The dentist filling a gap with nutrition

“I didn’t want to just drill and fill people’s teeth”: Dr James Goolnik, holistic dentist and current ION student, reveals why he is reinventing a trip to the dentist and empowering his patients.

The age-old dental question – “How often do you brush?” is not the only one you’ll hear when you visit Dr James Goolnik’s practice.

You’ll find he is eager to ask bigger questions about your health in a quest to educate his patients on the importance of nutrition and holistic health.

With an in-house nutritional therapist and health coach already working at his clinic, the 56-year-old dentist and director of Optimal Dental Health in London decided it was his time to head back to school.

“They just told us sugar is bad,” James recalls of his dental training at King’s College London. “There was no behavioural training about how you motivate people to make changes through nutrition or lifestyle.

“I’ve been in dentistry for more than 25 years and I realised that I didn’t want to just drill and fill people’s teeth; I knew there were better ways of supporting patients. I started looking at how I could upskill myself and learn more,” explains the award-winning dentist once listed in Private Dentistry’s poll of the top twenty dentists in the UK.

Craving a deeper understanding of nutrition, James sought to connect the dots between oral health and overall wellbeing.

“Nutrition was the obvious point to start with,” he continues. “I started doing a bit of research, attending some lectures, reading, and researching, and then came across the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION).

“The thing I liked about it (ION) is its evidence-based approach. There wasn’t all this woo-woo stuff, because now, if you go on to Instagram or TikTok, you’ll see thirty ways on how you can use vitamin D, but most of it is all rubbish. I reached out to three or four different providers of nutritional education. I liked the reply that came back from ION,” adds the past-president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

“I like the flexibility”

Impressed by the institute’s professionalism and following a positive meeting with Dean, Heather Rosa, James enrolled onto the Graduate Diploma in Integrative Functional Nutrition.

This case-focused course is aimed at medical professionals, allied healthcare practitioners and CAM practitioners who want to integrate personalised nutrition and lifestyle advice within their non-clinical work or clinical practice.

James signed up for the two-year part-time course and has already completed half of the course while working full-time.

“Seeing that ION has trained GPs who want to integrate nutrition into their general medical practice, I thought, well I could do this for my dental practice. We are in healthcare to make a difference.”

The ION programme has been a revelation so far, a deep dive into the intricacies of nutrition and its impact on the human body.

The course workload is demanding, he admits, but the rewards immense.

“In my first year I blocked out one day a week for my studies; that worked for me, getting into study mode, and not getting distracted by work emails and calls. I like the flexibility – I have evening lectures and there are certain things you can dip in and out of, but the dedicated day worked best for me.”

Learning curves

James is also enjoying the vibrant exchange of ideas with his diverse student cohort. Among them are physiotherapists, GPs, and nurses – a melting pot of healthcare professionals offering unique perspectives and enriching the learning experience.

“I’m learning a lot from my cohort,” he enthuses, “they’re brilliant and it’s great to have them to bounce ideas off. It’s fascinating that everyone has different skill sets they can bring to the table. And when we have case studies that we look at, people have different experiences on how to approach them.”

Highlights of the course, including a module on cardiometabolic health, initially seemed less relevant to his daily practice. But life had other plans. His mother suffered a heart attack, and thankfully recovered, but brought the subject into sharp focus, transforming abstract concepts into urgent, personal realities.

“Suddenly, lipid markers, cholesterol pathways, and the nuances of statin use have become intensely relevant. This newfound knowledge is proving invaluable to my practice, allowing me to engage in meaningful conversations with patients about their cardiovascular health, often intertwined with their oral health,” he reveals.

The Foundations of Nutrition module further cemented his understanding of micronutrients and their vital roles. Now, his patient consultations extend beyond the usual dental questions.

“I am asking patients about lifestyle, sleep patterns, energy levels, and even supplement use, recognising the insights these details can provide.

He probes deeper, exploring the interconnectedness of his patients’ lives. He uses the oral cavity as a window into their overall health, recognising the telltale signs of stress, poor sleep, and dietary imbalances. He’s even incorporated live microscopic analysis of saliva into his hygiene appointments, offering patients a visual representation of their oral microbiome and motivating them to make positive changes.

Empowering patients

His comprehensive approach is making a tangible difference.

“My patients are no longer just passive recipients of dental care; they are active participants in their own wellbeing. I am not just fixing teeth; I am empowering them to take control of their health.”

James is a man on a mission. His journey with ION since 2023 has not only transformed his own practice but also positions him as a pioneer in a new era of dental care – he believes he is one of the first dental practices in the UK offering total body wellness. With Year One (and three modules) under his belt, James is formulating an ambitious plan for his practice.

“It’s been a fascinating journey so far and a privilege, allowing me to connect with many people. ION has helped me to think beyond the mouth. It’s easy as a dentist to become so focused on your day job but I’m really broadening my perspective and know when to refer patients to other specialists.”

He’s not just filling cavities; he’s filling a crucial gap in healthcare, bridging the divide between oral and overall wellbeing, one patient at a time.

www.optimaldentalhealth.co.uk @optimaldentalhealth optimaldentalhealth