(l-r) Dr. John Ictech-Cassis with retirees Ms. Julie Lidano, Ms. Joann Beer, Ms. Sharon Boyle, and Dr. Richard Pober

On Thursday, March 5, 2015, dedicated employees who reached their end-of-career milestones were honored at the annual Boston University Retirement Dinner in the Arthur G. B. Metcalf Trustee Center on the Charles River Campus. Among the attendees were four recent retirees from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) including former Clinical Administration Manager in the 7^th Floor Dental Health Center Ms. Joann Beer, former Administrative Manager for  Global and Population Health in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research Ms. Sharon Boyle, former Hygienist at the BU Dental Health Center at 930 Commonwealth Avenue Ms. Julie Lidano, and former Research Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials Dr. Richard Pober.

The evening began with a cocktail reception followed by a dinner in honor of the retirees. After dinner, President of Boston University Robert A. Brown recognized all of the retirees, thanking them for their hard work and years of service to the University. He then individually called each retiree to the podium, gave them a certificate, and took a photo with them. In closing, President Brown encouraged all of the retirees to keep in touch and attend BU events whenever possible. He said they will always be a part of BU.

Clinical Professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials Dr. John Ictech-Cassis attended the event, representing Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “The event was emotional,” he said. “All of the retirees I spoke with said they were truly thankful to Boston University for everything that was done for both them and their families. They also said they were happy to have contributed to such a prestigious University. To me, that just goes to show what a remarkable place Boston University is, and I’m truly proud to say that I’m a part of it.”

The GSDM retirees honored at the ceremony followed by their years of service were: Ms. Dorothea Abbott (16), Ms. Joann Beer (21), Ms. Sharon Boyle (20), Dr. Matthew Jackson (23), Ms. Julie Lidano (20), Ms. Mary (Meg) Loadholt (15), Dr. Steven Morgano (19), Dr. Richard Pober (19), Dr. Douglas Riis (31), Ms. Shelia Scully (46), Dr. Bianca Sotomayor (23), and Ms. Ann Thompson (16).

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

(l-r) Megan McDougall DMD 17, Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Nidhi Arora AS 16, Olga Spivak AS 16, and BMC Food Pantry Manager Latchman Hiralall.

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Student Affairs and the Boston University Chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) recently hosted their annual food drive benefiting the Boston Medical Center (BMC) Food Pantry and Demonstration Kitchen. For every two non-perishable food items donated by GSDM members between February 2 and 13, 2015, donors received one ticket to a Boston University Terriers Hockey Game. Donors had a choice to either see the Terriers play University of New Hampshire on Friday, February 13 or to see them play against Northeastern University on Friday, February 27. A total of 150 tickets were generously provided by the University to support this endeavor.

On Friday, March 13, GSDM students Nidhi Arora AS 16, Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Megan McDougall DMD 17, and Olga Spivak AS 16 delivered a total of 245 items to BMC Food Pantry Manager Latchman Hiralall.

The BMC Food Pantry and Demonstration Kitchen works to address nutrition-related illness and under-nutrition for low-income patients. Patients with special nutritional needs are referred to the Pantry by BMC primary care providers who write prescriptions for supplemental foods that promote health, prevent future illness, and facilitate recovery. The Pantry is often used by patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, Irritable Bowel Disease, diabetes, obesity, food allergies, and other chronic conditions. On average, it provides food to 80,500 patients and their households annually.

“The outpouring of support and donations that we received from the GSDM community was outstanding,” said Dr. Calabrese. “The staff at the Pantry expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation when we dropped off the donations. Thank you to all who contributed to help those in our community who are less fortunate.”

Raman Samra DMD 15 cares for a young Panamanian patient

On January 15, 2015, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students Christopher Chan and Raman Samra (both DMD 15) traveled to Penonomé, Panama, to provide dental care. The trip was sponsored by North East Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity (NEVOSH), a Rhode Island based organization dedicated to providing health care to those in need around  the world. In addition to the dental and optometry volunteers, many other medical professionals and students comprised the NEVOSH group.

Along with Chan and Samra, three GSDM alumni (Christina Thompson DMD 06, Jose Alamo DMD 06, and Frank Casarella DMD 88), a Georgetown School of Dentistry alumnus, a hygienist, and several dental assistants comprised the dental team. With the help of a local rotary club, the clinic was set up at an elementary school—two computer labs provided a functional workspace with ample power sources to run the generator for the makeshift dental operatories. One room featured 12 oral surgery chairs and the other room consisted of two operative chairs and a hygiene chair. “We saw a lot of serious issues. It was like nothing Raman or I had ever seen before,” said Chan. ”It was pretty obvious that it had been a long time, or maybe never, since many of the patients had visited the dentist.”

The dental team was able to see 868 patients ranging from 2- to 80-years-old. “One of the great things about this experience was that we got to see a diverse group of people from the village and city of Penonomé,” said Samra, who felt that the language barrier posed the biggest challenge of the trip. “Thankfully we had a great group of students from a local college that dedicated their free time to help us with translation.”

When not at the clinic, Chan and Samra visited the Panama Canal, the historic quarter of Casco Viejo in Panama City, and a tourist village up in the mountains. “The people of Panama were extremely welcoming,” said Samra. “We were met with open arms everywhere we went.”

After leaving Panama on January, 26, 2015, both students looked back at the externship as an eye-opening and rewarding experience. “Seeing so many patients and learning from a great group of dentists—the experience was something I will remember for the rest of my dental career,” said Samra. They both agree they’d like to take part in a similar, future mission trip.

“I’m very proud of Christopher and Raman for their hard work at the clinic in Penonomé,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “I’m also very pleased to see our alumni continuing to make time to take part in mission trips after graduation. It is gratifying to know that service to our global community is a commitment that our graduates learn here and take out into the world with them as they enter the profession.”

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Dr. Annetty Soto and Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter with the award-winning poster

At the 2015 American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Annual Session & Exhibition, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) first year Geriatric Dental Medicine Fellow in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Annetty Soto won first place in the ADEA/DENTSPLY International Student Poster Awards, which recognize dental students for outstanding research and innovation. The award-winning poster Dr. Soto presented was titled “An Exploration of Clinicians’ Attitudes and Practices in Oral Health for Older Adults.” This year’s annual session was held from March 7–10 at the Hynes Convention Center and explored the theme “Igniting Minds Unlocking Potential.”

“The ADEA 2015 Annual Session is a great platform for dental education research,” said Dr. Soto. “The recognition that our project received confirms the need for further academic investigation in the growing field of oral health for older adults.”

Oral health has been identified as one of the top nine indicators of health needing improvement for older adults, according to Healthy People 2020, a government program which sets nationwide health promotion and disease prevention goals. This fact raises a serious question about primary health care professionals giving enough attention to the oral health of older adults during their physical exams. For this reason, Dr. Soto and her colleagues conducted a study with the goal of learning more about the clinicians’ knowledge and practice of oral health care in older adults.

Dr. Soto and her colleagues developed an oral health knowledge and oral health screening practice survey, which was then administered and completed by 27 physicians and nurses in the Section of Geriatrics at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. Seventy-seven percent of the section responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 96 percent agreed on the importance of performing oral health assessments on edentulous patients and 82 percent reported they would change a patient’s medication if it negatively impacted their oral health. Unfortunately, just 22 percent of these clinicians rated themselves as knowledgeable about oral health issues, and 26 percent were confident in their oral health assessment skills.

Dental professionals are faced with the challenge of keeping track of older adult patients who, due to cognitive or physical impairment, tend to discontinue regular dental office visits. The role of a Geriatric Primary Care team is to identify those patients who need regular oral health examinations. The study suggests that medical clinicians treating older adults should include an oral health assessment as part of routine care. Despite the many years of experience of the clinicians in the sample, the survey results suggest a gap in clinicians’ knowledge, confidence, and performance of oral health assessments and referrals.

While the results of this survey showed a few interesting trends, there has been a positive outcome. Dr. Soto and her colleagues will begin conducting in-house trainings for medical providers in the Section of Geriatrics to help establish better practice protocols for oral health care in the routine medical care of geriatric patients. This will help enable medical providers to reduce the barriers in accessing oral health care for older adults and the homebound.

“Dr. Soto’s survey and findings here in the Geriatric Section at Boston Medical Center of are eye-opening,” said Director of Geriatric Dental Medicine and Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese.  He continued, “These findings and the resulting trainings will serve as an important step forward in geriatric oral health care.”

Attendees from ADEA Annual Session take a tour of GSDM

The 2015 American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Annual Session & Exhibition was held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts, March 7–10. As always, it provided a forum for ADEA members, other professional colleagues, and industry experts to come together to share knowledge of dentistry and dental education. With the theme “Igniting Minds Unlocking Potential,” the event featured a variety of educational programming sessions, events, member forums, and speakers. From presenting on the symposium stage, to poster presentations, and a tour of the GSDM facilities, members of the GSDM community took part in the session in a variety of ways.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone and several School of Medicine faculty presented a symposium at the annual meeting on March 9. The presentation, “Igniting Minds through Student Self-directed Group Learning: Integrated Problems Sessions,” described GSDM’s Integrated Problems Sessions (IPS) as a flexible, best-practice technique for student active learning. Through the use of case/problem-based scenarios, student response technology, and critical literature review, IPS challenges students to discover, interpret, and apply new knowledge to their dental practice. Co-presenters were Assistant Professor at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) Dr. Monica Pessina, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at BUSM Dr. Carmen Sarita-Reyes, Professor of Pharmacology in the Department of Pharmacology at BUSM Dr. Carol Walsh, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology at BUSM Dr. Elizabeth Whitney. The presentation, which was well attended, had been previously selected as one of only three presentations specially designated as a Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors Symposium.

For two days (March 8–9) during the ADEA meeting, the Exhibit Hall was open and featured more than 90 exhibitor booths, the ADEA TechExpo, and poster presentations by both faculty and students. Among the posters on display was one  by Dr. Leone and several of his collaborators titled, “Admissions Criteria for Success in Credential Enhancing Pre-Dental Masters Program,” which described outcomes of the Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) MS in Oral Health Sciences (OHS) program in promoting students’ admission to dental school. “The primary finding was that student performance in the OHS program positively correlated with their acceptance into dental school, by demonstrating competence in a rigorous graduate curriculum,” said Dr. Leone. His collaborators included Director of the MS Oral Health Sciences Program at BUSM Dr. Theresa Davies, Associate Professor at BUSM Dr. Barbara Schreiber, and MS student Ms. Yoona Choe.

First year Geriatric Dental Medicine Fellow in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Annetty Soto took home first place in the ADEA/DENTSPLY International Student Poster Awards which recognizes dental students for outstanding research and innovation. Titled “An Exploration of Clinicians’ Attitudes and Practices in Oral Health for Older Adults,” the findings of her survey study suggest that medical clinicians treating older adults should include an oral health assessment as part of routine care, since older adult patients tend to discontinue regular dental office visits due to cognitive or physical impairment. Yet despite the many years of experience of the clinicians in the sample, the survey results suggest a gap in clinicians’ knowledge, confidence, and performance of oral health assessments and referrals.

In addition to the events at the convention center, attendees of the ADEA Annual Session were given an opportunity to tour GSDM. The tours were led by Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Chair ad interim in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Celeste Kong, Associate Director of Student Affairs Ms. Erica Manczuk, and Director of Alumni Relations Ms. Stacey McNamee. During the morning of Saturday, March 7, guests took a tour of GSDM’s 100 East Newton Street building; the Simulation Learning Center, where Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Louis Brown was providing a CAD/CAM Digital Dentistry demonstration to members of the AS1 class; and the research lab of Professor in Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials Dr. Laisheng Chou.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Dean Hutter and Ms. Afaf Hourani with tour guests

This year, the IADR/AADR Annual Meeting took place in Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine’s (GSDM) backyard. To welcome researchers and educators to town, GSDM offered a tour of its research and pre-clinical facilities. The GSDM tour, which took place on Wednesday, March 11, included a group of over 50 participants from around the world. The group was given a behind-the-scenes look at the impressive research and learning facilities at GSDM. The tour was organized by Assistant Director for Pre-doctoral Research Ms. Afaf Hourani.

The day began with welcoming remarks from Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter accompanied by an introductory presentation on the School’s history, mission, and infrastructure. Director of Admissions Ms. Linda Reed also gave an overview of GSDM’s programs and information about Admissions.

The tour then kicked off with a visit to the Center for Clinical Research (CCR), located on the first floor of 100 East Newton Street. The mission of the Center is to facilitate collaboration between basic and clinical scientists in order to translate research findings into improved methods of patient care. Clinic Coordinator Ms. Carol Nicholson greeted guests and gave an introduction to the CCR facility.

Upon leaving 100 East Newton Street, the group visited the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology where they were received by Associate Dean for Research Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska and Chair of the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. David Levin, who provided an overview of the GSDM lab space housed within the Boston University Evans Building. This research space is a state-of-the-art facility which is equipped for advanced research in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology.

Chair of the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials Dr. Dan Nathanson then welcomed participants to the research facilities located in the adjacent Housman Medical Research Building. Dr. Nathanson and Research Assistant Professor Dr. Yuwei Fan guided participants through the department and gave an overview of the high caliber science being conducted there.

Additional research space for the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials can be found on the second floor of the Evans Biomedical Research Center (EBRC) across the hall from the GSDM’s Simulation Learning Center (SLC). This made the EBRC the final stop on the tour. The participants visited the lab of Director of Oral Medicine Dr. Laisheng Chou.

Attendees were then invited into the SLC, which is considered to be one of the most advanced pre-clinical laboratories in the world. The SLC offers aspiring dentists and researchers a technologically advanced, personalized learning experience unmatched by any other school of dental medicine. Clinical Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Ronni Schnell demonstrated the various forms of simulative technology utilized by instructors to give students the best virtual patient care experience possible in a nonclinical setting.

“I was delighted to welcome so many visitors from around the world to our school,” said Dr. Kukuruzinska. “It was an excellent opportunity to showcase our research facilities and accomplishments to the wider dental community.”

Dean Zhang Zhi-Yuan of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Stomatology enjoying the reception with Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and Associate Dean for Research Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska hosted a reception for friends of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) on the evening of Thursday, March 12, 2015, during the annual meeting of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and the American Association for Dental Research (AADR). This year’s reception took place in the Sheraton Boston Hotel in the Commonwealth Ballroom and had over 200 guests in attendance, including GSDM faculty, staff, residents, students, alumni, and visitors from several international dental schools.

The evening reception followed a busy day of IADR/AADR General Session activities, including oral presentations, symposia, and poster sessions at the adjacent Hynes Convention Center. Dean Hutter and Mrs. Kathleen Hutter personally welcomed each guest to the event by greeting them at the door.

The reception celebrating the accomplishments of GSDM’s research programs and participants served as a lively occasion for socializing and networking.

“I was very happy to host such a well-attended reception,” said Dean Hutter. “It was a pleasure to welcome researchers from around the world to our home town for this important meeting and to provide a forum to showcase and celebrate the outstanding research programs at our School.”

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and Minh-Phuong Le DMD 16 with her poster

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) was well represented at the 93^rd General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and the 44^th annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR). This year the events took place in conjunction at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston from March 11 to 14, 2015. This prestigious scientific meeting draws attendance from investigators worldwide and consists of four full days of workshops, symposia, oral and poster sessions, high profile keynote speakers, and an exhibition.

The opening ceremony took place on the evening of Wednesday, March 11, and included a special note of recognition for Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and the other two deans of the Boston Schools of Dental Medicine, and the President of Forsyth Dental Research Institute. Congratulations were also extended during the ceremony to Dr. Raul Garcia, Chair of the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research, who was elected Vice President of AADR for 2015–2016.

GSDM researchers organized and participated in more than 80 presentations over the course of the event. Faculty and students took part in 18 oral sessions, organized and presented in 4 symposia and a forum, presented 59 posters, and organized 2 lunch & learn programs, as well as a hands-on workshop. A complete list of all GSDM participants in this year’s event can be found on the GSDM Research webpage.

Members of the Research office represented GSDM in the IADR/AADR Exhibition Hall with an exhibition booth showcasing research at the School. The booth was popular with both prospective students and dental researchers interested in learning more about the robust research programs at GSDM.

Not only did GSDM students, residents, faculty, staff, and alumni participate in an impressive number of activities, but several GSDM students received awards for their outstanding work.

Richa Wahi AS 16 was the recipient of the 2015 IADR Lion Dental Research Award for her project titled, “Economic Burden of Head and Neck Cancer: the Need to Screen High Risk Individuals.” Wahi was mentored in this work by Dr. Athanasios Zavras, Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Hattanas Kumchai PROS 16, DScD 16 was the recipient of the Frechette Award for his project, “In-vitro Repair of Veneered Zirconia Crowns with Ceramics vs Resins.” Kumchai was mentored by Dr. Dan Nathanson, Professor and Chair of the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials.

Na Tian PERIO 14 was a finalist for the AADR Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Hatton Awards in the Post-doctoral Category for her project, “Salivary Proline-rich Proteins and Gluten: Do Structural Similarities Suggest Immunogenicity in Celiac Disease?” Tian was mentored by Dr. Eva Helmerhorst, Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology.

GSDM was also honored with the AADR National Student Research Group Award for having the most student abstracts accepted for the 2015 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session.

“I was delighted to see GSDM so well represented at this important event,” said Dean Hutter.  “Our high profile is a testament to our commitment to research and I am very proud of our students, faculty, and staff.”

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Members of the Aftab Dance Group performing

On March 18, 2015, more than 150 Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students, faculty, staff, and friends gathered in Hiebert Lounge for a Persian New Year Nowruz celebration.

The celebration was sponsored by the Boston University chapter of the American Student Dental Association. A celebration of spring, Nowruz—meaning “New Day” in Persian—marks the first day of the Persian calendar. The occasion symbolizes nature’s renewal and rebirth after the passing of winter.

Guests enjoyed Iranian cuisine from Roksana’s in Watertown and Persian music and dance from the Aftab Dance Group featuring pianist Mohammad Araghchini, a post-doctoral student at MIT. Organizers set up a traditional Haft Seen (“the seven ‘S’s”) table, which included seven items starting with the letter “seen”, or “s”, in the Iranian alphabet. Each item signifies a different aspect of the New Year. These items may include:

• Sabzeh: wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish – symbolizing green environment, happiness and rebirth.
• Samanu: a sweet pudding made from germinated wheat – symbolizing affluence.
• Senjed: the dried fruit of the oleaster tree – symbolizing firmness and tolerance.
• Sīr: garlic – symbolizing health.
• Sīb: apples – symbolizing beauty and love.
• Somaq: sumac berries – symbolizing patience.
• Serkeh: vinegar – symbolizing development and evolution.

The organizers of the event were Golnaz Kavand AS 15, Hedieh Kousedghi AS 15, Sadaf Mostafavian DMD 18, Sara Najafi DMD 17, Hastialsadat Sabbaghan DMD 16, and Saeed Yazdianpour DMD 18 who worked with Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Director of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs Dr. Larry Dunham, Associate Director of Student Affairs Ms. Erica M. Manczuk, and Student Affairs Coordinator Ms. Amy Nelson.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

(l-r) Mr. Thimi Ilia, Mr. Junick Hermida, CAD/CAM Support Specialist & Instructor Mr. Curley Faulkner, Mr. Mark Kaplan, Mr. James Taillefer

Staff members from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) visited the Charlotte, North Carolina office of Sirona Dental Systems Inc.—the manufacturer of the CEREC CAD/CAM units used by the School—for a training session from March 2–6, 2015. The major topics addressed during the training were the installation, maintenance and repair of Sirona dental equipment. In attendance from GSDM were Clinic Manager from the 930 Commonwealth Avenue Dental Health Center Mr. Junick Hermida, Dental Repair Technician Mr. Thimi Ilia, Sixth Floor Student Lab Technician Mr. Mark Kaplan, and Manager of Facilities and Operations Mr. James Taillefer.

During the training session, participants learned the basics of how to properly set up and calibrate CEREC units. They learned how to perform basic repairs on both the acquisition units and milling units and each participant had the opportunity to use the equipment to mill a tooth. “The trip to Sirona was enlightening. It was really interesting to see how we can make an acquisition unit communicate with a milling unit,” said Kaplan.

All of the GSDM repair technicians will be trained and certified by Sirona to work on the equipment so that they will be educated on both the CEREC CAD/CAM and x-ray imaging systems. In the future, the staff will have the option to obtain further training from Sirona Dental Systems with an advanced CAD/CAM course as well as basic or intermediate imaging courses. With this training, the dental repair technicians will be prepared to troubleshoot and tackle any issues with the equipment that may arise in the School or in the Dental Health Centers.

“I really learned a lot about the CEREC units at this training session,” said Taillefer. “Being able to work one-on-one with the units and the Sirona representatives helped us to fine-tune our troubleshooting techniques.”

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Dr. Frank Oppenheim

“Whole Saliva: Dumpster or Treasure Trove,” was the title of a keynote address given by Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Professor in the Departments of Periodontology and Molecular & Cell Biology and Henry M. Goldman Distinguished Scientist Dr. Frank Oppenheim. The address was given at the first annual North American Saliva Symposium, hosted by Tufts University School of Dental Medicine on October 26, 2014.

The symposium invited researchers, dentists, physicians and diagnostic manufacturers from across the country to discuss and learn about advances in the field of salivary research. The symposium consisted of three keynote speakers, a poster session, and separate sessions on saliva in the context of dentistry, medicine, pediatrics and industry.

Dr. Oppenheim was invited to give the final keynote address. His presentation discussed his novel research on the usefulness of whole saliva as a diagnostic tool for systemic disease. Whole saliva, Dr. Oppenheim explains, is salivary fluid which has been mixed with other substances found in the oral cavity, such as bacteria, enzymes, epithelial and white blood cells, and gingival fluid. Dr. Oppenheim has found that patient-derived whole saliva samples contain important biomarkers which can be used to identify and monitor the severity of various diseases. This discovery has great implications for developing methods of affordable, accessible, and non-invasive diagnostic testing, and could be offered to patients as an alternative to giving blood samples.

Dr. Oppenheim has been working in collaboration with a team of interdisciplinary researchers including Professor of Chemistry at Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences Dr. David Walt, a fellow keynote speaker at the event. These investigators have developed a miniaturized point-of-care device which will allow clinicians to diagnose and monitor patients using only microliter amounts of saliva. This novel device was discussed in Dr. Walt’s presentation, “Systemic Disease Detection with a Novel Point of Care Device.”

One obstacle to using whole saliva as a diagnostic tool is the difficulty of properly handling and storing the saliva. Whole saliva contains protease—enzymes which break down the cytokines in salivary fluid. Cytokines are molecular messengers which are present in the body when fighting an infection and are indicative of disease. If whole saliva is improperly collected and stored, ongoing proteolysis in the fluid may cause these important molecular biomarkers to be broken down, making them undetectable. A major concern for clinicians using saliva as a diagnostic tool is the dependency on preventing degradation after collection by using appropriate methods for stabilization such as collecting on ice and storing at -80^ocelcius. While whole saliva offers numerous attractive benefits as an alternative to blood sample collection, Dr. Oppenheim warns that it is also susceptible to instability as a diagnostic indicator. He is, however, optimistic about improving and standardizing methods to improve the reliability of salivary biomarker exploitation.

“I am so pleased that Dr. Oppenheim was selected as the keynote speaker at this prestigious symposium,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “His research in the field of saliva is very important and I am excited about the potential diagnostic implications of his findings.”

GSDM volunteers at the Alpha Omega table

On Sunday, March 22, 2015, members of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) participated in the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center (JCC) Wellness Expo in Newton, Massachusetts. Co-sponsored by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, the JCC Wellness Expo provided wellness and fitness activities for the whole family. Activities included everything from expert running advice to a make-your-own-smoothie station.

“We noticed that in the past, a booth discussing oral health care was missing at the JCC Wellness Expo,” said Clinical Assistant Professor and Group Practice Leader in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. David Dano, who teamed up with Murray Miller ORTHO 83 and Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity to get GSDM involved.

The Alpha Omega-sponsored GSDM table was staffed by GSDM students, faculty and alumni. Volunteers handed out toothbrushes and toothpaste, and provided oral hygiene instructions to visitors. A poster depicting diseases and conditions of the mouth, oral health tips, and proper brushing techniques was on display, along with coloring books and brochures about a child’s first visit to the dentist. Children also had the opportunity to practice their brushing technique on “Doogie the Dog,” a stuffed dog with an oversized set of teeth.

“We thank the participants for joining us in another successful event with Alpha Omega,” said Dr. Dano. “We invite faculty and students to join us at future events to give back to the community.”

GSDM volunteers were: Dr. Dano; Ryan Kirschner AEGD 15; Israel Korobkin DMD 16; Dave Lane DMD 16; Oral Health Promotion Director Ms. Kathy Lituri; Aaron Mertz DMD 16; Murray Miller ORTHO 83; Hilary Reiter DMD 16; Marianella Romero AS 15; and Casey Smauder DMD 16.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Ms. Molly Washburn presenting at the Faculty Forum meeting

The Faculty Forum at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) held its first meeting of 2015 on Wednesday, March 25. This marked the first gathering since new   representatives were elected in December 2014. The agenda included a new Faculty Forum Blog, proposed changes to the Faculty Forum Bylaws and election process, as well as proposed changes to University-wide faculty and staff benefits.

The purpose of the Faculty Forum is to enable faculty to get together and learn about new developments within the School and to share any issues or concerns with fellow faculty members. With one faculty representative holding a voting seat on the Executive Committee, the Forum provides a system of two-way communication between the faculty, the School administration and Dean Hutter

The current representatives, elected in December 2014, are: Clinical Assistant Professor and Group Practice Leader in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Charilaos Asikis (Pre-doctoral Representative); Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Director in the Department of Periodontology Dr. Gail McCausland (Post-doctoral Representative); Clinical Instructor and Group Practice Leader in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Michael Slesnick (Pre-doctoral Alternate); and Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Philip Trackman (Research Representative).

Dr. Asikis opened the meeting and invited everyone to enjoy the lunch that was provided. Once the meeting was underway, Communications Manager Ms. Molly Washburn gave a presentation about the Faculty Forum Blog, including an overview and instructions on how to access the blog on the Faculty Forum page of the GSDM website. The blog enables faculty to communicate with each other as well as the Faculty Forum Representatives. All faculty who do not sit on the Executive Committee have access to the blog and are free to comment. If a faculty member wishes to submit an original post, they should submit it to their faculty forum representative.

Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Pre-doctoral Periodontology in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Neil Fleisher then spoke about the Faculty Forum bylaws and election process. Currently, the election cycle for new Forum representatives is every two years and both a representative and an alternate are elected from three categories: pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, and research. After the two-year appointment, new representatives and alternates are elected. Dr. Fleisher proposed two changes to the Forum bylaws. First, he proposed adding continuity to the process by electing three alternates (one for each category) for two years. After the two year appointment, the alternates would ascend to the position of representatives for an additional two years. New alternates would then be elected. For future elections, he also proposed using electronic ballots rather than current process of paper ballots. In order for these proposals to go into effect, a special election will need to be held at a future Faculty Forum Meeting.

Faculty Council Representative and Clinical Assistant Professor and Group Practice Leader in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Sheila Rodriguez-Vamvas then gave a presentation discussing recommended changes to faculty and staff benefits, which were proposed by President Robert A. Brown’s Employee Benefits Task Force. The recommended changes are discussed in detail in the Benefits 2016: Guide to Recommended Changes. Suggested adjustments include changing from three health plan options to two plans. This would eliminate the HMO plan and add a new PPO plan. The BU Health Savings Plan would remain as is. The recommendations for the retirement plan strive to close the gap between faculty and staff benefits, and encourage personal saving. Faculty were then asked to submit any comments or concerns with the recommended plan changes to President Brown’s Employee Benefits Task Force for review and consideration.

The Osteo-4 investigation team consists of members from both the Divieti Pajevic Laboratory and CALM Technologies. Image credit: Divieti Pajevic Laboratory

Researchers may be “excyted” to learn that osteocyte cultures are headed to the International Space Station this spring for the first time. With their delivery on the next SpaceX commercial resupply services mission this month, the Osteocytes and mechano-transduction (Osteo-4) investigation team will analyze the effects of microgravity on this type of bone cell. Understanding these effects will be critical as astronauts plan for future missions that require longer exposure to microgravity, such as to deep space or Mars. The results derived from this study could also have implications for patients on Earth in the treatment of bone disorders related to disuse or immobilization, as well as metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis.

“We are investigating how osteocytes–the most abundant cells in the adult skeleton–both sense and respond to changes in mechanical forces, as achieved aboard the space station,” said National Institutes of Health (NIH) grantee Paola Divieti Pajevic, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator of the Osteo-4 study and associate professor at the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University.

Through previous spaceflight studies, some crew members have shown a loss of bone mass after long-duration missions in space. Divieti Pajevic’s team examines the function and behavior of isolated osteocytes in microgravity to determine how they may contribute to the observed decline in crew member bone density.

Osteocytes are the cells that sense mechanical forces, like weight-lifting, as they are applied to the skeleton. They transform these forces into biological responses, signaling other cells to make or remove bone.

“If we can figure out bone loss in the extreme conditions of space, we could figure out how to make more bone or counteract bone loss in astronauts,” said Divieti Pajevic. “This has applications to millions of people on Earth who are affected by osteoporosis and related fractures.”

Divieti Pajevic’s research team uses samples from a specific line of bone cells from mice that mimic human bone osteocytes in gene expression. Gene expression is the process in which information programmed in a gene is used to direct the assembly of a protein molecule, which then helps carry out the instructions given to the cell for its role. The team will try to isolate the genetic signals changed in the cells once exposed to microgravity.

During the Osteo-4 study, the osteocytes are grown in a synthetic, tissue-like, three-dimensional structure and housed inside bioreactors. Bioreactors are containers used to allow the cells to grow in a protected environment. Three trays each house three individual bioreactors, creating a total of nine samples for study on the space station.

Once the samples have arrived in space and are exposed to microgravity, astronauts will freeze the cells at intervals of three, five and seven or eight days. Freezing the osteocytes will stop changes in the cells and allow the researchers to look at the differences at early and later stages of exposure to microgravity. The frozen samples will return to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon for further examination.

The Osteo-4 study, sponsored by the NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, is Divieti Pajevic’s first space station investigation. The project is funded under the Biomedical Research on the International Space Station (BioMed-ISS) initiative, a collaborative effort between NIH and NASA. Osteo-4 also represents the fourth mission for the Osteo series of investigations. Previously known as the Osteoporosis Experiment in Orbit, the research series began as a Canadian Space Agency project on Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998.

“For us, the possibility to use the space station is really important to validate the ground-based model that we use in the lab,” said Divieti Pajevic. “We can envision doing multiple experiments, once we know how the cells behave in microgravity. Then we can try to find different pathways to manipulate the cells.”

With this first osteocyte study in space, scientists may gain a better understanding of these plentiful bone cells’ function. And with the orbiting laboratory planned for operations until at least 2024, this osteocyte project may be the beginning of what’s to come.

*Reprinted with permission. Laura Niles, International Space Station Program Science Office and Public Affairs Office. NASA Johnson Space Center*

Artwork on display at Art Days by Dr. Kadambari Rawal

This year marked the 25^th anniversary of Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC) Art Days, an arts initiative designed to foster the creative arts among the BUMC community. Held on March 30 and 31 in Hiebert Lounge, the exhibit featured 90 works of art from 38 artists across BUMC, including one artist from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM).

Established in 1991 by then Dean of Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) Dr. Aram Chobanian, BUMC Art Days originated in order to foster growth and support for the creative arts throughout the BUMC community, including GSDM, BUSM, the School of Public Health, and Boston Medical Center. “Art Days has always included work from students, faculty, and staff of all three schools and the hospital,” said Associate Professor of Biochemistry at BUSM Dr. Keith Tornheim, who now runs the event. “It is a unique all-campus event, all the more remarkable for showcasing the nonscientific talents of the BUMC community. It has become an important cultural tradition, bringing together students, faculty and staff from throughout the medical campus.”

In 2012, a university-wide arts initiative proposed adding a keyword to the Art Days event along with other courses and events across the University. This year, the theme was “Intersect.” Artists were not restricted to that theme, but a special display area was set aside which featured interpretations on the theme.

Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials at GSDM Dr. Kadambari Rawal had two paintings on display. One is titled “Afternoon Delight”, which is acrylic and beads on canvas­, and the other is titled “Yashodha’s Dilemma”, which is oil and beads on canvas.

Dr. Sok-Ja Janet (center) with her research collaborators Dr. Srinivas Ayilavarapu (left) and Dr. Homan Javaheri (right)

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Research Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Sok-Ja Janket and her colleagues co-authored an article titled, “Oral Infections, Metabolic Inflammation, Genetics and Cardiometabolic Diseases” which was published online on April 3, 2015 by the Journal of Dental Research. The article discusses the molecular biology of oral infections in relation to various systemic inflammatory diseases including obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease.

The article elucidates the molecular mechanisms of oral infections and how they may trigger innate immunity as well as contribute to cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), and how metabolic inflammation modifies that relationship. The article references the “Common Soil” hypothesis, proposed by Michael Stern, MD in his publication, “Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: The “Common Soil” Hypothesis,” which suggests that these diseases share a common genetic and environmental origin and were considered the same disease. Dr. Janket, who studied nutrition epidemiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital before coming to GSDM, also explores the role of nutrition in innate immunity and microbial dysbiosis involved in metabolic inflammation. This novel and comprehensive work combines features of molecular immunology, clinical oral biology, and epidemiology to derive scientifically coherent conclusions, specifically in regard to the molecules and cytokines which are involved in the aforementioned metabolic processes.

Many proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and IL-1β are expressed in both oral infections and metabolic inflammation. Moreover, obesity induces a spontaneous increase in serum lipopolysaccharide levels (metabolic endotoxemia) which dental researchers had thought originated from Gram negative odontopathogens. Therefore, there is a need for these confounding relationships to be reevaluated.

“I believe this review will change the future course of dental research into a more biologically based direction,” said Dr. Janket. She continued, “It was very interesting that Dr. Peter Libby, a cardiovascular immunologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, covered most of my review’s content in his keynote speech at the annual IADR/AADR meeting in Boston.”

The co-authors of this review are Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Srinivas Ayilavarapu, Homan Javaheri DMD 14, along with Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health and Sustainability at University of Massachusetts Lowell, Dr. Leland K. Ackerson, and Professor of Oral Infectious Diseases at the University of Helsinki, Dr. Jukka H. Meurman.

Downtown Smiles T-Shirt

Muslim dental students and the Muslim Student Association (MSA) came together on March 21, 2015 to honor the memory of a fellow dental student. Students from the Muslim Student Associations at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM), Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, New York University College of Dentistry, and Rutgers School of Dental Medicine all collaborated at an event called “Downtown Smiles” to honor the memory of University of North Carolina dental student Deah Barakat, his wife, and her sister, who were tragically killed on February 10, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

According to the Downtown Smiles Facebook Page, Barakat always thought of those in need before himself. Before his passing, he helped organize events where free food, toothbrushes, and toothpaste were given to those in need. To honor his legacy, MSA members from all four schools came together to pass out oral health kits to locals in need.

Prior to the Downtown Smiles event, GSDM MSA members and Student Affairs collaborated with the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC) to hold a fundraiser to purchase toothbrushes, toothpaste, alcohol-free mouthwash, and dental floss. The students arranged the items into kits and handed them out at the Downtown Smiles event. They also distributed them at Global Days of Service projects throughout the month of April. Volunteers from GSDM and the greater Boston community assembled a total of 2,084 oral health kits.

Students representing GSDM at the Downtown Smiles event were: Passant Abdel Megeed AS 15; Amr Aly DMD 17; and Sara Elashaal DMD 17. President of the GSDM MSA Amr Aly said, “We began all of this in memory of Deah Barakat and his family. Deah was an inspiration and we decided to honor his legacy as fellow dental students and fellow Muslims.”

The aim of the Muslim Student Association at GSDM is to foster a sense of unity among students regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or origin. MSA’s mission is to hold service-oriented, educational, and social events to promote religious and cultural awareness among students, faculty, staff and the greater community of Boston. As future healthcare providers, the members of MSA are dedicated to making a difference within the communities of Boston, while striving to embrace Islamic values and culture.

Dr. Paula K. Friedman being presented with the Ronald L. Ettinger Award by Dr. Ronald L. Ettinger (left) and the 2014 award recipient Dr. Janet Yellowitz (right)

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Paula K. Friedman was honored at the 27^th Annual Meeting on Special Care Dentistry in Denver, Colorado, held March 27­–29, 2015. Dr. Friedman was presented with the Ronald L. Ettinger Award for her outstanding service to the field of geriatric dentistry.

The Ronald L. Ettinger Award is presented annually to the member of the Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA) who exemplifies the qualities of character, ethics, and dedication to geriatric dentistry that are embodied by the award’s namesake, Dr. Ronald L. Ettinger. The awardee must have a record of service to SCDA in the area of geriatric dentistry and must have noteworthy achievements both locally and nationally.

Dr. Friedman was selected for this award for her tireless efforts to support and promote geriatric dentistry. She has been involved in geriatric dentistry since 1982 and helped to develop the geriatric program at GSDM. Most recently, she edited a book titled Geriatric Dentistry: Caring for our Aging Population which discusses issues faced by the geriatric population and provides tips for how practitioners can effectively engage with their aging patients. Dr. Friedman has been involved with SCDA for 20 years, and currently serves on their board of directors as a Trustee at Large. She previously served as the Chair of the Council of Geriatric Dentistry for SCDA.

The SCDA is an international organization of oral health care professionals seeking to promote the health and well-being of patients with special needs.

“Congratulations to Dr. Friedman on winning this prestigious award,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “She is certainly deserving of this recognition for her dedication to the needs of geriatric patients.”

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter with the Science Day award recipients

On March 19, 2015, members of the Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC) gathered in the Hiebert Lounge for Science Day, an annual event which highlights research at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM). The day’s agenda included a poster session, a keynote address, oral presentations, lunch, and a vendor fair which took place in the cafeteria at 100 East Newton Street.

The day began with a poster viewing session and lunch followed by opening remarks from Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. Dean Hutter then introduced this year’s keynote speaker Chief of the Division of Genetics and Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School Dr. Richard Maas. His presentation titled “Genome Scale Approaches to Craniofacial Gene Discovery” highlighted the advent of genetic engineering in the field of dental and craniofacial research. He shared his cutting edge work in organogenesis and tissue engineering in the craniofacial region—specifically the tooth and palate. The day’s events concluded with oral presentations, followed by closing remarks by Associate Dean for Research Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska.

This year’s event included 27 poster presentations and 7 oral presentations, covering a wide array of research areas. The projects were presented by students, residents, faculty, and staff who are conducting research at different stages in their educational careers. A panel of faculty judges determined the winners from each category, with an additional award given jointly by the American Dental Association (ADA) and Dentsply.

Dean Hutter was very pleased with the high level of participation in this year’s event. He said, “I am very proud of the research program at GSDM and the significance we place on research scholarship as a part of our mission and educational experience.”  He continued, “I would like to extend my congratulations to those students who received awards for their outstanding work and to thank our dedicated faculty mentors.”

The 7 Science Day winners were honored with an awards luncheon on April 2, 2015. GSDM research faculty and students, as well as special guests from across BUMC, were in attendance for the award ceremony. The Science Day winners were awarded certificates from Dean Hutter and Dr. Kukuruzinska along with a $250 prize.

GSDM Science Day Awards Winners:

The Pre-doctoral Student Poster Award went to Michael Whitcomb DMD 17 and Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dr. Timothy Osborn, for their poster, “The Effects of Preoperative Anxiety on the Amount of Medication Required for Intravenous Sedation.”

The ADA/Dentsply Award went to Minh-Phuong Le DMD 16, Faranak Mahjour ORAL BIO 08 (PhD), Chunying An, Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at Kobe University in Japan, Dr. Hak Hotta and Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Yoshiyuki Mochida for their poster, “Role of FAM20A in Tooth Development—A Study of Amelogenesis Imperfecta Through Mutations in Mice.”

The Post-doctoral Student Poster Award went to Abdulraheem Alwafi DPH 16 and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research Dr. Woosung Sohn for their poster, “Work Condition’s Influence on Oral Health Among US.”

The Fellow Poster Award went to Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Rongjuan Mi, Hans Langara ENDO 17, Aleksander Szymaniak MED 16, Associate Dean for Research Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska and Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) Dr. Xaralabos Varelas, for their project, “The Hippo Pathway Effector Yap Regulates Mouse Submandibular Gland Development.”

The Pre-doctoral Student Oral Presentation Award went to Nicolas Branshaw DMD 16, Chair of Periodontology Dr. Serge Dibart, and Research Associate Professor in the Department of Periodontology Dr. Erdjan Salih, for their project “Discovery of Major Phosphorylation States in Collagens: their Critical Roles in Feril Formation and Biomineralization.”

The Pre-doctoral Student Research Intensive Oral Award went to John R. Haserick MED 16, Director at the Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry at BUSM Dr. Catherine E Costello, and Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. John C. Samuelson, for their project, “De Novo Sequencing of the Glycoproteins of Cryptosporidium Parvum.”

The Post-doctoral Student Oral Award went to Debora Heller ORAL BIO 16 (PhD), Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Eva Helmerhorst, Adam Gower ENG 12, Associate Professor of Dentistry and Biochemistry at Western University in Canada Dr. Walter Siqueira, Chair of the Department of Microbiology at the Forsyth Center Dr. Bruce Paster, and Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Frank Oppenheim, for their project, “Not-yet-cultivated Bacteria of in vivo Formed Early Dental Biofilm.”

Other award winners acknowledged included:

Michael Faibish DMD 18, recipient of the 2015 National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Summer Dental Student Award.

Nicolas Branshaw DMD 16, recipient of the Hinman Student Research Symposium Basic Science Research Award for his presentation entitled: “Topographical Distribution of Phosphorylation and Hydroxiproline Sites in Dentin Collagen Type I by Mass Spectrometry.”

Mohamed Jamal Ahmed ENDO 16, recipient of the American Association of Endodontists Foundation Research Grant for his project entitled: “Endodontics: “Directed Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Pulp Regenerating Progenitors.”

Eman Bakhurji PEDO 12 DPH 15, recipient of an American Association of Public Health Dentistry Leverett Graduate Student Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dental Public Health Honorable Mention.

Andrew Bernier CAS 15, recipient of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Faculty Matching Grant. His mentors were Dr. Serge Dibart and Dr. Erdjan Salih.

Richa Wahi AS 16, recipient of the 2015 IADR Lion Dental Research Award for her project: “Economic Burden of Head and Neck Cancer: The Need to Screen High Risk Individuals.”

Hattanas Kumchai PROS 16, recipient of the The Frechette Award for his project: “In-vitro Study of Repairing Veneered Zirconia with CAD/CAM Materials vs. Resin Composite.”

Na Tian ORAL BIO 14 (PhD), AADR Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Hatton Awards post-doctoral Category Finalist, for her project: “Salivary Proline-rich Proteins and Gluten: Do Structural Similarities Suggest Immunogenicity in Celiac Disease?”

Hattanas Kumchai, PROS 16, DScD 16, with the Frechette Award

Hattanas Kumchai, PROS 16, DScD 16, was presented with the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Arthur Frechette Award at the IADR/AADR (American Association for Dental Research) Annual Meeting in Boston March 11–14, 2015. The Frechette Award is given annually to a young investigator in Prosthodontics who is conducting innovative research in the field. Kumchai gave a ten minute oral presentation on his project, “In-vitro Repair of Veneered Zirconia Crowns with Ceramics vs. Resins,” to a panel of IADR/AADR judges and was named the winner. Kumchai was mentored in this work by Professor and Chair of the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials Dr. Dan Nathanson. Dr. Patrapan Junatvee ORTHO 15, MSD 15, was an additional collaborator on the project.

This in-vitro study utilized CAD/CAM technology to repair veneered zirconia crowns which had simulated porcelain chipping. Conventionally, a chipped restoration can be repaired by conducting surface treatment on the crown followed by the application of a resin composite. However, this has led to some concern regarding the discoloration of the repaired component. By using CAD/CAM technology, the chipped portion can be made from milling CAD/CAM ceramic material and then cemented back on to the crown. The result of this study found that veneered zirconia crowns repaired with CAD/CAM ceramic materials exhibited significantly higher load-to-failure than veneered crowns repaired with resin composites. Kumchai explains, “In many situations, it is not practical to replace the crowns that have porcelain chipping. This in-vitro study looked into the alternative way to address the issue.” While this work is promising, Kumchai believes more extensive research will be needed to study this novel repairing technique.

A manuscript for this study is being prepared and will be submitted in the near future. Kumchai is thrilled to have won the award and is grateful for the support he has received during his time at GSDM. “I’d like to thank Dr. Nathanson for his excellent mentorship and support throughout this research project,” said Kumchai. “I’d also like to thank Dr. Sun and all faculty members involved throughout my four years in the clinical and research program.”

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter said, “Congratulations to Hattanas on his accomplishment. GSDM could not be more proud of its students and faculty and their continued pursuit of research excellence. I am extremely proud to have another member of the GSDM community as a Frechette award recipient.” Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials Dr. Russell Giordano is the 1992 IADR Frechette Award winner.

During his time at GSDM, Kumchai also received the first place award at the American College of Prosthodontists New England Fall Symposium two years in a row. He received this award in 2013 for his project, “Effect of veneering ceramics and methods on failure load of veneered zirconia” and in 2014 for his project, “Surface conditioning of ceramic materials: Effect on bond to brackets”.