Oral Genome and Henry Schein Join Forces to Drive Dental-Medical Integration with Point-of-Care Saliva Testing
Oral Genome, a health technology innovator specializing in salivary diagnostics, has entered into a strategic partnership with Henry Schein, Inc., the world’s largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental and medical practitioners. The collaboration will introduce Oral Genome’s rapid, point-of-care saliva testing technology to a broader national audience of dental and medical professionals, helping bridge the gap between oral health and systemic wellness.
The initiative reflects a growing movement in health care toward integrated care models—approaches that recognize the mouth as a vital gateway to overall health. Oral Genome’s testing platform enables practitioners to identify early warning signs of both dental conditions and systemic diseases during routine visits, providing a proactive path to treatment and prevention.
Rapid, Chairside Results for Oral and Systemic Health
At the heart of the partnership is Oral Genome’s point-of-care saliva testing system. Designed for use directly in dental and medical practices, the test delivers results in just 15 minutes. Unlike traditional laboratory diagnostics, this immediate turnaround means that practitioners can review findings with patients in real time—while they are still in the chair—opening the door for same-day conversations about risk factors, treatment plans, and preventive strategies.
The test works by analyzing key biomarkers found in saliva—biological indicators that can reflect not only the state of a patient’s oral health but also aspects of their overall wellness. Oral Genome’s proprietary software application interprets the results, providing practitioners with clear, actionable insights.
By integrating this technology into everyday practice, dentists and physicians can identify potential issues earlier, from gum disease and cavities to systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation. These early insights allow for intervention before problems escalate, potentially reducing the need for more invasive and costly treatments later.
Bridging Dentistry and Medicine
The collaboration between Oral Genome and Henry Schein underscores a shared commitment to advancing “whole-health” care—a model that breaks down the silos between dental and medical disciplines. Oral health has long been recognized as both a reflection of and a contributor to overall well-being. Conditions such as periodontal disease have been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Yet, in many care settings, dental and medical records remain disconnected, and patients rarely experience coordinated communication between their providers.
Dr. Tina Saw, CEO of Oral Genome, believes that point-of-care salivary testing can help close that gap.
We’re thrilled to join forces with Henry Schein to support providers bridging the gap between dental and medical care,” Dr. Saw said. “Our point-of-care testing equips practitioners with actionable insights, transforming routine visits into opportunities for whole-health advocacy.
By offering this technology through Henry Schein’s vast distribution channels, the companies aim to give dental professionals new tools to participate more actively in their patients’ general health journeys, while also encouraging medical professionals to consider oral health as part of preventive care.
A Strategic Distribution Advantage
Henry Schein, which serves more than one million customers worldwide, brings a unique infrastructure to the partnership. The company’s U.S. Distribution Group—led by President Dirk Benson—has decades of experience delivering cutting-edge clinical solutions to dental and medical practices. By integrating Oral Genome’s product into its existing portfolio, Henry Schein can accelerate adoption across a wide variety of settings, including:
- Private dental practices seeking to differentiate themselves through advanced diagnostics.
- Community health clinics serving underserved populations, where early detection can have a significant impact on outcomes.
- Medical offices looking to add oral health screening to their preventive care services.
The goal is not only to introduce the technology to more providers but also to make it a standard part of the patient care workflow.
Henry Schein is committed to bringing advanced solutions that enhance patient outcomes to our customers,” Benson said. “Expanded point-of-care testing offerings align with our mission to advance prevention and wellness through systemic health models, and Oral Genome offers dentists and physicians a powerful tool to elevate care.
The Growing Role of Saliva in Diagnostics
Saliva has emerged as an increasingly important medium in diagnostic testing. Unlike blood draws, saliva collection is non-invasive, painless, and requires minimal training—making it ideal for routine use in busy practices. Scientists have identified hundreds of biomarkers in saliva that can reveal valuable information about a patient’s health, from oral pathogens to indicators of systemic inflammation.
Recent advances in biosensor technology, data analytics, and molecular testing have made saliva-based diagnostics faster, more accurate, and more accessible than ever before. These developments are particularly relevant in preventive care, where the ability to detect changes early can lead to better long-term outcomes and lower health care costs.
For Oral Genome, these scientific advances have translated into a commercially viable, practitioner-friendly product that integrates seamlessly with existing workflows. The addition of Henry Schein’s distribution capabilities is expected to significantly expand its reach.
Impact on Patient Relationships and Preventive Care
One of the most significant benefits of point-of-care saliva testing is its potential to strengthen the patient-provider relationship. Because results are available within minutes, practitioners can have immediate, informed discussions with patients about their health. This immediacy fosters trust and engagement, making patients more likely to follow preventive care recommendations and treatment plans.
In dental practices, for example, a hygienist might perform the test at the start of a cleaning appointment. By the time the dentist arrives, the results could be ready for review, providing a natural segue into a conversation about gum health, diet, systemic risk factors, or lifestyle changes.
In medical offices, saliva testing could become part of annual wellness visits, helping physicians screen for conditions that might otherwise go undetected until symptoms develop.
A Timely Partnership in a Changing Health Care Landscape
The Oral Genome–Henry Schein partnership comes at a time when health care systems are under increasing pressure to shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Policymakers, insurers, and patient advocacy groups are calling for integrated care models that reduce fragmentation and address the root causes of chronic disease.
By equipping both dental and medical providers with the same diagnostic tools, this partnership supports a more unified approach to patient care. It also aligns with broader public health goals, such as reducing the burden of chronic disease, lowering health care costs, and improving population health outcomes.
