The American Academy of Ozonetherapy (AAO) and will hold their 11th annual meeting from May 4 through 6 at the Omni Las Colinas Hotel, in Irving. Ozone, made up of three oxygen molecules, has been used for myriad purposes in the integrative dental and medical realms. Low-dose ozone gas has antibacterial properties that make it an ideal disinfectant for cleaning and sterilizing dental equipment, reversing tooth decay and treating periodontal disease without pharmaceuticals.

Most integrative dentists that use ozone therapy in their practices are likely grateful to Dr. Phil Mollica. Since 1997, the New Jersey-based integrative dentist pioneered ozone therapy in dentistry and developed protocols for its use. He currently serves as president. He first learned of ozone’s uses during a naturopathic medicine class in Washington, D.C., where it was used to treat an ear infection. “After further research, I wondered why we weren’t using ozone in dentistry,” Mollica says. “It treats infection, it stimulates immunity and it promotes circulation. We’re dealing with trauma and infections all day long, so what better way to do that than with oxygen?”

After developing ozone therapy protocols, Mollica started training dentists to use ozone in 2002. Over the last few decades, he has seen advancements in understanding the biochemistry, physiology and physics of ozone, and the ways it affects the human body. ‘We better understand the concentrations and delivery mechanisms,” he advises. “We also hear more success stories.”

New studies have been conducted regarding the effectiveness of ozone for dental and medical applications, which Mollica will highlight during his talk at the AAO meeting. “In the integrative model, ozone is fantastic, but it’s only part of the puzzle. Every patient needs something different, so we integrate different aspects of homeopathy, traditional medicine and more into patient care.”

This meeting will focus on individual patient needs. “Attendees at the conference will take away an incredible amount of information they will get nowhere else and can really use it in their practice,” Mollica explains. “The physicians and dentists are very welcoming to the participants. Everyone also meets on the sidelines and comes away with different perspectives. We can’t cure anybody but they can cure themselves, and these therapies, such as ozone, support that process.”

Meeting location: 221 Las Colinas Blvd. E., Irving. For more information or to register, visit aaot.us.