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The Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (FNIDCR) online newsletter is a membership benefit. Permission is granted to repost this publication only with inclusion of the header. Past issues are posted on www.fnidcr.org/news.html Executive Director's Report The federal government's fiscal year ended at midnight on September 30, 2005. By law, this requires Congress to enact a CR, continuing resolution, to fund agencies that run the country. Funding for critical programs will continue at the previous year's level, but due to the recent catastrophic disasters, resources will have to be allocated to other areas. The Friends will update our members on issues that are important to biomedical research. This is a critical time, with wonderful advances in research, and it is necessary that the oral health community continue to speak up for federal investment in science.
Sincerely,
Alec Stone Draft Implementation Plan for the Updated NIDCR Strategic Plan 2003-2008 Research Opportunities
About the Implementation Plan The Implementation Plan was developed with broad input from the extramural research community, from intramural scientists, and from NIH staff. For each programmatic area, staff initially performed an analysis of gaps and scientific opportunities in the existing portfolio. Following these analyses, ten separate working groups covering each programmatic area were convened. Participants included members of National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council, members of the Board of Scientific Counselors, scientific content experts, and NIDCR program staff. The working groups arrived at a series of recommendations and priorities that were summarized in an executive summary for each area. In addition, a separate meeting was convened with an international panel of experts to discuss scientific opportunities for NIDCR in oral mucosal immunology. Finally, a one-day meeting on research training and career development was convened featuring speakers from the National Academies, the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and representatives from other NIH Institutes and the Office of the NIH Director. Subsequently, staff analyzed the recommendations from all of these working groups and meetings and established the priorities that ultimately gave rise to the present plan. The Implementation Plan should be viewed as a living document that will be amended as new research opportunities and technologies emerge and thereby alter the current list of priorities. Moreover, although the priorities detailed in this implementation plan are important to the mission of the NIDCR at this time, we will continue to rely on the imagination, ingenuity and innovation of individual scientists in our community to bring forward exciting new scientific opportunities. For the full report, visit: www.nidcr.nih.gov/AboutNIDCR/ImplementationPlan.htm Scientists Find Cell Surface Enzyme Matriptase Causes Cancer Scientists at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and colleagues report in animal studies that a single, scissor-like enzyme called matriptase, when left to its own devices, can cause cancer. This finding, published in the current issue of the journal, "Genes and Development," marks the first report of a protein-cleaving enzyme, or protease, on the cell surface that can efficiently trigger the formation of tumor cells. The authors also note that matriptase is the first known cell-surface protease that can act as an oncogene, an umbrella term for mutated genes and their proteins that prompt cells to divide too rapidly, a hallmark of tumor cells. "What makes matriptase potentially such a good molecular target to treat cancer is its accessibility," said NIDCR scientist Dr. Thomas Bugge, the senior author on the paper. "We don't have to trick the tumor cell to internalize a drug, then hope it reaches its destination in an appropriate concentration and duration. In this case, the bull's eye is right on the cell surface." Bugge said the exact function of matriptase in healthy human cells remains a bit of a mystery. Previous studies show that cells comprising the outer lining, or epithelium, of nearly all human organs express the protease. They also suggest that matriptase might play a role in activating other membrane-bound proteins on the cell surface that are involved in signaling basic cellular activities, such as growth and motility, or movement. Since its discovery nearly 13 years ago, scientists also have suspected that matriptase might have a dark side. It is overly abundant in a variety of epithelial-derived tumors, including breast, prostate, ovarian, colon, and oral carcinomas. Then, in 2002, scientists reported women with breast and ovarian cancer have poor prognoses if their tumors contain high levels of matriptase. In fact, just two months ago, researchers reported for the first time that increased expression of matriptase is associated with more serious forms of cervical cancer. Still unanswered, however, was the larger question of whether the protease, when overexpressed and deregulated, or uncontrolled within the cell, might actually cause cancer. To find the answer, Bugge and colleagues produced mice that expressed the human version of the matriptase gene in a stable, readily measurable manner. "After our initial round of experiments, we found that the skin of the mice was quite sensitive to fluctuations in the levels of matriptase," said Dr. Roman Szabo, a co-lead author on the study and an NIDCR scientist. "So much so, that all 10 of the mice that produced too much matriptase developed distinctive, splotchy skin lesions within a year." The article is titled "Deregulated matriptase causes ras-independent multistage carcinogenesis and promotes ras-mediated malignant transformation." It is published in the August 15, 2005 issue of the journal "Genes and Development". The authors are: Karin List, Roman Szabo, Alfredo Molinolo, Virote Sriuranpong, Vivien Redeye, T. Murdock, B. Burke, B. S. Nielsen, Silvio J. Gutkind, and Thomas H. Bugge. Defective Gene Linked to Two Inherited Immune Deficiencies Defects in a single gene can result in two immune system disorders that leave affected individuals vulnerable to frequent or unusually severe infections, according to new findings reported in the August issue of "Nature Genetics." The discovery may lead to new diagnostic tests for these two inherited conditions -- immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Currently, doctors diagnose the conditions by measuring immunoglobulin levels and excluding other causes for lowered immunoglobulin levels; there are no specific tests to detect the two disorders. A deficiency of IgA -- an important type of infection-fighting antibody found in tears, saliva and other secretions -- affects 1 in 600 people in the western world; CVID is less common but more severe. Both conditions result in a person being more susceptible to pneumonia and to recurring infections of the ear, sinus and gastrointestinal tract. People with CVID also have an increased risk of developing cancers that affect B cells, cells that produce antibodies. Furthermore, IgA deficiency and CVID can predispose to autoimmune diseases, where the immune system turns against the body's own tissues and organs. "Most cases of CVID and IgA deficiency are of unknown cause," notes Josiah Wedgwood, M.D., Ph.D., of the Clinical Immunology Branch of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the component of the National Institutes of Health that funded the study. "To find a specific molecular defect that is the apparent cause of illness in a substantial subset of individuals with these two diseases is extremely important. Not only will this finding enable us to better diagnose these patients, it provides clues to key biochemical pathways that can lead to immunodeficiencies." The study was led by Raif Geha, M.D., and Emanuela Castigli, Ph.D., of the Children's Hospital Boston. The Boston team found specific mutations in a gene known as TACI, which plays a specific role in orchestrating the immune response. Defects in TACI were found in 4 of 19 unrelated patients with CVID and in 1 of 16 unrelated patients with IgA deficiency. None of 50 healthy people they studied had a TACI mutation. The scientists believe that it is likely that as yet unidentified genetic defects underlie CVID and IgA deficiency in those cases where TACI was not mutated. But the gene discovery will not immediately change treatment strategies, notes Dr. Geha. "For the time being, therapy still consists of prophylactic antibiotics or intravenous immunoglobulin infusions every three weeks," he says. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID Web site at www.niaid.nih.gov. Patient Advocacy Spotlight: American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association ACPA is an international non-profit medical society of health care professionals who treat and/or perform research on birth defects of the head and face. The members of ACPA serve an extremely important role in the management of children and adults with cleft lip, cleft palate, and craniofacial anomalies. For 60 years, their goal has been to provide optimal care for this group of patients and their families. Because of the diverse needs of these patients, and the required services of many different specialists, interdisciplinary cooperation and team care is essential to the patients served. ACPA is unique - it is a multidisciplinary organization of over 2500 members, representing more than 30 disciplines in 50 countries. A primary objective of the Association is to foster communication and cooperation among professionals from all specialties. ACPA holds a general scientific meeting of the membership every year where over 200 papers are presented. From the United States, Canada, and around the world, information and ideas relating to improving the care and outcome of patients with clefts and craniofacial anomalies are exchanged. The official publication of ACPA is the bi-monthly Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. It is an international, interdisciplinary journal reporting on clinical and research activities in cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial anomalies, together with research in related laboratory sciences. The quarterly ACPA/CPF Newsletter reports on business affairs, meeting highlights, and member news. While ACPA's focus is on professional education, its affiliated Cleft Palate Foundation provides information to affected individuals and their families and seeks to educate the public about facial difference. For more information, visit www.acpa-cpf.org Hurricane Evacuee Dental Care
By Dr. Linda Niessen, Monday, September 12, 2005 "It's just been horrible." The pain of a toothache only adds to Yolanda Carter's misery. The memories of the New Orleans flood and aftermath still haunt her. "It was fighting, shootings, stabbings, because everyone wanted to get out." Baylor College of Dentistry is providing emergency treatment for evacuees. Yolanda and her niece are two of the first patients. Patient Tamika Lewis said, "The pain is so horrible. I'm like where this pain coming from. So it's awful." "The problems we're seeing are acute pain." Dr. Robert Smith of Garland is one of the volunteers from the Dallas County Dental Society. "We're seeing things like lost dentures in floods, your normal tooth ache, teeth that have gotten broken in the storm. Things like that," said Dr. Smith. "You're not healthy without good oral health. And it will affect you in many other ways," said Jane Evans of Dallas County Dental Society. Barbara Armstrong lost her dentures but a new set will be ready soon. "And I lost everything. So they brought me here to Dallas for safety. And I thank Dallas for everything." "There are so many ways we can help." Dr. Kent Smith of Irving has volunteered the services of his entire staff. "Just something little, something that we can do that takes very little time can make such a profound effect on somebody's health," Dr. Smith added. Lack of access to needed dental care existed in Dallas before the evacuees arrived. Now their needs, and the needs of those who live here have made this task an even greater challenge for the North Texas Dental community. For Baylor College Of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News. Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation. Methamphetamine Use and Oral Health What the dentist should be on the look out for: Unaccounted for and accelerated decay in teenagers and young adults.
Methamphetamine Use and Oral Health
Street names for Methamphetamine
Drug description
Mechanism of action
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Oral effects The rampant caries associated with methamphetamine use is attributed to the following: the acidic nature of the drug, the drug's xerostomic effect, its propensity to cause cravings for high calorie carbonated beverages, tooth grinding and clenching and its long duration of action leading to extended periods of poor oral hygiene.4,5,6 For the full report, visit www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/methmouth.asp Wisdom Oral Care, Ltd. Donates 156,000 Toothbrushes to Katrina Relief Efforts
Wilmette, IL Wisdom Oral Care, Ltd., a leading supplier of oral care products to both the retail trade and the professional dental market, is sending over 156,000 toothbrushes to families in need who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The Company is working with Children's Hunger Fund to distribute the toothbrushes to shelters housing families who are victims of Hurricane Katrina. Children's Hunger Fund is a non-profit organization that was ranked by Forbes.com as the second most cost effective charity in America. Over 99 cents of each dollar collected goes directly to program services. "We take for granted our simple daily necessities such as brushing our teeth," said Joel Warady, President of Wisdom Oral Care. "Many people in the Gulf Coast have lost everything, and that includes basic personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap and shampoo. We hope that our small donation will assist the displaced individuals in gaining back some dignity that was lost during this horrific catastrophe." Wisdom Oral Care, Ltd. is a leading supplier of toothbrushes, dental floss, and other dental care items as both a private label manufacturer, as well as under the Wisdom brand name. Established in 1990, Wisdom continues to be a privately held company based in the US. For more information, please visit www.wisdomusa.com. New Report Finds Improvements in Oral Health of Americans The oral health status of Americans has significantly improved during the past decade, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The report uses data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and provides the most current estimates of dental conditions such as cavities, use of dental sealants to prevent cavities and tooth loss. Among the major findings are improvements since 1994 in the percentage of children and teens who have never had tooth decay in their permanent teeth; increased use of dental sealants (a thin plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent decay); and increased tooth retention among older adults. "The good news is that efforts to reduce and prevent cavities and dental disease are paying off. We are seeing an increase in the number of children, teens and adults who have never had a cavity in their permanent teeth," said Dr. William R. Maas, DDS, MPH, director, CDC division of oral health. "It's also very encouraging to find the dental health of children in lower income areas improved. Thanks to programs in schools that promote tooth brushing and dental sealants, we're reaching more children at high risk for tooth decay and helping them to avoid cavities and fillings." The full report, "Surveillance for Dental Caries, Dental Sealants, Tooth Retention, Edentulism and Enamel Fluorosis – United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2002," is available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr. FIC Awards International Clinical Research Training Fellowships The Fogarty International Center (FIC) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the year 2005 awardees of the FIC/Ellison Overseas Fellowships in Global Health and Clinical Research Program, a training program for U.S. and low- and middle-income country students in the health sciences. FIC selects top notch medical, dental, and public health graduate students from the United States and from the poor countries. These paired student awardees receive one year of mentored clinical research training at an NIH-funded institution in a developing country. The students will obtain a significant experience with clinical research and will work together. "Increasing the numbers of clinical researchers with practical experience in research-poor settings will enhance our ability to tackle global health challenges," said Sharon H. Hrynkow, Ph.D., FIC Acting Director, on behalf of FIC and its partners. "Projects on AIDS and related opportunistic infections, malaria, sexually transmitted infections and non-infectious disease, issues such as reproductive health, provide new insights for tomorrow's clinical leaders, both in the United States and in low- and middle-income nations." "The first year of this fellowship program was very gratifying. The collaborations among the U.S. and foreign site fellows were active and valuable. The researcher leaders were able to actively carve out parts of on-going research for the fellows, thereby making the experience intense as well as exciting and rewarding," said Aron Primack, M.D., FIC program officer. The program announcement is located at this URL: www.fic.nih.gov/programs/Students.htm. Smokers Less Likely to Visit Dentist than Nonsmokers Newswise -- Smokers are significantly less likely to seek dental care than nonsmokers, according to data from a nationally representative sample of 15,250 American adults. The finding holds true regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, location and insurance coverage. Because smokers face increased risk of gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancers, "they're the very population that should be seeking more dental care," says Susan K. Drilea, lead author of the study, which was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. The study, reported in the latest American Journal of Health Behavior, analyzed data gathered during a government health care survey in 2000. "We found that 33 percent of current smokers reported having at least one dental visit that year compared to 45 percent of nonsmokers," says Drilea. The finding highlights an, "opportunity for intervention," according to the report. "Efforts to decrease the rates of serious oral diseases may be enhanced by targeting educational campaigns to smokers, emphasizing the need for regular dental visits." Dental professionals could play a key role in delivering these messages, says the report. Many practices have already adopted the "Ask, Advise, Refer" approach recommended by the American Dental Hygienists' Association to help their patients quit smoking. Drilea says support from other health advocates could augment the efforts of dental professionals. "Tobacco awareness campaigns are beginning to incorporate more recognition that oral health is affected by the use of tobacco. Lung cancer has traditionally been the focus of attention, but increasingly they are acknowledging that every system in the body is affected." Drilea SK, et al. Dental visits among smoking and nonsmoking U.S. adults in 2000. American Journal of Health Behavior 29(5), 2005. 2005 National Dental Hygiene Month Will Continue Focus on Tobacco Sponsored annually by the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), October is National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM). Each year ADHA chooses a specific dental hygiene-related topic to focus upon for NDHM; the 2005 topic is Tobacco and Heart Disease. ADHA also recognizes the contributions dental hygienists make in their community outreach efforts. Following 2004's Tobacco Cessation theme, NDHM 2005 will explore the relationship between tobacco use and the increased prevalence of heart disease, and how these are linked to oral health. Combined with ADHA's Smoking Cessation Initiative and the Ask.Advise.Refer program, which is continuing through a second grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation' Smoking Cessation Leadership Center, this year's NDHM will seek to inform tobacco users of their heightened risk of heart disease and related oral health affects. ADHA encourages dental hygienists across the nation to get involved in the 2005 NDHM effort to increase public awareness of these tobacco-related risk factors, and how dental hygienists save lives by recognizing symptoms of life-threatening diseases before they get serious. For any questions related to National Dental Hygiene Month, please contact ADHA Communications, (312) 440-8900 or communications@adha.net. Key Talking Points on the Importance of EPSDT on Overall Child Well-Being Children need access to comprehensive medical care to grow up healthy, do well in school, and become productive adults. Because Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) provides comprehensive medical care, any changes in Medicaid must preserve children's access to EPSDT. www.connectforkids.org/node/3326 National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center is pleased to announce that the popular 1995 manual, "Seal America: The Prevention Invention" is now available electronically. The manual is helpful to those who would like to start a school-based dental sealant program to help prevent dental caries in children. The author describes methods of establishing an efficient dental sealant program. Topics include defining the population, gaining community support, staffing, purchasing portable equipment, funding, collecting and analyzing data, preparing to go into the school, implementing the program in the school, understanding the importance of referral and follow-up, and evaluating the program. Appendices include sample forms and resource materials. Seal America is available at www.mchoralhealth.org/Seal or from OHRC's home page, www.mchoralhealth.org Dental Health Getting Worse for Some, Report Says
New York Times, September 12, 2005 "We've been doing things that have been effective in protecting permanent teeth," said Dr. William R. Maas, director of the division of oral health at the C.D.C. "The problem is that we haven't seen similar improvements in the younger ages, and we need to know more and do more." Dr. Burton L. Edelstein, a professor of clinical dentistry at Columbia University, who was not involved in writing the report, said he found the results disturbing. "To me," he said, "the dramatic finding for young kids is that caries increased 15 percent between the two periods. More than a quarter of U.S. preschoolers have tooth decay. It's trended in a negative direction." Moreover, Dr. Edelstein added, "The increase is disproportionately higher in low income kids..." www.nytimes.com/2005/09/13/health/13teet.html MetLife's New Dental Pediatric Risk Assessment Guides Help Keep Children and Parents Smiling
New York To keep a healthy smile for life, oral health care should begin at an early age. MetLife's Dental Products Division announced today that it has created two guides aimed at helping parents and children assess their risk for tooth decay and dental cavities. The MetLife Dental Pediatric Risk Assessment Guides promote improved knowledge about oral health and appropriate levels of dental care among children and their parents. One guide is intended for parents while the other is designed specifically for children who are old enough to assess their own oral health care. The guides can be obtained online by visiting www.lifeadvice.com and clicking on the heading "Calculators and Tools." The guides use a series of questions to help parents and children identify personal factors associated with higher risk for tooth decay. Also included in the guides is educational information and best practices to reduce risk. Focusing on sugar intake, brushing and flossing habits, and fluoride exposure, the guides also encourage parents and children to discuss preventive measures with their dentist. With dentists and patients working more closely together, it is anticipated that oral health problems will be detected earlier and treatment tailored to meet individual needs. "A successful approach to oral health care emphasizes personal risk assessment, early recognition, prevention and intervention when treatment needs are minimal. A critical component is the proactive involvement of patients. Even young children should be made aware of the concept of prevention and what it can accomplish," said Dr. James Kennedy, Dean Emeritus of the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and Chair of the MetLife Dental Advisory Council. Formed in 1995, the MetLife Dental Advisory Council is comprised of practicing and academic dentists as well as corporate benefit representatives. The Council helps oversee MetLife's Quality Initiatives Program. Council member Dr. James Crall, professor and chair, Pediatric Dentistry, UCLA School of Dentistry, developed the pediatric risk assessment guides. MetLife Dental administers dental benefits to more than 20 million Americans at thousands of companies and organizations of all sizes. School-Based Dental Sealant Program Manual Now Available Online Seal America: The Prevention Invention, a how-to manual for establishing a school-based dental sealant program, is now available online. The manual was first developed in 1995 by the American Association of Community Dental Programs in cooperation with the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Oral Health. The electronic version was created by the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center. Topics include defining the population, gaining community support, staffing, purchasing portable equipment, funding, collecting and analyzing data, preparing to go into the school, implementing the program in the school, understanding the importance of referral and follow-up, and evaluating the program. Appendices include sample forms and resource materials. The manual is intended for use by health professionals, program administrators, and others interested in starting a dental sealant program to help prevent dental caries in children. The manual and accompanying video are available at www.mchoralhealth.org/Seal. Variations in Oral Healthcare of Children from Low-Income Families "The present analysis suggests that a number of factors deter low-income children from receiving needed dental care," state the authors of an article published in the August 2005 issue of the American Journal of Public Health. One of the Healthy People 2010 objectives is to increase the number of children from families with low incomes who receive at least some amount of preventive dental health care during a given year. The article describes a study focused on how the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of children and their families may affect receipt of dental health care among low-income children. The analysis focused on two dimensions of dental health care measured in the 2002 National Survey of Families: unmet dental needs and number of preventive dental care visits. To assess the relationships between socioeconomic, demographic, and health factors and whether children visited a dentist for preventive care and had unmet dental needs, the following factors were examined: the child's age, race/ethnicity, citizenship status, area of residence, and health insurance status; whether the child had a functional limitation or was in poor or fair health; whether the child was a member of a family with no parents, 1 parent, or 2 parents; the parents' mental health status, level of education, and employment status; whether the parent was interviewed in English or Spanish; the number of children in the family, family income, and whether the family was experiencing economic hardship. The authors found that:
"Improving the dental health of these low-income children is likely to depend on increasing their access to insurance that includes dental benefits," conclude the authors, adding that, "although identifying factors that prevent children from receiving dental care appears critical to achieving the objectives of Healthy People 2010, of equal importance is reducing factors that limit the supply of dental services to low-income children." Kenney GM, McFeeters JR, Yee JY. 2005. Preventive dental care and unmet dental needs among low-income children. American Journal of Public Health 95(8):1360-1366. Abstract available at www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/95/8/1360. Readers: Going Without: America's Uninsured Children details the number of uninsured children in the United States and by state and provides national estimates of the number of children who may be eligible for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program; highlights national changes in insurance coverage among children during recent years; and looks at the consequences of being without health insurance. The report was released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to launch the annual Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Campaign, a national effort to enroll eligible children in public coverage programs during the back-to-school season. It is available at www.rwjf.org/files/newsroom/ckfresearchreportfinal.pdf. Information on Covering Kids & Families and the Back-to-School Campaign is available at www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org. More information about children's oral health is available from the Bright Futures in Practice: Oral Health -- Pocket Guide at www.brightfutures.org/oralhealth/about.html and from the MCH Library and National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center's knowledge path at www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_oralhealth.html. Dentists, Pediatricians Urge Mouthguard Use as Kids Head Back to School Newswise -- Each year, more than 3.5 million children, age14 and under are injured while playing sports or participating in recreational activities. As part of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) annual back-to-school health promotion, when some 6 million high school students plan their participation in team sports, both health organizations remind parents that the use of mouthguards can help protect children from mouth injuries. Mouthguards help cushion blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth, and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. They also may reduce the severity and incidence of concussions. If a child wears braces or another fixed dental appliance on their lower jaw, the dentist may suggest a mouth protector for those teeth as well.
Facial injuries and protective equipment "Injuries to the face from participating in a sport or other recreational activity can harm your child's teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue, but a properly fitted mouthguard can help protect your child's smile," says Edmond Hewlett, D.D.S., an ADA consumer advisor and associate professor at UCLA’s School of Dentistry. "In addition to mouthguards, be sure your child wears all the appropriate protective equipment made for their sport, such as shin pads, wrist guards, eye protection, and helmet, adds AAP President Carol Berkowitz, M.D., FAAP. Always consult your pediatrician on the sport that is right for your child's age and abilities." "In the past few years, since high schools and colleges began to require mouthguards and facemasks for football, about 200,000 injuries to the mouth and face have been prevented each year," says Dr. Hewlett.
Completion of health, dental exams and immunizations Special Olympics Athletes Have Unmet Health Needs
By Charnicia E. Huggins Many people with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities have vision, hearing, dental and other health problems, but most doctors and dentists are not trained to deliver services to this population, according to the findings of two studies conducted by Special Olympics. These adults have the same health care needs as those in the general population, but their needs are not being addressed in a "competent, comprehensive fashion," Dr. Stephen Corbin, dean of Special Olympics University and director of Health & Research Initiatives, told Reuters Health. As a result, said Corbin, who led the first study, many are living with preventable, manageable conditions and are "falling through the cracks" of the public health system. For his study, information was collected from 4,700 athletes from 146 countries who participated in 15,000 different Special Olympics Healthy Athletes health screenings during the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland and the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Japan. Despite these widespread and numerable health concerns, "this population is not on the public health radar screen," Corbin said, explaining that the public health community views it as a "disability and rehabilitation issue more than a public health issue." In a second study, Dr. Matthew Holder, global medical advisor for Special Olympics, surveyed more than 2,500 individuals, including medical and dental school deans and residency directors, medical students and representatives of advocacy and patient care groups. He found that more than half of medical school deans and dental school deans, respectively, said that their graduates were "not competent" to treat patients with intellectual disabilities. To address these health care needs, Special Olympics has recently developed a global vision curriculum that has been released to some optometry schools and has been translated into Mandarin in order to be disseminated in China in September. The organization is also creating a public Internet site whereby adults with intellectual disabilities can more easily access health care providers. On the site, which is also expected to be available by late September, health professionals will be able to identify themselves as willing to treat patients with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics studies were supported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Lions Club International. ADA Foundation Awards $100,000 Education Grant Newswise -- The American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF) announces the awarding of a $100,000 grant to the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) for their joint proposal on recruiting and retaining dental school faculty members. Dental schools report over 300 unfilled faculty positions in the U.S. The number will probably grow because of the anticipated retirement of the 20 percent of current faculty members over 60 years of age. Earlier this year, the ADAF, charitable arm of the American Dental Association, announced its program, "Enhancing the Dental School Faculty Workforce," that sought innovative proposals to help recruit and maintain a sufficient number of well-qualified faculty members at the nation’s dental schools. The ADEA and AADR's successful proposal, "Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program," includes developing a year-long, structured program that exposes the student dentist to dental education as a career; mentor training and support; and external partnerships to sustain and expand the program. They will share management of the program. "We congratulate the American Dental Education Association and the American Association for Dental Research as recipients of this award," said Arthur A. Dugoni, D.D.S., ADAF president. "We look forward to the proposal's implementation and its future benefits to the nation’s dental schools and students." Dental Organizations Offer Diversity Workshops For Better Patient Understanding Chicago -- The American Dental Association (ADA) in collaboration with the National Dental Association, Hispanic Dental Association and the Indian Dental Association, U.S.A., will present a series of workshops to help dentists and dental team members better understand and provide care to a more diverse patient population. The workshops will take place in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 26; Los Angeles on Nov. 6; and Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 10, 2006. General dentists, specialists and dental team staff, dental school faculty and those involved in research that wish to enhance their communications and ability to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate care for diverse patient populations should plan to attend. Dentists and team staff are eligible for six hours of continuing education hours for attending the workshops. The keynote speaker at all three workshops is William A. Guillory, Ph.D., a national authority on diversity, empowerment and leadership. The full-day workshops also feature two speakers on oral medicine topics. In Orlando and Washington, D.C., Dr. Michael Glick, editor of The Journal of the American Dental Association and faculty member at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, is the presenter. In Los Angeles, Dr. Linda Niessen, vice president of clinical education at Dentsply International and faculty member at Baylor College of Dentistry, will speak. Baltimore-based Levin Group Selected by University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine for Practice Management Curriculum
Deliverables to include Pre- and Post-Doctoral programs, Faculty Lecture Series, and Cultural Competency module "I am very excited about this new partnership," said Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat, Dean of Penn Dental Medicine (www.dental.upenn.edu). "Levin Group is recognized as a proven leader in developing innovative results-driven practice management programs, and as the premier provider of consulting services for the dental community. I have complete confidence in Levin Group’s ability to prepare our students for the real world of dentistry." Beginning September 1, 2005, Levin Group will provide curriculum programs in Dental Practice Management for Undergraduate and Post-Graduate studies in specialty areas, a Faculty Lecture Series, a Cultural Competency module, and editorial contribution to Penn Dental Medicine publications. In addition, Levin Group will deliver seven specialty seminars for Penn Dental Medicine alumni and invited guests over a two-year period. Roger P. Levin, founder and CEO of Levin Group, will serve as the company's keynote lecturer for Penn Dental Medicine seminars. "We are proud to be working with the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, one of the nation's leading institutions for dental education," said Dr. Levin. "We are also honored to work side by side with Dr. Jeffcoat, whose tireless effort to improve the health of the public serves as a testament to her vision and leadership for Dentistry." NFED Awards $24,000 in Scholarships to 17 Deserving Students Twenty-five years ago, doctors thought most children affected by Ectodermal Dysplasias would have mental handicaps. Today, we know this is not the case. To recognize this fact, scholarships are awarded to individuals affected by ED, who are pursuing an education. We are excited to announce the 2005 NFED Scholarship recipients! Click here to read about the winners. www.nfed.org/ScholarWinners.htm 1st International Workshop of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation
Chennai (Madras), India The International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation is confident that the live surgical demonstrations together with the planned scientific programme on Genetics, New Advances, Speech Therapy, Orthodontics, Long-term Results, Distraction Osteogenesis, Anesthesia and the like will be of a great interest to you. We also feel that the content of the live surgeries and range of the lectures and presentations will be of great help to you in furthering your career in Cleft Rehabilitation. Much of the new surgical techniques and treatment methods that you will experience will undoubtedly be of benefit to developing the specialty in your home country. We look forward to your participation. However, we regret that the Foundation is unable to offer any financial assistance with regard to any aspect of the congress. Special reduced conference rates have been negotiated for accommodation at the five-star Hotel Hilton, which is near the workshop site. There are a good variety of top class hotels, middle-of-the-price-range hotels, guesthouses and hostels also available near the venue. We look forward to seeing you in Chennai (Madras). Prof. Dr. S. M. Balaji, Organizing Chairman, Chennai – India, for details kindly log onto www.cleftworkshop.com. IXth International Symposium on Sjogren's Syndrome The Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation and Symposium Chair Dr. Philip Fox invites you to attend the 9th International Symposium on Sjogren's Syndrome, to be held April 27-29, 2006, in Washington, D.C. The IXth symposium marks the 20th anniversary of these symposia, the pre-eminent research meetings on Sjogren's syndrome. Join with international experts at the only gathering which facilitates the involvement and interaction of the diverse group of scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates who work in the field. Visit www.isssonline.org for details. TMJ Association Publishes Special Series The journal, Cells, Tissues, Organs, edited by A.W. English, Ph.D., has published a special topic series "Advancing Diagnostic Approaches for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders" which highlights several manuscripts presented at The TMJ Association's 2004 scientific meeting. For more information about this publication and to obtain a copy, please see the attached document. The TMJ Association, P.O. Box 26770, Milwaukee, WI 53226, Phone: (414) 259-3223 Fax: (414) 259-8112, E-mail: info@tmj.org Web site: www.tmj.org HDA Names New Executive Director The Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) is pleased to announce Rebecca "Becky" Jeppesen has recently been named to the position of Executive Director. Ms. Jeppesen replaces Sandy Reed who was former Executive Director from the inception of the HDA15 years ago. Ms. Jeppesen's background is strong in association work and leadership having served on several boards herself. She was the first woman Regional Representative for the Michigan Farm Bureau and was eventually promoted to the Manager of Local Affairs for the organization. During her tenure, she was appointed by two different Governors to represent rural concerns on four commissions. She was voted chair of the Michigan Rural Development Commission. While she was with the Farm Bureau, she was a key individual in starting a local television show on a major network to reflect concerns of the members in the area. She started as a reporter, literally in the field, and then went on to produce and co-host the show, which was the number one weekend morning show in the eastern state side market for over 10 years. Ms. Jeppesen sees the position with the HDA as an opportunity to work with and through membership to improve dental health within the growing Hispanic community. In an open letter to the Board of Trustees, she stated, "The Hispanic Dental Association has a solid foundation and I'm looking forward to working with you in building a vibrant, dynamic future. The strong base of the dental profession combined with pride in the Hispanic heritage provides the promise of moving ahead with an exciting organization." The HDA will be hosting their 13th Annual Meeting in San Antonio, November 17-19. For more information about the association or annual meeting, please contact: Hispanic Dental Association, 1224 Centre West, Ste. 400B, Springfield, IL 62704; (800) 852-7921; or Rjeppesen@hdassoc.org. National Museum of Dentistry The Annual NMD Recognition Breakfast honoring the Museum’s supporters. "A Decade of Excellence-Celebrating NMD’s First 10 Years." Saturday, October 8, 2005, 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Philadelphia Marriott Hotel, 1201 Market St., Grand Ballroom J. RSVP by October 1, 2005 to Katie Hale, (410) 706-8477 or khale@dentalmuseum.umaryland.edu. AAPHD Requests Journal Reviewers AAPHD needs volunteers now, with various areas of expertise, to review 2-3 manuscripts per year. If you are willing to volunteer, please send your name, e-mail, area of expertise and the maximum number of manuscripts you would be willing to review over the next year to: Helen Gift at: hgift@brevard.edu and Linda Lenzini at: Linda@assn-srvs.com. They will get back to you to confirm your information and arrange to send you your first manuscript electronically. If you would like to recommend someone to serve as a reviewer, please send their contact information to Helen and Linda. Follow-up will be done directly with the individual. Reviewers are asked to review the manuscript and return it with comments within 3-4 weeks. Additional information will be provided upon confirmation of your willingness to volunteer. Thank you for helping AAPHD keep the Journal of Public Health Dentistry the valuable resource our discipline depends upon! Funding Opportunities
Availability of research materials through the NIDCR Temporomandibular Joint Implant Registry and Repository
Biology of RNA Interference: Stability, Delivery and Processing by Tissues
New Ways to Image Neural Activity
Validation of New Technologies for Clinical Assessment of Tooth Surface Demineralization
Completion of a Comprehensive Mouse Knockout Resource |