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Synopsis:

The body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS) plays a pivotal role in regulating key physiological processes, including immune function, inflammation, sleep, and pain perception. While research continues to uncover the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) and related
phytocannabinoids, their use in dentistry remains underutilized and often misunderstood. In this evidence-based, clinically driven presentation, Dr. Kathleen Carson will explore the science, safety, and practical applications of CBD in dental practice. Attendees will gain an understanding of the ECS, the distinctions between CBD and other cannabinoids, and how targeted cannabinoid therapy can be integrated into care plans for pain management, inflammation control, anxiety reduction, and improved sleep outcomes.

This session will focus on practical, everyday ways CBD can be incorporated into dental care, from reducing inflammation and managing discomfort to improving sleep and nasal breathing. Participants will learn how to have informed conversations with patients and colleagues who are seeking more natural treatment approaches, and how to evaluate product quality and safety when deciding what to recommend. By the end of this course, attendees will be better equipped to confidently discuss and apply CBD therapies in a dental setting, providing patients  with integrative solutions that enhance both oral and overall health.

• Explain the role and mechanisms of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and its relevance to dentistry.
• Differentiate between CBD, THC, and other phytocannabinoids, including their clinical properties, benefits, and risks.
• Identify factors to consider when selecting CBD products for clinical or personal use.

• Reducing post-procedural inflammation and discomfort.
• Supporting TMJ patients with pain and muscle tension.
• Promoting relaxation for patients experiencing dental anxiety.
• Offering potential therapeutic benefits such as improved sleep, nasal breathing, and overall wellness.
• Educating patients and colleagues on safe, evidence-based cannabinoid use.
• Evaluating and selecting high-quality CBD products for dental practice integration.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Kathleen Carson is an airway-centric and oral-systemic dentist, educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in integrative, patient-centered care. She is the creator of the Oral Vitality Program (trademark pending) and a leader in advancing collaborative approaches to breathing, sleep, and oral-systemic health. A Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy and Fellow of the International Association of Physiologic Aesthetics and the Buteyko Breathing & Integrative Breathing Foundations, Dr. Carson integrates advanced training in physiologic aesthetics, dental sleep medicine, TMJ therapy, myofunctional therapy, and breathing science. She is the co-developer of a patent-pending cannabinoid-based nasal inhaler designed to improve nasal airflow and sleep quality. As a national speaker, she educates dental professionals on airway dentistry, oral-systemic connections, and the safe, evidence-based use of cannabinoids in care. Dr. Carson maintains a private practice in Agoura Hills, CA, providing innovative dental care focused on airway health and overall wellness.

Abstract

Saliva is emerging as a frontline diagnostic matrix that transforms subjective chairside impressions into objective, longitudinal data for precision preventive care. This session equips clinicians to operationalize salivary testing—linking microbial, inflammatory, and proteomic signals to oral–systemic risk and routine decision-making. We will review the evidence connecting high-risk periodontal pathogens and host-response biomarkers to cardiometabolic and inflammatory disease, and translate those findings into practical risk stratification and targeted interventions.

Attendees will learn to differentiate key salivary biomarker categories (microbial nucleic acids, inflammatory mediators, proteomic/metabolomic signatures) and select appropriate technologies (qPCR/dPCR, NGS, multiplex immunoassays) based on sensitivity/specificity, turnaround, and cost. The session outlines a standardized sample-to-report workflow—from pre-analytical controls and lab selection to reporting, patient communication, and cross-discipline referral triggers—so testing fits seamlessly into dental, medical, and integrative practices. 

By the end, clinicians will be able to interpret reports to tailor prevention and therapy, design a clinic protocol that minimizes error and repeat testing, and define outcome metrics (e.g., periodontal indices, hs-CRP/HbA1c change, adherence) that demonstrate ROI to payers and stakeholders. The takeaway is clear: saliva diagnostics provide actionable insight in a drop, strengthen dentist–physician collaboration, and are workflow-ready and economically sound—positioning saliva as a keystone matrix for early detection, sustained risk reduction, and population health impact.

Learning Objectives (Clinician-Focused, Measurable)

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Differentiate at least three key salivary biomarker categories (e.g., microbial DNA, inflammatory mediators, proteomic signatures) and explain how each correlates with oral and systemic disease risk.
2. Analyze current evidence linking specific periodontal pathogens detected via salivary testing to cardiometabolic and inflammatory diseases, and summarize how this informs patient risk stratification.
3. Design a practical workflow to integrate salivary diagnostics into routine clinical practice—from sample collection and lab selection to patient communication and follow-up care.
4. Interpret salivary test reports and translate findings into targeted preventive or therapeutic interventions, including referral pathways between dental and medical providers.
5. Evaluate the cost–benefit and outcome implications of salivary testing within value-based care models and propose strategies to document clinical impact for payers and stakeholders.

Three Key Takeaways for Clinicians

1. Actionable Insight in a Drop: Saliva provides a noninvasive, high-yield matrix that can quantify oral pathogens and inflammatory markers—turning subjective “gum health” conversations into objective, data-driven care plans.
2. Bridge Between Disciplines: Salivary diagnostics empower dentists, physicians, and functional medicine practitioners to collaborate more effectively, aligning oral health metrics with systemic disease prevention and management.
3. Workflow Ready & Economically Sound: With clear protocols and growing evidence, integrating saliva testing can improve outcomes, enhance patient engagement, and fit within the economics of modern, value-based practice models.

Amy L. Doneen, DNP, co-founded the Bale/Doneen Method and the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center. She is a principal instructor in the Bale/Doneen Method, training other medical, dental, and healthcare providers across the country. She is the owner and medical director of the sought-after private clinical practice in Spokane, Washington, The Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center, which serves patients from all over the world.  Dr. Doneen is one of the nation's leading specialists in preventing heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes. She is co-author of the bestselling book Beat The Heart Attack Gene.

Her Lecture at Annual Session 2025 in Dallas:

Date:  Friday, September 12, 2025

Time: 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM (Keynote Speaker)

Location: the Core Connection Main Ballroom

Title:  "The Oral Systemic Connection: Oxidative Stress."

Synopsis of Lecture: 

Coming Soon

Learning Objectives:

Coming Soon

Practical Applications:

Coming Soon

AGD Code: 010 (Basic Sciences)

Core Curriculum Category:  Brain Health

Conflict of Interest: 

Connected to the BaleDoneen Method

Past AAOSH Lectures from Dr. Doneen:

• Enhance and Save Lives By Offering the Cure for Arterial Disease: Dentistry Saves Lives
  
• Optimal Cardiovascular Prevention - The Oral/Systemic Connection
• Women and Cardiovascular Disease
  
  

See Her LIVE Webinar on July 9th!

Dr. DeWitt “Witt” Wilkerson is a nationally recognized leader in integrative dental medicine and a Past President of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH). He joined Dr. Peter Dawson’s private practice in 1982 and continues to serve as a partner, gaining invaluable clinical experience within a renowned interdisciplinary setting.

Dr. Wilkerson lectures extensively on restorative dentistry, dental occlusion, temporomandibular disorders, airway/dental sleep medicine, and oral-systemic health. He serves as a Senior Faculty Member and Director of Dental Medicine with the Dawson Academy and is also a Past President of the American Equilibration Society (AES). His academic contributions include roles as Adjunct Professor of Graduate Studies at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and former Associate Faculty and Special Lecturer at the L.D. Pankey Institute.

He is the author of The Shift: The Dramatic Movement Toward Health-Centered Dentistry, a powerful call to action for clinicians to embrace whole-body health in their practices.

His Lecture at Annual Session 2025 in Dallas:

Date:  Friday, September 12, 2025

Time: 9:35 AM - 10:50 AM (Speaking with Lora Hooper)

Location: the Core Connection Main Ballroom

Title:  "3 Keys to Oral-Systemic Health or Disease: AAOSH's Golden Opportunity!"

Synopsis of Lecture: 

Research is now pointing toward a critical relationship between 3 key factors of oral-systemic health or disease... 1) BREATHING, 2) BACTERIA & 3) BLOOD. Healthy nasal breathing and oxygenation promote a healthy, predominantly aerobic, commensal oral microbiome. Pathologic mouth breathing and sleep desaturations promote the proliferation of anaerobic,  pathogenic oral microbiome and vascular oxidative stress. When pathogenic bacteria create oral infections and inflammation, we observe “leaky gums and teeth”. Oral pathogens spread into the bloodstream, arterial walls, and organs throughout the body, creating chronic systemic inflammation. AAOSH is where we learn to screen, test, and treat these 3 central factors of health or disease.  In this session, we will explore our golden opportunity together!

Learning Objectives:

1. Introduce the concept of Airway—> Pathogens —> Plaques
2. Learn how to screen and test using High Resolution Pulse Oximetry(HRPO) & Salivary Diagnostics
3. Understand the concept of ‘Leaky Syndrome”
   

Practical Applications:

1. Each attendee will understand the detrimental effects of disordered breathing and sleep on oral-
   systemic health.
2. Each attendee will be challenged to begin using HRPO and Salivary Diagnostics in their practices
3. Each attendee will understand the systemic risks of Leaky Syndrome

AGD Code: 130 (Electives)

Core Curriculum Category:  Success for the Oral Systemic Practice

Conflict of Interest: 

Owner of Intentionalhygiene.com

Past AAOSH Lectures from Dr. Wilkerson:

• Staying Healthy in a Viral World: Dentistry's Role as Gatekeepers of Systemic Inflammation
  
• The Integration Checklist: Does Your Office Have One?
• The Critical Relationship Between Bite & Breathing

Lora Hooper, BSDH, RDH, EFDA, is an oral-systemic health leader with over 28 years of clinical experience in dental hygiene. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Lora is the Vice President and Clinical Director of the Integrative Dental Medicine Scholar Society (IDMSS) and a certified Preceptor of the Bale Doneen Method. She is known for her pioneering work in salivary diagnostics, having overseen more than 10,000 tests and personally treated over 3,000 cases.

In 2017, Lora became the first dental hygienist in the U.S. to work alongside a cardiologist in an oral-systemic practice. Today, she serves as a care coordinator at the Prevent Clinic with Dr. Gina Pritchard, bringing her expertise in cellular-level disease prevention and patient care integration to the forefront. A sought-after speaker, podcast guest, and workshop coach, Lora is dedicated to helping dental professionals shift from symptom management to true disease reversal. She is also affectionately known as the “Biohacker of the Oral Microbiome.”

Her Lecture at Annual Session 2025 in Dallas:

Date: Friday, September 12, 2025

Time: 9:35 AM -10:50 AM (Speaking with Dr. DeWitt Wilkerson)

Location: the Core Connection Main Ballroom

Title:  "3 Keys to Oral-Systemic Health or Disease: AAOSH's Golden Opportunity!"

Synopsis of Lecture: 

Research is now pointing toward a critical relationship between 3 key factors of oral-systemic health or disease... 1) BREATHING, 2) BACTERIA & 3) BLOOD. Healthy nasal breathing and oxygenation promote a healthy, predominantly aerobic, commensal oral microbiome. Pathologic mouth breathing and sleep desaturations promote the proliferation of anaerobic,  pathogenic oral microbiome and vascular oxidative stress. When pathogenic bacteria create oral infections and inflammation, we observe “leaky gums and teeth”. Oral pathogens spread into the bloodstream, arterial walls, and organs throughout the body, creating chronic systemic inflammation. AAOSH is where we learn to screen, test, and treat these 3 central factors of health or disease.  In this session, we will explore our golden opportunity together!

Learning Objectives:

1. Introduce the concept of Airway—> Pathogens —> Plaques
2. Learn how to screen and test using High Resolution Pulse Oximetry(HRPO) & Salivary Diagnostics
3. Understand the concept of ‘Leaky Syndrome”
   

Practical Applications:

1. Each attendee will understand the detrimental effects of disordered breathing and sleep on oral-
   systemic health.
2. Each attendee will be challenged to begin using HRPO and Salivary Diagnostics in their practices.
3. Each attendee will understand the systemic risks of Leaky Syndrome.

AGD Code: 130 (Electives)

Core Curriculum Category:  Success for the Oral Systemic Practice

Conflict of Interest: 

IDM President of IDM Scholar Society & STATai

Past AAOSH Lectures from Lora:

• Best Practices in the New Era of Hygiene
• Mini-Lesson Six: Perio & Peptides: Healing and Sealing Leaky Junctions for Optimal Cellular Health (Hot Topics 2022)
  

Synopsis:

Every patient uses oral care products daily—yet most dental professionals have never received comprehensive training on their safety, effectiveness, or developmental appropriateness. In this fast-paced, myth-busting session, Dr. Kami Hoss will take you beyond the outdated fluoride vs. non-fluoride debate to reveal the truth behind 10 of the most common misconceptions in oral care. You’ll discover why some conventional and “natural” products can harm oral and systemic health, explore overlooked factors like pH balance, formulation quality, and microbiome safety, and learn about the latest science on prebiotics, probiotics, and micro vs. nano hydroxyapatite. You’ll leave equipped to make confident, evidence-based recommendations that elevate patient outcomes at every age and stage.

Learning Objectives

1. Uncover the surprising gaps and misinformation surrounding professional education on oral care products.
2. Learn how product formulation and specific ingredient choices affect safety, compliance, and health outcomes.
3. Debunk 10 of the most common myths about oral care products—including those related to “natural” claims, fluoride, and whitening.

Practical Applications for Dentists & Hygienists

1. Confidently identify and avoid harmful or misleading product claims patients encounter daily.
2. Recommend products that support not only oral health but also systemic health, grounded in the latest science.
3. Engage patients with clear, myth-busting explanations that drive better compliance and long-term outcomes.

Dr. Susan Estep, a trailblazer in both cosmetic dentistry and oral-systemic health. Dr. Estep is the founder of Intown Smile Studio in Atlanta, Georgia, where she combines expertise in aesthetic dentistry with a deep commitment to whole-body wellness.

She was one of the visionaries who helped establish the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH) and served as a Past President of our organization. Dr. Estep has been a driving force in promoting the importance of oral health in systemic disease prevention, and we are honored to have her as part of the AAOSH family.

Her Lecture at Annual Session 2025 in Dallas:

Date:  Friday, September 12, 2025

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Location: the Core Connection Main Ballroom

Title:  "Building an Oral Systemic Practice."

Synopsis of Lecture: 

Coming Soon

Learning Objectives:

Coming Soon

Practical Applications:

Coming Soon

AGD Code: 130 (Electives)

Core Curriculum Category:  Success for the Oral Systemic Practice

Conflict of Interest: 

N/A

Past AAOSH Lectures from Dr. Estep:

• Business Success in Oral and Systemic Health
  
• Becoming the Prevention Expert in Your Community: A Golden Opportunity for AAOSH Professionals

Synopsis:

All disease is excess oxidation of biomolecules, mostly intracellularly. It is important to realize that the oxidation of the biomolecules IS the disease, and it is not the cause of some further undefined pathology. Furthermore, the only cause of this excess oxidation is the continued exposure to new toxins. This then allow the simple but clear conclusion: Toxins Cause All Disease. These facts then allow the ability to define the best treatment protocols to minimize/stop all new toxins while facilitating the antioxidant repair of the biomolecules that have been oxidized, spearheaded by vitamin C.

Three Learning Objectives:

• Optimizing antioxidants while minimizing toxins optimizes health
• The largest sources of new toxins for most people are from the oxidized byproducts of infections
• The most important infections in most people with the disease are in the mouth (teeth, gums, tonsils, cavitations)

Three Practical Applications:

• Always look for oral cavity infections in the routine evaluation of any chronic medical condition.
• Always be aware of the possible contribution of persistent spike protein presence, aggravating whatever the medical condition might be.
• Be aware of the need to take toxin/heavy metal chelators/mobilizers on a regular basis.
• Design all treatment protocols to optimize intracellular levels of vitamin C in the affected cells as well as throughout the body.

Speaker Bio: 

Dr. Levy is a board-certified cardiologist and a bar-certified attorney. After practicing adult cardiology for 15 years, he began to research the enormous toxicity associated with much dental work, as well as the pronounced ability of properly administered vitamin C to neutralize this toxicity. He has now written 13 books, with several addressing the wide-ranging properties of vitamin C in neutralizing all toxins and resolving most infections, as well as its vital role in the effective treatment of heart disease and cancer. Others address the important roles of dental toxicity and nutrition in disease and health. His 14^th book, The Only Cause of Disease, is currently going to press. It offers the best ways to deal with persistent spike protein syndrome in chronic COVID and post-COVID vaccination individuals. 

Inducted into the Orthomolecular Medicine Hall of Fame in 2016, Dr. Levy continues to research the impact of the orthomolecular application of vitamin C and antioxidants in general on chronic degenerative diseases, including heart disease. His ongoing research involves documenting that all diseases are different forms and degrees of focal scurvy, arising from increased oxidative stress, especially intracellularly, and that they all benefit from bio-oxidative therapy protocols that optimize the antioxidant levels in the body while eliminating pathogens.

Mark L. Cannon, DDS, MS, is a Professor in the Division of Dentistry at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and an Attending Physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. He is the founder of Associated Dental Specialists of Long Grove and serves as Research Coordinator for the pediatric dental residency at Lurie Children’s.

With over 40 years of experience in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Cannon is an internationally recognized lecturer and published expert on topics ranging from evolutionary oral medicine to microbiomes, bioactive materials, and pediatric oral health innovation. He holds multiple patents and has presented at leading institutions and global conferences.

Dr. Cannon is also a past president of the AAOSH Board of Directors and remains a passionate advocate for integrative, science-based oral-systemic healthcare.

His Lecture at Annual Session 2025 in Dallas:

Date: Friday, September 12, 2025

Time: 1:30-2:45 PM

Location: the Core Connection Main Ballroom

Title: "What's Happening?! Update in Oral & Systemic Health."

Synopsis of Lecture: 

The presentation titled "What’s Happening? Update in Oral & Systemic Health" by Mark L. Cannon, Professor Emeritus at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, focuses on the intricate connections between oral health and systemic health. It covers various topics including the role of oral microbiota in cancer, metabolic syndrome, periodontal disease, diabetes, maternal and child health, and the impact of probiotics and prebiotics on oral health. The presentation emphasizes the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent systemic diseases and highlights recent research findings on the oral microbiome's influence on overall health.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the relationship between oral microbiota and the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC).
2. Recognize the bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
3. Identify the impact of maternal oral health on the microbiome and health of the offspring.
4. Explore the role of probiotics and prebiotics in maintaining oral health and preventing systemic diseases.
5. Analyze the connection between oral dysbiosis and various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders.
6. Evaluate the importance of early oral health interventions during pregnancy and their long-term benefits for both mother and child.

Practical Applications:

Coming Soon

AGD Code: 130 (Electives)

Core Curriculum Category:  Success for the Oral Systemic Practice

Conflict of Interest: 

Professor Emeritus at Ann and Robert Lurie Children's Hospital

Past AAOSH Lectures from Dr. Cannon:

• From Friend to Foe
• How To Boost the Bottom Line by Being Patient-Centric
• Theology of Diet
  

Dr. Ellie Campbell, originally from Chicago, has a BS and MS from the University of Illinois and a DO from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her Family Medicine residency at the Medical College of Georgia and has over 25 years of board certification in Family Medicine, with additional certification in Integrative Medicine. For thirteen years, she has focused on indigent healthcare and has run a solo, concierge-style integrative practice since 2005.

Her specialties include innovative medical practice design, Functional Medicine, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, cardiovascular disease prevention, and burnout solutions. In 2010, she founded the “Consortium of Integrative Care Practitioners of Atlanta,” and, in 2017, launched “Revolution Practice” to teach membership-style practice management.

In her free time, Dr. Campbell enjoys live theater, gardening, and traveling with her husband and three college-age daughters. Learn more about her practice at www.campbellfamilymedicine.com or www.RevolutionPractice.com.

Her Lecture at Annual Session 2025 in Dallas:

Date:  Friday, September 12, 2025

Time: 2:50 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: the Core Connection Main Ballroom

Title:  "Metabolic Metrics Meet the Mouth: Linking Systemic Inflammation Markers and CGM Data to Dental and Cardiovascular Health."

Synopsis of Lecture: 

This lecture explores the critical intersections of oral health, metabolic function, and systemic inflammation using a multisystem, integrative lens. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of how biomarkers found in saliva, blood, and urine provide early, actionable insights into inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation. Emphasis is placed on the oral microbiome as a sentinel of systemic disease, with dental pathology serving as a predictor of cardiovascular and metabolic risk.

The session also broadens the utility of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), highlighting its role in identifying subclinical glucose abnormalities, stress responses, and dietary and non-dietary triggers in non-diabetic patients. A gender-informed approach to glucose regulation is introduced, examining why men more commonly present with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), while women tend to show impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), often overlooked without proper testing.

Through real-world cases and evidence-based frameworks, clinicians will learn to incorporate salivary diagnostics, CGM, and sex-specific metabolic insights into an integrative screening strategy. This model improves early detection of cardiometabolic disease and personalizes care for patients presenting with complex or subclinical symptoms.

Learning Objectives:

Coming Soon

Practical Applications:

Integrate Noninvasive Inflammatory Screening Tools: 

1. Use serum tests for hsCRP, Myeloperoxidase, LpPLA2, Galectin 3 and ProBNP, salivary periodontal pathogen testing alongside urine F2-isoprostanes and MACR to assess chronic inflammation. 
2. Use CGM for Preventive Metabolic Profiling - Implement CGM in patients with PCOS, metabolic syndrome, anxiety, or midlife weight gain—even if fasting glucose and A1c are normal. Use glucose pattern analysis to assess food tolerance, circadian disruption, and stress-induced glycemic spikes.
3. Tailor Screening Based on Biological Sex - Screen men with fasting insulin and glucose; screen women with post-prandial glucose curves or oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) to uncover hidden IGT.

AGD Code: 010  (Basic Sciences)

Core Curriculum Category:  Cardiovascular Health

Conflict of Interest: 

N/A

Past AAOSH Lectures from Dr. Campbell:

• From the Family Doctor's Perspective
  
• Medical-Dental Collaboration: The Oral Systemic Connection
• Toxic Mouth Toxic Heart– How Hidden Oral Toxins Affect Heart Health

Dr. Chris Kammer is a past president and founder of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. Dr. Kammer’s work has been presented at numerous dental conferences, conventions, and seminars and has been published in leading dental journals. He is also on the technology team for the Dental Products Report. In recent years, he has been a passionate educator in the media and in professional forums about the importance of the oral systemic approach.

His Lecture at Annual Session 2025 in Dallas:

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025

Time: 8:15-9:30 AM (Keynote Speaker)

Location: the Core Connection Main Ballroom

Title: "Natural Medical Management of Oral and Systemic Disease: No Shots, No Drills, No Surgeries, No Rx Pills!"

Synopsis of Lecture: 

Coming Soon

Learning Objectives:

Coming Soon

Practical Applications:

Coming Soon

AGD Code: 730  (Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Pathology)

Core Curriculum Category:  Periodontal Disease & Biofilm Diseases of the Mouth

Conflict of Interest: 

Owner of Victorious Dental

Past AAOSH Lectures from Dr. Kammer:

• Hot Topics 2022 - Lesson Set One
• Oral Systemic Screenings and Their Importance In a Clinical Setting
• The Million Dollar 'No Drill' Oral Systemic Practice.

Kriston Reisnour, RDH, BSDH, CCSH, CSOM, FAAOSH, HIAOMT, is a national speaker, author, and integrated healthcare specialist, currently serving on the AAOSH Board of Directors. With over 30 years of experience in dental hygiene, she has a passion for advancing oral-systemic care through education and implementation.

Kriston previously served as Dental Program Director for the BaleDoneen Method and has worked closely with the Seattle Study Club, bringing real-world insight to her coaching and clinical instruction. She holds advanced credentials in sleep health, orofacial myology, and chronic inflammation, and is a Fellow of AAOSH and an accredited member of IAOMT.

Based in Washington state, Kriston continues to practice clinical hygiene while leading her educational platforms, Intentional Hygiene and Orofacial Myology of PNW.

Her Lecture at Annual Session 2025 in Dallas:

Date:  Saturday, September 13, 2025

Time: 9:35 AM -10:50 AM

Location: the Core Connection Main Ballroom

Title:  "Your Frustration Begins Where Your Knowledge Ends."

Synopsis of Lecture: 

This lecture will discuss frustrations experienced when  implementing an oral systemic program, discuss the current knowledge gained to  address those frustrations and also review case studies in an interactive format to work through “grand rounds” format on how to  collaboratively treat an individual.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss common frustrations experienced during implementation of an oral systemic program. 
• Review the science as we know it today “What we now know” as it relates to oral systemic health.
• Learn how to utilize gained knowledge as it relates to the oral cavity and the patient's overall health “Healthy tissue does not bleed!”
• Enhance the clinician's ability to critically analyze a patient’s health condition and determine optimal treatment plans.
• Interactive review and discussion of case presentations.

Practical Applications:

• Return to the office with clarity as to what type of practice you want to be. Who do you want to be for your patients?
• Decide on what tools or testing you want to implement to better access patients' current state of health.  
• Enhance the clinician's ability to critically analyze a patient’s health condition and determine optimal treatment plans.

AGD Code: 770 (Self-Improvement)

Core Curriculum Category:  Behavioral Influences, Increasing Health Literacy, & the Psychology of Healing

Conflict of Interest: 

Owner of Intentionalhygiene.com

Past AAOSH Lectures from Kriston:

• Dying to Breathe: The Hygienist’s Role in Identifying Orofacial and Airway Components Driving Chronic Inflammation!
  

Dr. Susan Maples leads a successful, total health, insurance-independent dental practice in Holt, Michigan. She brings preventive and restorative dental expertise, a passion for mouth-body total health, a master’s degree in business/marketing, and 30+ years of experience in private practice. She is the creator and founder of Total Health Academy, a complete online solution for dental teams to integrate all aspects of Total Health Dentistry, and the author of BlabberMouth! 77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You To Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life, developer of the Hands-On Learning Lab™ and SelfScreen.net. Susan currently serves on the Governing Board of the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH).

Her Lecture at Annual Session 2025 in Dallas:

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025

Time: 11:30 AM -12:30 PM

Location: the Core Connection Main Ballroom

Title: "The HPV and Oral Pharyngeal Cancer Epidemic:  It’s Our Turn to Talk and Act!"

Synopsis of Lecture: 

For decades, tobacco and alcohol were seen as the primary culprits behind oral cancer. But the landscape has shifted dramatically. Today, Human Papillomavirus-related Oral Pharyngeal Cancer (HPV-OPC) accounts for approximately 73% of all oropharyngeal cancers—a staggering statistic that's growing at an alarming rate of 30% annually.

While traditional risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, and acid reflux still play a role, high-risk HPV strains are now known to be more aggressive—even in isolation—and detectable through salivary diagnostics. The connection to oral sex as a major transmission route is a topic often avoided, but it’s time for our dental profession to step up.

With half of all new HPV infections occurring between ages 15 and 24, we are in a unique and essential position to make a difference at every age, through early preventive discussions, sophisticated early detection strategies and education. This engaging and eye-opening course will equip you with the data, strategies, and language to confidently navigate this evolving health crisis—even when the conversations feel a little uncomfortable.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the rising incidence of HPV-related oral and oropharyngeal cancers and the key lifestyle risk factors driving this trend.
2. Explain the link between HPV transmission—particularly through oral sex—and its connection to the development of HPV-OPC.
3. Recognize the role of the 9-valent HPV vaccine as a prevention strategy in children and adults.
4. Employ salivary diagnostics in early risk detection of HPV-related oral cancers.
5. Communicate effectively about tobacco cessation, acid reflux, and other modifiable risk factors during routine dental visits.
6. Integrate a thorough 3- to 5-minute oral cancer screening protocol into preventive care appointments to enhance early diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.

Practical Applications:

Coming Soon

AGD Code: 730  (Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Pathology)

Core Curriculum Category:  Cancer and Autoimmune Disorders

Conflict of Interest: 

N/A

Past AAOSH Lectures from Dr. Maples:

• Oral Systemic Health and Practice Profitability
• Oral Cancer From Love and Other Drugs
• Creating a Network of Co-Referral Relationships with Your Medical Community

Synopsis:

The oral microbiome—comprising over 700 bacterial species, alongside fungi, viruses, and protozoa—plays a crucial role in both oral and systemic health. Positioned at the gateway to digestion, it influences cardiovascular function, immune regulation, metabolic processes, and the production of nitric oxide (NO).

A healthy oral microbiome supports the enterosalivary nitrate–nitrite–NO pathway, enhancing blood flow, tissue oxygenation, and immune defense. Dysbiosis—often triggered by antiseptic mouthwashes, fluoride overuse, poor diet, or systemic illness—can impair NO production, contribute to chronic inflammation, and increase risks for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Oral bacteria not only modulate systemic inflammation but also directly influence the gut microbiome through the ingestion of microorganisms and their metabolites. This microbiome crosstalk can either maintain homeostasis or promote the development of systemic disease.

Evidence shows dietary nitrates (e.g., from leafy greens and beets) act as prebiotics for nitrate-reducing bacteria such as Neisseria, Haemophilus, and Rothia. These species convert dietary nitrate into bioactive NO, improving vascular function, immune efficiency, and mucosal integrity. Clinical strategies include diet optimization, targeted supplementation, avoidance of microbiome-disruptive oral care products, and regular testing of salivary nitrite levels to monitor NO production capacity.

Ultimately, supporting the oral microbiome and NO pathways enhances the body's healing and functional capacity, making it a cornerstone of preventive and integrative healthcare.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lecture, attendees will be able to:

• Explain how the oral microbiome interacts with immune, cardiovascular, and metabolic systems, including its role in nitric oxide bioavailability.
• Identify key disruptors of oral microbial balance and their systemic health consequences.
• Apply evidence-based strategies to restore and maintain oral microbiome health, leading to improved whole-body outcomes.

Practical Applications:

• Oral Microbiome Support in Clinical Practice
• Replace antiseptic mouthwashes and toothpastes with oral microbiome-friendly products.
• Encourage diets rich in nitrates to enhance NO production.
• Risk Detection and Patient Education on Oral Microbiome and NO support
• Use rapid salivary nitrite testing to identify low NO levels.
• Educate patients on the links between oral health and the risks of chronic diseases.
• Integrative Treatment Planning with an Oral Microbiome-conscious approach.
• Combine oral hygiene optimization with systemic interventions (nutrition, lifestyle, microbiome-targeted therapies).