PDMJ PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021
ACCESSIBLE CARE FOR ALL NEW CARE CENTER FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES DESIGNED TO SERVE DIVERSE PATIENT BASE
FROM THE DEAN
Celebrating New Ventures I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE the Class of 2021 and celebrate their accomplishments as they get set to move on to the next stage of their dental careers. What a senior year it has been for them and what a testament to their adaptability and resilience to have successfully met the challenges of learning and caring for patients during the ongoing pandemic. I am so proud of them and all of our students, faculty, and staff who have enabled us (with extensive protocols in place) to keep our care centers open and continue to safely serve our patients and provide clinical education. While many didactic courses have remained virtual throughout this academic year, students and residents have been providing clinical care since we re-opened last spring. Since the fall, we have also moved forward with a number of new initiatives despite the pandemic. Of particular note has been the opening of our Care Center for Persons with Disabilities (see story, page 12). Having a physical or intellectual disability should not alter one’s access to high quality dental care, and through this new facility, we will not only be serving this population, but also teaching our students to be prepared to do the same in their own practices. In addition, we continued to grow our footprint in the community. With the completion of the expanded care center at Mercy LIFE in January (see story, page 8) — the latest community site expansion for the School over the past year — we now have a total of 20 dental chairs in our five different community care programs. We are also pleased to share the news of two extraordinary gifts to the School — a $5 million gift from alumnus Dr. Garry Rayant (GD’77) and his wife, Dr. Kathy Fields (see story, page 18), and what is projected to be a $20 million estate gift honoring the memory of Class of 1917 graduate Dr. Arthur Corby (see story, page 22). The generosity of Garry and Kathy will create a new endowed professorship and provide foundational support to establish the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health. And as an unrestricted gift, the Corby gift will support our highest priorities going forward. Both provide the resources to take our programs to new levels. And in the realm of research, our faculty continue to translate science to practice and bring new techniques and technologies to the table. In December, Dr. Michel Koo was named Emerging Inventor of the Year by the Penn Center for Innovation, recognized for his
groundbreaking work on developing novel approaches to eradicate biofilms (see story, page 4), and in January, we celebrated the launch of the Center for Innovation and Precision Dentistry in partnership with Penn Engineering under the leadership of Dr. Koo, who is Co-Director of this new collaborative research venture. While this summer, we welcomed Dr. Yu Zhang to Penn Dental Medicine, who with a background in physics and material science is advancing the field of dental ceramics (see story, page 30). Also of note, Dr. George Hajishengallis was included as part of the Highly Cited Researchers™ 2020 list from Clarivate, which identifies researchers who have demonstrated significant influence in their chosen field through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade. In this issue, we highlight the scholarly activity and research of our faculty in 2020 (see page 24). And, while we can’t yet gather for in-person events, we continue to come together through virtual and online programming, including an extensive offering of continuing education programs. I encourage you to join us for those and our upcoming Alumni Weekend virtual gatherings May 14–15. Until we can come together again in person, stay well and stay connected.
Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD Morton Amsterdam Dean
INSIDE 12
Accessible Care for All New Care Center for Persons with Disabilities designed to serve diverse patient base
18
Leading the Charge for Global Change Penn Dental Medicine will launch a bold agenda for addressing oral disease around the world
2 11 24 29 34 39 41 43
On Campus School News in Brief Student Perspective Views on the Educational Experience Research Spotlight Translating Science to Practice Faculty Perspective Views on Dental Topics & Trends Academic Update Department/Faculty News & Scholarship Alumni Highlights Profiles, Gatherings & Engagement Class Notes News from Fellow Alumni In Memoriam Remembering Members of the Penn Dental Medicine Community
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL: Vol. 17, No. 2 University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine www.dental.upenn.edu Dean: Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD Vice Dean of Institutional Advancement: Elizabeth Ketterlinus Associate Dean for Leadership Giving: Maren Gaughan Director, Publications: Beth Adams Contributing Writers: Beth Adams, Juliana Delany, Debbie Goldberg, Katherine Unger Baillie Photography: Peter Olson Office of Institutional Advancement: 215-898-8951
22
Historic Gift a Lasting Legacy
School to receive $20 million estate gift honoring Class of 1917 graduate Dr. Arthur E. Corby
30
Applying Physics Expertise to Making Brighter Smiles Dr. Yu Zhang is advancing the field of dental ceramics
Penn Dental Medicine Journal is published twice a year by the Office of Communications for the alumni and friends of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. ©2021 by the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Penn Dental Medicine. We would like to get your feedback — address all correspondence to: Beth Adams, Director of Publications, Robert Schattner Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 240 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6030, adamsnb@upenn.edu.
ON THE COVER: The new Care Center for Persons with Disabilities at Penn Dental Medicine.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 1
ONCAMPUS
SCHOOL NEWS IN BRIEF
“At Penn Dental Medicine, this course is just the beginning of our exploration of these uncomfortable but critical topics.” — DR. BEVERLEY ANN CRAWFORD
New Course Addressing Racism, Bias With the goal of starting the conversation about difficult topics related to race and bias, Penn Dental Medicine has introduced a new course to its curriculum this academic year. The online course, The Penn Experience: Racism, Reconciliation and Engagement, was developed by Dr. Beverley Ann Crawford, Associate Professor and Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion at Penn Dental Medicine, in conjunction with Dr. Amy Hillier, Associate Professor in the School for Public Policy and Practice (SP2). Its goal is to establish common language and concepts that set the stage for ongoing discussions about race and racism. “Most people think that the course was a result of the unrest following the murder of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, but in fact, Amy and I had started working on the course in the Fall of 2019,” say Dr. Crawford, adding however, that those events did help shape some aspects of the course content and direction. Launched at the start of this academic year, the six-module, 20-hour course, covers
2 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
the University of Pennsylvania’s history of racism and oppression, its complicated relationship with the surrounding community of West Philadelphia, and its commitment to engagement, understanding, and change. The course, which uses video interviews, presentations, short readings, and podcasts, also explores the concepts of implicit bias, restorative justice, intercultural communication, forms of oppression, disability rights, and disparities in health care, as well as gender identity and equity. In addition, the course’s final module addresses the work that must be done to dismantle white supremacy. Penn Dental Medicine students in all four classes were required to take the class this year, and beginning next academic year, it will become a permanent part of a required course for first-year students. At SP2, the course is required for all incoming full-time and
part-time students in the school’s masters programs. In the future, the course may be expanded to faculty, staff members, and alumni of both schools as well as community members. “At Penn Dental Medicine, this course is just the beginning of our exploration of these uncomfortable but critical topics,” says Dr. Crawford. “After this first full year of the course, we will select topics from the different modules to develop on a more complex level, especially those having to do with health disparities, access to care, and cultural humility. Our students serve the Philadelphia communities, and it is imperative that they understand them.” Also supporting the School in this quest for understanding is the Committee for Cultural Growth, whose programming brings together administrators, faculty, staff, and students to foster cross-cultural respect and belonging.
By the Numbers
2020: A Year in Review While the pandemic continues to require us all to navigate a new normal, throughout 2020 Penn Dental Medicine advanced its mission of education, research, and patient care.
137
VIRTUAL CONTINUING DENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
39,199 VIRTUAL PROGRAM ATTENDEES
29,359
HOURS OF CLINICAL CARE BY STUDENTS AT COMMUNITY SITES
$16.4M AWARDED FOR RESEARCH (FY20)
35,000
PATIENTS SERVED
8,900 under 20 years old 7,600 over 60 years old
Penn Dental Medicine Creates LGBTQ+ Fund with Leadership Gift With a major gift from a Penn Dental Medicine alumnus, the School has established the LGBTQ+ Fund with the goal of identifying LGBTQ+ based biases in the dental profession and ways to dispel them. The $50K leadership gift launches the Fund with the goal of eventually endowing the fund to support research and programs in perpetuity. “A central tenet of Penn Dental Medicine’s mission statement is a commitment to fostering a humanistic environment where all individuals and their integrity are valued, respected, and empowered,” says Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, Dr. Mark S. Wolff. “As an academic community, understanding the root of homophobia, transphobia, and bias related to actual or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity requires intentional study.” A top priority of the Fund will be to explore research and programming that can lead to best-practice models and suggest policy recommendations that can have profession-wide impact through scholarly publications. It is anticipated that the types of activities may include such efforts as internal climate surveys of the Penn Dental Medicine community; data collection, analysis, and dissemination of results of attitudinal surveys about comfort levels and concerns; development of enduring resources to support current and future students; research opportunities to work collaboratively with other offices at the University to explore LGBTQ+ issues more broadly; training programs exploring sexual orientation and gender identity bias and offering guidance for managing difficult conversations; invited speakers and conferences/symposia focusing on topics related to the LGBTQ+ community; and providing resources for education and advocacy so all Penn Dental Medicine community members, regardless of actual or perceived gender identity and sexual orientation, are supported to live authentically. While this Fund will be the first dedicated resource at Penn Dental Medicine to support such efforts, the School hosted its first annual Pride Celebration in October of 2019, held virtually in 2020 due to COVID-19, and has an active LGBTQ+ student organization, the Penn Dental Pride Alliance. It is anticipated that the School will work closely with Penn’s LGBT Center and other relevant University resources and personnel on the Fund’s initiatives. ABOVE: Penn’s LGBT Center Director Erin Cross and Dean Mark Wolff at Penn Dental Medicine’s first annual Pride Celebration held in October 2019.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 3
ONCAMPUS Emerging Inventor of the Year Penn Dental Medicine’s Dr. Hyun (Michel) Koo, Professor of Orthodontics and Pediatrics/Community Oral Health, was named Emerging Inventor of the Year for 2020 by the Penn Center for Innovation (PCI), recognized for his groundbreaking work on developing novel approaches to eradicate biofilms. Dr. Koo’s work on biofilms led to a U.S. patent awarded in 2020, with additional patent applications pending in collaboration with Penn Medicine and Penn Engineering based on this first patent family. Koo’s patented work, in collaboration with Penn Medicine’s Dr. David Cormode, involved the development of a novel nanoparticle technology to effectively control highly virulent dental biofilms that cause severe childhood tooth decay, a major public health problem both in the U.S. and worldwide. “What is exciting about this nanoparticle technology is that it is both highly precise and low-cost,” said Dr. Koo. The iron oxide nanoparticles can precisely target pathogenic dental biofilms that cause severe cavities without affecting the healthy microbiome. More importantly, he explains, they are simple to make and cost pennies to produce, making it an affordable and sustainable treatment. The nanoparticles could be delivered via a mouth rinse. In addition, Dr. Koo — working in collaboration with Penn Engineering’s Dr. Kathleen J. Stebe, Dr. Edward Steager, and Dr. Vijay Kumar as well as Penn Health Tech — is now developing portable biofilm cleaning devices using the same nanotechnology for disinfection and biofilm removal from dental and medical implants. “It just shows how collaborations with Medicine and Engineering, together with Penn’s PCI support, can lead to completely new ways to address a persisting clinical problem that sometimes cannot be solved in conventional
“Michel exemplifies the spirit of collaboration at Penn by actively collaborating with talented individuals from across various disciplines.” — JOHN SWARTLEY
4 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
Dr. Hyun (Michel) Koo
ways,” adds Dr. Koo, who has also spearheaded a collaborative initiative with the School of Engineering to create the Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry (CiPD, www.dental.upenn. edu/CiPD), which launched in January 2021. He is co-Director of the new Center with Dr. Stebe. “Michel exemplifies the spirit of collaboration at Penn by actively collaborating with talented individuals from across various disciplines,” says John Swartley, PCI’s Managing Director. “We look forward to seeing Michel revolutionize the field of oral health care.” Dr. Koo’s Emerging Inventor of the Year award was one of five special awards presented as part of PCI’s Celebration of Innovation, an annual event recognizing the year’s patent recipients across Penn, held virtually in December. There were more than 80 patent recipients from FY20 honored at this year’s program, including two other faculty from Penn Dental Medicine (see page 27).
World Ranking on the Rise Penn Dental Medicine’s profile worldwide is on the rise, having moved up in both its worldwide and U.S. ranking within the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject for dentistry. The School ranked #5 among U.S. dental schools, up from #7 in 2020, and among dental schools worldwide, it moved to #16, up from #22 last year. Launched in 2004, this annual subject ranking is compiled using four sources. The first two of these are QS’s global surveys of academics and employers, which are used to assess institutions’ international reputation in the field. The second two indicators assess research impact, based on research citations per paper and h-index in the relevant subject, sourced from Elsevier’s Scopus database. These four components are combined to produce the results for each of the subject rankings, with weightings adapted for each discipline. “This is a credit to our new education philosophy, our research output, new faculty/ research productivity, and our national/international presence in 2020,” says Morton Amsterdam Dean, Dr. Mark S. Wolff, “We are upward bound!”
Upcoming CDE Programs, Resources Upcoming continuing education programs include two fall courses slated to return to fully in-person gatherings and Penn Periodontal Conference, which will be in person as well, with select virtual sessions. And join us virtually in July for a joint program with the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry. Learn more at www.dental.upenn.edu/cde. DECODING THE DIGITAL PRACTICE
ADVANCED ESTHETICS WEEK
Live Streaming and On-Demand June 25–26, 2021 The Decoding the Digital Practice livestreaming and on-demand symposium is hosted by Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry in partnership with Penn Dental Medicine. The program will feature an in-depth review of current digital technologies and evidence-based procedures to incorporate into everyday practice. Presentations will concentrate on CAD/CAM technologies and current restorative materials, anterior esthetics and smile design, as well as advancements in implant dentistry. Attendees can obtain 13 live CE credits, with an additional 25 selfstudy CE credits available on-demand at no additional cost.
In person, Penn Dental Medicine (with hybrid virtual sessions) October 13–16, 2021 Presented by the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, this four-day program will be a combination of live and virtual presentations with lectures and hands-on courses by renowned speakers at the School’s state-of-the-art facilities. Among the topics covered will be a ceramics update and bonding protocols in 2021, soft tissue integration in esthetic dentistry for tooth- and implant-supported restorations, new chairside CAD/ CAM dentistry workflows, and the use of artificial intelligence in esthetic treatment planning.
THE 5TH PENN PERIODONTAL CONFERENCE 2021 In person, Penn Dental Medicine (with hybrid virtual sessions) July 25–29, 2021 Bringing together leaders in the periodontal research field from all over the world, this year’s Penn Periodontal Conference will focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of periodontal disease pathogenesis, hostmicrobe interactions and inflammation, bioengineering and tissue regeneration, new treatment modalities, and the connection of periodontitis to systemic comorbidities.
UPDATE 2021: GENERAL MEDICINE FOR DENTAL MEDICINE
In person, Penn Dental Medicine November 13, 2021 In conjunction with the 2020 U.S. Surgeon General’s report on dental health, Penn Dental Medicine and the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) are partnering on this day-long course that will provide cutting-edge information in clinical medicine with special relevance to dental care. It will also highlight the current concepts of the interplay between medicine and dentistry. Discussions will include considerations for evaluation and management of specific dental patient populations and emerging treatment of common medical and dental conditions, led by experts from Penn Medicine, Penn Dental Medicine, and the AAOM.
VIRTUAL SERIES & ONLINE CLASSROOM NOTE: While the School hopes to hold the two fall programs and the July Penn Periodontal Conference in person as noted, there is always the possibility that could change depending upon the pandemic. Visit www.dental.upenn. edu/cde for the most up-to-date information.
Over the past year, Penn Dental Medicine has developed a robust line-up of ongoing virtual lecture series on periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, and restorative dentistry (see www.dental.upenn.edu/cde for details). In addition, a wide selection of lectures are available on-demand through our online classroom (see www.dental.upenn.edu/cde_online).
Free CDE Series on Treating Persons with Disabilities With the goal of helping to improve access to dental care for individuals with disabilities, Penn Dental Medicine is establishing a new continuing education series through the support of the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF). A $50,000 gift from DDF will fund an online professional development program designed to help oral health professionals better understand and care for the disabilities community. The DDF funds will support the creation of an enduring series of free, online courses aimed at building awareness of the barriers to equitable oral health for individuals with disabilities and developing competency among clinicians to provide care to this vulnerable population. Developed and offered through Penn Dental Medicine’s Office of Continuing Education, the series will be open to all U.S. licensed dentists and their support personnel for a period of three years at no charge. Dentists completing 18 or more of the courses within a three-year period will receive a certificate of completion from Penn Dental Medicine as a Disabilities Dentistry Clinician Expert. The first courses to launch the series are available online at www.dental.upenn.edu/disabilitiescare. Live webinars will be offered the first and third Wednesday of each month. Check www.dental.upenn.edu/cde for the most up-to-date schedule.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 5
ONCAMPUS
STUDENT PROFILE: JENNIFER CHOU (D’21) AND SHIVALI GOVANI (D’21)
Excelling in Preventive Dentistry Fourth-year students Jennifer Chou and Shivali Govani were recognized for their academic excellence in preventive dentistry. Shivali Govani (D’21) was an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania when she started volunteering at United Community Clinic, a student-run health clinic housed in the basement of a West Philadelphia church. As a Penn Dental Medicine student, she continued to work there year-round on Monday nights, providing dental screenings and exams, until the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to temporarily shut down. Her classmate Jennifer Chou (D’21) came to Penn Dental Medicine interested in general dentistry, but through years of clinics, fellowships, and volunteer activities, she has decided to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry, with a focus on education and prevention. In light of their achievements, Govani and Chou were among 12 students nationwide awarded a 2021 American Dental Education Association/GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Preventive Dentistry Scholarship. The $2,500 scholarships, a competitive program open to U.S. and Canadian students, recognize students who have demonstrated academic excellence in preventive dentistry. Recipients were announced at the 2021 ADEA
6 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
Annual Session & Exhibition, held virtually in March. Govani was honored, in part, for her ongoing commitment to United Community Clinic, a free health care site staffed by dental, medical, nursing, social work, and other Penn students. At the clinic, Govani performs oral cancer screenings, examinations to check for
program, a federally funded pediatric initiative focused on care for children under the age of five. In her third year, Govani did First Five rotations at Philadelphia FIGHT, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) where dental students were able to do oral health exams, clean teeth, check for cavities, and apply fluoride for young patients. Perhaps just as importantly, Govani says, “we were able to introduce dentistry to so many children and families who otherwise didn’t have a dental home.” This year, she’s been doing her First Five rotations in the School’s Pediatric Clinic.
“Penn encourages you to do things you‘re passionate about, and that opened a lot of doors and learning for me.” — JENNIFER CHOU (D’21) tooth decay and signs of periodontal disease, educates patients on oral health and, if needed, helps them find affordable care. Throughout her years working there, she found that many patients “face a lot of barriers to dental care, including white-coat fear and financial limitations.” As a Community Health Honors student since her second year, Govani also has participated in Penn Dental Medicine’s First Five
“I want to help increase access to dental care,” she says, “and working with a pediatric and special needs population” is a way that I can do that. After she graduates, Govani will begin a three-year residency in dental anesthesiology at New York University Langone in Brooklyn, N.Y. Both Govani and Chou point to Dr. Joan Gluch, Division Chief of Community Oral Health, as an important mentor as they pursued their interests at Penn Dental Medicine.
“I want to help increase access to dental care, and working with a pediatric and special needs population is a way that I can do that.”
Dr. Marc Henschel to Lead New AEGD Program
— SHIVALI GOVANI (D’21) “Penn encourages you to do things you’re passionate about, and that opened a lot of doors and learning for me,” says Chou, who will continue her training at the Columbia University School of Dentistry/New York Presbyterian Pediatric Residency Program. At Penn Dental Medicine, Chou says she has found treating vulnerable populations, especially children, to be most fulfilling. After her first year, she participated in a Bridging the Gaps summer internship focused on serving economically disadvantaged and underserved populations. For her project, she produced a map listing medical resources within one mile of Broad Street Ministry, highlighting an area that their clients, mostly poor and underserved, could easily walk to. As a Community Health Honors student, Chou also has participated in the First Five program, an experience that reaffirmed for her that “each visit with a child is an opportunity to reinforce with parents the steps to take at home” to ensure their child’s oral health. This year, Chou was selected for the LEND Fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, an interdisciplinary program that treats children with neurodevelopmental and related disorders. “I learned a lot about what a family goes through when seeking care for a child,” she says. “If a child has heart problems, dental care may not be a priority.” Chou is also sensitive to how socioeconomic factors impact dental care, attributing this in part to being the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. “It shaped the way I see barriers to access,” Chou says, such as language, finances, and fear. “I picture my parents and grandparents when I see patients.”
Penn Dental Medicine has named Dr. Marc Henschel to lead a new Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program that the School will be launching. Dr. Henschel’s appointment as AEGD Program Director and Associate Professor of Clinical Community Oral Health was effective January 1. “Dr. Henschel brings a passion for working with students as an experienced educator and devoted mentor and also has a strong commitment to serving patients as a compassionate clinician,” says Morton Amsterdam Dean Mark Wolff. “We are pleased to welcome him to Penn Dental Medicine.” Dr. Henschel comes to Penn Dental Medicine from New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry, where he had been part of the full-time faculty since 2015, serving as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine. During this time, he led the NYU Special Patient Care Clinic as Director (2015-2019) and was Course Director for Clinical Management of Patients with Special Needs as well as the honors program in Clinical Management of Patients with Special Needs. Since 1989, he also maintained a private practice in general dentistry in Forest Hills, N.Y.
Dr. Henschel earned his DDS from State University of New York at Buffalo (1986) and completed a General Practice Residency at Buffalo Veterans Administration Center (1987). Penn Dental Medicine’s new AEGD program will be designed to educate AEGD residents in the care of vulnerable and underserved patients. Dental residents will complete clinical dental care within the Personalized Care Suite of the recently opened Care Center for Persons with Disabilities (see story, page 12), in the School’s clinical care program for survivors of torture in partnership with Philadelphia’s Nationalities Service Center, and in several of the School’s community-based care centers. In 2020, the School was awarded a $2.1 million grant over five years from the Health Resources and Services Administration in support of the new AEGD program. Over this year, Penn Dental Medicine will develop the program and apply for approval from the Commission on Dental Accreditation. It is anticipated that the inaugural class of residents will begin in July 2022.
ABOVE: Dr. March Henschel joined Penn Dental Medicine in January.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 7
ONCAMPUS
Dean's Council Grows
Dr. Daniel T. Richardson (D'02)
Expansion Builds Access for Elderly Despite the pandemic, Penn Dental Medicine has continued to enhance its presence in the community, with the newly expanded care center at Mercy LIFE (Living Independently for Elders) in West Philadelphia becoming fully operational in January 2021 — the latest community site expansion for the School over the past year. With this expansion, Penn Dental Medicine now has a total of 20 dental chairs in its five different community care programs. The care center within Mercy LIFE at 4508 Chestnut Street grew from one to four chairs, greatly increasing access to care for the elderly population served at LIFE. Patients are now being seen five days a week — up from two days a week — with additional faculty and staff providing care and supervising the students who rotate through the site. “The expanded space has been fantastic,” says Dr. Lee Durst, who has been the faculty director at LIFE since 2011 and works in the center two days a week. “It is enabling us to provide much-needed dental care to a greater number of individuals and giving all dental students an increased level of clinical experiences serving this elderly population.” Karoline Genung, Penn Dental Medicine public health dental hygienist practitioner, works at LIFE five days a week, coordinating patient care and students’ experiences while ABOVE: Faculty member Dr. Lee Durst (left) and Karoline Genung (right), public health dental hygienist, in one of the four new dental operatories at Mercy LIFE.
8 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
supervising preventive care services. In addition to Dr. Durst, the center faculty now also includes Dr. Yvonne DeLoache, Dr. Kenneth Hoelzle, and Dr. Geraldine Weinstein, who are each there one day a week. “We are evolving and constantly trying to improve both the patient and student experience,” adds Karoline Genung. In addition to the center at LIFE, the School’s footprint in the community includes care centers within Puentes de Salud (a threechair facility that opened in 2020), Sayre Health Center (expanding from one to four chairs in 2020), and Spectrum Health Services (providing care in seven chairs since this past summer), plus the PennSmiles mobile dental care center. Paired with the physical expansion of community outreach has come a growth in the time dental students spend in those sites. Thirdand fourth-year DMD students now spend about a day each week at community sites, amounting to 350 hours a year of clinical experience scheduled throughout the calendar year.
Penn Dental Medicine welcomes alumnus, Dr. Daniel T. Richardson (D’02), to the Dean’s Council. A native of Edmonton, Canada, Dr. Richardson received his undergraduate degree at Oakwood College and graduated from Penn Dental Medicine in 2002. After earning his DMD, Dr. Richardson went on to postgraduate training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, completing a surgical internship and residency program at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard-affiliated hospitals, including Children’s Hospital of Boston, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and earning a medical degree from Harvard Medical School. With a special interest in dento-skeletal deformities, he also completed a fellowship at Posnick Center for Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Richardson is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, as well as a fellow of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and a member of the Maryland Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. His private practice, Richardson Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, is based in Elkridge, Md. The Dean’s Council serves as an external advisory group to the School’s Dean on matters relevant to advancing the mission of Penn Dental Medicine.
“Over the years, students have shared how very grateful they are for the solid foundation in anatomy the School has given them — with this new technology, we’re continuing to do just that.” — DR. MICHAEL SPEIRS
Anatomy Dissection Lab Goes Virtual For Penn Dental Medicine’s first- and second-year students, the spring semester has historically meant a trip down campus to the medical school for cadaver dissection labs. This spring, those labs have looked quite different, going high-tech with the introduction of a new 3D virtual anatomy lab within Penn Dental Medicine. The new lab came to fruition over the past year in response to changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic shifted instruction campus-wide to remote learning last spring, the medical school closed its cadaver labs. Uncertain when the labs may again become available, the School moved forward with an instructional alternative — outfitting a space on the 6th floor of the School’s Levy building with virtual dissection units. “Prior to the pandemic, we had been looking into the possibility of acquiring this technology as a resource for our students to continue to study anatomy beyond their dissection labs in their first and second years,” says Dr. Michael Speirs, who directs the School’s anatomy course and dissection labs. “But with the medical school shutting down the cadaver labs due to COVID, it became imperative to establish this facility.” The space is outfitted with two Anatomage virtual dissection tables — one that is in the horizontal position and one that can be oriented both vertically and horizontally. There are also three 80-inch plasma screens so when
students are in the space those who would not be at table can see what is happening. The tables feature fully digitized, real human 3D anatomy systems of four individuals (a Korean and American man and woman). Dr. Speirs explains that the American male and female cadavers were digitized by the National Library of Medicine through its Visible Human Project in the 1990s. Through the software developed for these units, the virtual cadavers can be rotated, sectioned, and dissected. “With just a touch of your finger or stylus you have the ability to manipulate the body, for example, I can choose a specific section or make a cut like a skin flap with a virtual scalpel and perform a dissection from the surface of the body all the way to the skeleton,” says Dr. Speirs. “You can also ask the software to identify a specific bone or organ or show just the nerves and blood vessels and their relationship to each other.” It also visualizes the direction of blood flow in veins and arteries, and there is an option to upload data from a patient into the
unit to create a 3D image of the case that can be analyzed and dissected as well. The virtual dissection labs using the units began in late January with Dr. Speirs performing the dissections on the units. Using Zoom, the students logged into the lab sessions to receive a real-time feed of the dissection directly from the unit to their computer screen in high resolution. This spring semester has included the head and neck dissection lab for firstyear students and two labs for second-year students — head and neck dissection, which they didn’t have last spring due to COVID-19, and the full body dissection lab that is part of the second-year curriculum. While all of these labs were remote through February, starting in March, as faculty and students were vaccinated, small groups of 12 students began coming into the lab to participate in virtual dissection on the units. While it is unclear at this point if or when Penn Dental Medicine students will return to cadavers for their dissection labs, Dr. Speirs notes that these new units are the best alternative and can support student learning in a variety of ways. “Anatomy is critical for preparing to enter the clinic and beyond,” says Dr. Speirs. “Over the years, students have shared how very grateful they are for the solid foundation in anatomy the School has given them — with this new technology, we’re continuing to do just that.”
ABOVE: Dr. Michael Speirs in the virtuaal dissection lab located on the 6th floor of the Levy building.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 9
ONCAMPUS
Schoenleber Pilot Grant Program Nears $500K in Research Support BUILDING ON PENN’S RICH HISTORY OF COLLABORATION, Penn Dental Medicine’s Schoenleber Pilot Grant Program is continuing to advance research between faculty members across disciplines, awarding nearly $500,000 in grant awards since its launch. The program is among those created through the lasting legacy of alumnus Dr. Louis Schoenleber (C’42, D’43), who left the majority of his estate to the School and its Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; at the final settlement of the estate in late 2009, the bequest totaled $17.3 million. A portion of these funds established the Schoenleber Pilot Grant Program, which selected its first awardees in 2013. “The Pilot Grant Program truly reflects the spirit of innovation that Dr. Schoenleber so admired about Penn,” says Dr. Peter Quinn, Schoenleber Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Chief Physician Executive for the Penn Medicine Medical Group, whose relationship with Dr. Schoenleber was instrumental in his decision to leave his estate to the School. When Dr. Schoenleber returned to Penn for his 50th reunion in 1993, he met Dr. Quinn, who led the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at that time; he would go on to develop an enduring interest and involvement in the Department until his death in 2005. “Dr. Schoenleber had tremendous interest in new techniques and technologies used in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and he also appreciated the value of interdisciplinary research, so I know he would be extremely proud of the impact the Schoenleber Grant Program has had over the last eight years.” The Pilot Grant Program is unique in its focus on collaboration, designed to not only foster collaborations between clinical and basic science faculty, but also to promote new collaborations. The funded projects are required to have a translational component and involve a new collaboration with a co-investigator with whom the principal investigator has not previously published. “By providing seed money, investigators can develop joint projects that would otherwise not be possible,” says Dr. Dana Graves, Vice Dean for Research & Scholarship at Penn Dental Medicine. Up to three studies are funded annually with awards of up the $20,000 for one year. Proposals that may lead to extramural funding are encouraged, and only proposals that do not have other sources of funding are eligible. Once a faculty member is awarded a Schoenleber Pilot Program grant, he/she may submit another proposal once the previous award has led to a publication in a peer-reviewed journal or to an extramural grant application. Since the program launched, 27 projects have been funded totaling $490,000 in awards. The most recent, FY21, awardees include:
10 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
The FY21 Schoenleber Pilot Grant Program recipients included (left to right) Dr. Sunday Akintoye, Dr. Shuying (Sheri) Yang, and Dr. Qunzhou Zhang.
ORAL DELIVERY OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONES BIOENCAPSULATED IN PLANT CELLS TO MITIGATE OSTEONECROSIS Dr. Sunday Akintoye, Associate Professor, Dept. Oral Medicine, principal investigator; Dr. Henry Daniell, W.D. Miller Professor, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences, co-investigator The Daniell laboratory has pioneered the expression of protein drugs in plant chloroplasts and demonstrated oral delivery, bioavailability, and efficacy to treat several infectious and inherited diseases. This collaboration will address a necessary next step to optimize oral bioavailability and evaluate therapeutic efficacy in an animal model of jaw osteonecrosis — a localized bone disorder.
DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL TARGET FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Dr. Shuying (Sheri) Yang, Associate Professor, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences, principal investigator; Dr. Michael Mitchell, Skirkanich Assistant Professor of Innovation, Dept. of Bioengineering, Penn Engineering, co-investigator Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most severe chronic joint disease that causes irreversible joint damage and significant disability. Currently, there is no specific cure for RA, therefore, identifying new factors that control inflammation, especially for RA, can make a
significant impact. Findings from this proposal will reveal Regulator of G-protein signaling 12 as a new inflammatory regulator and explore the therapeutic potential of inhibiting RGS12 as a new or complementary approach to suppressing inflammatory and bone resorption in RA.
BLOCKING POLYAMINE/EIF5A HYPUSINATION SUPPRESSES POLARIZATION OF M2-LIKE TUMOR ASSOCIATED MACROPHAGES AND TUMOR GROWTH IN ORAL CANCER Dr. Qunzhou Zhang, Research Assistant Professor, Dept. of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, principal investigator; Dr. Rabie Shanti, Assistant Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, co-investigator The major goal of this project is to explore the dual functions of eIF5A hypusination (eIF5Ahpu) in regulating proliferation/cancer stem cell properties and polarization of tumorassociated macrophages in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the potential for the development of novel therapeutics that can simultaneously target both cancer cells and tumor microenvironment of OSCC. The review committee members, who select the recipients, include: Dr. Dana Graves, Dr. Anh Le, Dr. Martin Levin, Dr. Joseph E. Gian-Grasso, Dr. Anne Klamar, Dr. Lewis Proffitt, Dr. Ken Serota, Dr. Matthew Doyle, and Charlene Fenster.
STUDENTPERSPECTIVE VIEWS ON THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Tapping into the Alumni Network Contributed by Madison Richards (D’22) As a student, it is easy to limit my vision to what assignments are due next week, what exam is coming up, what lab work I need to complete, etc. If we only see a list of tasks hanging ahead of us, then that is all we will put our energy towards. In connecting with fellow students and alumni over our experiences as women in the dental field, my involvement with the Penn Dental Women’s Network has expanded my perspective on what is meaningful in dental school. The mission of the Penn Dental Women’s Network (affectionately known as PDWN) is to empower future women dentists through professional development and networking opportunities. We do our part to connect students with alumni, provide mentorship sessions, and support community engagement, which, as you may imagine, has become significantly more difficult since March of 2020. How do you meet alumni if you aren’t meeting…anyone? How do you get a sense of a specialist’s daily life if you can’t shadow? How can we make events actually worthwhile for alumni and students? These
are the questions I focused on as the president of the Women’s Network as our team planned for the new socially distanced landscape. On the PDWN executive board, we brainstormed, we reached out to alumni who inspire us, and we hoped they would be interested in what we were offering: a virtual event series. The Women’s Network has hosted six virtual events so far in our ongoing Mentorship Series, which has connected dozens of current students with mentors in the fields of general and esthetic dentistry, oral medicine, and pediatric dentistry. In an effort to provide content that serves students and alumni, the Mentorship Series is a departure from the traditional presentation format. What makes these events so unique is that they aren’t lectures, they are open conversations. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about not only our speakers’ many accomplishments, but also their
BECOME A MENTOR
stumbling blocks and how they have overcome them. Hearing my role models discuss how they worked through the challenges of starting their practices, publishing their stories, and living fulfilled lives while in dental school helped me to redefine my goals, shift my mentality, and celebrate my interests. Dental professionals are networking over social media now more than ever, so in an effort to continue connecting students and the wider Penn Dental Medicine community, PDWN embarked on an ambitious social media series for Women’s History Month in March. We partnered with the School’s Institutional Advancement team to collect short videos from students, alumnae, faculty, and staff covering everything from meaningful moments in their careers to their life stories. This was an opportunity unlike any we have had so far as a student organization! While my career experience is limited to my time as a student dentist, I took the plunge and shared what I have been working on this year with the greater Penn Dental Medicine community. My hope is that others in our community will see this as a chance to voice their struggles, celebrate their victories, and guide students through the ups and downs of a dental career. Alumni mentors have made every stage of my Penn experience possible. I worked for Penn Dental Medicine alumni who encouraged my interests and wrote my letters of recommendation, I was interviewed by an alumna who mentors me to this day, and I rely heavily on alumni for guidance as I begin my clinical experiences. I am so grateful for the opportunities the Penn Dental Medicine alumni network has afforded me both on and off campus. In particular, the generosity alumni have shown PDWN over the course of this “unprecedented” year has impacted my trajectory, inspiring me to adopt mentorship roles now and aspire to more in the future.
Penn Dental Medicine alumni interested in mentoring opportunities, please reach out at www.dental.upenn.edu/mentor.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 11
ACCESSIBLE CARE FOR ALL NEW CARE CENTER FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES DESIGNED TO SERVE DIVERSE PATIENT BASE
FROM THE PERSPECTIVE of Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean Dr. Mark S. Wolff, having a physical or intellectual disability should not alter one’s access to high-quality dental care. And his firm belief is that every dentist should be able to provide that care, no matter what accommodations may be necessary.
OPPOSITE TOP: Dr. Miriam Robbins (center), the Care Center for Persons with Disabilities Director, with Assistant Directors (left to right) Dr. Temitope Omolehinwa and Dr. Alicia Risner-Bauman. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Dr. Risner- Bauman and faculty member Dr. James Murphy (seated) demonstrate to a student how to use the wheelchair lift. ABOVE: The Personalized Care Suite, the Center’s patient care area, is located on the 2nd floor of the Robert Schattner Center.
“A mentor I trained with 40 years ago believed this, and so when I started practicing, I always had a number of patients with disabilities or medical complications,” says Dean Wolff. “I didn’t realize this was a novel way of doing things for a decade or decade and a half.” That personalized care approach — part of Dean Wolff’s practice from his earliest days as a dentist — also represents the underlying philosophy of the newly opened Care Center for Persons with Disabilities at Penn Dental Medicine, a 3,500-square-foot facility in the School’s Robert Schattner Center. Designed with an eye toward meeting the needs of people with physical and intellectual disabilities, the Care Center will also allow dental students to learn how to meet the needs of their patients and even provide opportunities for innovation in how that care is delivered.
“A lot of this is demystifying care for this population,” says Dr. Miriam Robbins, Professor of Clinical Oral Medicine and Restorative Dentistry, who joined the School in February to serve as the Center’s Director. “There are multiple reasons these patients may have challenges with access to dental care, but part of it is fear of the unknown on the part of dental care providers. Our dental students will have the opportunity to develop a comfort level with these patients that they’ll take into their clinical practice.”
NEW PARADIGM OF CARE Opening such a facility was part of Dean Wolff’s plan since taking the helm of the School in 2018. In addition to early mentors, he owes some of his thinking in this area to his wife, who, during their newlywed years, worked at a state-run center for people with
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 13
ACCESSIBLECARE
“I’m very excited to instill the love I have for treating this population into students. We can do that by exposing them, getting them comfortable, and making them understand that this isn’t as difficult as some people make it out to be.” – DR. ALICIA RISNER-BAUMAN
intellectual and developmental disabilities. Spending time there and observing their people-centered approach, he shaped his practice around caring for children with developmental disabilities as well. At his previous institution, New York University, his passion for treating patients with disabilities contributed to a new facility, able to treat patients who required sedation to receive oral care. At Penn, he set his sights on developing a more comprehensive approach to caring for a broad patient population with disabilities based on evidence-based preventive and management programs.
14 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
The revamping of the space in the Schattner Center was only slightly delayed by pandemic-related closures. Construction wrapped up in November with the finishing touches put on through December, when patients began to arrive. A foremost priority for the center is accessibility. In the patient-care area, the Personalized Care Suite, entranceways and corridors are wide and its 12 operatories can accommodate wheelchairs or other supportive devices. In addition, four operatories include wheelchair lifts, which can support and recline patients in their chairs, enabling clinicians to perform cleanings and other
procedures. One extra-large room is designed for treating a patient on a gurney or even on the floor. Every operatory is equipped with nitrous oxide to help manage pain and anxiety as needed and keep patients comfortable during a dental visit. A low-stimulation room has lower lights and soundproofing for patients with sensitivities to bright lights and loud noises. And dental chairs do not have instruments attached to prevent patients from reaching for and touching equipment; instead, clinicians use instruments on carts that can be kept at a distance and transported between operatories. “I’m very excited to instill the love I have for treating this population into students,” says Dr. Alicia Risner-Bauman, Assistant Professor of Clinical Oral Medicine and Restorative Dentistry, who joined Penn Dental Medicine in January as an Associate Director of the Center. “We can do that by exposing them, getting them comfortable, and making them understand that this isn’t as difficult as some people make it out to be.
“Through the good fortune of fantastic donors, through the great fortune of having faculty who are engaged and motivated on this, we’ve been able to make this a reality, even amidst the pandemic.” — DR. MARK S. WOLFF
I think the way the center is designed and the plans and ideas we’re putting into place to make it operate well will make it happen.” Throughout the suite, video cameras will enable faculty to monitor students’ care in real-time, as well as observing how patients and caregivers are able to practice needed oral care that they will continue at home. Outside the clinical care area, consultation rooms were also designed to fit patients who use wheelchairs and caregivers comfortably. And throughout the center, wayfinding guide strips on the floor can help visually impaired persons navigate the space. The Care Center is also the new clinical care home at the School for medically complex patients — those individuals who may have bleeding or lung disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, or other medical conditions that can make the management of their dental care more complicated. Leading this segment of patient care is Dr. Temitope Omolehinwa, Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine, serving as the Care Center’s other Associate Director. “This is a dream realized for me,” says Dean Wolff, who notes that the School hopes to treat 10,000 patients a year in the center. “Through the good fortune of fantastic donors, through the great fortune of having faculty who are engaged and motivated on this, we’ve been able to make this a reality, even amidst the pandemic.”
OPPOSITE: The open clinical care area features 6 operatories; Dr. Temitope Omolehinwa with an oral medicine resident, who see medically complex patients in the new facility. TOP: The space features two consultation rooms where students and faculty can review cases and meet with patients and their families. BOTTOM: The patient reception desk of the Personalized Care Suite; strips on the floor enable the visually impaired to safely maneuver through the entrance area and hallway.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 15
ACCESSIBLECARE ‘IN THEIR BOX’ The Care Center is about much more than just the state-of-the-art facilities, however. “It requires breaking out of conventional dental ideas,” Dean Wolff says. And often, that simply means looking at each patient as an individual and plotting out their oral health care accordingly. “I like to say, ‘Don’t get out of the box, get in their box,’” says Dr. Risner-Bauman. “Figure out what they need to succeed.” Dr. Robbins describes caring for patients with disabilities as requiring “a fundamental foundation shift” for dentists, who in previous generations may have been taught that the only way to provide thorough oral care would be under general anesthesia.
“We can look at ways that we can change people’s oral health status without involving that,” she says. “Prevention is key. If you have a patient prone to caries, you can put them on a limited-carb diet or a stringent regimen of fluoride. Instead of treating the end result, you take a couple of steps back and address the root cause and see what really aggressive prevention and modification can do to find a pathway for these patients to have good oral health.” Dean Wolff also notes that since certain disabilities are progressive, clinicians must treat them accordingly, taking into account the demands on caregivers. “If you are a patient without teeth in one arch, they may be restored to function
“Our students will have the opportunity to develop a comfort level with these patients that they’ll take into their clinical practice.” – DR. MIRIAM ROBBINS
16 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
with six implants and 12 crowns, we can do that, that’s wonderful today, but if you start developing progressive Alzheimer’s disease, becoming unable to clean it — or are unable to allow others to clean it for you — that may be a disservice to the patient, because they will develop a lot of disease and inflammation around it,” Wolff says. “We might instead consider changing to a removable denture that a caregiver can clean in five minutes. This requires a change in our thoughts about what is ideal dentistry to find out what is the ideal accommodation for the patient.” To reinforce these ideas, every DMD dental student will get hands-on experience working under close faculty supervision in the Center — about 5% of their fourth year — managing patients with a wide range of disabilities as well as seeing medically complex patients. “They’ll already have competencies, they’ll have learned basic techniques,” Dean Wolff says, “so in the Care Center we’ll have them refine those skills.” Residents in the School’s postgraduate program in oral medicine are also providing
care in the Center, focusing predominantly on medically complex patients, but also seeing patients with disabilities. Plans are in development to launch an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at the School in 2022 (see related story, page 7), with the residents in this new program anticipated to rotate through the Center as well.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION The new Center not only provides a home for treating patients and educating students, but will also be a site for developing new products and approaches to care that will continue to reap benefits into the future. Embedded within the space is the Colgate Innovation Laboratory, designed to encourage Penn experts to collaborate with Colgate scientists on the design and implementation of products to enhance oral care in people with disabilities. “We were very interested in partnering with the Penn dental school to build this lab,” says Juliana Gomez, a Clinical Research Manager for Colgate-Palmolive Company. “It meshes well with our goals of making
the lives of underserved populations easier and healthier.” The Innovation Laboratory, adjacent to the clinical care spaces in the Center, will allow researchers to interact with patients, recruiting them for studies or testing of prototype devices, for example. With patient and caregiver consent, scientists will also have the opportunity to observe how their products are used and receive feedback that can inform design tweaks or new inventions. Gomez notes that her team has previously worked in Penn Dental Medicine’s pediatric clinic, interactions that have led to testing of a “smart” toothbrush that helps children learn good brushing habits. Such a device as well as others — from a toothbrush grip that makes it easier for those with mobility challenges to maneuver, to high-fluoride therapies that reduce the risk of decay — may be deployed and tested in the new Center. “It’s a very exciting area to be working in,” says Gomez. The Care Center for Persons with Disabilities builds on other efforts by the School to enhance accommodations to match
patients with first-rate care, including the School’s care center for survivors of torture, expanded community-based clinics, and the PennSmiles bus to treat students in neighborhoods around Philadelphia. This focus on meeting dental patients where they are, both geographically and based on their needs, is a priority for training the next generation of dentists notes Dean Wolff. “The way I see it, whether you’re sick, elderly, have an inherited or an acquired disability, you should be treated as an individual and have your needs met,” says Dean Wolff. “Providing care for all should be a core value to be a good human, and it’s a value we want to impart in our students as they become dentists as well.”
OPPOSITE: This low-stimulation room has lower lights and soundproofing for patients with sensitivities to bright lights and loud noises, while hover dental chairs easily move to accommodate wheelchairs or a gurney. ABOVE: There are 6 private operatories; faculty member Dr. Katherine France (right) and a student in the hallway that leads to them.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 17
Although largely preventable, oral diseases like caries, periodontal disease, and cancers are incredibly common, affecting more than 3.5 million people around the world.
I
N KEEPING WITH ITS LONG HISTORY OF INNOVATION, Penn Dental Medicine is again at the forefront — poised to explore new, creative approaches to public oral health care.
A generous gift from alumnus, Dr. Garry Rayant (GD’77) and his wife, Dr. Kathy Fields, will allow Penn Dental Medicine to take the lead in developing innovative solutions to transform the way educators, practitioners, and policy makers address the challenges of achieving equitable oral health locally, nationally, and worldwide. The couple’s $5 million contribution will create a new endowed professorship — the Fields-Rayant Professorship — and provide foundational support to establish the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health (CIGOH), dedicated to exploring the educational, public health, and public policy necessary to improve the epidemic of oral and dental diseases facing people around the world. It will be Penn Dental Medicine’s first center with a policy focus.
18 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
“Garry and Kathy’s generosity will have a far-reaching impact,” says Dr. Mark S. Wolff, Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean. “Dentists have always played an essential role in ensuring not just oral health, but overall health. The new Center will challenge dentistry to move beyond our traditional role of operating in relative isolation from other health care providers to develop a new, integrated approach to oral health that promises to make a difference far beyond our campus.” As its name implies, the Center’s mission will be built around the concept of integrative health: the idea that oral health is linked inextricably to general health, quality of life and social well-being and that dentists should work in collaboration beyond the medical community alone to deliver
LEADING THE CHARGE FOR GLOBAL CHANGE THROUGH A NEW CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE GLOBAL ORAL HEALTH, PENN DENTAL MEDICINE WILL LAUNCH A BOLD AGENDA FOR ADDRESSING ORAL DISEASE AROUND THE WORLD
holistic, patient-centered, equitable care, especially to the underserved. The Center will provide the infrastructure and critical mass of thought leaders needed to develop and test interventions to improve outcomes for issues of prevention, accessibility, and affordability of oral health care services from local to global levels. Initial goals of the Center will include: integrative health policy and health systems research in areas such as implementation science, disease prevention, novel delivery systems, and cost reduction; developing DMD and postgraduate curricula in epidemiology and oral disease prevention; training new dentists to become oral health advocates and culturally sensitive providers for their patients; and establishing a Penn Dental Medicine Master of Science in Oral Public Health degree.
“The new center will challenge us to move beyond our traditional role of operating in relative isolation from other health care providers to develop a new, integrated approach that promises to make a difference far beyond our campus.” — DR. MARK S. WOLFF
THE PATH OF INSPIRATION For Dr. Rayant, the path that led to funding this new initiative was the culmination of a journey that began almost 50 years ago. He completed his dental degree at the London Hospital Medical College Dental School (1972), which included a background in epidemiology and public health. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in periodontology (thesis in Behavioral Science) from London University (1975). From the beginning, he always had an
interest in periodontology, viewing it as fundamental to oral health, but all the leading clinical periodontics programs were in the United States, and at the time, seemingly out of reach. “Penn was the mecca in the field,” recalls Dr. Rayant. His view was confirmed after hearing Penn Dental Medicine’s Dean at that time, Dr. D. Walter Cohen (C’47, D’50), who was also a renowned leader in periodontics, lecture at the British Society of Periodontology in London.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 19
GLOBALCHANGE
“The impact of one of the oldest and most highly regarded dental schools in the United States taking on this work will be profound.” — DR. GARRY RAYANT
Inaugural Lecture Series Set for June Beginning in June, a multi-part series of lectures by experts associated with the World Health Organization, the American Dental Association, FDI World Dental Federation, and other thought leaders has been organized to launch the new Center for Integrative Global Oral Health. Speakers will cover topics such as: • • • •
The socio-behavioral and commercial determinants of oral health inequalities The state of global oral health Alternative models to deliver oral health services to enhance population health FDI Vision 2030 — a view of contemporary global oral health priorities from the World Dental Federation • Challenges of the global oral health workforce • Population-wide approaches to the prevention of dental caries and oral cancer Learn more at www.dental.upenn.edu/CIGOH.
20 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
Acting on his passion to pursue graduate periodontics in the U.S., Dr. Rayant went on to apply for and win a scholarship (funded by the late Ambassador Walter Annenberg) to Penn Dental Medicine’s periodontics program. Dr. Cohen, the man he heard lecture in London, would become not just his teacher and mentor, but eventually, his close friend. After Dr. Cohen’s death in 2018, Dr. Rayant returned to Philadelphia to deliver a eulogy at his funeral. Penn Dental Medicine’s past, present, and future came together that day, as Dr. Rayant met Penn Dental Medicine’s new and current Dean, Dr. Mark Wolff, who was in his first day on the job. The two men connected immediately, in large part because they shared a broad view of what dentistry could and should be — a view that extended beyond the traditional boundaries of the field. The next year, Dr. Rayant became more involved with Penn Dental Medicine after accepting an invitation to join the School’s Board of Advisors.
A CALL TO ACTION At this same time, the seeds of the new Center were being planted. In 2018, Dr. Rayant had set up a scholarship at University College London (UCL) to honor the memory of Professor Aubrey Sheiham, his mentor in epidemiology and public health, and Master’s thesis supervisor. The following year, a special series in The Lancet on global oral health challenges by UCL Professor Richard Watt, et al., and the subsequent establishment of the Lancet Global Commission on Oral Health provided further impetus and a clear call to action. “We have known how to prevent dental disease for 50 years,” says Dr. Rayant. “An integrated approach with oral health as part of general health is key. If you really want to facilitate change in dentistry, you need to do it through advocacy, coalition building, and public policy.”
ABOVE: With community dental care where patients live, work, and go to school a hallmark of Penn Dental Medicine, the School provides an invaluable built-in base for the Center to demonstrate best-practices. Pictured (pre-pandemic) is the PennSmiles mobile care center.
AN IDEAL LANDSCAPE Dr. Rayant saw Penn Dental Medicine — and the University as a whole — as an ideal landscape for addressing these public policy issues. With community dental care and service to patients where they live, work, and go to school a hallmark of Penn Dental Medicine, the School provides an invaluable built-in base for the Center to demonstrate best-practices. In addition, the School has access to the University’s vast interdisciplinary resources, including faculty with expertise in diverse areas connected to the issue of global oral health — from medicine, nursing, and social work to business, graduate education, and health policy. Just as important, the University has a longstanding commitment to working across disciplines to bring new approaches to pressing issues. “I see this working better at Penn than anywhere else,” Rayant says. “The impact of one of the oldest and most highly regarded dental schools in the United States taking on this work will be profound.”
MOVING FORWARD The important first step in moving forward is the recruitment of thought leaders to fill the Fields-Rayant Professorship and the Executive Director position. These distinguished leaders will work with faculty to develop curricula, establish partnerships within the University and beyond, and create an action plan for the Center. The search for these posts in underway. In addition, Dr. Rayant is eagerly taking up of the task of helping to build an advisory group for the Center. He will serve as Chair of the group and is working with Dean Wolff to recruit experts in a wide range of fields from inside and outside of Penn. A lecture series, to launch in June, will introduce the vision for the Center and cover related topics within global oral health care and public policy. (see box, opposite) “By creating this Center, we will be challenging the oral health community — and particularly oral health educators — to move well beyond producing technically adept professionals operating in isolation from other health care providers,” adds Dean
Dr. Garry Rayant (GD ’77) Engaged in oral health care and beyond A specialist in periodontics and implant dentistry, an entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Dr. Garry Rayant (GD’77), has shared his time and talents in a diversity of volunteer and advisory roles, including: • Board of Advisors, Penn Dental Medicine • Board of Advisors, University of Pennsylvania Advanced Judaic Studies Program • Chair, Advisory Committee, Center for Children and Youth, Jewish Family and Children’s Service Bay Area • Advisory Board, Challenge Success Program, Stanford University • President’s Council, Tulane University • International Board of Governors, Tel Aviv University • Board of Directors, American Friends of Tel Aviv University • Board of Directors, School of Neuroscience “Minducate” Program, Tel Aviv University • National Council, American Israel Public Affairs Committee • Board of Directors, Epic CleanTec, LLC, Inc., a full-service water reuse company, decentralizing water treatment for growing cities and a changing planet
Wolff. “Rather, we will become a visible force for integrative health, speaking truth to power about prevention and solidifying the role of the dentist as fundamental to ensuring the public’s overall good health.” Penn Dental Medicine plans to launch a multi-year fundraising initiative to match the $5 million contribution from Drs. Rayant and Fields to capitalize the new Center with an enduring endowment.
• Dr. Rayant is also a member emeritus of the Board of Directors of Rodan & Fields, the premium skincare brand founded by his wife, Dr. Kathy Fields, and her partner, Dr. Katie Rodan. Headquartered in San Francisco, the company has continued to grow its innovative dermatologically based line of products and is the #1 premium skin care brand in North America. • Dr. Rayant along with fellow Penn alum, Dr. Mario Vilardi (D’74, GD’77), is the co-founder, partner, and Editorin-Chief Emeritus of Dear Doctor, Dentistry & Oral Health Magazine, Inc., an online multimedia company designed to bring easily understood, evidence-based information to the public to help in making health care decisions.
“We will become a visible force for integrative health, speaking truth to power about prevention and solidifying the role of the dentist as fundamental to ensuring the public’s overall health.” — DR. MARK S. WOLFF
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 21
HISTORIC GIFT A LASTING LEGACY THROUGH A DAUGHTER’S LOVE FOR HER FATHER AND HIS LEGACY, SCHOOL TO RECEIVE $20 MILLION ESTATE GIFT HONORING CLASS OF 1917-GRADUATE DR. ARTHUR E. CORBY ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR YEARS after alumnus Dr. Arthur E. Corby (D’1917) earned his dental degree, the legacy of this man from the past will have a transformative impact on Penn Dental Medicine’s future. At the end of 2020, the School received an estate gift from his daughter, Carol Corby-Waller (CW’58), honoring her father – the first $10 million of an anticipated $20 million to support the School’s highest priorities. The balance of the gift is expected to come to the School later this year. “One cannot overstate the tremendous impact of this historic gift,” says Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, Dr. Mark S. Wolff. “What makes it particularly unique and impactful for the School is that the gift is unrestricted, so these resources can help support a diversity of projects as needs arise.” As an unrestricted gift, the funds will allow the School to seize opportunities that may need seed investment. It comes at a pivotal time in terms of new initiatives. Four new centers have recently been launched at Penn Dental Medicine: The Center for Clinical and Translational Research; The Center for Innovation and Precision Dentistry; the Care Center for Persons with Disabilities (see story, page 12); and the Center for Integrated Global Oral Health (see story, page 18). Funds from the Corby-Waller gift will help support the growth of these enterprises as needed, and more. The recently renovated B13 auditorium within the School’s Levy building will be named for Dr. Corby, ensuring that a prominent space within Penn Dental Medicine will bear his name as a lasting tribute.
22 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
HONORING A FATHER’S PASSION So who are the Corbys and what led to such a generous memorial? Carol Ann Corby-Waller was the only child of Dr. Arthur Corby, Penn Dental Medicine class of 1917. She was a Penn graduate as well, having earned her undergraduate degree in 1958 from the then College of Women. While she had little contact with Penn after graduation, it is clear she wanted to recognize her father’s passion for dentistry and the school where he earned his degree and was significantly engaged during his lifetime. Entering the Army dental corps of World War I upon graduation from Penn Dental Medicine in 1917, Arthur Corby went on to build a successful and prominent dental practice in New York City until his passing in 1954 at the age of 65. He retained strong ties to Penn throughout his career, notably serving as an alumni trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, elected to a 10-year term in 1948. He was among the small and prestigious ranks of graduates awarded Penn’s Alumni Award of Merit for service to the University and its alumni. Among his achievements, Dr. Corby helped to reorganize Penn’s
General Alumni Society and served on the University’s Reconversion Fund Committee and the Bicentennial Committee (1940). In addition, Dr. Corby led the Penn Dental Alumni Society as President (1948-49), served as editor of the Dental Alumni Quarterly, and held a term as President of the University of Pennsylvania Club of New York. Active in organized dentistry, Dr. Corby served as President of the New York Academy of Dentistry and the First District Dental Society of New York (1951) comprising Manhattan and the Bronx. He was a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists and was a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, and the Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity, serving as grand master of its Graduate Chapter in 1944. Dr. Corby also served as the Chairman of the Greater New York Dental Meeting (1952). There, he organized a symposium on the relationship between smoking and lung cancer. That effort stimulated the formation of the Tobacco Industry Research Committee. Dr. Corby’s class yearbook reveals a record of active engagement while a student at Penn Dental Medicine as well. He served as editor-in-chief of the Senior Class Record and was Corresponding Secretary of the Matthew H. Cryer Society of Oral Surgery. In addition, he was a member of Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity, the Darby Dental Society, and the Penn Dental Journal Advisory Board.
“What makes this gift particularly unique and impactful for the School is that the gift is unrestricted, so these resources can help support a diversity of projects as needs arise.” — DR. MARK S. WOLFF
romantic side of the American virtue of thrift that captivated me. The important personal fortunes or business enterprise that had come into being because years earlier a small boy had a bank into which he slipped a part of the pennies that came his way.” Indeed, it appears his daughter, Carol, may have done just that — acquiring the philanthropic capacity to leave this transformative gift to Penn Dental Medicine in memory of a beloved father.
A PENNY SAVED Outside the dental field, Dr. Corby developed what appeared to be an equally deep interest in collecting – specifically, in collecting penny banks of all sorts. In an archive from the Mechanical Bank Collectors of America, an article from 1942 noted that “Whenever the collectible under discussion is a penny bank, sooner or later the name of Dr. Arthur E. Corby of New York City will come into the conversation. He ranks as one of the big six of penny-bank collectors of the United States.”
Dr. Corby’s collection numbered more than 4,000 banks, which he reportedly displayed in a shelf-lined room adjacent to his dental office located in New York City’s Wall Street neighborhood, where he would enthusiastically share the collection with other collectors and visitors alike. It was one of the country’s most extensive private museums of the collectibles at that time. When asked about his collection in that same 1942 article, Dr. Corby said, “I guess my particular interest in penny banks was the
The Penn Dental Medicine yearbook photo of Dr. Arthur E. Corby, Class of 1917.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 23
RESEARCHSPOTLIGHT TRANSLATING SCIENCE TO PRACTICE
Discovery Across Disciplines The Penn Dental Medicine research enterprise spans scientific disciplines to translate new knowledge into clinical therapies that are expanding our understanding of disease and advancing patient care. In 2020, faculty and research staff throughout the School continued to move research and scholarship forward across their respective fields and beyond. On the pages that follow, we highlight some of these research and scholarly activities for 2020.
Funding by Investigators
Among the Penn Dental Medicine faculty, following are the total funds (direct and indirect) spent by each principal investigator in the 2020 calendar year. FACULTY/DEPARTMENT
2020 TOTAL
Dr. Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, Basic & Translational Sciences
$2,502,748
Dr. George Hajishengallis, Basic & Translational Sciences
$1,633,917
Dr. Henry Daniell, Basic & Translational Sciences
$1,619,397
Dr. Dana T. Graves, Periodontics
$1,594,011
Dr. Pat Corby, Oral Medicine
$1,377,979
Dr. Hyun (Michel) Koo, Orthodontics/COH/Pediatrics
$975,530
Dr. Claire H. Mitchell, Basic & Translational Sciences
$942,484
Dr. Hydar Ali, Basic & Translational Sciences
$886,690
Dr. Esra Sahingur, Periodontics Dr. Thomas Sollecito, Oral Medicine
$817,911 $733,044
Dr. Kathleen Boesze-Battaglia, Basic & Translational Sciences $592,433
$16.4M Awarded for research in FY20
24 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
Dr. Bruce J. Shenker, Basic & Translational Sciences
$585,359
Dr. Gary H. Cohen, Basic & Translational Sciences
$576,839
Dr. Joan Gluch, Community Oral Health
$379,679
Dr. Chider Chen, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
$369,428
Dr. Temitope Omolehinwa, Oral Medicine
$365,985
Dr. Geelsu Hwang, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
$332,698
Dr. Yan Yuan, Basic & Translational Sciences
$281,578
Dr. Yu Zhang, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
$207,885
Dr. Shuying (Sherri) Yang, Basic & Translational Sciences
$177,821
Dr. Flavia Teles, Basic & Translational Sciences
$137,169
Dr. Anh Le, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
$118,980
Dr. David Hershkowitz, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
$97,796
Dr. Robert P. Ricciardi, Basic & Translational Sciences
$92,255
Dr. Kang Ko, Periodontics
$84,605
Dr. Nataliya Balashova, Basic & Translational Sciences
$49,398
Dr. Mark S. Wolff, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
$40,061
Scholarly Impact
The impact of faculty publications measured by the h index* is presented for a selection of faculty within both the clinical departments and the Department of Basic & Translational Sciences for the past five years. Career h-indexes are also included.
CLINICAL DEPARTMENTS FACULTY
SCOPUS H-INDEX LIFETIME 5-YEAR
Dr. Hyeran Helen Jeon, Orthodontics
4
4
Dr. Helen E. Giannakopoulos, Oral Surgery
6
3
Dr. Katherine France, Oral Medicine
3
3
Dr. Neeraj Panchal, Oral Surgery
3
3
Dr. Peter D. Quinn, Oral Surgery
15
2
Dr. Najeed Saleh, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
8
2
Dr. Eugene Ko, Oral Medicine
4
2
Dr. Hyun (Michel) Koo, Orthodontics/COH/Pediatrics 54
29
Dr. Takako Tanaka, Oral Medicine
4
2
Dr. Yu Zhang, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
41
22
Dr. Eva Anadioti, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
3
2
Dr. Dana Graves, Periodontics
67
20
Dr. Joan Gluch, Community Oral Health
3
2
Dr. Chider Chen, Oral Surgery
29
18
Dr. Nipul Tanna, Orthodontics
3
2
Dr. Geelsu Hwang, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
24
17
Dr. Temitope Omolehinwa, Oral Medicine
2
2
Dr. Yuan Liu, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
18
16
Dr. Ya-Hsin Yu, Endodontics
2
2
Dr. Eric Stoopler, Oral Medicine
16
16
Dr. Rochelle G. Lindemeyer, Pediatrics
4
1
Dr. Chenshuang Li, Orthodontics
13
12
Dr. Thomas R. Berardi, Oral Medicine
2
1
Dr. Bekir Karabucak, Endodontics
19
12
Dr. Yu Cheng Chang, Periodontics
1
1
Dr. Anh D. Le, Oral Surgery
40
11
Dr. Uri Hangorsky, Periodontics
1
1
Dr. Qunzhou Zhang, Oral Surgery
29
11
Dr. Steven Wang, Oral Surgery
1
1
Dr. Thomas Sollecito, Oral Medicine
19
11
Dr. Rabie Shanti, Oral Surgery
16
11
Dr. Betty Hajishengallis, Pediatrics
14
11
FACULTY
Dr. Patricia Corby, Oral Medicine
20
10
Dr. George Hajishengallis
59
30
Dr. Frank C. Setzer, Endodontics
17
10
Dr. Henry Daniell
70
25
Dr. Mark S. Wolff, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
28
9
Dr. Claire Mitchell
36
15
Dr. Markus B. Blatz, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
27
9
Dr. Kathleen Boesze-Battaglia
29
13
Dr. Esra Sahingur, Periodontics
13
9
Dr. Shuying (Sheri) Yang
21
12
Dr. Rodrigo Neiva, Periodontics
26
7
Dr. Tetsuhiro Kajikawa
13
11
Dr. Jonathan Korostoff, Periodontics
23
7
Dr. Gary Cohen
65
9
Dr. Mel Mupparapu, Oral Medicine
17
7
Dr. Hydar Ali
37
9
Dr. Elliot V. Hersh, Oral Surgery
28
6
Dr. Flavia Teles
21
9
Dr. Manjunatha Benakanakere, Periodontics
13
6
Dr. Yan Yuan
31
7
Dr. Joseph P. Fiorellini, Periodontics
33
5
Dr. Kelly Jordan-Sciutto
24
7
Dr. Martin S. Greenberg, Oral Medicine
24
5
Dr. Bruce Shenker
35
6
Dr. Fusun Ozer, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
22
5
Dr. Nataliya Balashova
16
6
Dr. Chun-Hsi Chung, Orthodontics
18
5
Dr. Faizan Alawi
19
5
Dr. Syngcuk Kim, Endodontics
32
4
Dr. Cagla Akay Espinoza
15
4
Dr. Sunday O. Akintoye, Oral Medicine
23
4
Dr. Xiaofei Li
13
4
Dr. Francis Mante, Preventive & Restorative Sciences
17
4
Dr. Robert P. Ricciardi
32
3
Dr. Hellen Teixeira, Orthodontics
13
4
Dr. Lee Ryan Carrasco, Oral Surgery
11
4
Dr. Eric Granquist, Oral Surgery
6
4
Dr. Su-Min Lee, Endodontics
4
4
DEPARTMENT OF BASIC & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES SCOPUS H-INDEX LIFETIME 5-YEAR
* The h-index was developed by J.E. Hirsch, Department of Physics, UCSD and attempts to measure the impact of an individual’s publications. As an example, an h-index of 20 means there are 20 publications that have 20 citations or more each in journals covered by the Scopus database.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 25
RESEARCHSPOTLIGHT
2020 High Impact Original Articles: Clinical Sciences
Within the School’s clinical departments, following is a selection of original research articles with Penn Dental Medicine faculty as first or senior authors published in 2020 in journals with high impact factors.* AUTHORS
ARTICLES
Paula AJ, Hwang G, Koo H.
Dynamics of bacterial population growth in biofilms resemble spatial and structural aspects of urbanization.
Li, C., Zheng, Z., Ha, P., Jiang, W., Berthiaume, E.A., Lee, S., Mills, Z., Pan, H., Chen, E.C., Jiang, J., Culiat, C.T., Zhang, X., Ting, K., Soo, C. Kim D, Barraza JP, Arthur RA, Hara A, Lewis K, Liu Y, Scisci EL, Hajishengallis E, Whiteley M, Koo H.
JOURNAL
DEPARTMENT
12.1
Nat Commun.
Orthodontics/Pediatrics/ Community Oral Health
Neural EGFL like 1 as a potential pro-chondrogenic, anti-inflammatory dual-functional disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug
10.3
Biomaterials Orthodontics
Spatial mapping of polymicrobial communities reveals a precise. biogeography associated with human dental caries.
9.4
Orthodontics/ Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Pediatrics/ Community Oral Health
Chang, T.-H., Shanti, R.M., Liang, Y., LGR5+ epithelial tumor stem-like cells Zeng, J., Shi, S., Alawi, F., generate a 3D-organoid model for Carrasco, L., Zhang, Q., Le, A.D. ameloblastoma
6.3
Cell Death Oral & Maxillofacial and Disease Surgery
5.1
Frontiers in Immunology
Li, Y., Mooney, E.C., Xia, X.-J., Gupta, N., Sahingur, S.E.
A20 Restricts Inflammatory Response and Desensitizes Gingival Keratinocytes to Apoptosis
IMPACT FACTOR
Periodontics
2020 High Impact Review Articles
Following is a selection of review articles with Penn Dental Medicine faculty as first or senior authors published in 2020 in journals with high impact factors.* AUTHORS
ARTICLES
IMPACT FACTOR
JOURNAL
DEPARTMENT
Graves, D.T., Ding, Z., Yang, Y.
The impact of diabetes on periodontal diseases
7.7
Periodontology Periodontics 2000
Hajishengallis G.
New developments in neutrophil biology and periodontitis
7.7
Periodontology 2000
Basic & Translational Sciences
Chen, C., Zhang, Q., Yu, W., Chang, B., Le, A.D.
Oral Mucositis: An Update on Innate Immunity and New Interventional Targets
4.9
Journal of Dental Research
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Hersh, E.V., Moore, P.A., Grosser, T., Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Polomano, R.C., Farrar, J.T., and Opioids in Postsurgical Dental Pain Saraghi, M., Juska, S.A., Mitchell, C.H., Theken, K.N.
4.9
Journal of Dental Research
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Teles, F.R.F., Alawi, F., Castilho, R.M., Wang, Y.
Association or Causation? Exploring the Oral Microbiome and Cancer Links
4.9
Journal of Basic & Translational Dental Research Sciences
Li, C., Zheng, Z.
Identification of novel targets of knee osteoarthritis shared by cartilage and synovial tissue
4.6
International Orthodontics Journal of Molecular Sciences
* The Impact Factor identifies the frequency with which an average article from a journal is cited in a particular year. This number can be used to evaluate or compare a journal’s relative importance to others in the same field. Journal impact factors are reported in Clarivate Analytics InCites™ Journal Citation Reports®. The JCR, 2017, was used for these figures.
26 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
2020 High Impact Original Articles: Basic & Translational Sciences
Within the School’s Department of Basic & Translational Sciences, following is a selection of original research articles with Penn Dental Medicine faculty as first or senior authors published in 2020 in journals with high impact factors.* AUTHORS
ARTICLES
IMPACT FACTOR
JOURNAL
Li X, Colamatteo A, Kalafati L, Kajikawa T, Wang H, Lim JH, Bdeir K, Chung KJ, Yu X, Fusco C, Porcellini A, De Simone S, Matarese G, Chavakis T, De Rosa V, Hajishengallis G.
The DEL-1/β3 integrin axis promotes regulatory T cell responses during inflammation resolution
11.9
J Clin Invest
Park, J., Yan, G., Kwon, K.-C., Liu, M., Gonnella, P.A., Yang, S., Daniell, H.
Oral delivery of novel human IGF-1 bioencapsulated in lettuce cells promotes musculoskeletal cell proliferation, differentiation and diabetic fracture healing
10.3
Biomaterials
Daniell, H., Mangu, V., Yakubov, B., Park, J., Habibi, P., Shi, Y., Gonnella, P.A., Fisher, A., Cook, T., Zeng, L., Kawut, S.M., Lahm, T.
Investigational new drug enabling angiotensin oral-delivery studies to attenuate pulmonary hypertension
10.3
Biomaterials
Yuan, G., Yang, S., Liu, M., Yang, S.
RGS12 is required for the maintenance of mitochondrial function during skeletal development
6.3
Cell Discovery
Ryan SK, Gonzalez MV, Garifallou JP, Bennett FC, Williams KS, Sotuyo NP, Mironets E, Cook K, Hakonarson H, Anderson SA, Jordan-Sciutto KL.
Neuroinflammation and EIF2 signaling persist despite antiretroviral treatment in an hiPSC tri-culture model of HIV infection.
6.0
Stem Cell Reports [Internet]
FY20 Patents Awards
The following patents were awarded to Penn Dental Medicine faculty in fiscal year 2020 as part of their research activities. PATENT TITLE
INVENTOR
Cellulose Digestion Via Plant Expressed Enzymes (utility)
Dr. Henry Daniell
Expression of Beta-Mannanase in Chloroplasts and its Utilization in Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass Hydrolysis (utility)
Dr. Henry Daniell
Plastid expressed cholera toxin b subunitexendin 4 to treat type 2 diabetes (national phase)
Dr. Henry Daniell
Compositions and Methods for Suppression of Inhibitor Formation Against Coagulation Factors in Hemophilia Patients by Oral Delivery of Antigens Bioencapsulated in Plant Cells (continuation) Dr. Henry Daniell Methods of Treating or Preventing Periodontitis and Diseases Associated with Periodontitis (continuation)
Dr. George Hajishengallis
Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Methods of Use Thereof (utility)
Dr. Hyun (Michel) Koo
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 27
RESEARCHSPOTLIGHT
2020 New Grant Awards
In 2020, the following new grants above $50,000 were awarded to Penn Dental Medicine faculty. The Impact of Oral Health on Metabolism and Persistent Inflammation in HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy (OHART) Principal Investigator: Dr. Temitope Omolehinwa, Dept. of Oral Medicine (NIH; Total Award $3,751,317, 5 years)
High Performance Antibacterial Fluoride-Releasing Dental Materials Principal Investigator: Dr. Hyun Koo, Dept. of Orthodontics, Divs. of Community Oral Health/Pediatric Dentistry (Subaward to LSU/NIH; Total Award $275,066 2 years)
Affordable Oral Delivery of Human Therapeutic Proteins Bioencapsulated in Plant Cells Principal Investigator: Dr. Henry Daniell, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences (NIH; Total Award $3,060,826, 4 years)
A one-year randomized, double-blind, active-controlled multi-center phase 2 clinical trial to assess the safety and the anti-caries efficacy of nonfluoride dentifrices with 1.5%, 4.0% and 8.0% arginine in comparison with 0.24% sodium fluoride (1100 ppm F) dentifrice Principal Investigator: Dr. David Hershkowitz, Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences (Colgate; Total Award $267,352, 2 years)
A. Actinomycetemcomitans Cdt Induces Pro-Inflammatory Innate Immune Responses Principal Investigator: Dr. Bruce Shenker, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences (NIH MPI R01; Total Award $2,611,952, 5 years) Novel Roles of GRK2 and beta-arrestin2 on mast cell-mediated allergy and Inflammation Principal Investigator: Dr. Hydar Ali, Dept. Basic & Translational Sciences (NIH; Total Award; $2,424,003, 5 years) Postdoctoral Training in General, Pediatric, and Public Health Dentistry Principal Investigator: Dr. David Hershkowitz, Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences (HRSA; Total Award $2,104,043, 5 years) IL-22, Immune Plasticity, and Autotherapy in the Periodontium Principal Investigator: Dr. George Hajishengallis, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences (NIH; Total Costs: $1,928,205, 5 years) Recycling of Metabolites from Ingested Outer Segments Supports Visual Function Principal Investigator: Dr. Kathleen Boesze Battaglia, Dept. of Basic and Translational Sciences (NIH-Competing Continuation; Total Award $1,835,279, 4 years) Aging and dysfunction of progenitor niches: Role of Del-1 Principal Investigator: Dr. George Hajishengallis, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences (NIH; Total Costs: $1,684,470, 5 years) Affordable Covid-19 Treatment and Mass Vaccination Principal Investigator: Dr. Henry Daniell, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences (NIH; Total Award $823,192, 9 months) Automated Device for Dental Biofilm Removal Using Robotics Principal Investigator: Dr. Hyun Koo, Professor, Dept. of Orthodontics, Divs. of Community Oral Health/Pediatric Dentistry (Proctor & Gamble; Total Award $800,000, 2 years) Therapeutic Potential of Gingival mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles Enriched with MFG-E8 in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Principal Investigator: Dr. Anh Le, Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NIH; Total Award $446,250, 2 years) Optimization of a Stapled-Peptide that Specifically Targets HSV-1 for Treating Herpes Ocular Keratitis Principal Investigator: Dr. Robert Ricciardi, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences (NIH through Fox Chase Cancer Center; $360,000, 2 years)
28 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
Demonstration of OTC Naproxen Sodium's (Aleve's) Anti-inflammatory Action in Dental Implant Surgery Patients Principal Investigator: Dr. Elliot Hersh, Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Bayer Health Care LLC; Total Award $203,362, 1 year) Bone Pathology in Kingella Kingae Infections Principal Investigator: Dr. Nataliya Balashova, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences (NIH; Total Award $162,355, 2 years) A Stepped-Care Approach to Treating Dental Fear: A Sequential, Multiple Assignment, Randomized Trial for Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment via Mobile App and Evidence-Based Collaborative Care Principal Investigator: Dr. Mark Wolff, Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences (NIH; Total Award $123,049, 2 years) Chemical and Metabolic Impact of L-arginine on Candida Albicans within Mixed-Species Community containing Cariogenic and Arginolytic Bacteria Principal Investigator: Dr. Hyun Koo, Dept. of Orthodontics, Divs. of Community Oral Health/Pediatric Dentistry (Colgate Palmolive Co.; Total Award $121,500, 1 year) Identification of PDLSCs natural stimulators for periodontal regeneration Principal Investigator: Dr. Chider Chen, Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Colgate; Total Award $120,000, 1 year) Prospective Clinical Evaluation of Posterior Single-tooth Zirconia Ceramic Restorations Principal Investigator: Dr. Markus Blatz, Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences (Ivoclar Vivadent Inc.; Total Award $62,402, 1 year)
FACULTYPERSPECTIVE VIEWS ON DENTAL TOPICS & TRENDS
“I am honored to be part of a new initiative here at Penn Dental Medicine aimed at training our dental students to become competent in the delivery of high quality oral health care to this underserved population. ” — DR. MIRIAM ROBBINS
Contributed by Dr. Miriam Robbins, Director, Penn Dental Medicine Care Center for Persons with Disabilities
Preparing Students to Deliver Care to Person with Disabilities Oral health continues to be an important health issue for the nearly 61 million adults in the United States living with a disability due to difficulty in accessing dental care. This is especially true for patients with developmental or intellectual disabilities. One of the greatest barriers continues to be finding oral health care practitioners with the skills, experience, or capacity to care for people with disabilities. Until recently, there was no clear mandate to provide hands-on training to dental and dental hygiene students in the treatment of patients with disabilities beyond assessing the treatment needs, which frequently meant referring the patient to a hospital clinic. This changed in 2020, when the Commission on Dental Accreditation made a small but critical change to Standard 2-25 of the Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs, which relates to patients with special health
care needs. New language was added stating that graduates of predoctoral dental programs must be competent not only in assessing the treatment needs of patients with special health care needs, but also in providing treatment as well. This has opened the door to seek ways to ensure that all graduates have meaningful experiences in dental school in treating patients with conditions that may require modifications in the delivery of routine dental care. I am honored to be part of a new initiative here at Penn Dental Medicine aimed at training our dental students to become competent in the delivery of high quality oral health care to this underserved population. There will certainly not be a lack of patients in need of care for students at Penn Dental Medicine to treat in the new, state-of-the-art Personalized Care Center of the School’s Care Center for Persons with
Disabilities, a 12-chair facility designed to accommodate patients with a variety of medical, physical, psychological, and cognitive conditions (see story, page 12). According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 16% of all Philadelphians — roughly 246,000 people — had a physical, emotional, or cognitive disability, making it the city with the largest disabled population among America’s 10 largest cities. This facility will provide a unique educational experience for dental students, and eventually residents, that focuses on nongeneral anesthesia delivery of dental treatment; individualized caries risk assessment and minimally invasive caries treatment plans; implementation of personalized oral health care and prevention plans, including diet modifications; and hands-on education for caregivers in the delivery of oral hygiene. Third- and fourth-year dental students will work in pairs to provide comprehensive dental treatment to patients with a variety of medical complexities and/or disabilities. Emphasis will be on teaching the students how to comprehensively evaluate a patient with special health care needs from both a bottom-up view that analyzes the underlying continued on page 44
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 29
“Dr. Zhang is one of the most respected if not the most respected dental ceramic researchers in the world. His research, bridging the gap between dental material sciences and clinical practice, will take our scholarly activities to the next level.” — DR. MARKUS BLATZ
APPLYING PHYSICS EXPERTISE TO MAKING BRIGHTER SMILES WITH A BACKGROUND IN PHYSICS AND MATERIAL SCIENCE, DR. YU ZHANG IS ADVANCING THE FIELD OF DENTAL CERAMICS CERAMICS, SPECIFICALLY ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE, OR ZIRCONIA FOR SHORT, has become increasingly relied upon in dentistry. From crowns and bridges to other applications, the resulting products can restore function and beauty to patients’ smiles. While beautiful and hard, ceramics are also brittle and susceptible to fracture. For Dr. Yu Zhang, Professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, unraveling the challenges and developing solutions within the field of dental ceramics has become his professional pursuit. Having joined the Penn Dental Medicine faculty in July, he brings a unique background in both physics and materials science. With 130 scientific publications and counting, Dr. Zhang has for the last two decades applied this expertise to the problem of how to improve dental materials, making them both a good aesthetic match for natural teeth, while also enhancing their strength and durability. “I came into the dental field with experience in material properties and material characterization techniques,” says Dr. Zhang. “By bringing all that into dentistry, where
OPPOSITE: Dr. Yu Zhang, Professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, joined Penn Dental Medicine in July 2020.
researchers had not been exposed to the types of research my colleagues and I had been doing in physics and engineering, it has allowed us to make some interesting insights and advancements and continue improving the materials dentists use to treat patients.” For Dr. Zhang’s new colleagues at Penn Dental Medicine, including Dr. Markus Blatz, Professor and Chair of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, his presence in the School opens a host of possibilities for collaboration and innovation. “Dr. Zhang is one of the most respected if not the most respected dental ceramic researchers in the world,” says Dr. Blatz. “His research, bridging the gap between dental material sciences and clinical practice, will take our scholarly activities and global reputation to the next level. And his expertise in CAD/CAM ceramics is an especially nice fit, given our enhanced focus on digital innovation.”
AN UNEXPECTED ROUTE As an undergraduate and master’s student in Shanghai, China, and Victoria, Australia, respectively, Dr. Zhang enjoyed the intellectual pull of physics. He also spent several years working in industry as an engineer. But as he was concluding his master’s degree, it became clear that stopping his education there would limit his career options. But he was married with a child at that point, and securing an income was important. “I was fortunate to get an Australian postgraduate award from the government, which was very generous, and would allow me to pursue a Ph.D. in physics at the University of Melbourne,” says Dr. Zhang. He accepted the award and began his studies, but after “a lot of soul searching” and consideration of his family’s future, he saw
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 31
BRIGHTERSMILES more possibilities in engineering. He went on to transfer to Monash University, where he earned a Ph.D. in 2002 in materials science and engineering. His background in physics came in handy while pursuing materials research. “There was a lot of talk about crystal structure,” he says, “so that was a nice transition.” In that time period, Dr. Zhang recalls absorbing the insights of seminal papers from Penn faculty members, including a 1997 Nature paper by I-Wei Chen of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, focused on a lightweight yet hard and tough ceramic material. Reading such works about how to develop stronger, more durable materials inspired him, and he was able to put that motivation to use in a postdoctoral position, working with Brian Lawn, an Australian who worked at the U.S. government’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, based in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. His move to the United States also marked Dr. Zhang’s transition into the dental field. Lawn placed him on a project aimed at reducing the brittleness of ceramic materials. Zirconia was introduced as a material used in restorative dentistry around this time, beginning to replace the traditional gold crowns and porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations. “In dentistry people look to ceramics from an aesthetic point of view — how beautiful it can be in restorations — but frequently overlook how susceptible to fracture it is,” notes Dr. Zhang. Combining his training in materials with Lawn’s expertise in mechanics, the two began investigating how manipulating materials could achieve more desirable properties. Their work attracted attention from the dental community.
ABOVE: Dr. Zhang and Sonaj Vardhaman setting up a fatigue test on a mouth motion simulator. OPPOSITE: Niyati Reddy analyzing wear facets on an anatomically correct monolithic zirconia crown using a stereo microscope.
32 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
“When you put two different materials together, there are thermomechanical stresses that arise. I thought up a way to circumvent this problem.” — DR. YU ZHANG
BEAUTY AND MIGHT These successes also helped land Dr. Zhang his first position as an independent investigator, at New York University’s College of Dentistry, where he would remain for 15 years. A focus over that time was on zirconia, an attractive restorative material for its strength, if not its durability. But as a white, opaque material, it was far from lifelike. “It’s pure white,” says Dr. Zhang. “Maybe that’s good if you’re in Hollywood, but for ordinary people it’s not a good match for the various shades of natural-looking teeth.” The conventional solution is to place a layer of porcelain over the zirconia. But when these two materials are fused one on top of the other, the porcelain becomes more susceptible to fracture. Zhang recognized this as a problem that could be addressed with physics. “When you put two different materials together, there are thermomechanical stresses that arise,” he says. “I thought up a way to circumvent this problem.”
The solution was to avoid the “sharp” interface altogether by instead creating a product in which one side of the material was all zirconia, and the other was all porcelain, but the fractions of each gradually change across the interface. Working with Lawn, he got a grant to develop and study such gradient materials in 2007, work that continued being funded for 10 years. Additional composition manipulations could even give ceramic materials bioactive properties, perhaps repelling microbes. “This could be of great use in dental restorations as well as craniofacial implants,” he says. To address the somewhat unnatural opaque appearance of zirconia, Dr. Zhang had another innovative approach. “The goal is to make the material translucent with respect to visible light,” he says. “If it’s translucent in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelengths of light, it won’t matter because we don’t see those.”
Instead, he picked the light to which the human eye is most sensitive: green light at a wavelength of 555 nanometers. “If we shine this green light through zirconia, we’ll perceive it as translucent,” he says. Based on work in classical physics light-scattering theory, which he had studied during his undergraduate and master’s years, he proposed adjusting the microstructure to make zirconia translucent while maintaining its durability, publishing a paper on the breakthrough in 2014. “We use light-scattering theory to calculate what microstructures we desire,” says Dr. Zhang. “Then when we go to the lab to make the materials, we use an idea that I-Wei Chen published in Nature in 2000 that shows you can densify ceramic if you bring it to a very high temperature for a moment, then drop the temperature.” That two-step sintering process allows for the precise manipulation of material microstructure.
NEXT-GENERATION MATERIALS Other applications of this type of manipulation abound. Dr. Zhang notes that in conversation with Dr. Mark S. Wolff, Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, who overlapped with him during his tenure at NYU, they have discussed how X-rays do not penetrate zirconia, making it difficult to see if there is decay underneath a crown or other restoration in the mouth. If Dr. Zhang applied a similar principal to zirconia as he did when making it translucent under green light, he could create an imaging method that would allow dentists to “see” under restorations to maintain patients’ oral health. Working with Jian Xu of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Louisiana State University, the team is currently fine-tuning wavelengths to image through zirconia and other dental ceramic materials. Dr. Niyati Reddy, a research assistant in the Zhang lab, is part of the team helping develop more advanced materials for dental health applications. Another novel approach to dentalmaterials creation that Dr. Zhang is looking forward to exploring at Penn has to do with the processes by which dental products are
crafted into the size and shape required for use in patients. Typically, dental technicians grind ceramic restorative materials using diamond burs to give them the correct final form. This grinding requires frequent replacement of the expensive burs, plus it exerts a lot of stresses on the zirconia to achieve surface removal by chipping away small amounts of material. By potentially introducing tiny cracks into the finished product, this approach can compromise the long-term stability of products, as the cracks serve as weak points that can lead to product failure when subject to the normal stresses of chewing and grinding. By using a different approach, known as “ductile machining,” it avoids introducing these defects, achieving an accuracy of form, and maintaining the integrity of the material while preserving diamond burs. Dr. Zhang has submitted a grant to pursue this study. “It’s the best of both worlds,” he says. “You preserve the tool, and at the same time, you get a better product.”
SYNERGISTIC STRENGTHS Dr. Zhang was eager to come to Penn to collaborate with Drs. Wolff, Blatz, Chen, and others, including Michael Bergler of Penn Dental Medicine’s Center for Virtual Treatment Planning, “a craftsman,” as Dr. Zhang describes him. “Michael has a lot of experience in machining and grinding materials, because he’s a superb technician,” says Dr. Zhang. “I benefit a lot by talking with him, by working with him, and I’m hoping he can be part of the grant I’m working on to develop new protocols for machining ceramics.” Already in close collaboration with Dean Wolff and Dr. Blatz on improving materials for prosthodontic procedures, Dr. Zhang also hopes to expand collaborations across the University, reaching the medical and engineering schools as well. “We have so many strong clinicians and researchers here,” he says. “I want to strengthen my own research by learning from all of them.”
“You can densify ceramic if you bring it to a very high temperature for a moment, then drop the temperature.” — DR. YU ZHANG
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 33
ACADEMICUPDATE
DEPARTMENT/FACULTY NEWS & SCHOLARSHIP
BASIC & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES NEWS/ACHIEVEMENTS
Dr. George Hajishengallis was included as part of the Highly Cited Researchers™ 2020 list from Clarivate. This annual list identifies researchers who have demonstrated significant influence in their chosen field or fields through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade. Dr. George Hajishengallis will be the keynote speaker at the NIH workshop on “Metabolic Regulation of Inflammation and its Resolution in Disease Development”, Bethesda, Md., June 28–30, 2021, presenting ‘Immunometabolic crosstalk in trained immunity and inflammation’.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold). Alawi F. Oral health care providers should be administering vaccines. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2021 Mar;131(3):267-268. Atanasiu D, Saw WT, Cairns TM, Eisenberg RJ, Cohen GH. Using Split Luciferase Assay and anti-HSV Glycoprotein Monoclonal Antibodies to Predict a Functional Binding Site Between gD and gH/gL. J Virol. 2021 Jan 27:JVI.00053-21. Babina M, Wang Z, Roy S, Guhl S, Franke K, Artuc M, Ali H, Zuberbier T. MRGPRX2 Is the Codeine Receptor of Human Skin Mast Cells: Desensitization through β-Arrestin and Lack of Correlation with the FcεRI Pathway. J Invest Dermatol. 2020 Oct 13:S0022-202X(20)32150-3. Bao K, Li X, Poveda L, Qi W, Selevsek N, Gumus P, Emingil G, Grossmann J, Diaz PI, Hajishengallis G, Bostanci N, Belibasakis GN. Proteome and Microbiome Mapping of Human Gingival Tissue in Health and Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020 Oct 2;10:588155.
34 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
Behtaj M, Alawi F, Shanti RM, Cannady S, Zhang PJ, Modi M, Lamzabi I. Report of a Rare Case of Spindle Cell Ameloblastic Carcinoma and the Diagnostic Utility of Immunohistochemistry. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2021 Jan 19. Bertolini TB, Biswas M, Terhorst C, Daniell H, Herzog RW, Piñeros AR. Role of orally induced regulatory T cells in immunotherapy and tolerance. Cell Immunol. 2021 Jan;359:104251. nnawarat A, Roy S, Oskeritzian CA, Ali H. MRGPRX2 activation by rocuronium: Insights from studies with human skin mast cells and missense variants. Cells [Internet]. 2021 Jan 15;10(1):156. Daniell H, Jin S, Zhu XG, Gitzendanner MA, Soltis DE, Soltis PS. Green giant a tiny chloroplast genome with mighty power to produce high-value proteins: History and phylogeny. Plant Biotechnol J [Internet]. 2021 Jan 23
Hajishengallis G. Local destruction from distant action. J Leukoc Biol. 2020 Oct;108(4):1033-1035.. Hajishengallis G, Diaz PI. Porphyromonas gingivalis: Immune subversion activities and role in periodontal dysbiosis. Curr Oral Health Rep. 2020 Mar;7(1):12-21. Hajishengallis G, Li X, Chavakis T. Immunometabolic control of hematopoiesis. Mol Aspects Med. 2021 Feb;77:100923. Hoare A, Wang H, Meethil A, Abusleme L, Hong BY, Moutsopoulos NM, Marsh PD, Hajishengallis G, Diaz PI. A cross-species interaction with a symbiotic commensal enables cell-density-dependent growth and in vivo virulence of an oral pathogen. ISME J. 2020 Dec 28. Hajishengallis G, Chavakis T. Local and systemic mechanisms linking periodontal disease and inflammatory comorbidities. Nat Rev Immunol. 2021 Jan 28:1–15.
LaTourette PC,2nd, Awasthi S, Desmond A, Pardi N, Cohen GH, Weissman D, Friedman HM. Protection against herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in a neonatal murine model using a trivalent nucleoside-modified mRNA in lipid nanoparticle vaccine. Vaccine [Internet]. 2020 Nov 3;38(47):7409-13. Mitroulis I, Hajishengallis G, Chavakis T. Trained Immunity and Cardiometabolic Disease: The Role of Bone Marrow. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2021 Jan;41(1):48-54. Occhialini A, Pfotenhauer AC, Frazier TP, Li L, Harbison SA, Lail AJ, Mebane Z, Piatek AA, Rigoulot SB, Daniell H, Stewart CN,Jr, Lenaghan SC. Generation, analysis, and transformation of macro-chloroplast potato (solanum tuberosum) lines for chloroplast biotechnology. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2020 Dec 3;10(1):21144-x.
Daniell H. PBJ ranks higher, enhances diversity and offers free global access. Plant Biotechnol J [Internet]. 2021 Jan;19(1):3-4. Feres M, Retamal-Valdes B, Gonçalves C, Cristina Figueiredo L, Teles F. Did Omics change periodontal therapy? Periodontol 2000. 2021 Feb;85(1):182-209. Fu C, Yuan G, Yang ST, Zhang D (Co-author Dept. of Orthodontics), Yang S. RGS12 Represses Oral Cancer via the Phosphorylation and SUMOylation of PTEN. J Dent Res. 2020 Nov 16:22034520972095. Yuan, G., Yang S., Lou, W., Gautam, M., Yang,S., Macrophage Regulator of G-protein signaling 12 Contributes to Inflammatory Pain Hypersensitivity. Annals of Translational Medicine, 2020, Dec 24. Guan H, Nuth M, Lee V, Lin C, Mitchell CH, Lu W, Scott RW, Parker MH, Kulp JL 3rd, Reitz AB, Ricciardi RP. Herpes Simplex Virus-1 infection in human primary corneal epithelial cells is blocked by a stapled peptide that targets processive DNA synthesis. Ocul Surf. 2021 Jan;19:313-321.
PRIMING IMMUNE SYSTEM An international team, co-led by Dr. George Hajishengallis, showed how immune ‘training’ transforms certain immune cells to target tumors. See the following article:
Kalafati L, Kourtzelis I, Schulte-Schrepping J, Li X, Hatzioannou A, Grinenko T, Hagag E, Sinha A, Has C, Dietz S, de Jesus Domingues AM, Nati M, Sormendi S, Neuwirth A, Chatzigeorgiou A, Ziogas A, Lesche M, Dahl A, Henry I, Subramanian P, Wielockx B, Murray P, Mirtschink P, Chung KJ, Schultze JL, Netea MG, Hajishengallis G, Verginis P, Mitroulis I, Chavakis T. Innate Immune Training of Granulopoiesis Promotes Anti-tumor Activity. Cell. 2020 Oct 29;183(3):771-785.e12.
Qin L, Li J, Wang Q, Xu Z, Sun L, Alariqi M, Manghwar H, Wang G, Li B, Ding X, Rui H, Huang H, Lu T, Lindsey K, Daniell H, Zhang X, Jin S (2020) High-efficient and precise base editing of C center dot G to T center dot A in the allotetraploid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) genome using a modified CRISPR/Cas9 system. Plant Biotechnology Journal 18: 45-56. Rahman WU, Osickova A, Klimova N, Lora J, Balashova N, Osicka R. Binding of kingella kingae RtxA toxin depends on cell surface oligosaccharides, but not on β(2) integrins. Int J Mol Sci [Internet]. 2020 Nov 29;21(23):9092. Roth LM, Zidane B, Festa L, Putatunda R, Romer M, Monnerie H, Jordan-Sciutto KL, Grinspan JB. Differential effects of integrase strand transfer inhibitors, elvitegravir and raltegravir, on oligodendrocyte maturation: A role for the integrated stress response. Glia [Internet]. 2021 Feb;69(2):362-76. Ryan SK, Jordan-Sciutto KL, Anderson SA. Protocol for tri-culture of hiPSCderived neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. STAR Protoc [Internet]. 2020 Dec 1;1(3):100190. Shao X, Guha S, Lu W, Campagno KE, Beckel JM, Mills JA, Yang W, Mitchell CH. Polarized Cytokine Release Triggered by P2X7 Receptor from Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells Dependent on Calcium Influx. Cells. 2020 Nov 24;9(12):2537. Teles F, Wang Y (Co-author Dept. of Periodontics), Hajishengallis G, Hasturk H, Marchesan JT. Impact of systemic factors in shaping the periodontal microbiome. Periodontol 2000 [Internet]. 2021 Feb;85(1):126-60. Thapaliya M, Chompunud Na Ayudhya C, Amponnawarat A, Roy S, Ali H. Mast cell-specific MRGPRX2: A key modulator of neuro-immune interaction in allergic diseases. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep [Internet]. 2021 Jan 4;21(1):3-5. Yao L, Tichy ED, Zhong L, Mohanty S, Wang L, Ai E, Yang S, Mourkioti F, Qin L. Gli1 defines a subset of fibroadipogenic progenitors that promote skeletal muscle regeneration with less fat accumulation. J Bone Miner Res [Internet]. 2021 Feb 2 Yu W, Zhong L, Yao L, Wei Y, Gui T, Li Z, Kim H, Holdreith N, Jiang X, Tong W, Dyment N, Liu XS, Yang S, Choi Y, Ahn J, Qin L. Bone marrow adipogenic lineage precursors promote osteoclastogenesis in bone remodeling and pathologic bone loss. J Clin Invest [Internet]. 2021 Jan 19;131(2):e140214.
Yuan G, Yang S, Liu M, Yang S. RGS12 is required for the maintenance of mitochondrial function during skeletal development. Cell Discov. 2020 Sep 1;6:59. Ziogas A, Sajib MS, Lim JH, Alves TC, Das A, Witt A, Hagag E, Androulaki N, Grossklaus S, Gerlach M, Noll T, Grinenko T, Mirtschink P, Hajishengallis G, Chavakis T, Mikelis CM,Sprott D. Glycolysis is integral to histamine-induced endothelial hyperpermeability. FASEB J [Internet]. 2021 Mar;35(3):e21425.
ENDODONTICS
UPDATE 2021
General Medicine for Dental Medicine November 13, 2021
Presented by
Penn Dental Medicine www.dental.upenn.edu/oralmed2021
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold). Chen SJ, Karabucak B, Steffen JJ, Yu YH, Kohli MR. Spectrophotometric Analysis of Coronal Tooth Discoloration Induced by Tricalcium Silicate Cements in the Presence of Blood. J Endod. 2020 Dec;46(12):1913-1919.
Alhendi FJ, Werth VP, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET. Systemic sclerosis: Update for oral health care providers. Spec Care Dentist [Internet]. 2020 Sep;40(5):418-30.
ORAL MEDICINE NEWS/AWARDS
Bindakhil M, Mupparapu M. Cone Beam CT evaluation of bilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia with unilateral mandibular hypertrophy. J Orofac Sci 2020; 12(1):61-63.
Matny LE, Ruparel NB, Levin MD, Noujeim M, Diogenes A. A Volumetric Assessment of External Cervical Resorption Cases and Its Correlation to Classification, Treatment Planning, and Expected Prognosis. J Endod. 2020 Aug;46(8):1052-1058. Safi C, Kohli MR, Kratchman SI, Setzer FC, Karabucak B. Response to: Problematic conclusion. J Endod [Internet]. 2020 Dec;46(12):1928-9. Setzer FC, Karabucak B. Surgical Endodontics. In: Ørstavik D. ed. Essential Endodontology: Prevention and Treatment of Apical Periodontitis, 3rd edition. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell; 2020;345-68. Yu YH, Kushnir L, Kohli M, Karabucak B. Comparing the incidence of postoperative pain after root canal filling with warm vertical obturation with resin-based sealer and sealer-based obturation with calcium silicate-based sealer: a prospective clinical trial. Clin Oral Investig. 2021 Feb 8. Zheng Z, Yan H, Setzer FC, Shi KJ, Mupparapu M (Co-author Dept. of Oral Medicine), Li J. Anatomically Constrained Deep Learning for Automating Dental CBCT Segmentation and Lesion Detection. IEEE Trans Autom Sci Eng. 2020; doi: 10.1109/ TASE.2020.3025871.
Bindakhil M, Shanti RM, Mupparapu M (Co-author Dept. of Oral Surgery/ Pharmacology). Raloxifene-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) with no exposure to bisphosphonates: clinical and radiographic findings. Quintessence Int. 2021;0(0):2-7. Dr. Miriam Robbins was recognized by the American Academy of Oral Medicine with its Craig S. Miller Diamond Pin Award — the highest award offered by the Academy. The award is presented for unusual, exceptional, and dedicated service to the Academy.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold). Alamoudi W, Tanaka T, Stoopler E, Sollecito T, France K. Oral and systemic impacts of electronic nicotine delivery systems: A narrative review. Compend Contin Educ Dent [Internet]. 2021 Jan;42(1):26,31; quiz 32. Alawi F, Shields BE, Omolehinwa T. (Co-author Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences), Rosenbach M. Oral Granulomatous Disease. Dermatol Clin. 2020 Oct;38(4):429-439.
Bindakhil MA, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET. Implications of tattoos that oral healthcare providers should consider. Compend Contin Educ Dent [Internet]. 2020 Oct;41(9):e10-1. Brennan MT, Treister NS, Sollecito TP, Schmidt BL, Patton LL, Yang Y, Lin A, Elting LS, Hodges JS, Lalla RV. Epidemiologic factors in patients with advanced head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy. Head Neck [Internet]. 2021 Jan;43(1):164-72. Chompunud Na Ayudhya C, Alawi F, Akintoye SO (Co-author Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences). Unusual oral multifocal epithelial hyperplasia in an adult african-american lung transplant patient. Transpl Infect Dis [Internet]. 2020 Oct 23:e13497.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 35
ACADEMICUPDATE Durgin JS, Rodriguez O, Sollecito T, Tanaka T, English JC,3rd, Shields BE, Rosenbach M. Diagnosis, clinical features, and management of patients with granulomatous cheilitis. JAMA Dermatol [Internet]. 2021 Jan 1;157(1):112-4.
Mupparapu M, Shi KJ, Lo AD, Setzer FC (Co-author Dept. of Endodontics). Novel 3D segmentation for reliable volumetric assessment of the nasal airway: A CBCT study. Quintessence Int [Internet]. 2020 Oct 28:2-12.
France K, Hangorsky U. (Co-author Dept. of Periodontics) , Wu CW, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET. Participation in an existing massive open online course in dentistry during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Dent Educ [Internet]. 2021 Jan;85(1):78-81.
Mupparapu M, Lo A. Disinfection trends of dental X-ray machines in North American Dental Schools. J Orofac Sci 2020; 12(1):3-8.
France K, Hangorsky U. (Co-author Dept. of Periodontics), Wu CW, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on online oral medicine education as viewed through increased engagement in the oral cavity: Portal to health and disease. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol [Internet]. 2021 Mar;131(3):380-2. France K, Hangorsky U (Co-author Dept. of Periodontics), Wu CW, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET. Analysis of the oral cavity: Portal to health and disease, a massive open online course in oral medicine. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol [Internet]. 2020 Dec;130(6):659-66. Ko E, Panchal N (Co-author Dept. of Oral Surgery and Pharmacology). Pigmented lesions. Dermatol Clin [Internet]. 2020 Oct;38(4):485-94. Kulkarni R, Alawi F, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET (Co-author Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences). Chronic symptomatic oral ulcers. J Am Dent Assoc. 2020 Dec 12:S0002-8177(20)30709-1. Kulkarni R, Ashshi R, Mupparapu M, Tanaka TI, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET. Persistent orofacial pain associated with nasopharyngeal extramedullary plasmacytoma. Spec Care Dentist [Internet]. 2020 Sep;40(5):519-24. Kulkarni R, Alawi F, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET (Co-author Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences. Chronic symptomatic oral ulcers. J Am Dent Assoc. 2020 Dec 12:S0002-8177(20)30709-1. MacDonald DS, Colosi DC, Mupparapu M, Kumar V, Shintaku WH, Ahmad M. Guidelines for oral and maxillofacial imaging: COVID-19 considerations. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol [Internet]. 2021 Jan;131(1):99-110.
36 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
ORAL SURGERY/ PHARMACOLOGY NEWS/ACHIEVEMENTS
Laniado N, Hersh EV, Badner VM, Saraghi M. Prescribing Analgesics for Postoperative Dental Pain. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2020 Oct;41(9):466473; quiz 474.
Mupparapu M, DeLaura TL, Dimitrova BL, Lo AD, Singer SR. Evaluation of diagnostic radiology acumen between 2 groups of clinical dental students. J Dent Educ [Internet]. 2021 Jan 27 Mupparapu M, Dayo AF, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET. A novel controlled-capture digital radiographic acquisition using a PACS system. J Dent Educ. 2020 Dec 13. doi: 10.1002/jdd.12512. Mupparapu M, Dayo AF, Sollecito TP, Stoopler ET. Rapid radiology training for junior dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Dent Educ. 2020 Nov 23:10.1002/jdd.12501. Omolehinwa TT, Stoopler ET. Mouth Ulcers in Children. NYSDJ. 2020 Nov. Sherrell W, Desai B, Sollecito TP. Dental considerations in patients with oral mucosal diseases. Dermatol Clin [Internet]. 2020 Oct;38(4):535-41. Stoopler ET, Kulkarni R, Alawi F, Sollecito TP. Novel combination therapy of hydroxychloroquine and topical tacrolimus for chronic ulcerative stomatitis. Int J Dermatol. 2020 Sep 24. Stoopler ET. Oral Medicine achieves specialty recognition by the American Dental Association. J Orofac Sci 2020; 12: 1-2. Stoopler ET. Mycophenolate mofetil-induced oral ulcers: Another oral mucosal complication in solid organ transplantation. Spec Care Dentist [Internet]. 2021 Jan;41(1):125-6. Van Cleave JH, Fu MR, Bennett AV, Concert C, Riccobene A, Tran A, Most A, Kamberi M, Mojica J, Savitski J, Kusche E, Persky MS, Li Z, Jacobson AS, Hu KS, Persky MJ, Liang E, Corby PM, Egleston BL. The usefulness of the Electronic Patient Visit Assessment (ePVA)© as a clinical support tool for real-time interventions in head and neck cancer. Mhealth. 2021 Jan 20;7:7.
Graillon N, Le AD, Chang BM, Shanti RM. Utility of decellularised urinary bladder extracellular matrix in full mucosalisation of a post-oncological maxillectomy defect. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg [Internet]. 2020 Dec;58(10):e323-5.
Li Y, Ye Z, Yang W, Zhang Q, Zeng J. An Update on the Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Cutaneous Diseases. Stem Cells Int. 2021 Jan 5;2021:8834590. doi: 10.1155/2021/8834590. Dr. Helen Giannakopoulos was recognized for excellence in teaching as one of the eight faculty members University wide to receive a 2021 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at Penn.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold). Bahekar R, Panchal N, Soman S, Desai J, Patel D, Argade A, Gite A, Gite S, Patel B, Kumar J, S S, Patel H, Sundar R, Chatterjee A, Mahapatra J, Patel H, Ghoshdastidar K, Bandyopadhyay D, Desai RC. Discovery of diaminopyrimidine-carboxamide derivatives as JAK3 inhibitors. Bio org Chem [Internet]. 2020 Jun;99:103851. Civantos AM, Viswanathan S, Prasad A, Maldonado ST, Brody RM, Cannady SB, Newman JG, Shanti RM, Brant JA, Rajasekaran K. Role of elective neck dissection and adjuvant radiation therapy in patients with polymorphous adenocarcinoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol [Internet]. 2021 Jan 3 Farahi A, Buchbinder WF, Adappa ND, Granquist E, Alawi F (Co-author Dept. of Basic and Translational Sciences). Chronic maxillary sinusitis discomfort. J Ame Dent. Assoc.
Moon HS, Wang TT, Rajasekaran K, Brewster R, Shanti RM, Panchal N. Optimizing telemedicine encounters for oral and maxillofacial surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2021 Feb;131(2):166-172. doi: 10.1016/j. oooo.2020.08.015. Moore PA, Hersh EV. Just-in-case opioid prescribing. J Dent Educ. 2020 Dec;84(12):1327-1328. Mulry E, Husain S, Gigliotti A, Leahy K, Shanti R, Rajasekaran K. Submucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue presenting as lingual abscess. Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surgery. 5(3). Nakao Y, Fukuda T, Zhang Q, Sanui T, Shinjo T, Kou X, Chen C, Liu D, Watanabe Y, Hayashi C, Yamato H, Yotsumoto K, Tanaka U, Taketomi T, Uchiumi T, Le AD, Shi S, Nishimura F. Exosomes from TNF-α-treated human gingiva-derived MSCs enhance M2 macrophage polarization and inhibit periodontal bone loss. Acta Biomater [Internet]. 2021 Mar 1;122:306-24. Panzer KV, Burrell JC, Helm KVT, Purvis EM, Zhang Q, Le AD, O'Donnell JC, Cullen DK. Tissue engineered bands of büngner for accelerated motor and sensory axonal outgrowth. Front Bioeng Biotechnol [Internet]. 2020 Nov 20;8:580654. Pouraghaei Sevari S, Ansari S, Chen C, Moshaverinia A. Harnessing Dental Stem Cell Immunoregulation Using Cell-Laden Biomaterials. J Dent Res. 2021 Jan 21:22034520985820.
Rekawek P, Carr BR, Boggess WJ, Coburn JF, Chuang SK, Panchal N, Ford BP. Hygiene recall in diabetic and nondiabetic patients: A periodic prognostic factor in the protection against peri-implantitis? J Oral Maxillofac Surg [Internet]. 2020 Dec 29. Rekawek P, Kim P, Rekawek P, Panchal N. Partner violence during pregnancy: The role of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. J Oral Maxillofac Surg [Internet]. 2021 Feb;79(2):279-81. Rekawek P, Graves LL, Panchal N, Schlieve T. Navigating the virtual match: Pitfalls of the virtual interview. J Oral Maxillofac Surg [Internet]. 2020 Oct 13. Shanti RM, Tanaka T (co-author Dept. of Oral Medicine), Stanton DC. Oral biopsy techniques. Dermatol Clin [Internet]. 2020 Oct;38(4):421-7. Shi HZ, Zeng JC, Shi SH, Giannakopoulos H, Zhang QZ, Le AD. Extracellular vesicles of GMSCs alleviate aging-related cell senescence. J Dent Res [Internet]. 2020 Oct 17: 22034520962463. Sperry MM, Granquist EJ, Winkelstein BA. Increased substance P and synaptic remodeling occur in the trigeminal sensory system with sustained osteoarthritic TMJ pain. PainReports. Accepted December, 2020. Tian J, Kou X, Wang R, Jing H, Chen C, Tang J, Mao X, Zhao B, Wei X, Shi S. Autophagy controls mesenchymal stem cell therapy in psychological stress colitis mice. Autophagy [Internet]. 2020 Sep 17:1-18. Wang TT, Delgado MK, Hersh EV, Panchal N. Peer Comparisons to Increase Responsible Opioid Prescribing Among Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 Dec 16:S02782391(20)31510-X. Yang SC, Wang TT, Giannakopoulos HE, Saghezchi S. The Virtual Residency Fair: A Legacy of the COVID-19 Era and an Opportunity for the Future. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021 Feb;79(2):275-276. Yu W, Chen C, Kou X, Sui B, Yu T, Liu D, Wang R, Wang J, Shi S. Mechanical force-driven TNFα endocytosis governs stem cell homeostasis. Bone Res. 2021 Jan1;8(1):44.
ORTHODONTICS SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold). Chan A, Ellepola K, Truong T, Balan P, Koo H, Seneviratne CJ. Inhibitory effects of xylitol and sorbitol on streptococcus mutans and candida albicans biofilms are repressed by the presence of sucrose. Arch Oral Biol [Internet]. 2020 Nov;119:104886. Heimisdottir LH, Lin BM, Cho H, Orlenko A, Ribeiro AA, Simon-Soro A, Roach J, Shungin D, Ginnis J, Simancas-Pallares MA, Spangler HD, ZandonĂ¡ AGF, Wright JT, Ramamoorthy P, Moore JH, Koo H, Wu D, Divaris K. Metabolomics Insights in Early Childhood Caries. J Dent Res. 2021 Jan 9:22034520982963. Huang Y, Liu Y, Shah S, Kim D, Simon-Soro A, Ito T, Hajfathalian M, Li Y, Hsu JC, Nieves LM, Alawi F, Naha PC, Cormode DP, Koo H. (Co-authors Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences and Basic & Translational Sciences) Precision targeting of bacterial pathogen via bi-functional nanozyme activated by biofilm microenvironment. Biomaterials. 2021 Jan;268:120581. Jeon HH, Yu Q, Witek L, Lu Y, Zhang T, Stepanchenko O, Son VJ, Spencer E, Oshilaja T, Shin MK, Alawi F, Coelho PG, Graves DT (Co-author Depts. of Periodontics and Basic and Translational Sciences). Clinical application of a FOXO1 inhibitor improves connective tissue healing in a diabetic minipig model. Am J Transl Res. 2021 Feb 15;13(2):781-791. Koo H, Chen QM, Zhou XD, Liu Y (Co-author Dept. of Preventive & Restorative), Simon-Soro A. Potential implications of SARS-CoV-2 oral infection in the host microbiota. Journal of Oral Microbiology. 2020 Nov; 13(1): 1853451. Li C, Zheng Z. Cartilage targets of knee osteoarthritis shared by both genders. Int J Mol Sci [Internet]. 2021 Jan 8;22(2):569. Li C, Lin L, Zheng Z, Chung CH. A User-Friendly Protocol for Mandibular Segmentation of CBCT Images for Superimposition and Internal Structure Analysis. J Clin Med. 2021 Jan 1;10(1):127.
THE 5TH
Penn Periodontal
CONFERENCE 2021
Bringing together leaders in periodontal research.
JULY 25-29, 2021 In person at Penn Dental Medicine with hybrid virtual sessions
Learn more at www.dental.upenn.edu/cde Li C, SfoglianoL, Jiang W, Lee H, Zheng Z, Chung CH, Jones J. Total maxillary arch distalization by using headgear in an adult patient. Angle Orthod. 2020 Nov 2. Simon-Soro A, Kim D, Li Y, Liu Y, Ito T, Sims KR Jr, Benoit DSW, Bittinger K, Koo H (Co-author Dept. of Orthodontics). Impact of the repurposed drug thonzonium bromide on host oral-gut microbiomes. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2021 Jan 22;7(1):7. Truong CT, Jeon HH, Sripinun P, Tierney A, Boucher NS. Short-term and longterm effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the nasal soft and hard tissue. Angle Orthod. 2020 Oct 12.
PERIODONTICS NEWS/ACHIEVEMENTS
DScD graduate Dr. Kang Ko (D’15, GD’20) was awarded an RO1 grant. The project will explore oral fibroblast heterogeneity and its implication for the exceptionally accelerated wound healing in the oral cavity. The study will determine if a specific, genetically traceable oral fibroblast population is necessary and sufficient for expedited wound healing by their progenitor and immune-regulatory mechanism.
Llobell A, Bergler M, Fraiman H, Korostoff J, Cross C, Fiorellini J. A novel digital approach for fixed full-mouth implant-supported rehabilitations: A case report. J Clin Exp Dent [Internet]. 2020 Sep 1;12(9):e877-82. Mathew M, Zade M, Mezghani N, Patel R, Wang Y, Momen-Heravi F. Extracellular vesicles as biomarkers in cancer immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) [Internet]. 2020 Sep 30;12(10):2825. Mouminah A, Borja AJ, Hancin EC, Chang YC, Werner TJ, Swisher-McClure S, Korostoff J, Alavi A, Revheim M. 18F-FDG-PET/CT in radiation therapy-induced parotid gland inflammation. European journal of hybrid imaging. 2020 Dec;4(1):1-10. Tanaka U, Kajioka S, Finoti LS, Palioto DB, Kinane DF, Benakanakere MR. Decitabine Inhibits Bone Resorption in Periodontitis by Upregulating Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines and Suppressing Osteoclastogenesis. Biomedicines. 2021 Feb 17;9(2):199. Wang Y, Graves DT. Keratinocyte function in normal and diabetic wounds and modulation by FOXO1. J Diabetes Res [Internet]. 2020 Oct 28;2020:3714704.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold). Fiorellini JP, Llobell A, Norton MR, Sarmiento HL, Chang YC, Wada K. Healed edentulous sites: Suitability for dental implant placement, need for secondary procedures, and contemporary implant designs. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants [Internet]. 2020;35(5):924-30.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 37
ACADEMICUPDATE PREVENTIVE & RESTORATIVE SCIENCES
Conejo J, Blatz MB. Restoring the edentulous mandible in 2020. BioHorizons Magazine 2020;1(Nov-Dec):8-12.
NEWS/ACHIEVEMENTS
Coachman C, Blatz MB, Bohner L, Sesma N. Dental software classification and dento-facial interdisciplinary planning platform. J Esthet Restor Dent [Internet]. 2021 Jan 20 Coachman C, Sesma N, Blatz MB. The complete digital workflow in interdisciplinary dentistry. Int J Esthet Dent. 2021;16(1):34-49.
Dr. Yuan Liu was recognized for her research as a 2021 recipient of the Colgate Award for Research Excellence. The Department of Preventive & Restorative Sciences will present Advanced Esthetics Week, October 13-16, 2021, to be held in person at Penn Dental Medicine (with hybrid virtual sessions). Learn more at www.dental.upenn.edu/cde.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold). Alao AR, Stoll R, Zhang Y, Yin L. Influence of CAD/CAM milling, sintering and surface treatments on the fatigue behavior of lithium disilicate glass ceramic. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater [Internet]. 2021 Jan;113:104133. Anadioti E, Musharbash L, Blatz MB, Papavasiliou G, Kamposiora P. 3D printed complete removable dental prostheses: a narrative review. BMC Oral Health. 2020 Nov 27;20(1):343. Blatz MB, Scherer MD, Kellum B.Roundtable: How does 3D printing compare clinicallywith CAM milling? Compend Contin Edu Dent 2020;41(10):510-2. Conejo J, Stone-Hirsh L, Ann S, Bergler M, Blatz MB. Veneer and crown shade matching: a digital approach. Quintessence Dent Technol 2020;43:98-107.
38 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
Cobanoglu N, Alptekİn T, Kitagawa H, Blatz MB, Imazato S, Ozer F. Evaluation of human pulp tissue response following direct pulp capping with a self-etching adhesive system containing MDPB. Dent Mater J [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10.
Gamborena I, Sasaki Y, Blatz MB. Updated clinical and technical protocols for predictable immediate implant placement. J Cosmet Dent 2020;35(4):36-51. Gamborena I, Sasaki Y, Blatz MB. Das Slim Konzept. Quintessenz Zahntechnik 2020;46(1):60-75. Gomez-Meda R, Esquivel J, Blatz MB. The esthetic biological contour concept for implant restoration emergence profile design. J Esthet Restor Dent [Internet]. 2021 Jan 20. Hwang G, Blatz MB, Wolff MS, Steier L. Diagnosis of Biofilm-Associated Peri-Implant Disease Using a Fluorescence-Based Approach. Dent J (Basel). 2021 Feb 27;9(3):24.
Conejo J, Ozer F, Mante F, Atria PJ, Blatz MB. Effect of surface treatment and cleaning on the bond strength to polymer-infiltrated ceramic network CAD-CAM material. J Prosthet Dent [Internet]. 2020 Oct 26.
Esquivel J, Lawson NC, Kee E, Bruggers K, Blatz MB. Wear of resin teeth opposing zirconia. J Prosthet Dent [Internet]. 2020 Oct;124(4):488-93. Gamborena I, Sasaki Y, Blatz MB. Predictable immediate implant placement and restoration in the esthetic zone. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2021 Feb 1. Gamborena I, Sasaki Y, Duarte S, Blatz MB. Bilateral cleft palate with palate involvement: putting all in place for an esthetic restoration. Quintessence Dent Technol 2020;43:22-33.
Sims KR Jr, Maceren JP, Liu Y, Rocha GR, Koo H, Benoit DSW (Co-author Dept. of Orthodontics). Dual antibacterial drug-loaded nanoparticles synergistically improve treatment of Streptococcus mutans biofilms. Acta Biomater. 2020 Oct 1;115:418-431. Terry DA, Powers JM, Blatz MB. The injection resin technique: a novel concept for developing esthetic restorations. Quintessence Dent Technol 2020;43:240-55.
PROSTHODONTICS LEADER Dr. Eva Anadioti was the inaugural recipient of the American College of Prosthodontists’ Presidential Citation Junior Educator of the Year Award. The award recognizes dentistry achievement and contributions to the advancement of the specialty of prosthodontics, science, and the health profession.
Donoff BR, Poznansky M, Kochma D, Lieberthal B, Bhansali S, Neale A, Bryant D, Glickman R, Moursi A, Feldman CA, Fine D, Kess S, Alfano MC, Levy A, Ismail A, Rams T, Reddy M, Gansky S, Ramneek R, McCauley LK, Eber R, Wolff M and Krumholz H. Perspectives on meeting the COVID-19 testing challenge: A dental school collaborative. J Dent Educ. 2020 84(9):950-954 (# 4612212). Esquivel J, Meda RG, Blatz MB. The Impact of 3D Implant Position on Emergence Profile Design. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2021 Jan-Feb;41(1):79-86.
Rhoades KA, Heyman RE, Eddy JM, Haydt NC, Glazman JE, Dispirito ZF, Fat SJ, Guerrera CM, Rascon AN, Wolff MS. Patient aggression toward dentists. J Am Dent Assoc [Internet]. 2020 Oct;151(10):764-9.
Kim HE, Liu Y, Dhall A, Bawazir M, Koo H, Hwang G (Co-author Dept. of Orthodontics/Divs. Community Oral Health/ Pediatrics). Synergism of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans Reinforces Biofilm Maturation and Acidogenicity in Saliva: An In Vitro Study. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021 Feb 19;10:623980. Lawn BR, Borrero-Lopez O, Huang H, Zhang Y, Micromechanics of machining and wear in hard and brittle materials. J Am Ceram Soc. 2021 Jan;104(1):5-22. Ozkan HB, Cobankara FK, Sayin Z, Ozer F. Evaluation of the antibacterial effects of single and combined use of different irrigation solutions against intracanal enterococcus faecalis. Acta Stomatol Croat [Internet]. 2020 Sep;54(3):250-62.
Wan SX, Tian J, Liu Y, Dhall A, Koo H, Hwang G (Co-author Dept. of Orthodontics). Cross-Kingdom Cell-to-Cell Interactions in Cariogenic Biofilm Initiation. J Dent Res. 2021 Jan;100(1):74-81. Zheng S, Bawazir M, Dhall A, Kim HE, He L, Heo J, Hwang G. Implication of Surface Properties, Bacterial Motility, and Hydrodynamic Conditions on Bacterial Surface Sensing and Their Initial Adhesion. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2021 Feb 12;9:643722.
ALUMNIHIGHLIGHTS
PROFILES, GATHERINGS & ENGAGEMENT
2021 Alumni Awards The Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Society is pleased to honor the accomplishments and dedication of alumni with its annual awards. As part of this year’s virtual festivities, the awards celebration will be presented on Zoom from 10:45–11:30 AM EST on Saturday, May 15, 2021 — see www.dental.upenn.edu/alumniweekend. The 2021 Alumni Award recipients include the following.
THOMAS EVANS AWARD
The Thomas Evans Achievement Award is Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Society’s highest award of recognition, honoring alumni who have shown innovation, excellence, and leadership in the profession of oral health care nationally and internationally. This year’s recipient is Myron Allukian, D’64. Myron Allukian, D’64 Dr. Allukian is an internationally recognized public health expert and the former Dental Director for the City of Boston. He served as Chairman of the U.S. Surgeon General's Work Group on Fluoridation and Dental Health for the 1990 Prevention Objectives for the Nation and the Dental Advisory Committees for Healthy People 2000, 2010, and 2020, the National Health Objectives. Currently, he is President of the Massachusetts Coalition for Oral Health; Vice-chair of the Oral Health Working Group, World Federation of Public Health Associations; and Vice President of both the American Fluoridation Society and the American Fluoridation Institute. Board certified in dental public heath, Dr. Allukian has a MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health and has been on the faculties of the Schools of Public Health of Harvard, Boston University, the Universities of Michigan and Minnesota, the Schools of Dental Medicine of Boston University, Georgetown, Harvard and Tufts, and the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists. While with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam, he set up a “people to people” program in the orphanages, schools, refugee camps, and villages in the Danang area. Dr. Allukian has over 160 publications and abstracts and has received over 50 awards. He is a past president of the American Public Health Association and the first dentist to receive APHA’s highest award, the Sedgwick Memorial Medal for Distinguished Service to Public Health. Often called “the social conscience of dentistry,” he is also a past president of the American Association for Community Dental Programs, American Board of Dental Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health Alumni Association, Massachusetts Health Council, Massachusetts Public Health Association, and the Public Health Museum of Massachusetts. He was elected to the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences in 1991, now the National Academy of Medicine.
ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT
The Alumni Award of Merit recognizes love for and loyalty to Penn Dental Medicine, excellence in the profession of dentistry, and community involvement. The award acknowledges graduates who have maintained their ties with the School through their support of alumni activities, demonstrated leadership in the dental profession, and fostered and maintained the ideals of the School. This year’s recipients include:
Scott De Rossi, D’95, GD’97
Mel Mupparapu, D’96
YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT
The Young Alumni Award of Merit recognizes Penn Dental Medicine alumni one to 15 years from graduation who have maintained their ties with the School through their support of alumni activities, demonstrated leadership in the dental profession, and fostered and maintained the ideals that the School of Dental Medicine has stood for since its founding. This year’s recipient is Stefani Cheung, C’08, D’11.
HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD
The honorary alumni awards are presented to individuals who are not graduates of Penn Dental Medicine, but have demonstrated a strong commitment to Penn Dental Medicine through their service to and involvement with the School. This year’s recipient is: Dr. Kenneth Kent, Clinical Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 39
ALUMNIHIGHLIGHTS
Alumni Profile: Alyssa Greenberger (D’02) It was after Alyssa Greenberger (D’02) returned to Penn Dental Medicine for her 10th-year reunion that the seed for reconnecting with the School was planted. By then, Dr. Greenberger was practicing general dentistry in Tampa, Fla., and was married with a toddler. She began by interviewing local undergraduate applicants and then followed up on a notice in the Penn Dental Medicine Journal about getting involved with the Alumni Society. “Penn is bigger than you,” she says. “It makes you want to give back to make it even better.” From there, her connection to Penn Dental Medicine blossomed in a big way. Dr. Greenberger joined Penn Dental Medicine’s Alumni Society Executive Committee and, a few years later, became chair of the newly formed Penn Alumni Interview Program Bio-Dental Committee. The accelerated Bio-Dental program allows students to earn their undergraduate and dental degrees in seven years — three years for a BA/BS followed by four years at Penn Dental Medicine. High school students can apply for the program through the University of Pennsylvania or four partner institutions — Villanova, Lehigh, Muhlenberg and Hampton. Once admitted, students must maintain high academic standards to continue to the DMD program. The Bio-Dental Committee, run through Penn undergraduate admissions, recruits
40 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
Penn Dental Medicine alumni to interview prospective students. Previously, applicants were interviewed by alumni of any Penn program. As chair of the Bio-Dental Committee, Dr. Greenberger has helped grow the pool of Penn Dental Medicine alumni interviewers to about 250 volunteers. “This is so special to me,” she says. “I have seen classmates and alumni who may not have participated in the past join us, and then get even more involved with the school. I find it very rewarding if it brings even one alum back in the fold as a proud ambassador of Penn Dental Medicine.” In this year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Bio-Dental applicants for fall 2021 climbed to 280 , up from 200 to 250 or so in a typical year, notes Dr. Greenberger,
who believes this is, in part, affirmation that students see a career in dentistry as providing stability, something in short supply during a time of upheaval. Typically, between four and nine students matriculate to Penn Dental Medicine each year through the Bio-Dental program from the five undergraduate institutions, notes Director of Admissions Corky Cacas. The program was established more than three decades ago. Admission to the program is highly competitive and, in addition to stellar academics, Dr. Greenberger says she looks for students who understand and are committed to a dental career. “I always tell applicants ‘this is a time and financial commitment, and you need to do your homework on dentistry to make a better choice for your future.” And when students she interviews are accepted into the program, Dr. Greenberger is thrilled. One of the first students she interviewed “was in tears when she was accepted,” recalls Dr. Greenberger, who lives in Florida but is retired from practice due to a health condition. In addition to chairing the Penn Alumni Interview Program Bio-Dental Committee and membership on the Alumni Society Executive Committee, Dr. Greenberger also manages Penn alumni interviews in her region, thus interviewing a dozen or so students each year applying for undergraduate admission. She has also been part of the alumni engagement committee for The Power of Penn Campaign, the University’s capital campaign that will soon be coming to a close. Except during this year’s COVID-related restrictions, Dr. Greenberger makes it a point to return to campus at least once a year to attend one of the four meetings of the Alumni Society Executive Committee in person — and reconnect with the school, campus, and city. “I will always do what I can when asked,” Dr. Greenberger says. “This is part of what keeps Penn Dental Medicine thriving — being a place that young people aspire to and which has such a great alumni network.”
For more information about participating in the Penn Alumni Interview Program Bio-Dental Committee go to: www.dental.upenn.edu/alumni/participate/penn-alumni-interview-program/
CLASSNOTES
NEWS FROM FELLOW ALUMNI
1950s
1970s
Dr. Barbara Stolzenberg (D’51), who passed away in 2018, is not only remembered for her service as a clinician, but also for her love of collecting rare books in the field of dental medicine — her collection was recently donated to Penn Dental Medicine. The collection includes 87 titles published from 1770 to 1982. Some of the more unique books in the collection include the Dental Collection by Thomas Berdmore, dentist to King George III of England. This book, a treatise on the disorders and deformities of the teeth and gums and their treatments, was the first attempt to cover the entire field of dentistry in the English language. Odontologia. Ossia. Trattato sopra i denti (Odontology. Bone. A study on teeth), dated 1786, is the first text “to describe the qualities necessary for a dentist to be success.” And, Psychosomatics and suggestion therapy in dentistry was a very early foray into the application of hypnosis in dentistry. Dr. Stolzenberg’s collection adds depth and breadth to the Dental Library’s already considerable collection of historical books on dentistry. The collection is held in Penn’s Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. Dr. Stolzenberg, who was one of four women in the Penn Dental Medicine Class of 1951, went on to practice orthodontics in Spring Valley, N.Y., for 60 years. She dedicated the last years of her practice to special needs children. This devotion to special needs children began decades earlier when she traveled to New York City each week to volunteer her services at a dental clinic. Dr. Stolzenberg was recognized for her exceptional community service and civic leadership in health care with the Pride of Rockland Award in 2001 by the Rockland County Legislature. Her pioneering efforts in dentistry, especially those that sought the inclusion of women in the field, were also recognized by the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity when she became the first woman to serve as an International Regent of the organization.
Share Your News
We want to hear from you. Submit a Class Note to www.dental.upenn.edu/classnotes
Dr. Walter Bogad (D’59) was introduced to oil painting by his uncle and they painted landscapes around the northeast together. During his 37 years practicing orthodontics, he took classes and developed his artistic skills. Now in retirement, Dr. Bogad enjoys pursuing his art full-time.
Dr. Edwin Slade, Jr. (D’74) was elected to the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care’s (AAAHC) Board of Directors. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and the American and International College of Dentists. Dr. Slade has served in numerous leadership positions within oral and maxillofacial surgery, including president of both the Pennsylvania and Delaware Valley Societies of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and as a trustee and treasurer of AAOMS. Dr. Jeff Hutter (D’75) retired as Dean from the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University on March 31, 2021. He and his wife will spend the first few years of their retirement in Honolulu. This will fulfill a dream he’s had of returning to the place he was stationed with the US Navy Dental Corps.
1980s Dr. Lisa Cummins (D’88), who recently passed away, is being remembered by classmates and friends for her work as a prosthodontist in Bala Cynwyd as well as her life as a former fashion model. Dr. Cummins graced the cover of Cosmopolitan three times as a teen and was known for her work with women in the Miss World, Miss America, and Miss Universe organizations.
Or, you can send your submissions to: Robert Schattner Center Penn Dental Medicine Office of Institutional Advancement 240 South 40th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 41
CLASSNOTES
2000s
Dr. Dan Kubikian (D’01, GD’04, GD’05) hosted Penn Dental Medicine student Don Sandargas (D’22) for a shadowing day in his office. The Office of Institutional Advancement connected them for mentorship opportunities. Dr. Ricard Boyce (GD’03) recently authored “Prosthodontic Principles in Dental Implantology: Adjustments in a Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic Battered Economy” published in Dent Clin North America’s January 2021 volume.
Dr. Richard Kim (D’06) was recognized as a World Top 100 Doctor in Dentistry for the class of 2021. The honorary recognition is an achievement award for exceptional services rendered to the arts and sciences of the health care professions.
Dr. Mark Hayshi (D’09) has been appointed the inaugural holder of the Alumni and Friends Presidential Endowed Chair at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He also holds appointments as assistant clinical professor of health sciences and vice chair of the section of restorative dentistry. He also received the Pierre Fauchard Academy Teacher of the Year Award from the UCLA Dentistry Classes of 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Among Philly Magazine’s Top Dentists of 2021, 51 Penn Dental Medicine alumni were featured. www.phillymag.com/ dentists/
Beneficiary Designation A Small Way to Make a Big Difference When planning, we know the benefits a retirement account can have on securing one’s future. Did you know this same asset could also be used to impact the future of Penn Dental Medicine? Beneficiary designations can provide a relatively simple way to accomplish your personal giving goals in a tax advantaged way by reducing the size of your estate and helping to avoid income taxation on those funds. Make a difference today by naming Penn Dental Medicine as a full, partial, or secondary beneficiary on the account. It’s easy to do. Take a minute and contact your account provider to request a change of beneficiary form.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Elizabeth Ketterlinus Vice Dean of Institutional Advancement Penn Dental Medicine 240 South 40th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 215.898.3328 ekett@upenn.edu
PD Planned Giving 7.625x4.5 Ad .indd 2
42 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
2/18/21 3:29 PM
INMEMORIAM
REMEMBERING MEMBERS OF THE PENN DENTAL MEDICINE COMMUNITY
Zvi Rozenn (D’40) Evanston, IL; November 27, 2020
Dr. David Stanton (D’88, M’92, GD’95) Penn Dental Medicine lost a devoted educator and a highly skilled and compassionate clinician with the passing of Dr. David Stanton (D’88, M’92, GD’95), Associate Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, on November 13, 2020. Dr. Stanton shared his skills and passion for oral and maxillofacial surgery as part of the School’s faculty since 1996, during which time he led the Oral & Maxillofacial Residency Program as Director from 1998 to 2012. Among other teaching roles, he also directed the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Externship Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from 1996 to 2006. Active and engaged, Dr. Stanton served on a host of committees within Penn as well as organized dentistry, including numerous committee roles with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Widely published and a frequently invited guest lecturer, Dr. Stanton was a diplomate of the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners, the National Board of Dental Examiners, and the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Stanton was recognized for his mentoring as a two-time recipient (2014, 2015) of the School’s Oral & Maxillofacial Department’s Joseph W. Foote Resident Mentoring Award. As a practicing clinician, Dr. Stanton was an attending surgeon within the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Presbyterian Medical Center of Philadelphia, and within the Department of Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital. Dr. Stanton earned his DMD at Penn Dental Medicine (1988) and completed his oral & maxillofacial residency here (1995) as well, earning his MD from Penn Medicine (1992) as part of that program. In addition, he completed a fellowship in facial cosmetic surgery at Northwestern University (1996) and in general cosmetic surgery at Midwestern University (1996). Remembering Dr. Stanton, residents Dr. Kristine Gleason (C’10, D’13, M’18, GD’21) and Dr. Joseph Foote (D’10, GD’21) shared the following: “Dr. Stanton was an incredible surgeon, teacher, father, and husband. His passing leaves such a void, not just in the Penn OMFS community, but the entire Philadelphia area. He had such a broad depth of knowledge and experience that dentists, surgeons, and other practitioners would refer patients to him from all over the state and country. An extremely talented surgeon with a national reputation, he truly could perform any procedure. He was a mentor and friend — an example of what a surgeon and father should be that we strive to emulate. He was a lover of baseball, had a dry sense of humor, and generously shared his time with us. He's deeply missed and irreplaceable.”
Peter A. Frank, Jr. (C’45, D’46) Glen Rock, NJ; February 6, 2021 Jeanette Chestnut (DH’46) Thornton, PA; December 31, 2020 Jo-Ann Flynn Chaconas (DH’51) Silver Spring, MD; December 7, 2020 Clyde L. Graver, Jr. (D’51) Lehighton, PA; July 14, 2019 Horace K. Bonsall, Jr. (D’54) Coatesville, PA; October 31, 2020 Gunther B. Goldsmith (D’56) Middletown, NY; April 7, 2020 Franklin D. Bell (GD’57) Raleigh, NC; October 30, 2020 Leon H. Strohecker (D’57, GD’60) Lansdale, PA; November 13, 2020 Judith Hudson Huffaker (DH’58) Haverford, PA; January 28, 2021 Ronald S. Leventhal (D’58) Palm Beach Gardens, FL; January 2, 2021 Richard H. Phillips (D’58) Wynantskill, NY; September 27, 2020 Charles E. Recih (D’58) Sarasota, FL; February 9, 2021 Herbert A. Schneider (D’58) Santa Rosa, CA: February 20, 2021 Peter P. Ravin, Jr. (GD’59) Dallas, PA; September 25, 2020 Mary E. Vason (DH’59) Jacksonville, FL; October 10, 2020 Margo L. Allen (DH’60) Laguna Hills, CA; March 10, 2020 Nick J. Bartis (D’61) Greensboro, NC; September 24, 2020 David E. Horner (D’61) Ambler, PA; October 17, 2020
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 43
INMEMORIAM Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat
FACULTYPERSPECTIVE,
Penn Dental Medicine remembers former dean, Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat, who passed away on November 21, 2020. Dr. Jeffcoat served as Dean of Penn Dental Medicine from 2003–2008. During her deanship, she recruited preeminent and diverse scholars, presiding over an important expansion of extramural research, and enhancing clinical and educational facilities all while strengthening our fiscal stability. As a periodontist and research scientist, Dr. Jeffcoat was widely respected for illuminating the links between oral and systemic health, including the profound implications of those links for the health and welfare of pregnant women and infants. Her most recent research included the discovery that relatively simple and inexpensive periodontal therapy can lead to substantial improvements in systemic health, notably in pregnancy outcomes, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. She also found a genetic marker that is strongly correlated with the success of such therapy in treating periodontitis. Dr. Jeffcoat was the author of more than 200 peer-reviewed publications — covering a wide range of topics, including novel instrumentation and analytical techniques, clinical periodontics, scientific study design, osseointegration, and oral-systemic links. Beyond her own research, Dr. Jeffcoat helped to shape the profession through her work as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the ADA, the Presidency of the American Association for Dental Research, and the International Association for Dental Research. She was a distinguished member of the National Academy of Medicine, a rare honor for a dentist. She also served as president of the Academy of Osseointegration (2004–2005). Dr. Jeffcoat also had a profound impact on the community surrounding Penn Dental Medicine. During her tenure, programs such as PennSmiles and Bridging the Gaps were expanded, bringing critically needed dental care to West Philadelphia families and young people. We embrace her example and continue to grow those commitments to this day. Douglas B. Stalb (D’61) Summerville, SC; February 4, 2021 Louis A. Tobia, Jr. (C’61, D’63) Kennett Square, PA; October 6, 2020 Keith M. Hutchings (D’62) Canandaigua, NY; July 8, 2020
C.L. Philbrick (D’59, GD’63) Cumberland Center, ME; November 2, 2020 Philip B. Temple (D’63) Pepperell, MA; December 11, 2020 Lois Foster Hirt (DH’64) Beverly Hills, CA; November 17, 2020
Samuel V. Pellegrino (GD’62) Melbourne Beach, FL; December 17, 2020
Arthur H. Jacobs (D’66) Naples, FL; June 20, 2020
Anthony C. Ruggerio (GD’62) Haddonfield, NJ; January 17, 2021
C. Joseph Desalvo (GD’69) Bonita Springs, FL; April 1, 2020
Dennis E. Winn (GD’62) Grand Rapids, MI; November 9, 2020
James J. Kehoe (D’70) San Antonio, TX; January 1, 2021
Herbert Hodess (GD’63) West Palm Beach, FL; October 1, 2020
Robert G. Anusbigian (D’71) Shrewsbury, MA; April 16, 2020 Edward P. Johnson (D’72) Charlotte, NC; January 26, 2021
44 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU
Michael E. Kantor (D’72) Chapel Hill, NC; March 12, 2021 Bruce D. Shoicket (D’73) Boston MA; February 10, 2020 Charles M. Achenbach (D’78) Pottsville, PA; November 17, 2020 David A. Nusblatt (D’80) Dix Hills, NY; September 9, 2020 Cynthia Fruchtman (DH’81) Langhorne, PA; October 13, 2020 Lisa Kristine Cummins (D’88) Bala Cynwyd, PA; November 30, 2020 David Stanton (D’88, M’92, GD’95) Wynnewood, PA; November 13, 2020
continued from page 29
medical conditions, disability, and/or limitations in daily activity as well as a top-down approach, addressing how to modify the environment and the delivery of the dental care to accommodate the patient’s specific needs. The importance of reviewing the patient’s chart before the appointment, discussing with the faculty any specific modifications or enhanced patient behavior management skills that might be needed to optimally deliver care, and learning how to work efficiently as a coordinated team will be an important part of the educational experience. In addition to the dental faculty, there will be a dedicated nurse practitioner available to work closely with the students to review medical histories and obtain any further medical information needed prior to providing dental care. Plus, a patient navigator will ensure that the necessary consent forms have been properly filled out and signed prior to the appointment, assist the patient and their caregivers in scheduling a return appointment, and help to arrange transportation to and from the appointment if needed. We are working diligently to build a compassionate dental workforce committed to providing competent care for persons with disabilities by ensuring that our students have the skills to care for this vulnerable population. The better we can expose future dentists and dental hygienists to providing care for these patients during their education, the more likely they will be to treat them in their practices. With the right knowledge, skills, and attitude, this next generation of practitioners can make a difference for those with inequitable access to quality care.
PENN DENTAL MEDICINE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2020-2021 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Eric Spieler, D’84 President Scott Chanin, D’83 Vice-President Members-at-Large Deena Alani, D’13 Pam Alberto, D’80 Hope Berman, C’77, D’83 L. Bui, D’18 Jennifer Caughey, D’19 Larry Chacker, D’85 Cindy Choi, D’20 Keith Dunoff, D’84 Katherine France, D’16, GR’16, GD’18 Andrew Fraser, D’16 Alyssa Marlin Greenberger D’02 Maria Perno Goldie, DH’71 Wendy Halpern, D’99, GD’02, GD’03 Sehe Han, D’18 Stephen Howarth, D’16 JV Kracke, D’17, GD’19 Daniel Kubikian, D’01, GD’04, GD’05 Bernard Kurek, D’73, WMP’03 Bret Lesavoy, D’19 Rachel Levarek, D’11 Mel Mupparapu, D’96 Ngozi Okoh, D’12 Steven Ryoo, D’20 Trevan Samp, D’14 Lisa Schildhorn, DH’75 Shabnam Sedaghat, D’06 Josh Simpson, D’16 Matt Sones, D’16 Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, DH’82 Ben Truong, D’19 Gary Wegman, D’83 Robert Weiner, C’72, D’79 Michael Yasner, C’79, D’83, GD’84, GD’86 The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6106; or (215) 898–6993 (Voice) or (215) 898–7803 (TDD).
BOARD OF ADVISORS
William W. M. Cheung, DMD, D’81, GD’82, Chair, Power of Penn Dental Medicine Campaign Co-Chair Nancy L. Baker, Esq. Mr. Stanley M. Bergman Sidney Bresler, Esq. Dirk Brunner, MSC, MBA Ms. Julie Charlestein Joanne Chouinard-Luth, DMD, D’79 Richard Copell, DMD, D’80 Terry Dolan, DDS, MPH Matthew J. Doyle, PhD Mr. Patrik Eriksson Mr. C. Mitchell Goldman Mr. Steve Kess Anne E. Klamar, MD Anne Koch, DMD, D’77, GD’93 Mr. Haruo Morita Mr. Vincent Mosimann Joan O’Shea, MD Mr. Daniel W. Perkins Lewis E. Proffitt, DMD, D’73, WG’80 Garry Rayant, DDS, GD’77 Maria Ryan, DDS, PhD Tony Saito, DMD, D’95 Ken Serota, Esq. Mr. Alfred L. Spencer, Jr. David Tai-Man Shen, DMD, D’79, GD’81, Power of Penn Dental Medicine Campaign Co-Chair David S. Tarica, DMD, D’83 Larry Turner, Esq. Robert Zou, WG’94
PDMJ ADVISORY COMMITTEE Beth Adams Director of Publications
Dr. Faizan Alawi Associate Professor, Basic & Translational Sciences Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Markus Blatz Professor of Restorative Dentistry Chair, Department of Preventive & Restorative Sciences Corky Cacas Director of Admissions Sarah Burton Flynn Director of Strategic Development & Alumni Relations Maren Gaughan Associate Dean for Leadership Giving Dr. Joan Gluch Division Chief and Professor of Clinical Community Oral Health, Associate Dean for Academic Policies Dr. Dana Graves Professor, Department of Periodontics Vice Dean for Research and Scholarship Elizabeth Ketterlinus Vice Dean of Institutional Advancement Dr. Robert Ricciardi Professor, Acting Chair, Department of Basic & Translational Sciences Susan Schwartz Director of Career Services
Ex Officio Members Martin D. Levin, D’72, GD’74, Chair, Dean’s Council Eric Spieler, D’84, President, Alumni Society
Dr. Thomas Sollecito Professor of Oral Medicine Chair, Department of Oral Medicine
DEAN’S COUNCIL
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Martin D. Levin, D’72, GD’74, Chair Robert Brody, C’80, D’84 Stefani Cheung, C’08, D’11 Egidio Farone, D’84 Charlene Jennings Fenster, DH’75 Joseph P. Fiorellini Howard P. Fraiman, D’91, GD’93, GD’94 Joseph E. Gian-Grasso, C’67, D’71 Jeffrey N. Grove, D’04 Elliot Hersh Anil J. Idiculla, C’98, GD’06 Meetu Kohli, D’02, GD’05 Brian Lee, D’00, GD’04 Daniell J. Mishaan, D’03 Saul M. Pressner, D’79 Daniel Richardson, D’02 Howie Rosa, D’82 Louis Rossman, D’75, GD’77 Gail E. Schupak, D’83 Tara Sexton, D’88 Robert Stern, D’87 Susan Stern, C’77, D’81 Arnold Weisgold, GD’65
Elizabeth Ketterlinus, ekett@upenn.edu Vice Dean of Institutional Advancement Maren Gaughan, gaughan@upenn.edu Associate Dean for Leadership Giving
Sarah Burton Flynn, sburton@upenn.edu Director of Strategic Development & Alumni Relations Lindsay Murphy, lhonzak@upenn.edu Assistant Director of Annual Giving Megan Connolly, megcon@upenn.edu Assistant Director of Development & Alumni Relations Events Yarrow Randall, yrandall@upenn.edu Development Assistant Beth Adams, adamsnb@upenn.edu Director, Publications Pam Rice, pamrice@upenn.edu Director of Continuing Education Shaunna Lee, shaunna@upenn.edu Continuing Education Program Manager Delanie Wampler, wdelanie@upenn.edu Continuing Education & Communications Administrative Assistant Office of Institutional Advancement: 215–898–8951
Robert Schattner Center University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine 240 South 40th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104–6030
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PA ID Permit No. 2563 Philadelphia, PA
Explore Our Online Classroom Earn CE, Attend Lectures on Your Own Schedule Connect, learn and earn anytime, anywhere through our online classroom. Topics span disciplines and lectures feature Penn Dental Medicine faculty as well as invited speakers from across the country and around the world. Among the offerings: • Center for Persons with Disabilities Presentation Series • Past Conferences and Symposia • Periodontics, Restorative, Endodontics and Orthodontics Lecture Series • COVID-19 Topics
Learn more at www.dental.upenn.edu/cde_online
Connect with us online!
www.dental.upenn.edu
