Turning Trauma into Triumph: A Dentist’s Whole-Body Approach to Dentistry

Dr. Katie Lee

How do you find your why as a dentist? I’ve often reflected on the one event, the accident, that changed my life both personally and later, professionally. This one event shaped how I would view oral health and the scary, yet fascinating impact it has on your overall health. It was through this childhood event that my path and passion were born and have continued to be the driving force a decade later for how I view dentistry—through a holistic, whole-body lens.

At the age of fourteen, I was in a terrible ATV accident. When I should have been enjoying my early teen years, playing sports, and spending time with friends like most of my peers, I spent many days and nights in a hospital bed, my health declining before my eyes.

Before we go any further, let me backtrack a little bit… a girlfriend and I were speeding down the road on an ATV without a care in the world. And before I knew it, there was a bump, a jolt, and then blackness. Apparently, I went headfirst—while not wearing a helmet—into a telephone pole at over thirty miles per hour. I had broken every bone in my face, from my eyebrows down. I was missing part of my lip and a few teeth (they were stuck in the telephone pole). I was barely alive, in a coma for nearly a week, and had lost over ten pounds. My parents, devastated to see their daughter in such a state of deterioration, expected the worst—many doctors had informed them that if I even made it out of this alive, I would never be the same again.

But I’m a fighter. Clinging to what little strength I had, I pulled through, and it was time to let the healing (or surgeries, more like it) begin. It took four years and nine reconstructive surgeries to repair the damage I had done to my face and my wrist. In the middle of all these surgeries, I was desperate to be a normal high school teenager; but the truth is, it was near impossible to have a “normal” life. I had surgeries scheduled for the end of each semester, a cast on my arm, and my jaw wired shut which made playing sports (let alone getting proper nutrition) a huge challenge. Missing front teeth just added an EXTRA embarrassing element to my social life… talk about pure humiliation.

And while these experiences were traumatizing, they soon made me realize how much oral health impacts your overall health and wellness even at a young age. Due to my broken jaw and teeth, I was unable to open my mouth and, in turn, unable to eat properly. The systemic health effects were almost immediate. Pain, inflammation, and weight loss, eventually led to high liver enzymes and kidney malfunction. I was very thin and malnourished. My body was not getting the critical nutrients it needed to function and from all the inflammation and infection from my mouth, my body was on fire and shutting down. When I was finally able to open my mouth (after rib graft surgery) and have my teeth repaired, my physical and mental health improved.

To say that I was profoundly moved by this experience was an understatement. This one accident was the catalyst for the rest of my life, shaping how I viewed health and wellness and thrusting me into the world of dentistry. As I started practicing, I noticed a lack of education about the oral-systemic connection and wanted to provide patients with the knowledge and understanding of how small improvements to their oral health could make a huge impact on their overall health.

For over a decade, I have witnessed, firsthand, patients with varying degrees of chronic inflammation and disease sit in my chair, pleading for a solution to their health problems. Every health problem I discovered through increased education and oral testing led to the realization that, as dentists, it is our duty to be the first line of defense against disease for our patients—we are critical to helping patients live longer and healthier.

So, what is the oral-systemic connection? As a dentist, I began to understand that a healthy smile was not only a confidence booster on the outside but was the gateway to the health of our bodies. However, for many individuals and professionals, there is often a significant disconnect in the knowledge of the oral-systemic connection. There is a deeper connection between bacteria and inflammation that occurs in your mouth and how it exacerbates disease. Knowing the fundamentals of oral health and overall health aims to reduce an individual’s risk of acquiring a multitude of health issues and prevent life-threatening diseases.

Did you know that there are over 700 bacteria found in the mouth of which 11 specific strains can lead to systemic diseases like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and even fertility complications? Individuals dealing with disease and fertility issues will have key indicators in their mouths–discovered through innovative technologies and testing–that are flashing warning signs. I’ve personally worked with women and their spouses with fertility issues (as well as having my own issues with fertility) and have seen how proper oral healthcare and testing is a game changer in getting and staying pregnant.

So why have we missed the mark all these years when it comes to oral-systemic healthcare?

While oral systemic health isn’t new to dentistry, the concept is just starting to rise in popularity as healthcare is evolving to a more whole-body approach. For decades, dentists and physicians have been siloed, focusing on their respective fields of expertise with little to no crossover.

However, as this dramatic shift in care has occurred and the data and research to support the effects of poor oral health on the body are readily available, dental professionals and doctors are working together more often to prevent disease. More and more general dentists are starting to recognize the importance of implementing oral testing and technologies into their practices that not only increase their profitability but greatly impact their ability to treat their patients.

Now more than ever, it is critical for dentists, hygienists, and dental professionals to become educated in oral systemic health practices and the latest tests and technologies that can improve and save the lives of their patients. When it comes to oral testing, every dentist should be a bit nosy when it comes to the whole body’s health and well-being. There are certain simple tests, all of which can be done in the office, to help identify decay and disease.

Oral Microbiome Testing: This test will find and name pathogenic bacteria present in the mouth and how they are affecting the organ systems. This can help dentists tailor the appropriate treatment to kill the bacteria.

MMP-8 Test: This is a diagnostic test for MMP-8 enzyme levels. MMP-8 is a collagenase enzyme responsible for tissue breakdown in our mouths and throughout our bodies. This test can inform the dentist that breakdown is occurring before it is evident clinically. This means dentists can be proactive, not reactive when it comes to care, catching the degradation earlier before severe deterioration.

HbA1c Test: A blood sugar test that can screen for diabetes. (Not all states allow dentists to test A1C, but all can test for blood sugar levels.)

Strep. mutans bacterial test: A simple test that looks for the bacteria that causes cavities, helping determine cavity risk.

IL-6 test: This test determines if a patient has a mutation in the IL-6 gene which is a mediator of a systemic inflammatory response. Knowing this, patients can make lifestyle changes to ensure they keep their immune system quiet so that they do not develop other conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and periodontal disease.

HPV salivary test: Saliva can be tested for HPV, which is important for oral cancer detection.

Implementing oral testing allows dentists to reduce an indi vidual’s risk of acquiring a multitude of health issues that will affect their patient’s well-being. As dentists, these simple oral tests provide greater insight into a patient’s overall health, how they may be suffering, and the proper course of treatment.

Through my patients’ experiences and my own lived experience, I realized that there was a greater need to bring widespread awareness about the oral-systemic connection to the public… cue writing a book! I wrote my first book Saved By the Mouth to highlight the transformative power of oral health and its impact on overall health, wellness, and longevity. This book is an homage to my own story and the many patient stories that made a significant impact on my career and mission to provide better health outcomes.

For me, it’s about turning the life-threatening into the lifesaving. And every dentist with a passion for helping patients can start now.

For more information about Dr. Katie Lee and oral testing, visit https://katieleedds.com/ and Saved By the Mouth, visit https:// www.savedbythemouth.com/.

Dr. Katie Lee is a dentist, speaker, and coach who lives in Colorado. Dr. Lee graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2010 and was an owner-partner in over 80 DSO supported dental practices throughout the US and served as Clinical Partner overseeing 5 states. Currently, she consults for health technology companies and provides implant education for general dentists. She is the author of Saved By the Mouth and is opening a dental-medical integrated clinic in 2025 to better serve patients holistically.