Many "holistic" practitioners claim to diagnose conditions throughout the body by examining some body part. For example, iridologists examine the eyes, reflexologists examine and massage the foot, auriculotherapists examine and needle the ears, chiropractors examine and manipulate the spine. Each these approaches involves alleged anatomical connections that cannot be scientifically demonstrated; and most purport to treat by improving the flow of nonmaterial energy that they postulate as an underlying cause of disease.

The picture at the right is said to show relationships between teeth and organs throughout the body. According to its promoter (Roy Kupsinel, M.D., of Oviedo, Florida): "each tooth is related to an acupuncture meridian that in turn is related to various organs, tissues and glands in the body on this particular meridian. Thus, a problem with disease in or about a tooth may reflect with a problem elsewhere. An example: Tooth # 19 is related to L-4/L-5, the low back or lumbar vertebrae." As evidence of this relationship, Kupsinel claims that he had a root canal in tooth #19 as a teenager and a ruptured disc at L-4/L-5 in his 60s.

The chart to the right, which is posted by a naturopath who sells "homeopathic hormone rejuvenation kits," purports to show relationships between the teeth, spinal vertebrae, endocrine glands, and other organs. According to the the naturopath: "There is an endocrine relationship to teeth, therefore, we must develop conscious awareness of our dental health. Endocrine and other health issues can be caused by the following conditions: root canals, crowns, incompatible dental materials and cements, periodontal health, mercury (silver) fillings, dis-similar metals, abscess, cavitations, TMJ problems and more." Similar charts are used by "holistic" and "biological" dentists.

Such charts may be related to making false diagnoses, failing to make appropriate diagnoses, removing teeth or amalgam fillings unnecessarily, and prescribing irrational products.