Hugh

Coyne

Dentistry is an intellectually demanding, physically repetitive, and psychologically intense profession. Dentists are expected to maintain exceptional concentration, precision, and patient care standards while managing high workloads and business pressures. These demands place dentists at increased risk of musculoskeletal injury, burnout, cardiovascular disease, metabolic illness, and reduced career longevity. Despite these demands, dentists are required to maintain good physical health.

This course explores evidence-based strategies to improve healthspan, performance, and career sustainability for dental professionals. Using a combination of clinical science, evolutionary medicine, and clinical experience, participants will learn how exercise, sleep, nutrition, screening, and lifestyle medicine influence long-term health outcomes and professional performance. The course also explores emerging longevity science, including mitochondrial health, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and early disease detection, translating complex research into practical and achievable interventions. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to reduce disease risk, maintain physical resilience, enhance cognitive performance, and improve quality of life throughout their careers and into retirement.

Learning Objectives
1. Understand the key modifiable factors that influence longevity and healthspan in healthcare professionals: Participants will understand how physical activity, metabolic health, sleep consistency, body composition, and preventive screening contribute to reducing chronic disease risk and improving long-term functional capacity.
2. Recognise the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and daily movement in reducing mortality risk:  Participants will be able to explain the role of VO2 max, resistance training, and non-exercise activity in maintaining mitochondrial function, reducing cardiometabolic risk, and preserving physical independence.
3. Apply practical, evidence-based lifestyle and screening strategies to improve personal health, professional performance, and career sustainability:
Participants will be able to identify realistic interventions relating to exercise prescription, dietary patterns, sleep optimisation, and early disease detection that can be incorporated into busy clinical schedules.