Allow me to introduce myself...
I'm Kristen.
I'm a biological dental hygienist, with over 30 years of clinical experience, and I specialize in helping dental offices use microscopy to evaluate oral biofilms and assess disease risk at every hygiene visit.
The oral microbiome is the second largest microbiome in the human body, second only to the gut → and it's easily accessible and observable.
I teach dentists and dental hygiene teams how to integrate phase contrast microscopy into everyday care so they can better understand the oral microbiome, identify inflammation early, and connect oral health to whole body health.
Why the microscope changed everything.
Like many hygienists, I spent decades providing excellent care, but when I was first introduced to the phase contrast microscope → I had a wait...why aren't we all doing this? moment.
Using a microscope to evaluate oral biofilm completely transformed the hygiene experience:
- Patients could see what was happening in their mouths
- Conversations shifted from "just a cleaning" to disease prevention
- Trust increased
- Case acceptance skyrocketed
Oral biofilm analysis made oral systemic health visible, not theoretical.
Since then it's been my mission to bring this powerful, underused diagnostic tool into the hygiene room.
My Focus: Oral Systemic Health & Prevention
Oral Systemic Health
In addition to microscope training, I'm deeply passionate about the oral systemic connection → how oral inflammation and microbial imbalance influence conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, chronic inflammation, and so much more.
I write & speak about:
- The oral microbiome
- Biological & functional oral care
- Prevention focused dentistry
- Collaboration between dental & medical providers
I also help dental providers help communicate this through:
- Website content
- Blogs & educational resources
- Patient facing messaging
I've been published multiple times in Today's RDH magazine and regularly contribute educational content for the dental community.
Education, Certifications, & Professional affiliations
IAOMT
Bale Doneen Preceptorship
IAOMT
I have completed training and am certified as a biological dental hygienist through the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology(IAOMT).
AAOSH
Bale Doneen Preceptorship
IAOMT
Bale Doneen Preceptorship
Bale Doneen Preceptorship
Bale Doneen Preceptorship
I have completed the Bale Doneen Preceptorship for the prevention of heart attacks, ischemic stroke and type 2 diabetes.
published articles
Holistic Hygiene: Is It Dental Hygiene for Hippies?
https://www.todaysrdh.com/holistic-hygiene-is-it-dental-hygiene-for-hippies/
Dental Microscope Brings Macro Results: Building Value with Oral Pathogen Analysis.
Patient Referrals: Systemic Links Encourage Hygienists to Collaborate with Other Providers
Sugar in Your Blood May Be More Important Than Your Mouth
https://www.todaysrdh.com/sugar-in-your-blood-may-be-more-important-than-your-mouth/
podcasts → where i talked about the 🔬
Functional Roots Podcast
Straight Up With Steph
Hygiene Elevated Podcast
Sunday Scalies
A Tale Of Two Hygienists
books i like → the wellness kind
- Heal Your Oral Microbiome: Balance and Repair Your Mouth Microbes to Improve Gut Health, Reduce Inflammation, and Fight Disease by Cass-Nelson Dooley MS
- The Dental Diet by Dr. Steven Lin
- Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain: The Personalized Path to Protect Your Memory, Prevent Heart Attacks & Strokes, and Avoid Chronic Illness by Bradley Bale MD & Amy Doneen DNP
- Metabolical: The Lure and The Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition and Modern Medicine-Unpacking the Science Behind Food and Health by Robert H Lustig MD, MSL
- The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline by Dale Bredesen MD
- Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
- The Secret of Nitric Oxide-Bringing The Science To Life by Nathan Bryan PHD
the big picture
Science has proven, the mouth is NOT separate from the body → and oral health should never be treated in isolation.
When we combine microscopy, education, and prevention-focused care, we don't just improve dental outcomes, we support long term systemic health.
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