Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics.
Dr. Gonzales: We use OralDNA® to create a customized plan for treating our patient’s periodontal disease. We also use it to gauge the success of their periodontal treatment and revised home care regimens. Salivary diagnostics enables us to treat the patient’s whole health by tying their periodontal condition to their medical history and treating the specific bacteria that could be contributing to multiple health conditions.
Dr. McGlennen: What are the top two things to consider when you select a patient for testing?
Dr. Gonzales: The two most important things to consider are medical history and the presence of periodontal inflammation.
Dr. McGlennen: What are the biggest benefits to using salivary diagnostics?
Dr. Gonzales: We can identify and treat the specific bacteria that may be contributing to a patient’s chronic diseases like periodontal disease or heart disease.
Dr. McGlennen: What is your favorite part of the MyPerioPath® results? Why?
Dr. Gonzales: I love that the results are easy for my team and patients to read and interpret. The information is presented in a format that is well organized and visually appealing.
Dr. McGlennen: How do your patient’s respond to this technology?
Dr. Gonzales: Our patients respond very well to salivary diagnostics. They like that our office is technologically advanced and that we are up-to-date with how periodontal disease is connected to other chronic inflammatory health conditions. They are familiar with getting lab tests at their doctor’s office and they like to receive information about their whole health with a simple saliva test.
Dr. McGlennen: If a new OralDNA® provider were to ask you for advice, what would be your best tip?
Dr. Gonzales: Provide training for the whole team so everyone is speaking the same language. Everybody on the team will get faced with questions and should be empowered to handle those questions.
Dr. McGlennen: Where do you see salivary diagnostics in 3-5 years? 10 years? What would be the impact on your practice/patients?
Dr. Gonzales: I hope to see more physicians who are using salivary diagnostics in conjunction with blood tests so we can treat the whole body health of our patients. Our patients would benefit from a more team-centered approach between their physicians and dentists. Visit us at www.academydentalcarenm.com/
For more information on how to become an OralDNA Provider – scan HERE: 
Dr Gonzales prides herself in her practice philosophy around aesthetics and function which can provide her patients
She is originally from a small town in Southern California and completed her undergraduate education at University of California, Berkeley. Later she graduated with high honors from University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.
After ten years in San Francisco, Dr Gonzales moved to Albuquerque to practice with her uncle Dr. Charles Gallagher. “It was an opportunity I could not pass up. Academy Dental Care is an outstanding dental office, as you will soon find out!”
The team is composed of wonderful and highly skilled members who love spending time with each other outside of the office such as continuing education courses, host team potlucks, and charity events. The office is unlike any other; they are a team of all-stars!
When Dr Gonzales is not in the office, she can be found on her Pelaton exercise bike! She also likes skiing, tennis, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
- Neglected Active Periodontal Disease - August 19, 2022
- Interview with Dr. Chelsea Gonzales - December 24, 2021
- Interview with Chelsea Gonzales, DDS - February 1, 2019