The Oral-Systemic Signs Hiding in Plain Sight (An Intro to Functional Dentistry)

Presented by: Staci Whitman, DMD,FMCP

Original Lecture/ Publication Date: August 28, 2026 (Webinar Series)

Course Description:

Every day, dentists look directly at one of the most information-dense surfaces in the human body, and most of the time, we only see teeth. This talk reframes the routine oral exam as a whole-body diagnostic read. In one hour, we'll walk through five systems you can see in the mouth: nutrition, the gut, metabolism, the airway, and the oral microbiome, with the published evidence behind each one. You'll leave able to spot the signs you've been walking past, and with a clear sense of what functional dentistry actually is: the same chair, a wider lens.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify oral and tongue signs that reflect underlying nutritional, gastrointestinal, metabolic, and airway conditions.
• Describe the bidirectional and microbiome-mediated links between oral health and systemic disease, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration.
• Explain the dentist's role as a front-line screener within an integrated medical-dental model of care.

• Incorporate a brief oral and tongue assessment into routine examinations to identify potential nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal dysfunction, metabolic disorders, and airway-related concerns that may warrant further evaluation.
• Collaborate with dental professionals to monitor patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline, recognizing that oral health findings and microbiome imbalances can provide valuable insights into systemic disease risk and progression.
• Use oral health observations as an opportunity for early screening and interdisciplinary referral, strengthening integrated care pathways that support prevention, early intervention, and improved patient outcomes.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Staci Whitman is a globally recognized leader in functional dentistry and oral-systemic health, known for translating complex science into practical, preventative solutions. She is board-certified in pediatric dentistry, integrative dentistry, and naturopathic dentistry, and is among the few dentists worldwide to hold a Functional Medicine Certification from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

She founded one of the leading functional pediatric dental practices in the United States, where she takes a whole-body, root-cause approach to oral health, airway development, nutrition, and the oral microbiome. Dr. Staci is also the co-founder of the Institute for Functional Dentistry, a nonprofit educational organization that bridges the gap between dentistry and medicine through a systems-biology lens.

In addition to her clinical and educational work, Dr. Staci has a patent for the world's first compostable floss pick, launched an oral microbiome-friendly oral care brand, and serves as a trusted advisor and collaborator for health, wellness, and longevity companies. She lectures internationally on functional dentistry, the oral-systemic connection, women’s hormones, airway health, and prevention-focused care.

Her upcoming book with Crown-Penguin Random House explores saliva and the oral microbiome, and their critical role in longevity, metabolic health, and whole-body wellness.

Dr. Staci’s work centers on prevention, cavity arrest and remineralization, gum health, sleep and airway support, fertility and women's health, and the oral-gut-brain axis. Through education, clinical leadership, and strategic brand partnerships, she is helping redefine oral care as a foundational part of healthcare.