In case you missed our last post, we discussed the SMART certification that lets you know if a dentist practices mercury-free, mercury safe dentistry. But it doesn’t tell you whether they practice holistic, biological dentistry.
Truth be told, any dentist can say they do holistic or biological dentistry, whether they actually do or not. Unlike the 12 recognized dental specialties, these two fields aren’t really regulated. There’s no standard path to becoming a biological dentist. Often, it’s a description that a dentist adopts once they feel they’ve learned enough and incorporated at least some of its key features into their patient care.
Unfortunately, this can make things confusing for patients looking for a healthier, more natural kind of dentistry than the norm. It can make it hard for them to find a biological dentist they can trust.
For this reason, organizations promoting biological dentistry have stepped up with certification programs to help ensure their members understand and practice the fundamentals of this field – organizations such as the International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine, or IABDM.
The Birth of Biological Dentistry
Established in 1985 as the American Academy of Biological Dentistry (AABD), the IABDM was the brainchild of two California dentists who had been individually studying and taking courses in fields such as acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, German biological medicine, nutrition, and energy medicine, and incorporating them into their dental practices. Both were striving to define a new way of doing dentistry – a way that respected the complex relationship between mouth and body, oral health and systemic health; that recognized the energetic aspects of health and healing, as well as the physical; that treated the whole person – body, mind, and spirit.
At the time, there was no name for this particular kind of holistic dentistry. Because it was so influenced by German biological medicine in particular, the AABD’s founders – Dr. Ed Arana and Dr. Gary Verigin – chose to call it “biological dentistry.”
The original purpose of the group was to bring key European scientists and clinicians to the US to train them in procedures such as neural therapy, EAV (electroacupuncture according to Voll, or electrodermal screening), and other unfamiliar practices. Others were brought in to teach about nutrition, supplementation, homeopathy, and other therapeutics. The AABD published a journal that often featured German research papers that were otherwise unavailable in English.
By the early 2000s, the organization had grown so much that its leadership decided it needed a new name to reflect this: the IABDM.
What Makes a Certified Biological Dentist?
To make sure that “biological dentistry” would remain a meaningful term, the IABDM developed Standards of Practice to guide their members. They also created a robust certification program that could guide the public toward dentists with a comprehensive knowledge of the field. That program begins with coursework covering a wide range of topics, including
- What Makes a Biological Office
- The History of the Amalgam Wars
- Biological Dental Hygiene
- Homeopathy
- Ozone
- Root Canals
- The Tooth/Body Connection
- Mercury
- Fluoride
- Compatibility Testing of Dental Materials
- Oral Galvanism
- Health & Dentistry
- Why We Refer to a Doctor When Doing Amalgam Removal
- Cavitations
- Silver
- Myofunctional Therapy
- Mercury Separators
- Airway
- Vitamin C IVs in Dentistry
- Digestion
To be certified, a dentist must also do additional coursework in dental ozone therapies and present two mercury removal cases following the IABDM’s PROTECT Protocol (similar to the IAOMT’s SMART protocol we talked about last time).
Importantly, ONLY dentists who have gone through this process can call themselves “certified biological dentists.” Alternate certification tracks are available for hygienists, assistants, and office staff, as well.
Naturally, Dr. G was among the first dentists to become certified. Here, he briefly explains what this means for you as a patient:
(Want a more in-depth discussion? Watch Dr. G’s 20-minute interview with IABDM executive director Dr. Dawn Ewing.)
Bottom line? When a biological dentist is IABDM certified, you can be sure they’re a dentist who has really studied the principles and practices of biological dentistry to improve and support the total health of their patients through excellent oral health.
Under the instruction of Dr. Gashinsky – the founder of the Holistic Dental Center of New Jersey, all our associate dentists have expanded their knowledge and expertise. Our team of highly skilled professionals practice both holistic and biological dentistry while fully supporting (and embracing) our philosophy.
Ready to take control of your oral and whole body health? Give us a call today 973-379-9080 to schedule your appointment today!
