"Saliva Is Just As Important As Blood": Victoria Sampson On The Oral Microbiome Revolution.

Could your saliva reveal more about your health than your blood? Victoria Sampson has spent years proving the mouth is a diagnostic goldmine - and dentistry is only just catching up. Contact Point - Dentistry's Next Decade. Hosted by Dr Simon Chard. In this conversation: Victoria Sampson joins Simon to unpack the oral microbiome, saliva testing, and the growing evidence linking gum health to over 50 systemic conditions - from Alzheimer's and colorectal cancer to fertility and heart disease. They get into the COVID-19 paper that put her on the map, the reality of building a saliva-testing company, why bad breath is usually a gut problem, and an honest reflection on the highs and lows of taking dental science to a mainstream audience. ### Chapters - **00:00:00** Introduction: Podcast Backlash & Finding Balance - **00:02:22** The COVID-19 Paper That Changed Everything - **00:07:42** What Actually Is The Oral Microbiome? - **00:15:37** The Three Mechanisms: How Oral Bacteria Affect Your Whole Body - **00:19:23** Why Previous Oral Microbiome Testing Failed - **00:21:24** Inside Oralis One: How The Test Actually Works - **00:51:31** The Clinical Protocol: From Test to Treatment Plan - **01:03:49** Inflammation vs Bacteria: Rethinking Periodontal Disease - **00:22:45** The Heavy Hitters: Alzheimer's, Colorectal Cancer & Women's Health - **01:19:21** Functional Dentistry: Blood Tests, Nutrition & The Health Society Model - **00:36:39** Podcast Aftermath: Trolls, Cancelled Talks & Finding Strength - **00:48:31** The Innovation Problem: Why UK Dentistry Resists Change - **01:26:55** From Lemonade Stands to Lawsuits: The Entrepreneurial Journey - **01:36:18** Working With Family: Running The Health Society With Sister & Mum - **01:41:03** The Next Decade: Saliva Testing For Systemic Disease Detection ▬▬ ABOUT THE GUEST ▬▬ Victoria Sampson - researcher and clinician working at the intersection of the oral microbiome, saliva diagnostics and systemic health. Author of one of the most-cited British Dental Journal papers on the link between COVID-19 and periodontal disease, and founder of THS Labs UK & The Health Society. ▬▬ ABOUT THE HOST ▬▬ Dr Simon Chard is a multi-award-winning cosmetic dentist, co-founder of PÄRLA, and Past President of the BACD. Through Contact Point he explores the ideas, people and technology shaping the next decade of dentistry. ▬▬ EPISODE SPONSOR ▬▬ Barclays Business Banking: Search 'Barclays Business Healthcare' online. Terms and conditions apply. All lending is subject to application, status and eligibility. ▬▬ FOLLOW ▬▬ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ContactPointPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033ieLfQjL338jE8TS8GcV?si=jBJmAJDeTaaQyPfmP1W81A Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contact-point-podcast/id1896809084 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contactpointpodcast/ #Dentistry #OralMicrobiome #SalivaTesting #Periodontal #Longevity #PreventativeHealth #DentalPodcast #OralHealth