Use Your Voice to help someone with a Voice Disorder
Dental practitioners are expected to wear many hats. In addition to dental expertise, patients expect their doctors to be trusted leaders, role models, confidants, and advocates. “Helping patients” is therefore the best description of what dentists do. Sometimes that help does not take the form of dental treatment but consists of advice and assistance with problem solving. Sometimes that help is lending a compassionate ear. And sometimes that help offers information and referrals to health professionals outside of dental practice.
The Overall Approach to Oral Care
As a dental practitioner and educator, I have always stressed the importance of adopting an overall approach to oral care rather than the piecemeal approach that currently permeates the profession. A piecemeal approach to care only focuses on filling a hole or a space, while an overall approach concentrates on promoting oral health and preventing future problems. I believe an overall approach must extend beyond the oral cavity, because the foundation for the oral health is the patient’s mental, physical and spiritual welfare.
Gia George, a guide at the Maharishi Spiritual Center of America, explains that integrating physical and metaphysical approaches to health care aims to address the root causes of dental problems as well as to promote overall well-being. “Not only does this approach provide a more complete understanding of oral health, “ she explains, “but it also empowers individuals to take an active role in their own healing journey1.” In order for any treatment to succeed, the patient must have confidence in the doctor, participate in the healing process, and believe in their innate ability to heal.
A Primer on Spasmodic Dysphonia
Just next door to the oral cavity is the larynx. I really knew very little about the larynx (except basic anatomy) until I met my very best friend here in Arizona, Esther Zack. Esther has a condition called spasmodic dysphonia or laryngeal dystonia. This disorder affects the voice muscles in the larynx. Spasmodic dysphonia results from spasm of the muscles inside the vocal folds. This spasm causes voice breaks during speaking and can make the voice sound strained, breathy or trembling (vocal tremor). It is a chronic condition that can develop suddenly, start with mild symptoms, and worsen over time. People with spasmodic dysphonia often develop emotional scars from the inability to communicate and they can retreat inward with poor quality of life.
Spasmodic Dysphonia has of late achieved great visibility because Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has this condition.2 I learned from Esther that many victims of dystonia do not know where to turn for help for their conditions. Esther co-chairs a committee of the Dysphonia International organization that focusses on enhancing public awareness of this condition. Her committee also raises funds for dystonia research, education and patient support.
One of the committee’s fund-raising efforts is a “Walk for Talk” event, held annually in Scottsdale. Similar events are held in many other cities across the world. On last year’s walk, volunteers handed out informational pamphlets to numerous pedestrians enjoying the scenery and beautiful weather. We actually met an individual with dysphonia who had no idea that help was available for his condition. After this experience, it is a sure bet that dentists will be the experts of “first resort” for a patient with a developing voice disorder. As a potential first resort, dentists should know something about voice disorders and where to refer patients who need treatment.
The 2025 Dysphonia International Conference
Last month, I attended the Dysphonia International conference at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Phoenix. The conference featured presentations on the anatomy and mechanics of the voice, the diagnosis and current treatments of voice disorders, and the latest research. Treatments for voice disorders include speech therapy, surgical intervention and botox injections. Botox injections for voice disorders can be quite difficult to perform. They can be syringed internally through the oral cavity or externally between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages of the neck.
Like dental conditions, optimal treatment for voice disorders must incorporate a holistic approach. As a result, the conference included courses in stress management, mood management, and breath control through Tai Chi. There was ample opportunity for attendees—most of whom had voice disorders—to relate their unique journey, social frustrations, and communication difficulties. Some participants had normal sounding voices, but most had noticeable tremors during speech. Some had speech that was almost unintelligible.
Finding the right referrals for Dysphonia patients
Both the Mayo Clinic and Banner Health have excellent programs available to patients with voice conditions in Arizona. Voice teams include speech pathologists, neurologists, specialty surgeons, and support groups. Patients are also encouraged to pursue activities that help with breath control (like Tai Chi) and stress management.
The word “doctor,” says Dr. Irving Shapiro, former Clinical Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health at the State University Medical Center at New York City, is derived from the Latin, “docco,” which means “to teach.3” Great doctors do not pretend to have all the answers. But they are willing to do whatever it takes to find answers to help patients. Those answers include finding appropriate referrals to other health care practitioners.
Dysphonia International (www.dysphonia.org) is a great place where dental practitioners can find answers for patients with voice disorders. It is a 501 (c)3 organization dedicated to “improving the lives of people affected by spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions through research, education, awareness and support.4” The organization has a great deal of information and can assist with referrals to voice teams in their vicinity. In addition, the organization supports important research that is being conducted in the search for cures. Executive Director Kimberly Kuman and her excellent staff are always standing by to help:
Dysphonia International 300 Park Boulevard Suite 280 Itasca, Il 60143 630-250-4504 voice@dysphonia.org
Dental practitioners who go the extra mile to find help for patients outside of their expertise transcend patient expectations. They demonstrate how deeply they care about the well-being of their patients. Because this type of caring is relatively uncommon, the likely result is referrals from family and friends.
While giving can result in financial return, the greatest reward is priceless. Nick Vujicic, a motivational speaker once commented that “The greatest rewards come when you give of yourself. It’s about bettering the lives of others, being part of something bigger than yourself, and making a positive difference5.” Like victims of dysphonia, Nick faced enormous challenges in his life but always remained positive and purposeful. He was born without limbs.
1George, Gia; “Spiritual Healing of Teeth: A Holistic Approach;” https://spiritual-center.com/healing/spiritual-healing-of-teeth/; July 22, 2024.
2Wells, S. D.; “Robert F. Kenned, Jr’s Voice Disorder is a Neurological Injury called Spasmodic Dysphonia caused by the Flu Vaccine he received in 1996;” Feb 26, 2025; https://www.naturalnews.com/2025-02-26-robert-f-kennedy-jr-s-voice-disorder-neurological-injury-caused-by-flu-vaccine.html
3Shapiro, Irving; “Doctor Means Teacher,” The Journal of Medical Education, 1951;2:125–129.]
4https://dysphonia.org/about-us/our-mission-and-vision/
5Pash, Riz; “67 Nick Vujicic Quotes To Live Your Life Without Limits;” Succeed Feed; May 14, 2018; https://succeedfeed.com/nick-vujicic-quotes/.
