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When the Mouth Talks, the Liver Listens: Integrating Periodontal Insights into the Early Detection of Systemic Disease

Saturday, September 20, 2025
09:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Add to Calendar 2025-09-20 09:00:00 2025-09-20 12:00:00 When the Mouth Talks, the Liver Listens: Integrating Periodontal Insights into the Early Detection of Systemic Disease Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are rapidly emerging as global health concerns, affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite the rising prevalence, a significant gap remains in awareness and management strategies among healthcare professionals, including those in the dental community. This webinar will explore the epidemiology, etiology, symptoms and treatment options for NAFLD, providing dental professionals with critical insights into this growing epidemic.Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the association between metabolic syndrome and NAFLD and how these systemic conditions can present with oral manifestations. The speakers will focus on the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and liver disease, highlighting the biological mechanisms that link oral inflammation to hepatic health outcomes and progression to NASH. Through the latest evidence and clinical discussions, attendees will learn how periodontal health can influence, and be influenced by, liver function.This webinar will emphasize the vital role of the dental team in early identification, patient education and interdisciplinary collaboration for individuals at risk for, or diagnosed with, NAFLD or NASH. You will be equipped with practical strategies to integrate systemic health considerations into periodontal care and patient communication, ultimately enhancing outcomes for your patients’ oral and overall health.You Will LearnTo evaluate the prevalence, etiology and systemic impact of NAFLD and NASH to enhance early recognition in dental settingsTo analyze the relationship between metabolic syndrome and NAFLD to better understand patient risk profiles and associated comorbiditiesTo assess the oral manifestations associated with NAFLD and integrate knowledge of the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and liver disease into clinical practiceTo implement strategies for dental teams to screen, educate and collaborate with medical professionals in managing patients affected by NAFLDWho Should AttendThis informative webinar is designed for dentists and allied dental professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of the oral-systemic connection and enhance patient care through interdisciplinary collaboration.Tuition: $195 Dentists; $165 Allied Dental ProfessionalsProgram: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Pacific time)zFormat: Live, interactive webinar via ZoomCredits: This activity is designated for 3 units of continuing education credit. PresentersCyndee Harmon, RDH, MS, is a full-time clinical instructor serving as senior clinic coordinator for the Idaho State University Department of Dental Hygiene. Cyndee is dedicated to community outreach as she serves on the advisory board for the Pocatello Free Dental Clinic and coordinates a teledentistry program for homebound residents in assisted living. She has conducted original research around student feedback literacy. She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, serving as an Idaho delegate.Courtney P. Rudick, RDH, MS, PhD, CHES, is an assistant professor and program director for the AAS to MS Accelerated Program at Idaho State University in the Department of Dental Hygiene. She has conducted several research studies with Metro West Orthodontics and the Periodontics Clinical Research Center—part of The McGuire Institute.™ She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and vice president of the Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association. She has published research and has lectured nationally and internationally. Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry America/Los_Angeles public

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are rapidly emerging as global health concerns, affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite the rising prevalence, a significant gap remains in awareness and management strategies among healthcare professionals, including those in the dental community. This webinar will explore the epidemiology, etiology, symptoms and treatment options for NAFLD, providing dental professionals with critical insights into this growing epidemic.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the association between metabolic syndrome and NAFLD and how these systemic conditions can present with oral manifestations. The speakers will focus on the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and liver disease, highlighting the biological mechanisms that link oral inflammation to hepatic health outcomes and progression to NASH. Through the latest evidence and clinical discussions, attendees will learn how periodontal health can influence, and be influenced by, liver function.

This webinar will emphasize the vital role of the dental team in early identification, patient education and interdisciplinary collaboration for individuals at risk for, or diagnosed with, NAFLD or NASH. You will be equipped with practical strategies to integrate systemic health considerations into periodontal care and patient communication, ultimately enhancing outcomes for your patients’ oral and overall health.

You Will Learn

To evaluate the prevalence, etiology and systemic impact of NAFLD and NASH to enhance early recognition in dental settings
To analyze the relationship between metabolic syndrome and NAFLD to better understand patient risk profiles and associated comorbidities
To assess the oral manifestations associated with NAFLD and integrate knowledge of the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and liver disease into clinical practice
To implement strategies for dental teams to screen, educate and collaborate with medical professionals in managing patients affected by NAFLD

Who Should Attend

This informative webinar is designed for dentists and allied dental professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of the oral-systemic connection and enhance patient care through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Tuition: $195 Dentists; $165 Allied Dental Professionals
Program: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Pacific time)z
Format: Live, interactive webinar via Zoom
Credits: This activity is designated for 3 units of continuing education credit.

Presenters

Cyndee Harmon, RDH, MS, is a full-time clinical instructor serving as senior clinic coordinator for the Idaho State University Department of Dental Hygiene. Cyndee is dedicated to community outreach as she serves on the advisory board for the Pocatello Free Dental Clinic and coordinates a teledentistry program for homebound residents in assisted living. She has conducted original research around student feedback literacy. She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, serving as an Idaho delegate.

Courtney P. Rudick, RDH, MS, PhD, CHES, is an assistant professor and program director for the AAS to MS Accelerated Program at Idaho State University in the Department of Dental Hygiene. She has conducted several research studies with Metro West Orthodontics and the Periodontics Clinical Research Center—part of The McGuire Institute.™ She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and vice president of the Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association. She has published research and has lectured nationally and internationally.