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A Prescription for Change: Food as Medicine and the Vital Role of Nutrition in Patient Care

Thursday, March 26, 2026
09:00 a.m. - 04:00 p.m.

Add to Calendar 2026-03-26 09:00:00 2026-03-26 16:00:00 A Prescription for Change: Food as Medicine and the Vital Role of Nutrition in Patient Care For too long, oral health care has focused narrowly on hygiene and restoration while relegating nutrition to a passing comment: “cut back on sweets.” This reductive approach ignores the profound role of diet in driving oral disease and systemic illness alike. During this interactive lecture, Dr. Pariseau confronts this gap head-on, offering oral health professionals the knowledge and tools to reframe their clinical approach. Participants will explore how nutrition shapes the oral and gut microbiomes, influences cardiovascular and cognitive health, affects cancer risk and ultimately determines vitality and disease resistance.But this lecture goes beyond biochemistry. It is a call to action. As frontline healthcare providers with regular patient contact, dental professionals are uniquely positioned to influence behavior and shift the health trajectory of their communities. This presentation will challenge outdated paradigms and invite participants to embrace their role as agents of systemic change. Nutrition is not outside our scope; it is at the core of preventive care. It’s time to move from cleaning teeth to changing lives.You Will LearnTo describe the biological relationship between nutrition, the oral and gut microbiomes and systemic health conditions, emphasizingthe role of teeth as early indicators of metabolic imbalanceTo evaluate the shortcomings of traditional oral health guidance that focuses solely on hygiene and to recognize the influence of diet, particularly ultra-processed foods, on oral and systemic diseaseTo incorporate evidence-based nutritional strategies into dental practice to support prevention and health promotion at both the individual and community levelsTo demonstrate motivational interviewing techniques to engage patients in meaningful onversations about dietary habits, lifestylechoices and long-term health goalsTo develop and implement a practice-level action plan that integrates nutrition-focused care through patient education, clinical documentation and interdisciplinary team collaborationWho Should AttendThis informative program is intended for general dentists, pediatric and orthodontic specialists, public health practitioners and allieddental professionals.Tuition: $325 Dentists; $215 Allied Dental ProfessionalsProgram: 9:00 am – 4:00 pmLocation: Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, 155 Fifth Street, SFCredits: This activity is designated for 6 units of continuing education credit.Program includes lunch and morning coffee/tea service.PresenterMarielle Pariseau, DMD, DTM, is a dentist, entrepreneur and passionate educator dedicated to reshaping how we understand oral health as an integral part of overall wellness. With years of clinical experience and public speaking, she brings a unique lens to health care, positioning teeth as sentinels, early indicators of systemic health challenges. Her TEDx talk, Teeth: Your Body’s Early Warning System, has inspired millions to rethink preventive care strategies. Dr. Pariseau’s presentations combine clinical insight and actionable takeaways. 155 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry America/Los_Angeles public

For too long, oral health care has focused narrowly on hygiene and restoration while relegating nutrition to a passing comment: “cut back on sweets.” This reductive approach ignores the profound role of diet in driving oral disease and systemic illness alike. During this interactive lecture, Dr. Pariseau confronts this gap head-on, offering oral health professionals the knowledge and tools to reframe their clinical approach. Participants will explore how nutrition shapes the oral and gut microbiomes, influences cardiovascular and cognitive health, affects cancer risk and ultimately determines vitality and disease resistance.

But this lecture goes beyond biochemistry. It is a call to action. As frontline healthcare providers with regular patient contact, dental professionals are uniquely positioned to influence behavior and shift the health trajectory of their communities. This presentation will challenge outdated paradigms and invite participants to embrace their role as agents of systemic change. Nutrition is not outside our scope; it is at the core of preventive care. It’s time to move from cleaning teeth to changing lives.

You Will Learn

To describe the biological relationship between nutrition, the oral and gut microbiomes and systemic health conditions, emphasizing
the role of teeth as early indicators of metabolic imbalance
To evaluate the shortcomings of traditional oral health guidance that focuses solely on hygiene and to recognize the influence of diet, particularly ultra-processed foods, on oral and systemic disease
To incorporate evidence-based nutritional strategies into dental practice to support prevention and health promotion at both the individual and community levels
To demonstrate motivational interviewing techniques to engage patients in meaningful onversations about dietary habits, lifestyle
choices and long-term health goals
To develop and implement a practice-level action plan that integrates nutrition-focused care through patient education, clinical documentation and interdisciplinary team collaboration

Who Should Attend

This informative program is intended for general dentists, pediatric and orthodontic specialists, public health practitioners and allied
dental professionals.

Tuition: $325 Dentists; $215 Allied Dental Professionals
Program: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, 155 Fifth Street, SF
Credits: This activity is designated for 6 units of continuing education credit.

Program includes lunch and morning coffee/tea service.

Presenter

Marielle Pariseau, DMD, DTM, is a dentist, entrepreneur and passionate educator dedicated to reshaping how we understand oral health as an integral part of overall wellness. With years of clinical experience and public speaking, she brings a unique lens to health care, positioning teeth as sentinels, early indicators of systemic health challenges. Her TEDx talk, Teeth: Your Body’s Early Warning System, has inspired millions to rethink preventive care strategies. Dr. Pariseau’s presentations combine clinical insight and actionable takeaways.