Scientific Frontiers in Clinical Dentistry Program a Hit
More than 1,500 oral health care professionals came to the U-M campus in January for a historic program that brought together nationally renowned clinicians and researchers who discussed the future of dentistry. The U-M School of Dentistry was the first dental school in the nation to host the
Scientific Frontiers in Clinical Dentistry
U-M president Lee Bollinger delivered welcoming remarks and described the scope and importance of the Universityâs $200 million Life Sciences Initiative. The initiative is designed to foster greater interdisciplinary collaboration in life sciences and reposition the University as a leader in health and life sciences research and education.
Dr. Harold Slavkin, director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), said with an increasing emphasis on treating the whole body, health professionals need to expand their knowledge base, share information with one another, and learn to work together. He said "dentistry needs more medical knowledge and medicine needs more dental knowledge."
Dr. Stephen Eklund, adjunct professor at the School of Dentistry, said baby boomers have been and will continue to be major consumers of dental care. Instead of being treated for caries as they were as children, baby boomers will be treated for other problems such as receding gums or have old fillings replaced.
Research at the School of Dentistry is seeking new ways to regenerate tissues lost to gum disease. Dr. Martha Somerman, the William K. and Mary Anne Najjar professor of dentistry and chair of the Department of Periodontics, Prevention, and Geriatrics, discusses her research.
Dr. Martha Somerman and Dr. Harold Slavkin, director, NIDCR.
Dr. Harald Heymann, professor and chair of the Department of Operative Dentistry at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry said advances in science and technology is affecting those in the oral health care profession. He said oral health professionals must rely on evidence-based science and research from peer-reviewed journals, not anecdotes or opinions, to sort through a wealth of information now being presented.
Dr. Steven Offenbacher, professor and director of the Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, said there is a growing need to educate the public and patients about the connection between oral health and overall health.
Dr. Stanley Malamed, professor of anesthesia and medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, urged oral health care professionals to focus on "the basics" including ö recording a patientâs vital signs, listening closely to patients, learning CPR, and reading product labels.
Dr. Christian Stohler, chair of the U-M Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, said research at the School of Dentistry is helping dentists gain a better understanding of pain and how it affects men and women differently.
The Delta Dental Fund and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research sponsored the program hosted by the School of Dentistry. Richard Stilwill (left), chair of Deltaâs education committee, and Dr. Arnold Morawa, assistant dean of alumni relations and continuing dental education, spent two years organizing the program.