Dr. Ron McGlennen: How were you introduced to OralDNA® salivary diagnostics, and what motivated you to incorporate it into your practice?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: I was introduced to salivary diagnostics back in 2019 through an online webinar. I was intrigued by the idea of my patients having a tangible resource to help them understand periodontal disease and its significant impact on the overall health when left untreated or mismanaged. Salivary diagnostics helps me better serve my patients by enhancing the overall quality of care focused on patient education and subsequent engagement.
Dr. McGlennen: How do you currently use salivary diagnostics in your practice?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: In my practice we offer Alert 2 and MyPerioPath (MPP) to all patients above the age of 15. However, we use it as a part of our treatment plan for all patients with active periodontal disease (regardless of the staging) to track progress and manage the disease effectively. It is highly engaging for patients with other chronic inflammatory conditions of the body such as heart disease, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis. Testing gives a more in-depth understanding of the why behind treating and managing periodontal disease to help better manage their chronic conditions.
Dr. McGlennen: If a new OralDNA® provider were to ask you for advice, what would be your best tip?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: Educate yourself, dive in, and learn as you go!!! Read, and re-read on the mouth body connection to help better understand it and serve your patients well through a well-rounded approach focused on getting them better as a whole person!!
Dr. McGlennen: What kind of impact do you think widespread adoption of salivary diagnostics could have on the future of healthcare (both medical and dental)?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: Salivary diagnostics will bridge the gap between the medical and dental field as it is already helping both fields collaborate and treat the patient more efficiently through better understanding of how the conditions of the oral cavity have a profound impact on the overall being!
Dr. McGlennen: Can you share a success story where OralDNA testing made a life-changing difference for a patient?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: I am sharing my mother’s story, as this one hits hard for me. She has had periods of remission and re-activation of her periodontal disease; my mother was also diagnosed with auto-immune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. She has always tried to be on top of her overall health but has always struggled to understand why it was critical to maintain healthy gums. After I incorporated salivary diagnostics into her treatment, Alert 2 and MPP , she now understands so much better how her oral health is impacting her overall health, not only has she been more proactive about keeping her gum disease under control but is also seeing better control of her systemic conditions! As her disease-causing bacteria drops, so does the overall inflammation! She also has incorporated tremendous diet and lifestyle changes to help support a healthy oral microbiome!
Dr. McGlennen: Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you started in your profession. What is your driver to do what you do?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: As a kid I was always afraid to smile, I didn’t have a straight smile, I had protruded teeth and that made me extremely self conscious of my smile. My mother noticed this about me and helped me by starting ortho at age 7. I enjoyed going to my orthodontist and my general dentist as they were super sweet, friendly, and immensely patient. I also had a sweet tooth like any other kid and ended up with quite a few cavities throughout my childhood.
Well after my treatment was complete, not only did I smile and laugh more but, I felt more confident in my smile!!! What that did to my self esteem and self confidence is not something I could really put to words, but it was in that moment I found my calling, I wanted to pay it forward and help others feel and achieve what my dentists helped me achieve!
Dr. McGlennen: What is one thing you’ve learned from using salivary diagnostics that you wish every provider knew?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: Well, amongst many things that salivary diagnostics has taught me, is that with gum health there is always more to it than what meets the eye, and Alert 2 really gives you more information and knowledge is power.
Dr. McGlennen: How has salivary testing changed your approach to treatment planning?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: I’ve always utilized the laser, scaling root planning, and irrigation to help mitigate periodontal disease but with salivary diagnostics I am able to monitor the disease more closely and enhance patient engagement, thus increasing patient compliance.
Dr. McGlennen: What feedback from patients or colleagues has reinforced your belief in the value of salivary diagnostics?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: Patients in my practice love the tangible evidence as they call it to my probing and diagnosis of periodontal disease. They absolutely love the detailed explanation of what kind of bacteria, the severity of the disease, and their impact on their overall health!
Dr. McGlennen: Have you noticed a shift in patient awareness on oral-systemic health since implementing OralDNA salivary testing?
Dr. Jinita Parekh: Absolutely!!! Patients are definitely more engaged and more driven to do better about their oral health! It definitely drives the need to treat periodontal disease with the seriousness it deserves!!
Regional Clinical Leader at PDS Health
Focus on CEREC and the mouth body connection (sleep apnea, salivary diagnostics, ammp-8 OFC clinical screening)
I have been practicing dentistry since 2008. In my spare time, I enjoy Barre Fitness and yoga when I am not spending time with my son. My husband, my son, and I enjoy the beautiful outdoors the PNW has to offer. We love hiking, swimming, and a variety of water sports.
- Interview with Dr. Jinita Parekh - August 22, 2025