Orthodontist explains the role of evolution in human adaptations
Dana Point dentist Dr. Mark A. Cruz and orthodontist Dr. Barry Raphael
have collaborated in various capacities. Committed to educating their
peers about the role of the airway in dentistry, the doctors developed
an Airway and Facial Development video series. They have completed over
40 episodes, inviting doctors from multiple disciplines to join the
discussion.
Drs. Cruz and Raphael are also founders of the Airway
Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency, held on the East and West coasts. They
developed a Venn diagram that highlights the airway and facial
development cycle. Dr. Raphael explained the first circle of the diagram
titled “Evolution and Darwinian Dentistry: Competencies,” during a
mini-residency session.
He highlighted “The Story of the Human Body: Evolution,
Health, and Disease,” by Daniel Lieberman. The author explores the
evolution of man, the competencies he has created, and how they have
intersected with some major changes over human history. Dr. Raphael
explained how natural selection is based on adaptations that can lead to
survival and reproductive success. The principle of natural selection
is there has to be variation, which can be genetic or epigenetic. It
must be hereditable, and it must allow humans to reproduce in a
successful way.
Physical adaptations that have helped Homo sapiens survive
include standing up and walking. This allowed humans to migrate and find
more food. They developed certain characteristics that allowed for
walking and standing up to be positive adaptations. Eating food other
than fruit allowed for the evolution to varying diets. This has
contributed to the development of the jaw muscles and facial structure.
The nose is another physical adaptation that is important to
highlight. The nose helps humans breathe better and is a critical part
of guiding and correcting facial growth problems. Dr. Raphael then
highlighted the brain. The brain developed in a way that created speech,
which led to communication. Then, communication created collaboration,
which has been the underpinning of civilization.
“We have been able to create adaptations from the things that we do,” Dr. Raphael said.
Lieberman calls this “cultural evolution.”
“One of the hopes of this course is we create a segment of
‘cultural revolution’ that will help us to survive and reproduce
effectively,” Dr. Raphael said.