Functional Roots Podcast

00:05 Intro00:44 Guest Introduction: Ann Marie DePalma03:15 Ann Marie's Career Journey04:14 AI in Dentistry: The Basics08:42 AI for Patient Education & X-rays14:57 AI & Periodontal Charting18:22 Complete Periodontal Evaluation38:03 Women's Health & Oral-Systemic Connection44:57 Medical-Dental Integration & The Future51:42 Where to Find Ann Marie52:09 AI Note-Taking & Th...

In this Functional Roots episode, hygienists Amanda and Heather talk with Dr. Gregory Hyde (MD/PhD, ENT surgeon and integrative physician) and Elena Mar (naturopath and biofield practitioner) about the mouth as a “circuit breaker box” for whole-body health and their method using coherent sound (tuning forks) and kinesiology to detect imbalances linked to teeth, organs, minerals, emotions, and chro...

pH, Saliva, and Bone Health: Oral-Systemic Clues with Kristen Evans, RDH (The pH RDH)Functional Roots hosts Amanda and Heather welcome dental educator Kristin Evans (the “pH RDH”) to discuss how whole-body wellness starts in the mouth and why pH is foundational to oral disease prevention. Kristen shares how her daughter’s cystic acne sparked her deep dive into pH, dysbiosis, and oral-systemic conn...

Peptides in Dentistry: Healing, Perio Inflammation & What’s Coming Next (with Dr. Patrick Angel)Peptides are showing up everywhere—from post-surgery recovery to periodontal inflammation—and they may be the next big conversation in dentistry. In this episode of Functional Roots, hygienists Amanda and Heather sit down with Dr. Patrick Angel (aka “Pat the Dentist”) to break down what peptides are...

In this episode, the founders of The Mouth Lab explain how their work grew out of frustration with traditional hygiene’s “brush, floss, rinse” approach that often leaves patients getting progressively worse. They describe patients arriving after trying everything, pushing them to dig for root causes and connect oral inflammation to broader health factors like gut integrity—down to asking about sto...

Beating Hygienist Burnout: Pain, Patients, and Practical ResetsThe script discusses burnout and physical strain among dental hygienists, including tight jaws, shoulder and neck pain, fatigue, and early-career injuries that lead some to consider leaving the profession. It contrasts draining, unappreciative patient interactions with meaningful moments, such as advocating for a terminal cancer patien...

Sleep Apnea, UARS & Tongue Ties: Airway Red Flags Dentists Shouldn’t Miss (with Dr. Kristen Geist)Whole-body wellness starts in the mouth—and this episode goes straight to the root. Amanda and Heather sit down with Dr. Kristen Geist, a general dentist who shifted her focus to airway, sleep apnea, and adult laser tongue-tie release after her own diagnosis of Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UA...

Amanda and Heather introduce their Functional Roots podcast, focused on holistic, functional, and naturopathic connections between oral health and whole-body wellness, and interview Tricia Rogers, an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist with nearly 30 years of experience specializing in oral facial myofunctional disorders. Tricia explains myofunctional therapy as addressing habits and patter...

Welcome to Functional Roots! Dive deep with Amanda, Heather, and the remarkable Dr. Nathan Bryan as they unveil the links between oral health, nitric oxide, and overall wellness. Learn about Dr. Bryan’s journey, groundbreaking research, and how nitric oxide impacts cardiovascular health, insulin resistance, and more. Whether you’re a dental professional, wellness enthusiast, or curious about natur...

Introduction to Functional Roots Welcome to Functional Roots where whole body wellness begins in the mouth.... Podcast Format and Updates Okay, so this is gonna be a non-typical podcast because.... Amanda's Certification Journey And the first thing that I want to do is just congratulate Amanda because she has worked diligently to get her.... Heather's Educational Initiatives Yeah, so I am...

Dive into a captivating discussion that challenges the traditional boundaries of dental health! In this episode, we explore the deep and powerful connections between oral health and overall wellness. Learn how your mouth can be a window to your body's health, identifying chronic diseases and uncovering potential issues through microbiome and functional testing. Discover why integrating dental...

Connecting Oral Health to Whole Body Wellness: Featuring Dr. Claudia PortaWelcome to another enlightening episode of Functional Roots! Join Amanda and Heather as they dive deep into the powerful connections between oral health and overall wellness. Special guest Dr. Claudia Porta shares her journey into lifestyle and preventive medicine, emphasizing the significance of the oral microbiome. Learn h...

Exploring Mercury Safe Dentistry with Dr. Mark Wisniewski | Functional Roots PodcastJoin us for a deep dive into the world of biologic dentistry on this episode of Functional Roots! Hosts Amanda and Heather are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mark Wisniewski, a pioneer in mercury-safe dentistry and ozone therapy. Discover the powerful connections between oral health and whole-body wellness, the essential...

Leading a New Movement in Dentistry: Dr. Brian Edwards on Kindness, Prevention, and TransparencyIn this episode of Functional Roots, hosts Amanda and Heather welcome Dr. Brian Edwards, a passionate dentist advocating for the highest quality oral health care with a people-first approach. Dr. Edwards shares insights into his innovative 3-2-3 model, focusing on kindness, prevention, and transparency...

Unlocking the Secrets of Oral Health with Primal Health's Revolutionary TechnologyDive into an enlightening episode of Functional Roots with Amanda, Heather, and special guest Emily from Primal Health. Discover how Emily's innovative SMART technology, grounded in her expertise in microbiology and immunology, offers a groundbreaking approach to oral health. Learn about the profound connecti...

Welcome to Functional Roots, where whole body wellness starts in the mouth! In this episode, Amanda and Heather, our expert hygienists, welcome the brilliant Dr. Karen Plymel. Dr. Plymel shares her journey from Obstetrics and Gynecology to pioneering integrative and functional medicine practices, emphasizing the critical link between oral health and overall wellness. They dive into fascinating top...

Join us for Part 2 of an enlightening conversation with Anne Rice, a trailblazer in dental hygiene and oral systemic health. We dive deep into the challenges and opportunities for dental hygienists in achieving autonomy within dental practices. Anne shares her insights on the limitations posed by current practice models, the importance of embracing new technologies, and the role of prevention in d...

In this podcast episode recorded from the RDH Under One Roof podcast lounge, esteemed guest Anne Rice engages in a deep discussion on the complexities of biological dental hygiene, periodontal disease, and the oral-systemic connection. Topics include the importance of individualized patient care, the evolving landscape of dental hygiene, and the role of new diagnostic tools and treatments. The con...

Unlocking the Power of Microscopy in Biological Dental Hygiene with Kristen KingJoin us in this exciting episode where we sit down with Kristen King, a renowned functional/biological dental hygienist. Kristen shares her expertise on the game-changing technology of phase contrast microscopes in dental practices. Learn about the significant benefits of using microscopes to both motivate patients and...

Welcome to another captivating episode of Functional Roots! In this episode, hosts Amanda and Heather dive deep into the world of functional and holistic dentistry with special guest Janet Madrid, an author, speaker, and founder of Hope for Health Integrative Oral Health and Wellness. Janet shares her inspiring journey of over 46 years in dentistry, from her beginnings as a young dental assistant...

Exploring Functional Dentistry with Amber White: Oral-Systemic Health & Holistic HealingIn this episode of Functional Roots, Amanda and Heather, passionate dental hygienists, dive deep into the world of functional and biological dentistry with special guest Amber White. Amber, a holistic health practitioner and dedicated dental hygienist, shares her journey from traditional dental hygiene to e...

In this enlightening episode of 'Functional Roots,' hosts Amanda and Heather, both passionate holistic dental hygienists, welcome special guest Stacy Weissman. Stacy, a registered dental hygienist and myofunctional therapist, discusses the intersections between oral health, nutrition, and overall wellness. With over 20 years of experience and a strong focus on functional health, Stacy shar...

In this enlightening episode of 'Functional Roots,' hosts Amanda and Heather, both passionate holistic dental hygienists, welcome special guest Stacy Weissman. Stacy, a registered dental hygienist and myofunctional therapist, discusses the intersections between oral health, nutrition, and overall wellness. With over 20 years of experience and a strong focus on functional health, Stacy shar...

In this kickoff episode, we introduce you to  Functional Roots —the podcast where whole-body wellness begins in the mouth. Join hosts Amanda and Heather, two passionate dental hygienists with a love for holistic and functional care, as they share why this podcast was created, what you can expect in future episodes, and how oral health is deeply connected to the rest of the body. Whether you're...