Hormonal Contraceptives and the Oral Microbiome: The Missing First Signal in Salivary Diagnostics

Posted on May 15, 2026May 8, 2026 by Dr. Neusha Najafi

We’re Having the Wrong Conversation The debate around hormonal contraceptives has grown louder and more polarized. Mood changes. Inflammation. Fertility concerns. Some of these concerns are valid. Much is oversimplified. But almost all of it misses the starting point. We are debating hormones while ignoring the environment they enter. We keep focusing on hormones in isolation. Ovaries, cycles, receptors. More recently, the gut microbiome has entered the discussion through the estrobo...

The Mouth Is Talking. Are We Listening?

Posted on May 8, 2026April 17, 2026 by Dr. Valerie Kanter, DMD, MS; Dr. Mary Ellen Chalmers, DMD, IFMCP; Dr. Staci Whitman, DMD, IFMCP

For decades, dentistry has focused solely on what we can see. Lesions, pockets, radiolucencies, and wear patterns have guided our treatment planning and shaped the way we understand disease. These visual cues are essential, but what if the most important data about our patients’ health has been communicated all along through the oral microbiome and revealed through… SPIT? At the Institute for Functional Dentistry (IFD), we teach dentists systems biology and timeline medicine, creating a s...

Most of My Career, I Measured the Wrong Thing (And How OralDNA Forced Me to Change My Scorecard) – Part Two

Posted on May 1, 2026March 19, 2026 by Jonathan Evans

Last week, we explored the awakening that comes from seeing the unseen. This week, Jonathan dives into the hard truth: a technically perfect Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) doesn’t always equal success. We’ll see how embracing an outcome-focused mindset changes not just the approach to care, but the results and the satisfaction hygienists and patients alike experience. The Hard Truth: Great SRP With Bad Outcomes Is Not a Win This is where my mindset truly flipped. I had to admit to myself: ...

Most of My Career, I Measured the Wrong Thing (And How OralDNA Forced Me to Change My Scorecard) – Part One

Posted on April 24, 2026March 19, 2026 by Jonathan Evans

For most of my 32 years as a hygienist, my “success” lived in my treatment notes. How many quads of Scaling and Root planing (SRP) did I do this week? How much calculus did I remove? How clean did those roots look and feel when I finished? If I walked out of a room drenched in sweat with polished roots and detailed charting, I felt like I’d done my job. Box checked. Next patient. But there was always this low-level itch in the back of my mind: If I’m doing such great work, why do...

How Did They Do That?

Posted on April 17, 2026April 2, 2026 by Michael Goldberg DMD

I was at dinner with my friends from OralDNA Labs — Amanda and Diane — talking about stories from my book Undeniable Hospitality. Little did we know, we were about to live one. The setting was spectacular — the kind of architectural beauty you might expect in the Museum of Modern Art. Elegant. Minimal. Intentional. But ambiance alone doesn’t create magic. The servers were polished. Smiling. Attentive. I did notice that no one introduced themselves by name — a miss in my world, be...

The Link Between RA and Periodontal Disease: Bidirectional Cycle/Shared Inflammation

Posted on March 27, 2026February 19, 2026 by Dr. Jinita Parekh

The Challenge: A 29 year old female patient came in extremely concerned with her bleeding gums and wondering if that is also related to her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The Background: Age: 29 Sex: Female Medical History: Elevated Rheumatoid factor and undergoing further diagnosis to conclude diagnosis for RA Last Dental Exam: 2021 Home Care: Manual toothbrush 2x daily, floss occasionally Chief Complaint: bleeding gums, sensitive gums Clinical Assessment: ...

Throwback: Oral Health Contributing to Health Issues

Posted on March 20, 2026February 13, 2026 by Sarah Tevis, DDS

Challenge: Due to dental anxiety, specifically the fear of being overwhelmed with dental problems, the patient finally took the necessary steps to address her chief complaint, “My gums are bleeding, and my teeth are sensitive. I want a more holistic approach to dental care. I feel like my mouth is contributing to my health issues.” Background: Age: 37 Sex: Female Medical History: Severe eczema since childhood, long term topical and systemic steroid for skin has resulted in s...

RDH Spotlight: Oanh Pham, CPhT, RDH, BSDH

Posted on March 13, 2026March 5, 2026 by Oanh Pham, CPhT, RDH, BSDH

Dr. McGlennen: What inspired you to pursue a career in dental hygiene, and what do you find most rewarding about it? Oanh: I’ve always had a strong passion for helping others and initially pursued a career in nursing. Over time, I realized a career in dental hygiene has a better work life balance while still allowing me to make meaningful impacts on patients’ overall health. What I find most rewarding is knowing that my role goes beyond oral health. By treating periodontal disease, I’m also...

Extraordinary Periodontal Therapy – Raising the Bar

Posted on November 21, 2025November 13, 2025 by Judy Carroll, RDH

Are you ready for significant change in periodontal therapy and clinical dental hygiene? Outspoken clinical pioneer Judy Carroll, RDH, introduces revolutionary techniques in periodontal regeneration, as well as crucial integrative methods for more targeted and preventative care long term. Peek into the future with a demonstration of many “hopeless”cases treated by utilizing definitive clinical strategies, including periodontal endoscopy, regenerative proteins, host modulated therapy, salivar...

Flying Blind: A Wake-Up Call – Part Two

Posted on July 11, 2025June 26, 2025 by Michael Goldberg DMD

In Part 1 of this series, Dr. Michael Goldberg urged dental professionals to return to their scientific roots and rethink their diagnostic habits. Now, in Part 2, he turns his attention to another critical gap in care: what happens once the patient leaves the chair. Diagnosis without follow-through leaves patients—and practices—vulnerable. In this installment, Dr. Goldberg explores how to bridge that gap with personalized care, modern tools, and the right conversations that truly empower ...