From Posture to Migraines: Dr. Ruan on the Hidden Impact of Oral Health
Release Date: 05/12/2025
From Posture to Migraines: Dr. Ruan on the Hidden Impact of Oral Health
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
In this episode we’re welcoming Dr. Cheng Ruan. From a young age, he was introduced to a holistic approach of medicine. His mother practiced Eastern Medicine, including acupuncture and herbs, while his father’s career focused on research. Early on in his education, he learned that medicine itself is not sufficient alone to treat every issue. When working with patients, it’s crucial to first understand what health looks like for them. This success criteria can be used to create goals they can work towards. Dr. Ruan recognizes that a part of his job is to simply coach his patients so that...
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From Traditional to Holistic: Hamid’s Journey Through Detox, Dentistry, and Healing
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
In today's episode we’re welcoming Hamid, a patient who courageously transitioned from traditional to holistic dentistry. Hamid's dedication to understanding the root cause of his symptoms, undertaking detoxification, and ensuring his adrenal health before his cavitation surgery is so inspirational. We delve into his detailed preparation, highlighting the role of local anesthesia, biomodulation, ozone, and laser pulse therapy in ensuring a comprehensive surgical procedure. Hamid stresses the importance of taking high-quality liposomal vitamin C prior to surgery, and the benefits of...
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Team Dynamics, Holistic Wellness, and the Power of Continuous Learning with Dawn
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
Today we dive deep into the life and wisdom of Dawn, a vital member of our practice and a guru in team dynamics, hiring practices, and the essence of continuous learning. Dawn shares her philosophy of focusing on an individual's character rather than their credentials; a practice that has significantly contributed to our team's success. She also stresses the importance of continuous education and active participation from all team members. We explore Dawn's personal wellness routine, including her commitment to holistic health balance through hydration, regular exercise, and continuous...
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Becoming a High-Performing Professional with Dr. Emily Letran
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
Today I am joined by Dr. Emily Letran who is here to talk about becoming a high-performing professional and why the secret is not doing it all. Dr. Letran is the best mom in the world. This is important to think about when describing yourself. Not what your job is, but who you are. When you work with a patient, it isn’t just about the physical health, it’s the spiritual and mental health as well. Understanding your core values and setting your daily intention is what is important, along with support to prevent burnout. Ask yourself if you are happy every day. Check-in with yourself. Did...
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Biological Dentistry with Dr. Teresa Scott
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
My guest today is Dr. Teresa Scott, who is my partner, mentor, best friend, and CE. Teresa is going to share her story and discuss biological dentistry. When Teresa’s daughter was born, she was allergic to every commercial formula available. She was very sick and doctors wanted to put her on the medical formula, but Teresa felt that it was not the right way. After finding the idea of homemade baby formula from the Weston Price Foundation, Teresa wanted to know more. Weston Price is considered to be the father of biological dentistry. He studied the 14 longest-running civilizations to see...
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Biological Hygienist, Coach, and Trainer Francis Horning
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
In today’s episode I am joined by Francis Horning, a biological hygienist, coach, and trainer. Francis has been certified for 37 years and in that time has become a trainer for other hygienists and an impassioned speaker. Francis graduated in 1984, and while she was studying, she had the opportunity to shadow a hygienist in actual practice and learned more about the biological side of things than she had at school. From then on, she knew she wanted to know more about the biological side of being a hygienist and where that could take her. It’s about full-body health and wellness for...
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Supporting a Robust Immune System Dr. Al Danenberg
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
Today I am welcoming nutritional periodontist Dr. Al Danenberg who teaches methods of supporting a robust immune system. He stopped practicing clinically in 2018 when he was diagnosed with cancer and given a maximum of six months to live. This set him on a path of learning more about the immune system. Al rejected chemotherapy and created 10 unconventional protocols to support his body and immune system. It was going well until August 2019, when he took a serious fall and severed some bones. This eventually landed him on narcotics in hospice, and at that time he was ready to die. Through...
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Airways Dentistry with Dr. Svetlana Usherenko
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
Today I am welcoming Dr. Svetlana Usherenko, an expert in airways dentistry for both children and adults. Dr. Usherenko is here to discuss how the airway can affect the growth and development of our children and how airway health supports a healthy life. When her eldest son began having issues with allergies, blocked sinuses, and underperforming at school, Dr. Usherenko began looking into what could possibly be causing this disruption in his life. The real wake up call came when his allergies suddenly left him temporarily deaf. This led to a realization that her whole family had compromised...
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Biological Dentistry with Dr. Dawn Ewing
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
In today’s episode I am joined by Dr. Dawn Ewing. She is an expert in biological dentistry, the Executive Director of the IABDM, and my personal naturopath and healthcare provider helping me on my wellness journey. Dr. Dawn started out in dentistry as a dental hygienist and became involved heavily in the conventional world of dentistry, even being appointed by the Governor of Texas to serve on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners for 2 years. For Dr. Dawn, dentistry just wasn’t exciting her anymore and she began participating in emergency medicine, which helped to reframe her...
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Episode 1
The Wellness Dentist Podcast
In today’s episode I am going to take you through my own survival story and journey to wellness. I am sharing this experience to inspire others that are going through chronic health problems with no answers. Born and raised in Vietnam, I moved to the US in my teens and went on to study biology at the University of Texas. Later, I met my best friend and future husband in dental school. Trying for our first baby took longer than we thought it would, but then the opportunity to start my own practice presented itself and we became distracted. When I was least expecting it, I fell pregnant. After...
info_outlineIn this episode we’re welcoming Dr. Cheng Ruan. From a young age, he was introduced to a holistic approach of medicine. His mother practiced Eastern Medicine, including acupuncture and herbs, while his father’s career focused on research. Early on in his education, he learned that medicine itself is not sufficient alone to treat every issue.
When working with patients, it’s crucial to first understand what health looks like for them. This success criteria can be used to create goals they can work towards. Dr. Ruan recognizes that a part of his job is to simply coach his patients so that they can make their own decisions.
Rather than offer medications as a first line of defense to his clients struggling with mental health issues like anxiety, he encourages them to consider their unmade decisions. It’s important to explore how our experiences actually impact our mental health and the other measures we can take to remedy mental health issues.
Dr. Ruan enjoys working with dentists on airway dentistry—without it, he cannot practice on the brain and mental health, as the healing potential of these systems is linked. Periodontal disease, and the organisms that harbor within, is powerful enough to change your posture and/or cause migraines.
All patients are perfect the way they are made, and Dr. Ruan emphasizes this. Recognizing compensation mechanisms in patients can help you adjust them and potentially support dealing with even the most chronic issues. Everyone exists in their own reality, and honoring that allows you to truly help them.
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