2018 Hot Topics in Oral Systemic Health

Dr. Chris Kammer & Robyn Ramirez

Systemic health goes beyond the nutrition you put in your mouth. It is also impacted by the words that come out of your mouth.  Joy can be found in every day living but is it passing you by? This course will review the scientific health benefits of mindfulness, deliberate kindness, meditation, yoga, forgiveness, paying it forward, gratitude, and also offer up a short course in miracles. We will review the evidence and then put it into action!

Bradley Bale, MD

In the recent peer reviewed study from Drs. Brad Bale, Amy Doneen, and David Vigerust, five high-risk periodontal pathogens were identified to be causative in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This landmark study was published over a year ago in the British Medical Journal, so why wasn't this the cover story on every dental journal last year? What is it going to take to turn the health world upside down and start saving lives in dental and medical offices all across the country? These questions will be explored, medical updates will be covered, and finally Dr. Bale will lay out the strategies required to go forward with the best chances to save lives—and he'll make it clear that you can't go forward without the dental team!   

Dr. Jonathan Levine

It is well understood that 50% of American adults have periodontal disease and 75% of the population has some form of gum disease. This information, combined with the fact that only 12% of people floss regularly, suggests that current strategies to control gingival inflammation have not been effective at a population level and renewed efforts are necessary. Dr. Jonathan Levine presents the facts, the science, and the clinical research of a new Edison Award Winning innovation for patients to treat and prevent gingival inflammation.

Dr. Mark Cannon 

Homo sapiens developed uniquely as a result of the microbiome shifts. The microbiome drives evolution and what changes the microbiome? Diet! The agricultural revolutions; Neolithic, Industrial, and now genetic modification (possibly) have shaped humankind for better or for worse. Oral medicine is a vital component of Evolutionary Medicine, as the oral Gateway Microbiome shapes the health of the host and modulates the immune system. In addition, the Oral Gateway microbiome is intimately related to the development of the Placental Gateway microbiome, ultimately transforming generations to come. Appropriate oral hygiene techniques can improve the health of the host, both orally and systemically, possibly not just for the individual, but also for their progeny.

Debbie Zafiropoulos

This informative program is designed to help us understand the role inflammation has on the increasing numbers on the scale. We already know about the oral-systemic connection of biofilm and inflammation, now we can take it as a step forward and define the difference between "good" and "bad" inflammation and how it makes us fat. 

Randy Widen DDS

When the jaw can’t relax at night it leads to clenching, grinding, muscle spasms, TMJ pain, poor sleep and headaches! This is systemically unhealthy! Also chronic bruxism can destroy teeth, implants and restorative dental work. We’ve all seen it! So when an isotonic neuromuscular centric relationship is created during sleep, a natural bilateral non-occluding physiological rest position occurs as a response. Muscle spasms are deprogrammed, TMJ signs and symptoms are ameliorated, teeth and dental work are protected. The new simple standard of care for the vast majority of our patients is now here.  You won’t believe how easy and effective this is to deliver in your dental office.

Sirpatrick Iwu

In the first 2 minutes of this presentation you will discover the clear and present danger of the USA's opioid crisis and then you won't be able to look away.  How did the medical and dental profession let this happen? Are the restrictions on prescription writing enough? When small town America drops to its knees, helpless to stop the madness, what can anyone do? An abundance of answers just aren't there. However one man's unique approach has caught the attention of a state governor and a major tech corporation. Now add a partnership with the dental profession and we may have our best hope for future generations. Get ready to personally experience the virtual reality technology that will deliver our country’s best weapon in this battle. 

Dr. Walter Tatch

The opioid crisis is a national emergency and has been claiming lives for years. US life expectancy fell last year for a second year running for the first time in more than half a century, reportedly driven by the worsening opioid crisis. In this presentation we will discuss natural alternatives to pain management that can significantly decrease and in some instances eliminate the need of opioids for management of pain after various dental procedures. A review of VEGA Line of Dental Care products by StellaLife will be included.

Dr. Chris Kammer

The biggest class of cell receptors in the whole body are the cannibinoids. The discovery of the endocannabinoid system has been called the single most important medical scientific discovery ever. This system makes possible the chemical communication going on in your body that is responsible for homeostasis. The fastest growing segment of health and wellness right now involves hemp and CBD oil. What is the difference between THC and CBD? What are the legalities of usage? How are they used for reducing pain, inflammation, anxiety and even seizures? How do they impact sleep, memory, and appetite suppression? Which modality gives the fastest peak effect and how long does it stay active in the body? When will they be available for use in dentistry or are they now? Bring your open mind as well as your biases and skepticism. Just prepare yourself for the future—because the future is here now!

Gina Pritchard