How to Incorporate Health-Based Dentistry Into Your Office
A practical guide to implementing health-based dentistry through systems, protocols, and conversations that support whole-body health.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Define health-based dentistry and explain how it differs from traditional, procedure-focused dental care models by recognizing the oral-systemic connection.
- Identify practical entry points for integrating health-based dentistry into practices of any size, location, or demographic without requiring a complete practice overhaul.
- Implement safe mercury removal protocols using evidence-based safety measures to protect patients and dental team members.
- Explain the role of ozone therapy in dental practice, including its applications for infection control, periodontal therapy, restorative care, and waterline sanitation.
- Evaluate alternatives to fluoride by understanding the role of hydroxyapatite in remineralization and patient care, including when and how to present fluoride-free options.
- Apply a structured, team-based new patient evaluation workflow that integrates health history, diagnostics, and oral-systemic findings into patient communication and treatment planning.
- Communicate health-based findings to patients in a way that builds trust, avoids sales-based language, and aligns treatment recommendations with patient-reported health concerns.
- Recognize scope-of-practice boundaries by distinguishing between health conversations that support dentistry and medical testing or treatment that falls outside dental responsibility.
- Assess operational and financial considerations for incorporating health-based services, including PPO limitations, add-on fees, and non-covered adjunctive therapies.
- Develop an initial, ethical action plan for incorporating health-based dentistry while maintaining standard of care, regulatory compliance, and long-term practice sustainability.
