Chris S. Kammer, DDS
Thursday, April 12, 2007
1. 9 am – 12 pm
2. 1:30 – 4:30 pm
3 CE credits for each course
ODA course
Recommended for: dental team

1. Periodontal disease and systemic health, part I
The route to systemic health begins with oral health. There is an overwhelming and ever growing body of correlations between oral and systematic health. The medical community is learning ways to work together with the dental community to add years to patient’s lives. The risks were once thought to be losing teeth, but it goes way beyond that now. It’s about life and death and zero tolerance for bleeding gums. There are new standards that should begin to reverse the embarrassing statistics regarding the amount of untreated periodontal disease in the general public and in our very own practices. The C-Reactive protein (C-RP) and the inflammation reaction will be discussed, including whether or not C-RP is the “new cholesterol” and what risks are associated with increased levels as well as what are the dental therapies to reduce these levels?

At the conclusion of this program, attendees will understand:
• The health risks of bleeding and inflamed gums and the body’s response to gum disease
• The scientific discoveries about inflammation and its roles in a variety of diseases

2. Periodontal disease and systemic health, part II
The afternoon session will include information about the new systemic health role of dentistry which involves medical testing, whether it is done in your office or ordered from a lab. The holistic and nutritional approach in which nutritional components heal and strengthen blood vessel walls and help gain control of oral health will be discussed, as well as antibiotic options for problem areas.
Wouldn’t we all like gums of steel? Learn the home protocol to give you the best chance for optimal oral health and learn about advanced home care utilizing modern technology and antibacterial agents. Dr. Kammer will also help to break down diagnosis and treatment planning. Communication is the key to this new health model and will be covered in depth in order to aid with patient acceptance, appreciation and awareness.

At the conclusion of this program, attendees will be able to:
• Understand the holistic and nutritional approach to gaining control of oral health
• Create a simplified plan to identify the level of disease and correlate the definitive treatment protocol to get it under control
• Help patients accept and appreciate this new health model

Dr. Chris Kammer graduated from Marquette School of Dentistry in 1981. He has dedicated his career to raising the public’s dental I.Q. Dr. Kammer has served as the chief dental advisor for Reader’s Digest Publications and NPR’s Peabody award-winning program “Wait, wait…Don¹t Tell Me!” and has been interviewed by publications and radio stations coast-to-coast. Dr. Kammer¹s advanced cosmetic and orthodontic training is extensive. He is a founding member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry where he was awarded placement as a top three finalist for his casework as judged by a jury of the world’s most respected cosmetic dentists. Dr. Kammer is one of the country’s top ten Invisalign providers and was awarded the title of Invisalign Innovator for his advanced certification and experience.

Eric Shmookler

This is a passion of mine also. I wish more DDS would have your mind set. I am always educating my patients about this subject. I tell them that blood was very cleverly designed. It is a literal,”RED FLAG”. If your arm is bleeding, you don’t say, “Oh, my arm is bleeding.” and go about your business, you would tend to it. Why is it any different with your gums? You are absolutley correct when you say it is because they aren’t being told!! It is our responsibility to be educating the people who are putting their trust in us. If we are not being pro-active in this area, we are not serving our patients the way the deserve to be served!!! Keep up the good work on your end, I will keep it up on mine, our patients will understand the implications of bleeding gums and we will make a difference!!

In our office, we have begun testing our patients for C-reactive protein, a key marker in the succeptibility of patients. We are also testing patients with bleeding gums for diabetes.

For as long as I’ve been a dentist (30 years) prevention of dental disease has been a cornerstone of our practice. Now, in these enlightened times, we are aiding the physicians in identifying the patients in our practices that are at risk.

I’ve recently brought in lunch to two local “primary care” offices, and helped to educate their teams about these new ideas. The most recent issue of AARP talks about things the individual can do to protect their hearts. Their number one factor: FLOSS AND SEE YOUR HYGIENIST AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR!