Leveraging the Oral-Gut Axis for Better Systemic Health

Presented by:  Cass Nelson-Dooley, MS 

Original Publication Date: November 14, 2025 (AAOSH Accelerate 2025)

Course Description:

The mouth and the intestines are home to trillions of microbes and constitute the two most biodiverse microbiomes in the human body. These microbes play essential roles in digestion, absorption, immune function, susceptibility to infection, metabolic health, and resistance to disease. Emerging research supports the existence of an oral-gut axis, providing a novel target when treating patients with chronic illness. We will review clinical cases that show improved systemic health outcomes by addressing the oral-gut axis, accompanied by microbiome tests and customized diet and lifestyle treatments. A collaborative approach to oral and gut health by dental practitioners and medical practitioners could provide a "best of both worlds" solution for patients.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this lecture, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the different ways oral microbes may be translocated to the gut and to systemic circulation
2. Leverage oral health to turn around stubborn gastrointestinal illnesses 
3. Recognize the role of the mouth and gut in inflammation and barrier integrity
   

Practical Applications:

• Interpret oral microbiome saliva tests 
• Interpret gut microbiome stool tests
• Compile a list of diet and lifestyle treatments for optimizing oral and gut health

Method: Lecture

Location:  Online (Zoom)

AGD Course Code: 150 (Health medicine and nutrition)

Credit Hours: 1

Speaker's Bio:

Cass Nelson-Dooley, MS, studied medicinal plants in the rainforests of Panama in 2003 as a Fulbright Scholar, and then launched a career in science and natural medicine. She researched the pharmacology of medicinal plants at the University of Georgia and AptoTec, Inc, and then joined the innovators at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory and Genova Diagnostics. She has over 18 years of experience teaching clinicians about integrative and functional laboratory results. At Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, she analyzes metabolomics and gut microbiome tests and develops educational tools. Ms. Nelson-Dooley owns Health First Consulting, LLC, a medical writing, patient education, and consulting firm that serves the integrative and functional medicine industry. Ms. Nelson-Dooley is the author of Heal Your Oral Microbiome and has published case studies, book chapters, and journal articles about natural medicine, nutrition, and laboratory testing.  

Conflict of Interest:

N/A