Holistic Dentist Dr. Joseph Da Cruz has been passionately working in the direction of the potential collaboration of medicine and dentistry. He specialises in Preventive Health, Pain Management and TemporoMandibular Dysfunction (TMD). His elaborated interest in holistic dentistry comprises of General Dentistry, Laser Dentistry, Three Dimensional In-Office Imaging, TMJ Pain Management, Functional Medicine, Dentofacial Orthopedics, Full Mouth Reconstruction and Appliance Therapy. The development of the SOMA appliance and system is his original work which has world wide patent status and copy right. Besides dentistry his interest areas also involve general health, functional medicine, nutrition, psychology, biochemistry, blood chemistry, Chinese and Indian Medicine, gardening, sports like hockey, Qi gong, walking the dogs, music, singing and food appreciation.
Dr. Da Cruz commenced his dentistry journey in 1976, when he attained Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and then in 1979 Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) both from the University of Mumbai, India. Over the years going for numerous postgraduate courses, he has understanding, knowledge, experience and confidence he started his private practice, which has been successfully running 40 years in Queanbeyan/ACT, region in Australia and 3 years overseas. His passion for dentistry has gained attention from people around the world; he has treated and continues to treat patients living in the USA, Europe, all over Australia and many other countries around the world.
Dr. Da Cruz’s prime accomplishment has been the innovation of the Splint, Orthopaedic, Myofunctional dental Appliance treatment (the SOMA). With his mentor Dr. John Diamond he designed the SOMA to address acute dental and health problems of many patients. Using the functional appliance therapy, the SOMA system involves a non-invasive dental treatment, focusing on interrelated conditions of Malocclusion, TMD, Sleeping Disorder and Mouth Breathing.
Dr. Da Cruz is a member of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP), a founding member of Australian Society of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (ASOMAT), a fellow of Australian College of Nutrition and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM). He has also given lectures in renowned institutes based in Australia, USA, Japan, India and China.
Dr. Da Cruz, from 43 years of research and development, has concluded that underdevelopment of the upper and lower jaws, pre-maxilla and associated jaw positions are related to the patterns of breathing obstruction, nervous system dysregulation, TMD, headaches, migraines and chronic postural related back problems, and cranio sacral issues. His perceptive of the structural development regarding the upper and lower jaws, pre-maxilla has revealed that health related problems could be rectified at a very young age by bringing simple alterations in everyday life. Most of these problems are overlooked till adulthood, when they start to disturb our routine and demand professional treatment.
Dr. Joseph Da Cruz’s philosophy of life helps him maintain even temperament in his professional and personal life. He welcomes every discussion based on dentistry and its importance in functional medicine of the human body. He finds pride in sharing his knowledge for the betterment of everyone’s health.
