Dr. Athanasios Zavras
Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Dr. Athanasios Zavras had two articles published this summer, one in Pediatric Dentistry, the official publication of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and one in The Journal of Oral Diseases.
The article in Pediatric Dentistry, “Cost benefit analysis of the age one ental visit for the Privately Insured,” was authored with Dr. Kolstad and Dr. Yook, who work in private practice and at Columbia University Medical Center, respectively.
Their research analyzed administrative dental claims from the states of California, Texas, and New York. The authors’ researcher analyzed administrative dental claims from the states of California, Texas, and New York. The researchers identified successive birth cohorts of children that had their initial dental visit by age 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. In their analysis, they found there was a cost benefit to establishing dental care by age one. Children who had their first visit by age one received significantly fewer restorative procedures such as stainless steel crowns.
Dr. Zavras’s second published article, “Malocclusion characteristics as risk factors for temporomandibular disorders: lessons learned from a Meta-Analysis” was published in the Journal of Oral Diseases. The paper’s other co-authors were Dr. Claudia Cruz and Dr. Kevin Lee, both from the College of Dental Medicine at Columbia University, and Dr. Jae Hyun Park of the Postgraduate Orthodontic Program at Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health and the Graduate School of Dentistry at Kyung Hee University.
This paper explored the types of malocclusions that are associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The authors used meta-analysis to identify what causes TMDs. They concluded that dynamic occlusal factors such as absence of canine guidance, and laterotrusive interferences can be considered as risk factors. They also documented a wide range of variability in definitions and methodology between many published studies that precludes any conclusions.
“I would like to congratulate Dr. Zavras on his important work,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “Our GSDM faculty continue to work on innovative and beneficial research projects.”
Professor Athanasios Zavras has published over 80 articles and book chapters. His academic work has been quoted over 1,700 times.