tissues, considering what this can mean for periodontal health and patient care.
Dr Rosemary Cochrane will also share insight into the current management of menopause symptoms and HRT, helping dental professionals better understand the wider health context in which their patients may be experiencing oral symptoms.
By increasing our understanding of menopause and hormonal health, we can feel better equipped to recognise relevant changes, have more informed conversations and consider the individual needs of our patients.
For neurodivergent patients, the experience of accessing and engaging with dental care can be different.
Our session on recognising common mental health and neurodevelopmental presentations in practice will explore how these patients may present and communicate, and how greater awareness can help dental professionals adapt their approach.
This is particularly relevant when managing periodontal disease, where prevention, regular attendance, home care and ongoing engagement all play an important role.
Understanding individual needs and adapting communication and care can help create a more supportive and accessible experience for patients, while strengthening the relationship between clinician and patient.
The common thread throughout the day is the importance of seeing the whole patient, not simply the condition in front of us.
From systemic inflammation and hormonal changes to stress, mental health and neurodiversity, a range of factors can intersect with periodontal health.
By bringing together expertise from dentistry, psychology and gynaecology, Periodontal Health: Looking Beyond the Smile offers an opportunity to broaden our understanding, challenge assumptions and consider how a more personalised approach can improve the patient experience and support better care.
📅 2 October 2026
⌚ 9am – 4:30pm
📍 Mansion House, Edinburgh Zoo, EH12 6TS
🍽️ Lunch included, plus an exclusive ranger tour and animal meet & greet
Fees – CPDA Approved
Dentists: £395
Dental Therapists: £295
Reserve your space now and join us for a day of expert insight, fresh perspectives and practical learning