Hello Passionate Dental listeners and supporters of this podcast. Despite my attempts at pronouncing his name correctly, I was informed by my assistant that in more than one occasion, I did not. So, my apologies to you Dr. Odiatu and to my faithful listeners. It has been over a year since I did an episode and I must be a bit rusty. The proper pronunciation is: “Oo-Chee” “O’ Dee Ah too”
A special shout out goes to my friends on the Dental Podcast Incubator group on Facebook. Without you, I would not have resurrected The Passionate Dentist Podcast. So thank you all!
Our guest this week:
Dr Uche Odiatu is the author of Fit for the Love of It and The Miracle Of Health. He’s an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, a professional member of the American College of Sports Medicine and a practicing dentist. He has done over 500 lectures in six countries since 2004.
Dr. Odiatu loves the profession of dentistry and as a practitioner of over 27 years he has woven it deeply into all aspects of his life. He is a self-proclaimed keen observer, learner and loves his CE. Goes to a number of conferences per year. (Not only does he attend, but he is also a lecturer).
He has another passion of health, fitness, and nutrition which has been one of his passions a lot longer than his dental career. Since the age of 14 actually. Since then he has nationally and internationally competed even as a dentist. This passion has helped him as a health care provider. Married to a Kary who is also a keen athlete who has won the title of “Miss Fitness Canada”, together they wrote two books on fitness: “Fit For the Love of It” and “The Miracle of Health”
Dr. Odiatu is also a lecturer, He has done Yankee dental 5 times, has lectured in the ADA annual meeting 9 years in a row. Chicago midwinter, so many more… he has expanded to other groups such as bankers and other professions.
Motivational quote: “Health is the first wealth” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
People often have challenges at a later age due to early life poor health choices and spend a great deal of money trying to gain it back. Dentists are notorious for physical and emotional fall out and are keen healthcare providers that we sacrifice too much working through lunches, taking emergencies on Saturdays, making phone calls on Sundays. Dentistry as a profession is very seductive and we lose ourselves in the “pursuit of excellence” and the sacrifice are very evident. Back pain, large bellies, and bad joints… we all know these very common issues.
Pearl: We both agreed that working with a coach is very helpful and the complaint about cost is not founded. Simply because dentists are very good at rationalizing $80,000 equipment purchase yet they will worry about a $70 per hour personal training session.
His exercise regimen: Dr. Odiatu goes through his weekly regimen and it is not that bad at all. He also discusses with us the newest research recommendations of interval training which involves 7-20 minutes of training only. This nullifies most people’s complaint of time issues.Fitness is nothing without good nutrition. Dr. Odiatu goes through a bunch of topics regarding this very important issue starting with “Abs are built in the kitchen” and one cannot exercise their way out of a bad diet.
Dr. Odiatu discusses his thoughts about nutrition and discusses his love of healthy fats like avocado’s and decrease all kind of processed foods. He made a beautiful comment of “Love handles are made of wings, beer and pizza” not carrots, grapes and fresh fruits and vegetables despite the apparent “High glycemic index of these foods”
What Uche sees when looking into the future of dentistry from the perspective of fitness and nutrition: He mentioned that after the age of 30, for every year we do not exercise we lose one percent of muscle mass. We also lose 6 percent of aerobic capacity for ever decade. Meaning, by the age of 70, one has lost 40% of muscle and 24% of aerobic capacity. But after the age of 70 it goes up to 20 percent loss per decade so by the age of 80 we are almost at 50% loss of aerobic capacity.
Dr. Odiatu goes through the three components of an exercise program to keep muscle, aerobic capacity, and flexibility.
Quick response questions:
What is best advice you ever received and from whom? – “Dr. Bill Dorfman: Don’t be afraid to show your passion when you are talking about something.”
One clinical or practice management pearl? – “Learn the language of whole body health. Attend one of his 3 hour lectures and make your practice a Wellness based practice by identifying issues with sleep, inflammation, and other whole health issues.”
Internet or app resource? – “No technical app that will replace sneakers or a good walk every day.”
One must read book right now? – “The Miracle of Health” – by Oche Odiatu and Kary Odiatu”
What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is just about to start or restart? – “Get coaches. Get a mentor or coach for your practice. Get a trainer for your health. Get a spiritual coach for your mind through your church or network.”
Get in touch with Dr. Uche Odiatu:
Dr. Uche lectures in:
- Yankee Dental
- Rock Mountain
- Star of the south
- Hawaiian Dental Seminar
- Oregon in March
- Connecticut in May
- Texas Dental Meeting
- Annual ADA meeting in Denver