THE ORAL HEALTH - SYSTEMIC HEALTH CONNECTION:
What's the evidence?
 

TITLE: THE ORAL HEALTH - SYSTEMIC HEALTH CONNECTION:

What's the Evidence?

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COURSE FEE:  $115 USD.  Comprehensive 2 hour recorded webinar for On Demand learning.

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RECORDED:  February 27, 2026 | Review February 27, 2027

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COURSE SUMMARY: 

Chronic oral inflammation is increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to systemic disease. Research continues to demonstrate a clinically relevant relationship between periodontal disease, oral biofilm, and systemic health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and certain cancers.

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This course will also address the difference between association and causation in oral-systemic research and explore levels of scientific evidence including observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and systematic reviews.

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This evidence-based continuing dental education webinar presented by Dr. Thomas M. Paumier, DDS examines the current scientific literature exploring the oral-systemic health connection and the biological mechanisms that may link periodontal infection to systemic disease progression.

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Participants will review how:

• Oral pathogens may enter the bloodstream through transient bacteremia

• Chronic periodontal inflammation increases circulating cytokines such as CRP, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α

• Systemic inflammatory burden may contribute to endothelial dysfunction

• Oral microbiome dysbiosis may influence vascular and immune health

• Periodontal disease demonstrates a bi-directional relationship with Type 2 diabetes​

Understanding the oral-systemic connection empowers clinicians to:

• Improve interdisciplinary collaboration

• Enhance long-term systemic health outcomes

• Support patient-centered risk mitigation

• Address chronic inflammation at its oral source

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LEARNING OB JECTIVES:

Evidence-Based Dentistry / Critical Appraisal

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between association and causation when interpreting research related to oral-systemic health.

• Evaluate levels of scientific evidence including observational studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses in the context of oral-systemic health research.

• Apply principles of evidence-based dentistry when incorporating oral-systemic health concepts into clinical decision-making.

Clinical Topics (Periodontology / Oral Medicine)

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify systemic medical conditions that may influence the onset or progression of periodontal disease, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.

• Explain the bi-directional relationship between periodontal disease and Type 2 diabetes and its implications for patient management.

• Recognize the role of oral biofilm and periodontal pathogens in systemic inflammatory processes.

Oral-Systemic Health / Interdisciplinary Care

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe biological mechanisms that may link periodontal disease to systemic health conditions, including bacteremia, chronic inflammation, and immune-mediated responses.

• Discuss the potential role of periodontal inflammation in the pathogenesis or progression of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis.

• Recognize the impact of periodontal inflammation on systemic immune response and endothelial function.

Patient Management / Risk Assessment

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Communicate the potential systemic implications of periodontal disease to patients as part of comprehensive risk assessment and preventive care.

• Integrate current evidence regarding the oral-systemic health connection into interdisciplinary patient management strategies when appropriate.

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By participating in this course, dental professionals will gain practical insight into integrating evidence-based dentistry principles into patient care and effectively communicating how periodontal inflammation may impact systemic wellness and overall health outcomes.

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CREDITS: This continuing education activity is designated for 2 credits

DURATION: 2 hours

AGD PACE SUBJECT CODE:  134 Prescription Medication Management

MODE: Electronically Mediated | On Demand CE Webinar. Recorded March 27, 2026 | Review March 27, 2027

SPEAKER:  Thomas M. Paumier, DDS  (Bio below)

AUDIENCE: Dentists and Dental Hygienists

TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED:  Mobile device, laptop or desktop with internet connection | Google Chrome Browser

INSTRUCTIONS:  Dental CE Academy hosts all webinars using the ClickMeeting platform. Upon registration and payment you are sent a confirmation email from no-reply@clickeeting.com with a link to join. Be sure to check your spam/junk/promotions folders.

COURSE MATERIALS:   Distributed via email to all attendees upon registration

QUIZ FOR CE CREDIT VERIFICATION: Complete the quiz, your CE certificate is sent to your email upon successful completion

DISCLOSURE OF SPEAKER AND FACULTY COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIPS: According to Dental CE Academy's  Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policy, faculty and speakers for any course are expected to disclose any economic support, personal interests, or potential bias that may be perceived as creating a conflict related to the material being presented. Disclosure statements are printed in each course description and announced by moderators or individual speakers at the beginning of each presentation. This policy is intended to alert the audience to any potential bias or conflict so that participants may form their own judgments about the material being presented.

​CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE OF SPEAKER: This webinar receives educational support from The Dental Antibiotic Stewardship Program. Dr. Thomas M. Paumier is the Founder and Director of The Dental Antibiotic Stewardship Program.

​DENTAL CE ACADEMY DISCLAIMER: The views expressed and opinions and materials presented during these live and recorded presentations represent the personal views and opinions of the individual speaker and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Dental CE Academy or its parent company, Virtual Dontics®. Dental CE Academy assumes no responsibility for the content of the presentations made by the individual speakers. Any suggested protocols for treatment, materials, or services may be based upon the speaker's own clinical experience and should not be construed as Dental CE Academy recommended or endorsed. Selected presentations may include exploratory research or experimental procedures and are intended for informational purposes that may lead to interest and scientific breakthroughs in the fields of dentistry.    Dental CE Academy appreciates its educators who share their knowledge and expertise. This level of dedication to dentistry allows our profession to expand and thrive and provokes necessary discussion and understanding.