
TOPICS:
- Clinical Practice
- Communication
- Dental Hygiene
- Ergonomics
- Inspiration/Motivation
- Oral Cancer
- Oral Systemic Connection
- Periodontics
Kathryn Gilliam, BA, RDH, FAAOSH
Kathryn Gilliam’s interest in the medical side of dentistry led her to years of advanced study into the oral-systemic link, including twice graduating from the prestigious Bale Doneen Preceptorship. Her company, PerioLinks, LLC, was born out of her desire to train dental teams to transform their practices to care for the total health of their patients through comprehensive periodontal treatment.
This is an exciting time to be a dental health professional as dentistry and dental hygiene are both growing as medical specialties. As our understanding of the multiple links between the mouth and the body has increased, our roles have expanded to include awareness of and focus on the whole health of our patients.
Traditionally, dental health care practitioners have not approached dental disease in the same way that medical doctors approach systemic diseases. There is much to be gained by adopting certain medical strategies, such as performing risk assessment, seeking the root cause, employing laboratory testing, and utilizing wound care protocols, into our routine dental care.
We must try to unravel the complex interactions between host susceptibility, immune response, genetic associations, behavioral components, and disease control.
As knowledge of the oral-systemic connections has become widely understood and accepted, the next step is to integrate that knowledge into practical clinical protocols. It’s time to elevate our identities as healthcare practitioners in this new age of integrated medicine and dentistry.
Learning Objectives
After completion of this course, you will:
- Discover four tenants of medical management of periodontal disease: risk assessment, root cause, laboratory testing, and wound care
- Illuminate the significance and challenges of oral biofilm
- Explore leading edge practices to integrate medical protocols into dental routines efficiently and effectively
Suggested Format: Full or Partial Day Workshop
Suggested Audience: Dentist, Hygienist, and Team
Periodontal pathogens and inflammation have devastating effects on systemic health. Learn how dental professionals save lives by transitioning traditional dental practice to whole health care.
Periodontal disease contributes to many catastrophic systemic illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Dental professionals can impact patient wellness by utilizing a medical model of care in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. Elevate the professional identity of your practice while increasing personal and professional satisfaction in your team! Create a wellness-centered practice with an informed team that inspires confidence in patients, improving both the overall quality of patient care and practice financial health.
In this comprehensive, fast-paced course, explore the science behind the oral-systemic connection and survey systemic diseases associated with periodontal disease. Identify how to integrate diagnostic testing into the practice, implement adjunctive therapies, and compare home hygiene options. In addition, examine medical conditions, such as diabetes and cancer, that affect dental treatment, and learn how to manage medically compromised patients.
Learning Objectives
After completion of this course, you will:
- Comprehend the role of keystone bacteria and inflammation in periodontal disease and its effect on systemic health
- Illuminate the significance and challenges of oral biofilm
- Discover how medical wound care protocols can be utilized in the treatment of periodontal disease
- Recognize systemic health problems within the dental maintenance appointment
- Explore leading-edge techniques and technologies to enhance periodontal treatment
- Gain the screening tools used to determine the extent of periodontal infection and genetic risk
- Elevate communication skills to educate and engage patients in their health choices and treatment considerations
Suggested Format: Full or Partial Day Workshop
Suggested Audience: Dentist, Hygienist, and Team
At least 3 million Americans are living with celiac disease and 97% of them are undiagnosed. Silent damage to health could be occurring with every meal. Dental practitioners can improve patients’ quality of life and longevity by recognizing oral signs of this devastating disease.
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder in which the immune system of genetically predisposed people mounts an attack in response to gluten, a protein found in grains and products made from grains such as processed foods, medicines, and cosmetics. This immune system response results in destruction that an affect multiple body systems. Left untreated, celiac disease can result in serious systemic complications by injuring the small intestine and reducing its ability to absorb nutrients. In time, the damage may escalate to skin rashes, lactose intolerance, infertility, bone weakness, and nerve damage. Recognition of the oral manifestations of celiac disease may be the key to discovering this devastating disease in patients whose symptoms are less evident.
In this course you will become familiar with the various signs and symptoms that may be pointing to this serious systemic illness. Helping patients understand that they may have gluten-related disorders could be the key to a lifetime of improved health.
Learning Objectives
After completion of this course, you will:
- Discover the cause, extent, and consequences of celiac disease
- Identify sources of gluten and how gluten affects sensitive individuals
- Distinguish other possible causes of gluten sensitivity
- Recognize the oral manifestations of celiac disease
Suggested Format: Full or Partial Day Workshop
Suggested Audience: Dentist, Hygienist, and Team
It is estimated that approximately 23 million adults in the United States have undiagnosed or untreated moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Breathing is the most essential function of our bodies. Without oxygen, we cannot survive. Yet until recently, breathing was not considered a part of dentistry’s scope of practice. With new scientific discoveries we are learning about the critical role of the form and function of oral structures in sleep disordered breathing.
In October 2017, the American Dental Association (ADA) released a policy statement addressing dentistry’s role in sleep-related disorders encouraging dental professionals to screen their patients for obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome; advocates working with medical colleagues; and emphasizes the effectiveness of intraoral appliance therapy for treating patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and CPAP-intolerant patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Screening for and treating sleep-related breathing disorders has become the newest focus of integrated dental practice. Breathe life into your patients with an airway centered practice.
Learning Objectives
After completion of this course, you will:
- Identify various types of sleep-disordered breathing
- Describe effective screening process for identifying sleep-disordered breathing
- Appraise the risks of undiagnosed and untreated sleep-disordered breathing
- Recognize the signs and symptoms for sleep-disordered breathing in children and adults
- Distinguish the treatment options available for sleep-disordered breathing
Suggested Format: Full or Partial Day Workshop
Suggested Audience: Dentist, Hygienist, and Team
Yesterday’s protocols don’t work for today’s oral cancer. Rates of head and neck cancers continue to increase at an alarming rate while other cancers are significantly declining. One reason for the increase is the escalation in transmission of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Three Minutes to Save a Life HPV has become a significant factor in the upturn of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. HPV-positive cancers have a different presentation than HPV-negative cancers, and therefore require different screening protocols which will be illuminated in this course. Dental professionals understand the importance of early detection, but many lack confidence in knowing what to look for and what to do if they find a suspicious lesion. Acquire a step-by-step protocol for extra-oral, intra-oral and upper oropharyngeal cancer examination procedures, as well as an exact plan to follow should a suspicious lesion be detected. You will come away from this hands-on workshop with the tools, the confidence, and the motivation to perform this essential examination, to set your practice apart, and to save lives.
Learning Objectives
After completion of this course, you will:
- Acknowledge the importance of early oral cancer detection and develop a philosophy of care
- Highlight risk factors including alcohol, tobacco, and HPV
- Discover early detection devices
- Master extra- and intra-oral examination techniques
- Explain the screening process and skillfully verbalize your findings with the patient
- Identify and utilize the correct terminology to accurately describe lesions
- Discuss cytology, biopsy, referral, and follow-up protocols
- Gain techniques for the management of the side effects and oral manifestations of chemotherapy and radiation
Suggested Format: Full or Partial Day Workshop
Suggested Audience: Dentist, Hygienist, and Team
Studies show that people heal better and faster and are more compliant with treatment recommendations when they feel their caregivers truly care. And research reveals that health care professionals are happier and suffer less burnout when they show empathy and compassion for their patients. One of the best ways to demonstrate for your patients that you truly care about them is to actively listen to them. Most people believe they are good listeners however, studies show the majority of people don’t listen fully. Good listening skills are becoming an endangered species in the healthcare setting due to overcrowded schedules and the need to multitask. Information overload and shortened attention spans also contribute to the demise of good listening skills.
In this course, we will discuss the physiological benefits of empathy and compassion in healthcare as well practical, step-by-step methods of showing empathy, including the development of enhanced listening skills.
Learning Objectives
After completion of this course, you will:
- Comprehend the importance of empathy and compassion in patient care
- Detail the characteristics of empathetic and compassionate care giving
- Gain compassionate and active listening skills
Suggested Format: Full or Partial Day Workshop
Suggested Audience: Dentist, Hygienist, and Team
Kathryn Gilliam, BA, RDH, FAAOSH, is a Certified Biological dental hygienist and Founder of PerioLinks, LLC, a consulting and speaking company. She is laser-focused on empowering dentists and dental hygienists to elevate their identities as oral wellness specialists who powerfully impact the lives and health of their patients and grow their practices.
Kathryn is a proponent of incorporating the latest scientific research on the multiple oral – systemic links into practical clinical protocols. Her interest in the medical side of dentistry led her to years of advanced study of oral-systemic connections, including twice graduating with an advanced arterial wellness certification from the prestigious Bale Doneen Preceptorship for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention for Healthcare Practitioners. Kathryn has completed level one of the Functional Oral Systemic Health Mini Residency of the internationally renowned Exceptional Dental Courses, and in 2018, she earned a Fellowship in the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH).
Teaching comes naturally to Kathryn and she delivers practical information that attendees can immediately integrate into practice. Her continuing education courses enlighten, entertain, and inspire her audiences. “I want other healthcare practitioners to be as excited about their careers as I am about mine. I absolutely love what I do. It’s an honor that people come to us for care, and that care should be delivered at the highest level possible.”
Kathryn’s topics extend from the foundational principles of the oral – systemic links and medical wound care processes, to the early detection and prevention of oral and oropharyngeal cancers, to screening for airway and sleep problems in children and adults, to recognition of oral signs of celiac disease, and to high-level communication skills. “When you want to affect change, as I do, it’s a blessing to be given the opportunity to educate and to speak to your colleagues from the stage. I don’t take that privilege lightly.”
An international speaker, Kathryn is also a key opinion leader for Dentsply Sirona, MicrobeLinkDx, Proctor and Gamble, Care Credit, OraPharma, ACT Dental, CloSYS and Stella Life. Additionally, Kathryn is a member of the Carifree Cooperative and is a founding member of MicrobeGeeks, a collaboration between like-minded oral-systemic educators. Kathryn has published multiple articles and continuing education courses in leading dental journals and serves on the Peer Review Board of the Dental Academy of Continuing Education.
Kathryn is a faculty member and dental hygiene specialty coach for the Productive Dentist Academy. Having studied adult learning techniques through the Lioness Principle Transformational Training, Kathryn excels in coaching dental professionals to elevate their standard of care with protocols based on sound scientific principles and proven strategies for optimal patient care and outstanding practice growth.
Kathryn has been on the front lines of the early detection of oral and oropharyngeal cancer throughout her career. Kathryn serves as the Director of Education for Oral Cancer Cause and serves on the Dental Hygiene Advisory Board of the Oral Cancer Foundation. Kathryn is an honor graduate of the University of Nebraska and The University of Texas Health Science Center Dental Branch. Kathryn values lifelong learning. She devours every dental book she can and typically pursues dozens of hours of continuing education every year.
A lifelong member of the American Dental Hygiene Association, Kathryn also belongs to the Houston and Texas components. She is also a member of the Dental Speaker’s Institute where she won the first-place viewer’s choice award in the Jumpstart 2019 Keynote Speaking Competition.
Kathryn has shared the message of oral wellness on podcasts in the United States and Australia. She loves to travel and is intent on sharing her knowledge with healthcare practitioners around the globe.
A pivotal moment in Kathryn’s life was when her father, Phillip Kamish, DMD, MD, an internationally acclaimed practitioner, took her hands in his upon her graduation from dental hygiene school and said, “You have healing hands, just like mine.” This blessing and charge have been her standard ever since.
Even after over 30 years as a dental hygienist, Kathryn still loves and is passionate about her career as a dental hygienist and she feels her purpose is to love her patients back to health. Kathryn’s purpose in lecturing, speaking and writing is to inspire other healthcare professionals to love their patients at a higher level, as well, thereby creating a ripple effect, and extending her reach to care for even more patients than she could do alone.
- Yankee Dental Congress
- The Profitable Dentist, Excellence in Dentistry
- Delta Dental of Missouri Future FOCUS Event
- Oregon Dental Association Annual Conference
- Nebraska Dental Association Annual Conference (multiple)
- Blue Sky Conference, Productive Dentist Academy
- Northern California Dental Association Meeting
- Baton Rouge Dental Hygiene Association Meeting
- Greater Houston Dental Hygiene Association Conference
- Continuing Education for Dental Excellence Periodontal Study Club
- Rapid City Dental Continuing Education Meeting
- Virginia Dental Hygiene Association Annual Conference Online Webinar
- Rendezvous Dental Meeting
- Utah Dental Association Convention
- Perio Health Professionals Study Club
- Hygiene Pearls Study Club
- Self-Sponsored Seminar (multiple)
- Carifree Online Webinar
- Act Dental Online Webinar
- Smiles at Sea Online Webinar
- CE for a Cause Online Webinar, Benefitting Tomagwa Ministries
“When I attend a CE course, I hope to leave with at least one pearl that I can implement when I get back to the office. I left Kathryn’s course with a notebook full of gems to implement! During Kathryn’s course, Three Minutes to Save a Life, the audience of dentists, hygienists, assistants, and administrative team members was absolutely riveted. No one checked their cell phone or left the room while Kathryn was speaking. As a meeting planner, I could not have been more pleased with my choice to hire Kathryn to lecture at my premier event. I’ll be inviting her back to South Dakota again and again!”
– Amy Giese, RDH
“As a practicing dental hygienist for 44 years, this [Three Minutes to Save a Life] is one of the best courses I have ever attended! Kathryn is a delightfully open, honest, dedicated, and motivating speaker! It’s a course you don’t want to have end! You will be getting cutting-edge education, the latest diagnostic tools, tips, and lifesaving knowledge. It is a patient-oriented, practice-building and sensational skill-building course. Kathryn is a great speaker who is so enjoyable to listen to. I find her unique in her presentation….. it’s all about empowering us to be our best, to do our best, and enable the patient to be their best! Her closure is heart-warming and heartfelt!” – Gwen M Johnson, RDH, BSDH, Past NDHA President; Past ADHA Delegate; Past ADHA Distinctions in Dental Hygiene Award Winner
“Kathryn has a thorough grasp of the critical role oral health plays in arterial wellness. Her presentations illuminate the link between periodontal disease and arterial inflammation, as well as how inflammation can be extinguished by managing and eradicating periodontal disease.” – Bradley F Bale, M.D., Cofounder of the Bale/Doneen Method, Medical Director, Heart Health Program Grace Clinic, Adjunct Professor School of Nursing, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
“Kathryn Gilliam is one of the most committed to excellence speakers in the field of whole health dentistry. She delivers her messages with tremendous knowledge and passion for the patients’ overall health. She understands a healthy mouth is truly a healthy body. Kathryn is also an oral cancer advocate creating awareness and education for early diagnosis. Dentists love Kathryn’s team approach for the practice to become known as the “go to practice” that is interested in the patients’ total health, not just their teeth. That alone is one of the best marketing features for tomorrow’s dental practice. Don’t miss an opportunity to hear this talented dental speaker again and again.” – Linda Miles, Speaker, Consultant, Author
“Kathryn Gilliam is a truly remarkable hygiene clinician, industry leader, and inspiring speaker! She is passionate and knowledgeable about the oral systemic link, its effect on patients’ lives, and our ability to influence patients’ health and well-being. One of the best speakers I’ve heard on this topic!” – Katherine Eitel Belt, Founder and President Lioness Learning, Inc
“It is my honor to know and recommend Kathryn Gilliam for speaking and consulting services. Kathryn possesses a robust range of dental knowledge and experience and is deeply committed to making a difference in the health of our patients and our practices. Her truest passion lies in the leading-edge areas of early oral cancer detection and care for patients undergoing cancer treatment, as well as the integration of oral systemic awareness into clinical practice. I have had the pleasure of experiencing Kathryn’s interesting, enjoyable and informative presentations. Her style is clear and professional and she is extraordinarily approachable on every level. Her command of the oral systemic science and her ability to express herself in a professional manner is exemplary. She is a polished speaker with content that is timely and inspiring. I would highly recommend Kathryn’s courses/presentations, which are suitable for the entire dental team.” – Lisa Marie Samaha, D.D.S, FAGD
“I found the information Kathryn shared in her PerioLinks seminar to be extremely beneficial. She presents advanced concepts with expertise and she makes complex ideas clear and easy to understand. Kathryn inspires the dental team to recognize the oral-systemic connection and gives easy to follow strategies to implement this information in practice. I’m excited to use these strategies to benefit the total body wellness and keep patients healthier. I highly recommend her courses.” – Patti Sooy, Director of Coaching, Business Development Coach, Productive Dental Academy
“Kathryn Gilliam is the ultimate expert on oral cancer and how to help oral cancer patients. Kathryn has written articles and courses on this important subject, and addresses both large audiences and small. Her expertise and passion are evident in her presentations. And she is fun and easy to work with. If oral cancer is your topic of interest, Kathryn is your only choice for a top speaker.” – Janet Hagerman, RDH, BS, Speaker, Author, Coach
“Kathryn is passionate and knowledgeable about oral health care and she is at the forefront of the oral-systemic movement. Her presentation to our organization was informative and entertaining and gave us a lot to talk about going back to our individual offices and teams. Kathryn is a go-to person for professional education and a great mentor to her colleagues. Our organization will happily invite Kathryn back again and again.” – Jessica Smith, RDH, B.S., Vice President of the Greater Baton Rouge Dental Hygienist Association, Regional Coordinator for the Oral Cancer Foundation in Louisiana. Sunstar/RDH Award of Distinction 2014 Recipient
“Kathryn does a great job of incorporating information that is accurate and useful in your everyday life. With all the statistics presented on how periodontal disease can impact the whole body, you know this gal has done her homework. You will not be disappointed with Kathryn at the front of the room!” – Ryan D Rutar, RDH, BSDH, MA, President-Elect Nebraska Dental Hygienist’s Association
“We were fortunate to have Kathryn Gilliam provide a presentation at our Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association Fall Session. The presentation, Hot Stuff: The Fire Within – The Dangers of Oral Inflammation, was fantastic! The concept of changing dental hygiene practice into a Wellness Practice was so motivating. Kathryn provides the latest scientific information with practical protocols for implementation. I recently started working in a new joint medical-dental public health practice. This information is perfect for what we need to combine both disciplines for our clientele. The information Kathryn shares is truly essential for any practice or individual hygienist that cares about the patient’s whole health. Systemic health knowledge is crucial to me as I also provide hygiene services to an Alzheimer’s care facility through my own business, Preventive Dental Hygiene Care. Dental health can no longer be separated from the rest of the body! I highly recommend you attend a course given by Kathryn to elevate your practice to that of a Wellness Healthcare Professional.” – Cynthia Carlson, RDH, BS, PH-RDH
“I met Kathryn Gilliam when she was the guest speaker presenting head and neck cancer examinations at another seminar I was attending in the USA. Lucky me, I wasn’t let down! I learned a totally new approach to performing a cancer screening. My colleagues and I have now implemented Kathryn’s techniques and principals and we use them on every patient daily. Our patients appreciate our attention to their overall health and feel safe with our thorough exam. I feel so good knowing I have elevated my skills and I believe I’m saving lives! Thanks, Kathryn!” – Marie Pors, RDH, Denmark
“Kathryn presented at the 2018 Oregon Dental Conference. I registered for, “Oral Cancer: Three Minutes to Save a Life”. Kathryn’s 3-hour presentation was so compelling, I returned for her afternoon session, “Hot Stuff: The Dangers of Oral Inflammation” even though I originally registered for a different course. Excellent presentations, packed with useful, eye-opening information that showed how we can follow her motto, “We’re not just cleaning teeth, we’re saving lives.” I am grateful for your knowledge and passion to teach and walk your talk. You are a blessing.” – Dorothy Davis, RDH

Why choose Kathryn?
- A pioneer and advocate for incorporating the latest scientific research on the oral – systemic link into clinical practice, Kathryn teaches that dental disease IS systemic disease.
- Kathryn creates a learning environment infused with energy and passion to ignite excitement in her attendees and create real change in their clinical practice. Kathryn’s attendees leave with a renewed sense of purpose and an elevated identity as health care providers.
- A seasoned trainer and educator, Kathryn utilizes adult learning methods, audience interaction, and hands on experiences to connect attendees to the material and to facilitate retention of key concepts.
- Kathryn’s presentations highlight proven strategies and systems for creating effective patient communication resulting in increased treatment acceptance.
- As a clinician, clinical coach, and business owner, Kathryn is familiar with the challenges of creating and maintaining a successful dental practice. Her attendees and clients benefit from her long career in dentistry.
- Kathryn easily relates to her audiences as an experienced clinician who understands their day-to-day challenges.
- Kathryn has been on the front lines of early detection of oral cancer throughout her career. Kathryn teaches an elegant and thorough head and neck cancer exam that both relaxes patients and raises their awareness of the importance of regular cancer screening. She serves as the Director of Education for Oral Cancer Cause and is an active volunteer for The Oral Cancer Foundation.
- A highly respected speaker and recognized author of multiple articles and continuing education courses published in leading scientific and professional journals.


Articles by Kathryn
How does periodontal disease affect systemic health? A simple answer to a complex question.
A system for the link? The oral-systemic link is spilling over into multiple health-care settings
Optimal Oral Health: A Key Factor in Preventing Heart Disease
Elevating Dental Care to Whole Health Care
Caring for oral cancer patients: Hygienists can adjust dental treatment protocols
Alignment – Not Just For Tires
Baby Boomers Beware: the Connection between Alzheimer’s Disease and Periodontal Disease