Oral DNA Labs Review Summary
Summary
Oral DNA Labs is one of the few companies that specializes in identifying harmful mouth bacteria. Many oral health companies are pleased with their results. However, since third party sellers do not offer the product, it is difficult to find reviews outside of the company website.
7 Facts from our Oral DNA Labs Review
- Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- Services: Clinical laboratory testing to diagnose inflammatory and mouth diseases
- Costs: $125 – $250
- Results: Descriptive and fair to read and interpret
- How to order: You can order the Oral DNA test kit directly from the company’s website
- Intended customers: Healthcare professionals, patients, and scientists
- Complementary Products: Nebula 30X Whole Genome Sequencing is a DNA Test for discovering the genetic causes of diseases. It decodes 100% of your DNA with high accuracy
This review is written with the intent to be as unbiased as possible. However, it represents the opinion of an individual reviewer and is therefore subjective. Furthermore, at Nebula Genomics we seek to educate the public about the benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing. Information about our Whole Genome Sequencing DNA test is therefore incorporated into the review.
September 15, 2022
Table of contents
Edited by Christina Swords, Ph.D.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Focuses on oral hygiene
- Prices are reasonable
- Positive reviews from health professionals on its website
Cons
- Must be ordered by a health professional
- No third party reviews
Introduction
Oral DNA Labs (OralDNA Labs) is a specialty diagnostics company designed to “help doctors treat, heal, and inspire oral health through salivary diagnostics.” Founded in January 2008, Oral DNA Labs is a company that focuses on inflammatory and mouth diseases.
Oral DNA Labs was founded by a team of healthcare and laboratory professionals. The company’s current CEO, Brian Carr, has been leading the company since it started in 2008. He was also the Founder/Chairman / CEO of American Esoteric Laboratories, Inc., between 2003 and 2007.
The company is well known for contributing to personal healthcare through oral testing and diagnosing. Its website has three sections for professionals, patients, and research. This review will focus on the patient section.
The provider section has information on how providers can be added to its directory and take advantage of the company’s expertise. The research sectionhas a contact form for researchers interested in working together.
Besides providing innovative diagnostics tests, Oral DNA Labs also offers exceptional customer services and consultations. It helps healthcare professionals detect disease and risk factors at early stages when treatment is easier.
The Science behind Oral DNA Labs
Oral DNA Labs sequences the genetic material of specific types of bacteria hiding in your mouth. It uses these sequences to identify harmful pathogens and help your oral health care professional design personalized treatment or prevention plans for common health problems. In addition to bad breath, dental decay, and gum disease, oral pathogens can also increase the risk of systemic disease like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis.
The company also measures gene markers linked with increased inflammation, a critical factor in the severity of periodontitis (gum disease).
Some tests can identify high risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) associated with oral cancer.
According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, HPV virus is the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancers, so HPV testing is highly recommended among adults. Overall, 65% of oral cancers are related to HPV infections. Testing options offered by the company include:
- OraRisk HPV
- OraRisk HSV Type 1 and Type 2
- OraRisk Chlamydia/Gonorrhea
- OraRisk Candida
A benefit of these tests is that they are non-invasive diagnostic tools that allow oral healthcare providers to catch disease at an earlier, more treatable stage.
Taking the Oral DNA Labs Test
The first step to taking an Oral DNA Labs test is to visit the company’s website and order your saliva DNA test sample kit. You have the option of ordering more than one kit.
Oral DNA Labs provides a simple oral rinse collection kit. Therefore, you don’t need to choose a kit based on the type of test you want to perform.
Sample collection must be done so that it does not get contaminated and alter the result. Customers should collect a saliva sample by swishing and spitting provided saline into a collection tube and sealing the contents. The website, as well as the image below, has instructions on how to do this properly.
Once you’ve collected the sample, you should log into the company’s website and find the option to create and ship test order(s).
Fill the form you find there, and ship the sample. Note that the company must receive the sample within 21 days from the collection date.
The company will notify you when your result is ready. You can visit its website to download your test result.
Review of Oral DNA Labs Reports
Oral DNA Labs offers a vast number of cost effective clinical tests. We have highlighted a few below. Users can access sample reports of each test on the company’s website.
MyPerioPath and MyPerioID
MyPerioPath helps to identify and measure harmful bacteria present in the mouth. Some of the bacteria include those that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. With this test, the company can offer microbiome reports and help suggest the most effective periodontal therapy.
Some of the information in the microbiome reports include the type and concentration of the bacteria causing the disease, classified as high risk through low-risk pathogens.
It also notes what specific types of pathogens present are related to a particular condition or disease type. This information can help patients and their doctors target certain health aspects or create a dental hygiene plan that fits in with the patient’s overall health goals.
The MyPerioID test helps determine a patient’s risk of developing serious gum tissue infections, like inflammatory periodontal disease. There are two separate tests: One that measures the genetic variants of the interleukin-1 gene (IL-1) and another that measures variants in the interleukin-6 gene (IL-6). Certain genotypes in the IL-1 gene increase the risk of excessive inflammation in the presence of oral bacteria.
The prevalence of some genotypes is reported to be higher in individuals who develop moderate to severe chronic and aggressive periodontitis.
Information in the MyPerioID can help guide oral health professionals in creating a dental care and disease prevention plan if you are at a higher risk.
OraRisk
The OraRisk tests help determine the presence or risk of various oral disease types. It does so by sequencing oral microbes and identifying if any are present. Then, using one or more of these tests, clinicians can determine the best course of treatment.
For example, some forms of Candida are resistant to standard fungal treatment. Knowing which one is present would help guide which treatment option is done first.
- OraRisk Caries: 3 kinds of bacteria known to cause cavities: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus & Lactobacillus casei
- OraRisk HPV: a total of 51 types of oral HPV
- OraRisk Candida: all common species of the yeast, Candida
- OraRisk HSV: HSV1 or HSV2 by detecting “shed virus” specific to active viral infections or outbreaks
- OraRisk CT/NG: tests for emerging STDs, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) of the oropharynx. These conditions may be asymptomatic or involve only mild pharyngitis but can still be transmissible
- OraRisk COVID-19 RT-PCR: Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2
The reports include the type and risk level of any detected microbe, followed by a summary of the results. Depending on the test, you may also receive information on the signs and symptoms of relevant disease types, risk factors, and graphical illustrations of oral infection patterns.
Celsus One
The Celsus One evaluates the eight most common genetic markers related to the inflammatory response. It is the most comprehensive oral inflammation test offered by this company.
- Interleukin 1 composite genotype
- Interleukin 6
- Interleukin 17 A
- Beta-defensin 1
- CD14
- Tumor necrosis factor alpha
- Toll-like receptor 4 composite genotype
- Matrix metalloproteinase 3
Oral DNA Labs Cost Reviews
The Oral DNA Labs tests cost between $125 and $250. This price range is below the average offered by most companies with similar services.
Oral DNA Labs Privacy Review
The company operates under Access Genetics LLC; thus, the Access Genetics LLC privacy policy is the OralDNA privacy policy.
The policy explains how your Protected Health Information (PHI), including lab results, will be used for treatment, payment, healthcare operation, business associates, research, and health oversight among others. Under the Treatment heading, the policy indicates that PHI may be used or disclosed for treatment purposes to specific individuals involved in care, including physicians, nurses, medical students, pharmacies, and other health care professionals.
The company is HIPAA compliant.
Other Oral DNA Labs Reviews
Since the tests are ordered through the dentist’s office, no reviews are available on third party websites. However, services from OralDNA labs has some customer testimonials on their website. The following are what some of OralDNA customers have to say about their experience dealing with them.
Doug Thompson, DDS, FAAMM, ABAAHP, Educator and founder of the Wellness Dentistry Network: “OralDNA has given me tools to help me understand the cause, design the treatment, and guide the maintenance for my patients with periodontal disease. I couldn’t personalize the disease treatment without OralDNA.”
Kriston Reisnour RDH, BSDH, CCSH, Dental Program Manager: “I love OralDNA® Labs salivary testing! I feel having this data has forever changed the way we can optimally treatment plan for our patients.”
Traci Warner, RDH, LifeSmiles Complete Health Dentistry: “OralDNA Labs’ comprehensive tests help me individualize treatment for my patients. By being able to target specific bacteria that are causing the oral inflammatory response, I am setting my patient up for a healthy outcome. Dental teams play an important part in not only oral health but the overall health of the patients they serve!”
Richard Nagelberg, DDS, International Lecturer, Continuing Education Provider, Co-founder of PerioFrogz.com: “With OralDNA®, our success rate with treating periodontal disease has skyrocketed.”
Nebula Genomics
Sometimes, the causes of diseases are deeply rooted in your genes. If you only focus on treating the symptoms, you may never truly solve the problem. Performing a DNA test can reveal unknown risks, such as well-known genes linked with the risk of inflammation.
Nebula Genomics offers 30X Whole Genome Sequencing, which accurately decrypts 100% of your DNA. As a result, our users get more information than other DNA tests like 23andMe and AncestryDNA, which only decode 0.02% of your DNA.
Nebula Genomics can provide information on oral hygiene and care and nearly any other aspect of genes and health. With our continuously updated reports, you can keep up with the latest genetic research and how it relates to your unique blueprint.
Other companies
If you want more clinical genetic testing options to order from your healthcare professional, you should check out these reviews.
Diagnostics:
- ActX (integrates genomics into physician workflow)
- Ambry Genetics (risks of various disease types)
- Color (risks of cancer, genetic forms of heart disease, and medication responses)
- Fulgent Genetics (comprehensive diagnostic company)
- GeneDx (wide variety of clinical genomic tests)
- Parsley Health (holistic medicine and health plans)
- Pathway Genomics (DNA tests for various health aspects, may be used in consultation with medical providers)
Includes carrier status:
- Integrated Genetics (pre- and post-pregnancy tests)
- Invitae (diagnostics, proactive health, and reproductive health)
- Myriad Genetics (diagnostics, reproductive tests, and precision medicine tests)
- Sema4 (oncology, women’s health, carrier screening, and hereditary cancer)
- Veritas Genetics (disease risks and carrier screenings)
Mental health:
- GeneSight (clinical genomic test for psychotropics)
- Genomind (pharmacogenomic testing for mental health treatment)
Rare diseases:
Did you like our Oral DNA Labs review? You can read more reviews on our blog and check out our complete guide to the best DNA test kit and other home tests.
