I am a holistic dentist, airway health advocate, and founder of Oris Wellness. I'm here to help parents like you choose the right treatments & providers for your child’s optimal jaw growth & health.
A Little Less Daylight, a Few Big Conversations & a Gift for Parents 🎁
October's Newsletter 🍂Our clocks just rolled back here in Portugal (we change a week ahead of the US), and I'm already pining for longer days! The darkness creeping in earlier each evening always takes a little getting used to. Fun fact: I grew up in Indiana, which was one of the last few US states to adopt daylight saving time. The state has since made the switch, but it turns out that when it comes to our health, permanent Standard Time may actually be the better option. There's growing interest in how our clocks affect our circadian rhythms, sleep, and overall health. If you're curious about the debate, here's an interesting resource: Save Standard Time. And speaking of health, this month I've been having some wonderful conversations about looking beyond the obvious, asking better questions, and helping families connect the dots when it comes to their health. Here are a few I'd love to share with you! 🎙️ FROM TRADITIONAL DENTISTRY TO PARENT ADVOCACYLast month, I shared my interview with Dr. Mike DeLuke for GetExpanded. This month, we switched roles! Dr. Mike invited me onto his DOC podcast to talk about my journey from traditional dental education to holistic dentistry and, eventually, my transition into parent advocacy and consulting. We also discussed something I believe deserves more attention: how conflicting professional messages affect the families we're all trying to help. My hope is that this conversation encourages clinicians to listen more closely to parents and approach differences with curiosity rather than criticism.
🎁 BONUS RESOURCE: A GIFT FOR PARENTSSometimes, showing up and putting yourself out there, even when it feels scary, leads to unexpected rewards. Several years ago, I met Dr. Joe Gaudio at a conference. He shared a booklet he created with his late colleague and co-author Mark Curtis. Fast-forward to my recent appearance on the DOC podcast. Dr. Barry Raphael, the clinician Joe is apprenticing with, heard our conversation and encouraged Joe to reach out about making his booklet available to more parents. I don't typically share someone else's resources without their permission, so I was especially grateful when Joe generously offered to share this guide with all of you. I think it's an amazing resource for parents who are curious to learn more about sleep-disordered breathing, and I'm delighted to pass it along.
🔎 BACK TO BASICS: DO YOU KNOW THE RED FLAGS?I recently joined Emily Horstman, a registered dietitian I've gotten to know through my Unconventional Collaborative Group, for a conversation about breathing, sleep, and airway health. Emily has explored these questions both professionally and through her own family's experiences. She knows how frustrating it can be when you sense something isn't right, only to be told everything looks fine. If we don't know what to look for or what questions to ask, we can easily miss things that matter. We took things back to basics by discussing airway red flags, including signs that may be familiar to adults as well as parents. We also touched on nutrition as another important piece of the bigger picture of health.
TWO GETEXPANDED CONVERSATIONS WORTH YOUR TIMEDr. Tina Rokadia [Watch on YouTube Here]Dr. Tina brought insights from dental sleep medicine, including why expansion isn't always the first step and what else may need to be considered when symptoms persist after treatment. I hear from parents who feel they've done everything right, only to find that mouth breathing or other concerns remain. Just as tonsil and adenoid surgery may not resolve every breathing or sleep concern, expansion alone may not address every contributing factor. The takeaway? It's worth asking what else might be contributing to the problem, both before treatment and when expected results don't fully materialize. Dr. Marianna Evans [Watch on YouTube Here]As a dual-certified orthodontist and periodontist, Dr. Marianna Evans brings a perspective I always appreciate. We discussed the ideal timing for beginning expansion, why there's no magic number when it comes to how much expansion someone needs, along with the concept of traumatic occlusion. -- Why might someone repeatedly break a filling or fracture a tooth? Why might bone loss occur when poor oral hygiene doesn't appear to be the issue? ANOTHER RECOMMENDED LISTEN:Dr. Catherine Murphy recently joined Hallie Bulkin to discuss patient-centered care, parent intuition, and the many factors that influence treatment planning. In this conversation, they explore how a parent's nervous system plays a role in the treatment path, too. I especially appreciate the reminder that there's no single treatment roadmap for every family.
🤝 FIND YOUR PEOPLE: THE NOVEMBER TOOTHSEEKERS MEETUPInformation is valuable, but knowing where to start can still feel overwhelming. Sometimes, what helps most is connecting with someone who understands the journey. That's why I created The Toothseekers, our monthly parent meetups: a space to ask questions, share experiences, and explore options without feeling you have to figure everything out alone. Next month, I'm excited to welcome Hannah Matson, a mom and advocate whose own journey exploring ties, tension, and oral function led her to create resources for other families. Together, we'll discuss what ties and tension can look like, what kinds of support are available, and how to navigate different opinions and treatment options. Our topic: Ties, Tension, or Both? Exploring the Different Support Options Available 📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026 This isn't about telling you what you should do for your child. It's about helping you understand the questions, learn from another parent's experience, and feel more equipped to find your own way forward. Come with your questions, your curiosity, or simply a desire to connect with other parents who understand.
TWO MORE RESOURCES FOR YOUR RADARIf picky eating is a challenge in your home, check out this free online summit featuring 27 whole-child experts, including several of my past and current collaborators. The conversations explore the many factors that can shape how a child experiences food. Documenting Hope Conference | Orlando + Livestream I'm planning to attend this conference next month. Documenting Hope brings together research, practical strategies, and community for families navigating complex childhood health challenges, including allergies, asthma, autism, ADHD, and more. I appreciate their commitment to asking bigger questions and helping families explore how different pieces of health may connect. Both in-person and livestream options are available. This was a full newsletter! Too much? Just enough! What was your favorite part? Hit reply. I'd love to hear from you. Until next time, Julia |
Oris Wellness
I am a holistic dentist, airway health advocate, and founder of Oris Wellness. I'm here to help parents like you choose the right treatments & providers for your child’s optimal jaw growth & health.
Many of you know I don't have children of my own. I do, however, have a very beloved dog who has had medical issues pretty much from the day we brought him home. Over the years, we've navigated digestive issues, allergies, recurrent ear infections, reverse sneezing in the middle of the night, joint pain, ultrasounds, X-rays, and more urgent-care visits than I care to count. We've worked with veterinarians, nutritionists, an acupuncturist, an osteopath, and a physical therapist. I've learned a...
Hello, and happy back-to-school season! I hope you’re keeping your sanity. 😂 I know it comes with its own challenges as everyone settles back into a routine. Some families are craving that routine by now, while others may feel a little more tension than usual as schedules shift and everyone adjusts. So, be kind to yourself. And prioritize sleep. An extra hour of sleep may help protect against illness, which can feel more important than ever when alllll the other kids’ germs start making their...
Big News: Welcome to The Toothseekers I'm so excited to finally share something I've been quietly building over the past few months. If you've been navigating childhood breathing, sleep, oral development, tongue ties, expansion, picky eating, ADHD, allergies, or all the other questions, you've probably noticed one thing: Information isn't always the hardest part anymore. Once you know this is an area that's affecting your child's health, there seem to be plenty of options to turn to. Parents...