Mary Ellen S. Chalmers, DMD, is a dentist in Santa Rosa, CA, practicing Integrative and Functional Dental Medicine, which incorporates Functional Medicine principles and practices with the art and science of Dentistry.  Dr. Chalmers received her dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1980 and became Board Certified Naturopath (BCNP) in 2010 by the American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board, with training from the American College of Integrative Medicine and Dentistry (IBDM). She has augmented her studies with extensive training in traditional dental modalities, as well as Functional Medicine.  She has advanced trained in Oxygen and Ozone Therapy and its applications in dentistry as well as Applied Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice and Advanced Practice Modules through Institute for Functional Medicine.

Dr. Chalmers has the distinction of being the first dentist certified as a Frequency Specific Microcurrent practitioner. She has been working since 2006 to develop the dental protocols and applications for this technology and holds the U.S. and International Patents.  In 2010, she co-founded Functional Synergy Corporation, a company dedicated to research, teaching, and product development in the field of Oral Systemic Medicine.

Dr. Chalmers’ professional memberships include the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, Institute for Functional Medicine, American Naturopathic Medical Association, International and American Academies for Dental Research, Academy of Dental Materials, and American Dental Association.  She a Faculty member for the Institute for Functional Medicine and has made presentations at symposiums for IFM, FSM, and other national and international conferences as well as dental and medical study clubs and community organizations.

Clinically, Dr. Chalmers’ believes the practice of Functional Medicine based Dentistry bridges the gap between Evidence Based Dentistry and Biological Dentistry as well as provides a critical foundation for communication between the Medical and Dental professions, enhancing the quality of care for patients.

Dr. Chalmers is committed to expanding her knowledge through continuing education and training. Her distinctive background includes:

Postdoctoral Training
Functional Medicine Advanced Practice Modules®:
Immune/Inflammation Module – “The Many Faces of Immune Dysregulation and Chronic Inflammation: Chronic Infections, Atopy and Autoimmune Disorders”, Institute for Functional Medicine, 10/2011

Detoxification Module – “DETOX: Understanding Biotransformation and Recognizing Toxicity: Evaluation and Treatment in the Functional Medicine Model”, Institute for Functional Medicine, 12/2011

Residency Program in Integrative Biologic Dental Medicine, I.B.D.M. Program, American College of Integrative Medicine and Dentistry, 4/2009 – 06/2010.

Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice, Institute for Functional Medicine, 12/2008.

Oxygen and Ozone Therapy in Dentistry, ACIMD, School for Integrative Biologic Dental Medicine, 1/2008 & 9/2008.

Frequency Specific Microcurrent Core Seminar, Advanced Seminar and Instructor Certification, FSM Seminars, 2006 – 2008.

Sedation Solutions-Caring for Challenging Patients, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, 6/2007, 6/2008.

Oral Sedation Dentistry, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, 6/2006.

Clean, Shape, Pack Endodontic Seminar, Advanced Endodontics, Santa Barbara, CA, 6/2001.

Adhesive and Cosmetic Dentistry Restorative Study Club, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 9/1997 – 6/2000.
Dental Implants, Lakeview Implant Study Club, Oakland, CA, 1991 – 1993.

Orthodontics, Progressive Orthodontic Seminars, Santa Ana, CA 1987 – 1989.

Orthodontics, United States Dental Institute, Chicago, IL, 1983 – 1987.

Fixed Prosthetics, Gnathology and Occlusion Study Club, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 1985 – 1986.

Formal Education

B.A. (Bachelor of Arts), Zoology
December 1976, University of Maine, Orono, ME

D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine)
June 1980, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA

I.B.D.M. (Integrative Biologic Dental Medicine)
April 2009 – June 2010, American College of Integrative Medicine and Dentistry, School of Integrative Biologic Dental Medicine, Saddle Brook, NJ

Professional Organizations

Institute for Functional Medicine

International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

International/American Academy for Dental Research

Academy of Dental Materials

Association for Mercury-Free Dentistry

Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation

American Dental Association

California Dental Association

Redwood Empire Dental Society

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Alumni Association, President, California Chapter, 1994 – 2007

About Functional Medicine-Based Dentistry