DR. DAVID ROZE
Dr. David Roze and Dr. Agnes Roze, two visionary French dentists, brought their expertise and passion for holistic oral health to the UAE in the early 2000s. They quickly became trusted names in the community thanks to their biological approach to dentistry and their mission to educate on the vital link between the mouth and the rest of the body.
Emirates Reporter brings to You the full interview with Dr. David Roze.
ER) Can you give us a brief overview of your education, and university qualifications?
DR. ROZE) I started my career following a conventional medical path, receiving a comprehensive training in dentistry from major medical institutions in France, including a bachelor’s degree in dental surgery DDS (Summa Cum Laude), and a further Master’s in Biological Medical Sciences and Neuroscience, from Lille, where I also completed my Residency in Odontology between 1998-2001. I also have a separate master’s degree in Implantology from the University of Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris.
However, this conventional training was not enough for me and did not sate my hunger for knowledge, and I sought out another level of personal training from my own intense research and study over the years, which is ongoing and now forms part of the ROZE philosophy. This private journey has been ten times more valuable than anything I could have from learned the traditional, limited route. All that I believe I bring to the table that is valuable is precisely because of my goals to challenge convention and to think outside of the box.
ER) You’ve trained and worked across multiple countries over the course of your career. What pivotal moment led to you to create the ROZE brand and pioneer BioDentistry in the Middle East?
DR. ROZE) My father is an entrepreneur and so that is in my blood, having watched him grow his successful company over the years in Brittany, France. My father was certainly my early inspiration, but I also should thank my mother who was also an entrepreneur in her own career. I suppose it was pre-destined that I would follow in my parents’ footsteps.
But my decision to pursue an entrepreneurial path in BioHealth was entirely mine. My daughter was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 15 – a trauma that will never leave me, but one that I dealt with my pouring myself into my profession and the pursuit of knowledge around natural healing methods. I simply could not accept that conventional medical wisdom was telling us to heal a body with poison through chemotherapy drugs, and I was convinced there was a better way. I committed myself to the BioHealth route from that moment on and have never looked back.
ER) How would you define the difference between traditional dentistry and BioDentistry – and why does that difference matter?
DR. ROZE) The easiest way to understand Biodentistry is to think of us as the organic vs. the non-organic dentist, the natural vs. chemical. Guided by the philosophy of primum non nocere (first, do no harm), we prioritize patient safety by using non-toxic materials in our treatments. Over the years we have pioneered many new innovations in our Dubai clinic, such as ozone therapy, smart protocol, REP (Regenerative Endodontic Protocol), so that we treat our patients in the most natural, and effective way.
Aside from treatment methods, there is a vital difference in understanding – we are committed to treating the root cause of inflammation and infection in the mouth, not the consequence. We take an empowering approach that puts the patient in charge of their health, which is a growing trend, driven I feel by the fallout from the pandemic. Everyone was talking at that time about boosting their immune system.
ER) There’s increasing evidence linking oral inflammation to chronic disease such as dementia, heart disease and even cancer. Can you explain to us simply how oral health connects to overall systematic health?
DR. ROZE) To understand this concept, we first need to understand inflammation, which is a global problem that affects the entire body. Acute inflammation, such as burn, is often visible and can be quickly addressed, but it is chronic stress that is the more dangerous issue if left unchecked, as does not always present itself clearly, and therefore can spread around the body. We can have inflammation because of emotional stress, resulting from an argument for example, or mechanical, such as a mercury filling, which we know causes stress around the site, and affects the mercury levels in the brain.
We realise the profound importance of preventing this stress to the body and throwing it out of balance. Indeed, chronic inflammation is widely recognized as a contributing factor in the initiation, promotion, and progression of many cancers. When the body is under persistent low-grade inflammatory stress, like gum disease, the immune system becomes dysregulated. This leads to DNA damage and mutation. [Coussens & Werb, Nature (2002)].
It is therefore our work to remove the stress from our patient’s mouths – presented by inflammation and infection, to restore harmony, balance and statis. There is a growing body of scientific research that indicates that most of the body’s inflammation presents in the mouth.
ER) ROZE BioHealth offers a comprehensive range of integrative health treatments like Chinese Energy Healing, fascia release, IV therapy and gut support. Why is it important to treat the patient, not just the teeth?
DR. ROZE) The ROZE philosophy is rooted in the belief that oral care is just the beginning of an integrated health journey and therefore we take a whole-body approach, that goes far deeper than a healthy smile.
ROZE BioHealth blends cutting-edge dental protocol, much of which is unique in the GCC, with integrative therapies including gut support, IV drips, Traditional Chinese Medicine, fascia release and nervous system regulation. The results get to the root cause of health issues via lowered inflammation, improved immunity, better brain function and a strong foundation for life-long health.
ER) How does the mouth’s microbiome and the body’s inflammatory response influence long-term wellbeing – and what early signs should we not ignore?
DR. ROZE) Our mouths and our guts hold our two main microbiomes and relate to each other – if one is unbalanced, the other will also be placed out of harmony. We have 700 species of bacteria in our mouths, both good and bad, but all bacteria are specific to their location, and what might be considered ‘good’ in the mouth is harmful in the gut – and vice versa. Therefore, we must keep our oral microbiome balanced and controlled within our mouths.
Our teeth are the only organs we have that are both inside and outside of the body. So, if our gum is not healthy, an inflection in the tooth can passed via the root canal into our system – thereby upsetting the balance of the wider body. Bacteria also release waste called endotoxins when they die, or when their cell wall is disrupted, this waste triggers an immune response, causing the body to produce cytokines, which cause systemic inflammation. This process affects the microglia, which in turn can affects our DNA and way our neurones communicate on a fundamental way.
The symptoms that I urge my patients not to ignore include bad breath, swollen or fixed lymph nodes in the neck, reflect or recurrent infection or inflammation, or even a change in colour of the mouth or tongue. We also know that unexplained medical symptoms such as migraine, brain fog, fatigue, back pain might be caused by a dental issue and so take nothing for granted in our initial patient assessments and scans.
ER) What can we do ourselves in terms of diet, stress levels and other lifestyle changes to support our oral health – what advice do you give your patients?
DR. ROZE) In terms of oral health, we encourage our patients to adopt the below healthy habits as part of their daily routine:
• Use a tongue scraper.
• Floss daily.
• Change toothpaste to a fluoride free option, such as the ROZE toothpaste range.
• Avoid excess mouthwash or essential oils. Try oil pulling.
• Reduce sugary and acidic foods.
• Chew oral probiotics.
• Eat fermented and nutrient-dense foods.
• Breathe through your nose.
• Check up your overall medical status with your functional doctor.
In terms of wider health support, we encourage the tried and tested methods that encourage a healthy, positive and balanced mental and physical outlook – regular exercise, daily relaxation techniques such as meditation or journalling, a healthy diet, plenty of water and sleep.
ER) What innovations are you most proud of bringing to the ROZE brand? What’s next in the field of BioDentistry and BioHealth?
DR. ROZE) We never sit still at ROZE BioHealth and currently, we are working on a floss that works with ozone. We are also developing a new watermelon toothpaste flavour designed especially for kids. This feels very much like a tipping point in our profession, and we are proud to pioneer the market, raising awareness and providing education for other dentists and health professionals, encouraging them to embrace a BioHealth route.
Stem cells research in biological dentistry will be the center of attention over the next few years.
ER) Where do you see the field of BioHealth and Integrative Medicine headed in the Gulf? Are we a forward-looking market, or do we tend to follow trends?
DR. ROZE) This part of the world is more forward thinking than other markets, here, we tend to look and celebrate for what is innovative. The community here is driven by the values of its leaders, who are open minded, tolerant and are guided logically by what makes sense and what works. I’d like to praise Sheikh Mohammed and his leadership for his vision and innovation and for allowing ROZE BioHealth to flourish in the UAE.
ER) You work with some of the region’s most celebrated athletes, health-conscious high- flyers and discerning individuals. What do they love about your patient philosophy – what brings them back?
DR. ROZE) Our patients already are health aware and perform at a very high level. Seemingly small changes make a huge difference – even for example the difference between a bronze and a gold Olympic media. At this level detail is vital for the body and for overall performance. Of course, not all our patients are athletes, but this idea of performance and exception influencers our business leaders and even those just looking to make the best possible health choices for themselves and their families.
Our brand is larger than just one man – it’s the perfect symphony of the correct patients, a visionary environment up and unique patient environment. Our team really is our strength, and we are motivated to leading the industry by example, which also means superlative patient care. All our dentists are handpicked to offer outstanding service levels and receive highly specific scientific training in Switzerland.
