Golden Dental Wellness Center has always focused on delivering personalized care, but the Long Island practice has taken that promise to the next level with DNA-based treatment. Dr. Linda Golden says this new preventive approach to dental care could have life-changing, or even lifesaving, health benefits. 

“We’ve recently partnered with OralDNA to help us get even greater understanding of each patient’s personal needs,” Golden says. “We’re doing this for two key reasons. First, OralDNA helps us identify and tackle oral health concerns like gum disease, tooth loss and dental decay before they arise. Second, the oral-bacteria profile that we are able to construct using the patient’s genetic information allows us to mitigate or prevent serious total-body conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or strokes.”

Collecting the DNA involves a painless, 30-second cheek swab that can be handled during a regular checkup. “That’s all we need to get the process started,” Golden says. “After your DNA is analyzed in the lab, we’ll send you a full report of your dental health and schedule a follow-up if needed.”

Despite the simplicity of the process, the information provided from the test can have major health benefits, she says. 

“We will be able to tell you if you have a propensity toward Porphyromonas gingivalis—gum disease—and treat it accordingly, which will greatly decrease your risk of contracting rheumatoid arthritis or having a stroke. New studies have also directly linked this same genetic marker to heart disease in some patients. By knowing that you are predisposed to the condition before it arises, we can help you fight it and maintain your oral and heart health.”

Patients who want a personal OralDNA profile made should mention it when they make their next appointment. 

Location: Golden Dental Wellness Center, 444 Community Dr., Ste. 204, Manhasset, NY. For appointments or information, call 516-627-8400 or visit GoldenSmile.com.