Ann Arbor, MI — December 6, 2011 — Members of the University of Michigan’s Hispanic Dental Association received first- and second-place awards during the HDA’s recent annual program in San Diego.

Ricardo Lugo, 1^st Place Award

Ricardo Lugo (D4) won a first place award in the scientific competition for his clinical research that examined the evolving connection of type 2 diabetes and glycemic (blood sugar) levels.  His study focused on a low-income population in San Diego and examined the effect of certain dental procedures that included prophylaxis, scaling and root planning, root canals, and extractions had on a patient’s glycemic control.  The two-and-a-half year retrospective study (January 2006 to May 2008) focused on 127 different patients.

“A trend was identified in patients within the experimental group that showed an improvement in their glycemic control after they received certain dental procedures designed to reduce oral, and potentially systemic, inflammation,” Lugo said.  “The findings of the study serve as a template for designing a larger study with the hope of gaining a better understanding of how oral health care influences a patient’s glycemic control.”

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease that affects about 26 million people in the U.S.  It is characterized by abnormally high levels of blood glucose arising most often from insulin resistance and decreased response of target tissues to the body’s innate insulin.  Complications arising from diabetes mellitus contribute to increased mortality, and is characterized by increased cardiovascular disease, stroke, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and poor wound healing.  Periodontal disease has also been recognized as a complication of diabetes.

Lugo’s mentors included Dr. George Taylor, a former professor of dentistry at U-M who is now professor and chair of preventive and restorative dental sciences at the University of California-San Francisco, and Dr. Donna Kritz-Silverstein, professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at UC-San Diego School of Medicine.

2^nd Place

The U-M HSDA received a second-place award during the Orgullo poster competition which showcased the community service efforts of the local chapter.  Presenters included Edward Heath (D2), Jacqueline Mendoza (D2), and Diana Maldonado (D3).

Students in the U-M HSDA chapter have worked with Hispanic groups throughout Michigan including the U-M Latin American and Native American Medical Association, the Battle Creek Latino/Hispanic Community Project, and the Migrant Health Promotion in Saline, Michigan.  The Hispanic Dental Association is a leading voice for Hispanic oral health and engages in service, education, and advocacy to eliminate oral health disparities in the Hispanic community