At the age of 14, I was in a traumatic ATV accident that left me beat up, bruised, and scarred. I spent nearly a week in a coma and had plates, screws, nuts, bolts, and wires holding my face together; and I endured nine surgeries, including rebuilding my jaw from my rib, and dental implants. It was a painfully long process and took years for my healthy smile and body to return. On top of the physical effects of the accident, I was subjected to consistent bullying and taunting in high school.

To say that I was profoundly moved by this experience was an understatement. This one accident was the catalyst for the rest of my life, shaping how I viewed health and wellness and thrusting me into the world of dentistry, all with the intention of giving patients the same care and understanding I had received as a teen. As a dentist, I began to understand that a healthy smile was not only a confidence booster on the outside but was the gateway to the health of our bodies. But for many individuals and professionals, there is often a significant disconnect in the knowledge of the mouth-body connection.

There is a deeper connection between bacteria and inflammation that occurs in your mouth and how it exacerbates disease. Diving deeper into the Mouth-Body Connection® aims to reduce an individual’s risk of acquiring a multitude of health issues (which I’ve detailed in my book, Saved By the Mouth) that will affect your well-being.

I strive to be able to deliver similar life-changing results to my patients through the stories and lessons learned in my book, as a telehealth provider, and speaker across the country. It is my goal to highlight the transformative power of oral health and its impact on overall health, wellness, and longevity.