Ann Arbor, MI — September 1, 2011 — Fourth-year dental student Courtney Grady has been awarded a Colgate Research Scholarship by the American Association of Women Dentists.  She was one of only 10 dental students nationwide to receive the award.  Established in 1980, the Colgate Research Scholarship recognizes and encourages women in dentistry to excel in research.

Grady received the award for her work that focuses on the oral manifestations of graft versus host disease (GVHD), a common complication following allogenic (from a donor) bone marrow transplants.  These transplants, for example, are a common treatment for certain forms of leukemia.  Complications frequently occur when immune system cells of the transplanted tissue attack the tissue of the host and can have a particular effect on oral mucosa and salivary gland tissue.  The controls for this study were patients who had autologous (from self) bone marrow transplantation since they do not develop GVHD.

In comparing oral health outcomes to the control group, Grady discovered that patients who developed GVHD had poorer oral health and more quality of life concerns.  The different outcomes, she theorizes, were likely due to reduced saliva flow.  These findings indicate the importance of increasing patient and health care team awareness regarding possible oral complications associated with GVHD and available treatment outcomes.  This will hopefully improve the oral health related quality of life for patients suffering from GVHD.

Grady’s research was mentored by Dr. Samuel Zwetchkenbaum, a clinical associate professor and director of the General Practice Residency program, and Dr. Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch, associate dean for academic affairs and clinical professor, both with the School of Dentistry’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry.  This research is funded by the Student Research Program through NIH/NIDCR grant DE007057.