2009 Annual Symposium & Gala

First Symposium on NIDCR-Funded Research with Annual Gala a Success!

For 10 years, The Friends of NIDCR has hosted its Annual Gala in the Washington DC area for its members and friends from across the U.S., Canada and abroad. However, this year, The Friends worked with the two dental schools and all the dental associations in DC and Maryland to develop content for a unique afternoon symposium.

Entitled “Clinical Research Advancements & the Effects on Your Dental Practice,” the symposium was held in the backyard of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Bethesda MD in the afternoon of December 9th, 2009. The purpose of this symposium was to provide a science continuing education update for clinicians, while highlighting NIDCR-supported research.

The symposium was an instant hit, with extremely positive comments. FNIDCR Executive Director Peter Anas reported that 97% of the surveys reported that attendees would recommend this symposium to their colleagues in the future.

The objective was to make participants understand the critical role that research plays in establishing knowledge in support of the practice of dentistry. In particular, “It was the intent to introduce the symposium attendees to the working models of research partnerships between dental schools, professional organizations and private practitioners operating in the real world,” said Dushanka Kleinman, DDS, MScD, Associate Dean for Research & Academic Affairs, School of Public Health, University of Maryland.

The co-sponsor dental schools and organizations from DC and Maryland included:

• Baltimore College of Dental Surgery
• District of Columbia Dental Society
• Howard University College of Dentistry
• Maryland State Dental Association
• National Dental Association (Robert T. Freeman Chapter & the Maryland Dental Society)
• University of Maryland School of Public Health

“I am amazed at how the FNIDCR was able to bring so many constituents of the NIDCR together – clinicians, researchers and those from private, nonprofit and government sectors – to learn about the research NIDCR supports and its impact on improving patient care. This symposium and gala were a unique educational opportunity for interacting with others who care, not only about oral health, but also its integral relationship with systemic health” said Katherine Hammitt of the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation.

The event was also co-sponsored by dental schools outside the DC/Maryland area:

• Harvard University School of Dental Medicine
• NYU College of Dentistry
• Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine
• Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry
• University of Michigan School of Dentistry
• USC School of Dentistry

More Symposia Planned Around the Country

Christian Stohler DMD, Dean of the Baltimore School of Dental Surgery noted “The gap between cutting-edge oral health research, notably the research endeavors that are funded competitively within a broader science arena, and the day-to-day dental practice environment has become unmanageable. The fact that dental practitioners, professional organizations and patients are limited or no longer active participants in the discussion destroys the very fabric that keeps dentistry within universities. In this regard, as an organization the “Friends” emphasize and address an important need for the better of dentistry and the patients it serves.”

“The FNIDCR symposium was a great example of knowledge translation and exchange between researchers and practitioners. Looking forward to more of these in different parts of the country! The investments in dental and craniofacial research are paying off in innovative and better health through oral health” said another attendee.

Armed with all of this positive information the FNIDCR Board of Directors agreed at their subsequent Board meeting to launch a new symposium series around the country, in conjunction with state dental associations and the area dental school(s). Details are in progress.

Breadth of Interesting Topics

Larry Tabak DDS, PhD, Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research gave the luncheon keynote, titled “Why Research is Important” including how NIH/NIDCR funding works.

The symposium addressed topics:

• Oral Cancer – Early Detection and Prevention
  • The session started with “Oral Cancer:  A New Molecular-Targeted Approach to Prevention and Treatment” by presented by (left) J. Silvio Gutkind, Ph.D., Chief, Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch, NIDCR, NIH, followed by “Oral Cancer Prevention – Promises & Challenges” by (right) Li Mao, MD, Professor & Chairman, Department of Oncology & Diagnostic Sciences, University of Maryland Dental School.
    
    
• Pain Research – Advances in the Understanding & Management of Persistent Pain
  • The two speakers were introduced by Edward H. Chappelle Jr. DDS, Speaker of the House, National Dental Association (left). The first presentation “Orofacial Pain: Many Treatments Work - How Can It Be Explained?” was presented by Christian Stohler DMD, Dean, Baltimore School of Dental Surgery (middle). “Translating Science into the art of Pain Management” was presented by Sharon Gordon DDS, PhD, MPH, also of the Baltimore School of Dental Surgery (right).
    
    
• Practice-Based Research Networks in Dentistry
  • The third session was introduced by Stephen Tigani DDS, President, DC Dental Society (left). The first presentation “NIDCR Funded Practice Based Research Networks in Dentistry: Who, What, Where and How” was given by Ron Craig, New York University College of Dentistry and the PEARL Network (Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research & Learning) (middle). This was followed by “ Conducting Research in My Practice: Lessons Learned” by Ying Jo Wong, DDS, Principal Investigator, Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University College of Dentistry (right).
    
    
• Research Needs & Opportunities in the DC/Maryland Region
  • The fourth topic, a novel idea, consisted of a panel that presented partnership ideas and research perspectives from the point of view of practitioners.  It included panelists (from left to right) Earl Kudlick DDS, PhD (Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Howard University, School of Dentistry); Hazel Harper, DDS, MPH (Past President, NDA); Moderator Dushanka Kleinman DDS, MScD, Associate Dean for Research & Academic Affairs, School of Public Health, University of Maryland; William F. Martin III DDS (President, MSDA); Winifred Booker DDS (CEO, Maryland’s Children’s Oral Health Institute) and Stephen Tigani DDS (Past President, DC Dental Society).

11^th Annual Gala Brings Unique Experiences Together

Later, the attendees were able to network with their colleagues who flew in from all parts of the country for the lavish gala. All were very attentive to a very different keynote presentation. Lois K. Cohen, Ph.D., formerly the Associate Director for International Health, NIDCR, now retired, traveled in November to Havana, Cuba, to participate in the Global Forum for Health Research, representing the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

As a Paul G. Rogers Ambassador for Global Health Research, Lois shared her experiences speaking on the topic of “Global Health Diplomacy” as well as her visit to Le Facultad de Odontologia de La Habana. This institution was the first dental school in Cuba and will celebrate its 110th anniversary in June 2010 with the Dentistry 2010 International Congress.

An Impressive Group of Award Recipients

This was followed by award presentations to honor significant accomplishments in oral health. “Viewing the unanimous sense of pride from the attendees, as FNIDCR presented the annual awards, redefines the award from the community of dentistry. FNIDCR is truly an organization that represents the broader stakeholders in dentistry - united to support the mission of the NIDCR” said Dr. Yolanda Bonta, Executive Director of the Hispanic Dental Association and Gala Chair for the event.

DENTSPLY/Harold Slavkin Oral Health Science Education Award:
Dr. Marita R. Inglehart, (right), from the Dept. of Periodontics & Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, for the development of a web site for Kindergarten through Grade 5 elementary school teachers to help them find resources for their classes (funded by an NIDCR grant). The award was presented by presented by Linda Niessen DMD, MPH, MPP (left) Past President FNIDCR and VP Clinical Education, DENTSPLY International.

Media Award of Excellence:
Washington State Oral Health Foundation, for its efforts in outstanding community educational outreach media with Kids Connect, WOHF TV and WOHF Radio. The award was presented to WOHF Executive Director Sandy Hardymon (right) by Dan Perkins, FNIDCR Secretary and President AEGIS Communications (left).

Lifetime Achievement Award:
Congressman Elijah Cummings – for being a champion of healthcare for children, authoring the inclusion of guaranteed
dental benefits in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and introducing legislation, named after Deamonte Driver, to increase dental services in community health centers and training more individuals in pediatric dentistry. The award was presented to Blair Hedgepeth, Legislative Assistant (at podium) on behalf of Congressman’s Cummings, by J. Leslie Winston, DDS, PhD, Oral Care Professional & Scientific Relations, The Proctor & Gamble Company, FNIDCR Board Member (far right).

Outstanding Public Advocacy Award:
(1) Frank Farrington DDS (left) presented by Mary Kaye Richter, FNIDCR Vice President and Executive Director, National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (right) – for his work in the passage of legislation in VA that mandates insurance coverage for oral health care associated with cleft lip/palate and ectodermal dysplasia. He has also been a key to the oral health outreach program in Virginia that takes residents and dental vans into rural areas.

(2) Kids Smiles Dental Center – providing children in under-served communities with preventive and restorative dental care and innovative health education programs focusing on the prevention of dental disease and the development of positive personal health behaviors. Gary Price, CEO Dental Trade Alliance and FNIDCR Board member (right) presented the award to Cheryl A. Janssen, Executive Director Kids Smiles (left).

Award for Distinction in Public Service:
Steve Kess, Vice President of Global Professional Relations, Henry Schein, Inc. (left) - for having served with distinction on the board of directors of many organizations, including the American Dental Association Foundation, Academy of General Dentistry Foundation, National Museum of Dentistry, Oral Health America, Children’s Dental Health Project, American Dental Assistants Association, Columbia University School of Dental Medicine, National Dental Association, Hispanic Dental Association, Dental Trade Alliance, Nation's Healthy People 2010 Committee and the Santa Fe Group. The award was presented by R. Bruce Donoff, DMD, MD, Dean, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and FNIDCR President (right).

It was a great day for oral health!