Healthcare outcomes often suffer due to “siloed” practices. While the average patient may see five to eight different providers concurrently, they frequently fail to achieve optimal health because those providers are not working together.
Congratulations, OralDNA testers on diagnosing and managing periodontal disease using objective salivary diagnostics. With an effective protocol in place, you are likely seeing a significant reduction in pathogens for most patients. However, when results are inconsistent, it is important to consider the broader systemic picture.
We recognize that oral pathogens can be difficult to reduce when patients face complex underlying health issues. In our medical practice, we strive to identify and optimally treat the root causes of arterial disease to halt, and in some cases, even reverse its progression. Three such root causes originate in the mouth: periodontal infection, endodontic infection, and mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. We inform our patients that they have a medical problem with a dental solution. The reverse is also true: dental patients with oral infections have a dental problem with a medical solution. Because many inflammatory diseases are bi-relational, patients can only reach optimal health through collaborative care.
Medical-dental collaborative relationships are vital and actually defined as innovative, system-transforming solutions by the World Health Organization.(1) When our medical team has medical patients with elevated inflammatory markers, high risk oral pathogens, or mild sleep apnea, we refer them to our dental partners for a thorough evaluation, treatment, and management for optimal oral health. We share medical records to ensure the dental team has the complete picture for treatment planning, treatment, and long term oral health management. Literature confirms that optimal oral health plays a major role in preventing heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and dementia.
One too common scenario we have seen in oral systemic practices powerfully illustrates how collaborative care between dental and medical teams can optimize a patient’s healing journey beginning with elevated myloperoxidase (MPO), a powerful enzyme found in white blood cells that plays a critical role in the immune system’s defense against pathogens.
MPO frequently elevates in tandem with oral infection. When elevated, MPO warns of imminent heart attack and stroke danger. Patients with elevated MPO are referred to their dental provider for a CBCT and clinical evaluation, to rule out oral infection. These patients are often diagnosed with endodontic infection and it is common that these infected teeth were previously treated with root canal therapy that has failed. The patient may or may not be experiencing symptoms. The plan is to treat or extract the infected teeth and retest the MPO two to three weeks after treatment. The result of normal levels of MPO and possibly other inflammation markers reduces the imminent risk of the patient having a heart attack or stroke. A medical problem with a dental solution!
I encourage you to not practice in a silo, but find a partner within your medical or dental communities to work with for best patient outcomes. I assure you they are looking for you!
By moving away from solitary practice and adopting a “Collaboration Cures” approach, we can better ensure the best possible outcomes for every patient.
On a good day we can save a smile, on a great day we can save a life!!
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Patti is a founding member and serves as a board member of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health and is a Preceptor for the BaleDoneen Method. Her previous roles include Patient Liaison at the Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Center of Central Ohio, host of the "Ask Why Medicine" podcast, and Co-Clinical Director for the Integrative Dental Medicine Scholar Society.
Currently serving as the Dental Liaison for Renew Health, Patti focuses on creating collaborative medical-dental partnerships to achieve optimal patient outcomes. She helps patients locate oral-systemic dental teams who can assist the Renew Health medical team in reducing patients' risks for heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and dementia, while guiding medical and dental colleagues toward more effective collaboration.
Patti resides in Dublin, Ohio, with her husband, Butch, her extended family, and her dachshund, Bella. She is also a proud member of the "hole-in-one" club.
- Medical Dental Collaboration for 2026 - March 6, 2026
- Ask Why? Medicine - April 23, 2021
- Dental Hygiene Excellence: A Personalized Treatment Approach - October 12, 2018