UPCOMING: Spit Happens: Unlocking the Diagnostic Power of Saliva

1 CE | LIVE on June 18th, 6PM CT

Descriptions: This course examines the composition of saliva, with a focus on key bacterial species and microbial patterns commonly evaluated through salivary testing. Participants will learn how salivary data can enhance risk assessment, guide clinical decision-making, and support targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions. Emphasis is placed on translating diagnostic results into practical chairside strategies that improve patient understanding, engagement, and outcomes.

Attendees will also gain guidance on incorporating salivary diagnostics into daily workflows, including patient selection, testing protocols, documentation, and communication of results. By the end of the course, dental hygienists will be equipped to confidently integrate salivary diagnostics into practice—advancing precision dentistry and elevating preventive care.

Objectives:

• Describe the role of saliva as a diagnostic tool, including the types of bacteria and biomarkers present and their relevance to oral and systemic health.
• Differentiate between key salivary bacterial profiles associated with caries risk, periodontal disease, and oral dysbiosis, and interpret how these findings can inform patient-specific care.
• Integrate salivary diagnostics into clinical practice, including patient communication, risk assessment, treatment planning, and preventive strategies within a dental setting.

Expert Speaker: Heather Kenney, RDH, HIAOMT

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Heather Kenney, RDH, HIAOMT

Heather Kenney, RDH, HIAOMT is a holistic dental hygienist, educator, and oral-systemic health consultant with nearly two decades of clinical experience. She specializes in salivary diagnostics, the oral microbiome, and the connection between oral inflammation and systemic disease. Heather works with dental and medical professionals to integrate root-cause, microbiome-safe strategies that support whole-body health.