Vitality Functional Dental: A New Approach

At Vitality Functional Dental, our focus is centred around disease prevention utilising state of the art technology to assist with early detection. The aim is to ensure better long-term health with reduced reliance on medications without having to resort to unnecessary procedures such as surgery.

Our philosophy is that disease should not just be treated, it should be avoided in the first instance. Intervening early when there are signs of disease, but not necessarily symptoms, allows us to reduce the risk of disease progression and, in the growing individual, facilitates optimal health from an early age giving them the best chance in life. This is important as once growth is complete, the options for correcting disharmonies and managing health conditions usually involve complex, costly, protracted, and risky procedures.

As we age, various conditions and disorders can cause pain and/or dysfunction which can become chronic in nature. These can be managed with lifestyle medicine to restore normal function and improve quality of life and prevent complications. Targeted interventions help alter the trajectory or course of disease under the approach of precision (personalised) medicine.

Such interventions require a comprehensive and holistic outlook that involves looking beyond the teeth with an assessment of several lifestyle factors such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, mental wellbeing, and everything in between!

Dr. Alexander McDonald

BDS, MRACDS(GDP), GradDipClinDent (clear aligners) (CoLDS), GradDipClinDent (dental sleep medicine) (CoLDS), FDSM, FPFA

Dentist | Accredited Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner

Dr. Alexander McDonald grew up in the Whitsundays and completed his formal dental training in Cairns at James Cook University (JCU) where he was awarded an academic medal for bachelor coursework. He then went on to work in the public dental system in Victoria and Tasmania before embarking on a career with the Royal Australian Navy, where he served for five years at the rank of Lieutenant including a position as Senior Dental Officer HMAS Cairns. During this time Dr. McDonald held a clinical supervisor role at JCU tutoring senior year dental students. As a previous Australian Dental Association (QLD Branch) Board Director for South-East Queensland, Dr. McDonald is passionate about engaging with and educating the wider community in the interests of promoting oral health and the crucial role that dental practitioners play in the early detection and management of oral disease as part of an integrated approach to health care. He is studying a Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) with a specialisation in orofacial pain. This is in addition to pursuing a Fellowship in Lifestyle Medicine. Outside of work, Dr. McDonald enjoys playing golf and squash as well as hanging out at the beach and occasionally going for a sail.