Recently, I had Dr John Teh as a guest on my podcast, “Mouth Health Natters.” As the founder of Dental Wellness, which focuses on creating safer, healthier, and more beautiful smiles, I was particularly interested in Dr Teh’s expertise in medicinal cannabis and its potential applications in dentistry.

Dr. Teh, the founder and medical director of Plant Med Clinic, shared his fascinating journey into medicinal cannabis. He explained how his career path shifted from surgery to cannabis medicine, sparked by a personal experience helping a friend with a brain tumor.

I was intrigued to learn about the complexities of medicinal cannabis, especially the entourage effect. Dr Teh’s explanation of how THC, CBD, and various terpenes work together was enlightening. As a dentist, I found his insights on cannabis use for dental anxiety and chronic pain management particularly relevant to my practice.

We discussed several dental-related applications, including managing trigeminal neuralgia and chronic neck pain. While Dr Teh noted that cannabis might not be ideal for acute pain from dental infections, its potential in chronic pain scenarios could be significant for many of my patients.

Dr. Teh’s perspective on Australia’s medicinal cannabis landscape was eye-opening. As someone who’s been in the field since its legalization in 2016, his view that Australia possibly has the best medical framework for cannabis in the world was surprising and encouraging.

I appreciated Dr. Teh’s balanced approach, especially his caution against rushed recreational legalization. His advocacy for a measured approach aligns well with my philosophy of careful, evidence-based practice in dentistry.

The discussion on the social stigma surrounding cannabis use was particularly valuable. Dr Teh’s encouragement for people to explore medicinal cannabis for themselves, emphasizing its safety profile, could be reassuring for many of my patients who might be hesitant to consider it as a treatment option.

Overall, this natter with Dr. Teh has expanded my understanding of medicinal cannabis and its potential role in dental care. It’s opened up new possibilities for how we might approach certain challenging conditions in dentistry, always to provide the best possible care for our patients.

To understand this fascinating topic more deeply, please watch or listen to the entire podcast conversation with Dr Teh. The whole discussion offers even more insights into medicinal cannabis and its potential applications in dentistry and overall health care.

Dr Teh mentioned an excellent educational resource for those interested in learning more. Planteducation.net.au offers both free and paid courses on medicinal cannabis. This platform provides information for professionals and patients who want to expand their knowledge in this rapidly evolving field.

As we explore new frontiers in dental care and overall wellness, staying informed about emerging treatments like medicinal cannabis is helpful. I hope this natter with Dr Teh has piqued your interest and encouraged you to delve deeper into this vital topic.