There is a powerful interplay between dentistry and medicine. For instance, a large number of diseases manifest themselves in the mouth, throat and neck, while an unhealthy mouth can have consequences for a person’s overall health. Moreover, diseases and medication can influence dental interventions, while medical emergencies can occur at a dental practice. It is important therefore that proper collaboration and knowledge sharing takes place between healthcare professionals.  

In his teaching and research, Fred Rozema combines general medical and specific dental practice. To this end, he studies the relationship between the microbiome/proteome and mucosal reactions in the oral cavity as a result of stem cell transplantation. In teaching, the focus will be on general pathology, its manifestations in the oral cavity, and the safe treatment of medically comprised patients.

Since 1995, Rozema has worked as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the Haga Teaching Hospital (HagaZiekenhuis) in The Hague. In addition, he has been professor by special appointment of Medical Dental Interaction at ACTA since 2012, and works at the AMC’s department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Rozema holds various administrative and advisory posts. He is, among other things, a member of the guideline committee on Antibiotic Use during Dental Surgery, chair of ACTA’s Dentistry Ethics Committee, and chair of the Consilium Chirurgicum Oris (NVMKA). Also, he is the chair of the KNMT Oral Health Fund, an initiative of the Royal Dutch Dental Organisation (the professional association for dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists) that is aimed at promoting awareness and increasing knowledge about the relationship between oral health and general health.