A new report exploring America’s oral health over the last 20 years includes noteworthy contributions from 15 current and former Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) faculty members.

“Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges” is a sweeping effort to tell the whole story of the state of oral health in America. Widely considered the most comprehensive evaluation of oral health currently available in the U.S., the report shows that oral health plays a central role in overall health.

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Dr. Yingzi Yang, professor of Developmental Biology and associate dean for Research, and Dr. Jennifer Gibbs, assistant professor of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences and program director for Endodontics, have been awarded $200,000 in seed grant funding from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute to investigate how stem cells could play a role in repairing dentin and preserving dental pulp. Their work may offer new biological solutions for those suffering from debilitating dental pain that can occur with deep cavities.

“As dental cavities progress into the innervated...

Tooth loss is often accepted as a natural part of aging, but what if there was a way to better identify those most susceptible without the need for a dental exam?

New research led by investigators at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) suggests that machine learning tools can help identify those at greatest risk for tooth loss and refer them for further dental assessment in an effort to ensure early interventions to avert or delay the condition.

The study, published June 18 in PLOS ONE, compared five algorithms using a different combination of variables to screen for risk.... Read more about Predicting Tooth Loss: Machine-Learning Algorithms May Help Identify Those at Risk

Dr. Francesca Gori, assistant professor of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, program director for the Harvard Forsyth Research Academy, and director of predoctoral research at HSDM, was chosen by the Board of Directors of the Student Competition for Advancing Dental Research and its Application (SCADA) as the 2021 Burton C. Borgelt Faculty Advisory Award recipient. This award honors a faculty advisor who has distinguished herself as a dental scientist and...

Zahra Aldawood, DMSc18, MMSc21, recalls the moment in dental school when she realized she wanted to pursue genetic research as one of the most enlightening experiences of her life.

“I conducted research to examine the ‘nature versus nurture’ effect on characteristics of twins' teeth. It was my first time being exposed to the world of genetics,” Aldawood said. “That work shifted my thinking from the simplicity of ‘hereditary versus environment’ toward the complexity of ‘genetic, epigenetic and environment.’”

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David T. Wu, DMSc23, is an Advanced Graduate Education (AGE) student in Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s Department of Periodontology. Born in Suzhou, China, Wu grew up in Montreal, Quebec, and received his Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Cell Biology from McGill University in 2015, followed by his DMD from the Faculty of Dentistry at McGill. In his free time, Wu enjoys running and cycling around Boston. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wu also enjoyed weekly Boston Symphony Orchestra...

Dr. Hawazin W. Elani, assistant professor in the Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), and co-authors from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, examined how the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) expansion of Medicaid eligibility affected dental coverage and the use of oral health services among low-income adults, using data from the National Health Interview Survey. Their findings were published...

Dr. Shigemi Nagai, associate professor of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, and director of clinical research at HSDM, was recently awarded a National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Catalyst Award as part of the Healthy Longevity Global Competition, a multiyear, multimillion-dollar international competition seeking breakthrough innovations to extend human health and function later in life. Nagai is the only dentist to receive the award among the 150 awards issued in the inaugural round of the competition.... Read more about Dr. Shigemi Nagai Awarded National Academy of Medicine Catalyst Award

What happens when you take a hands-on, interactive dental curriculum and turn it upside down? Four new publications in the Journal of Dental Education authored by HSDM faculty and students reveal how dental education during the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly adapted to deliver aspects of the curriculum in virtual ways. The authors took a close look at what worked well, and what needed improvement, to inform how to best deliver dental education in new and uncharted territory.

“As we all know, dental education has a very interactive curriculum and invaluable aspects to...

Dr. Vicki Rosen, professor and chair of developmental biology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), has been appointed interim dean of HSDM, effective January 1, 2020.

A highly respected scientist in the field of bone and mineral research, Rosen’s career at HSDM spans nearly two decades. As chair of the Department of Developmental Biology, she oversees the clinical specialties of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, as well as basic research, and is involved in the education of postdoctoral fellows and residents, students enrolled in the DMD...

On Tuesday, December 10, members of the Harvard community and affiliated research institutions gathered to honor Harvard School of Dental Medicine Dean Bruce Donoff’s contributions to research and education at a symposium and reception held in his honor. Donoff, who is stepping down at the end of the year, has been a dedicated advocate for scientific research and studying the relationship between dentistry, oral biology, and medicine.... Read more about Recognizing a Career Devoted to Research, Education, and Clinical Care

Eight HSDM advanced graduate education students have been awarded Harvard Presidential Scholarships for the 2019-20 academic year. The full-tuition scholarship is awarded to DMSc students who have committed themselves to careers in public service or academia. This year’s accomplished recipient’s academic interests range from pursuing clinical and basic science research, to teaching and mentoring students, to furthering oral health policy and information systems.

Dr. Francesca Gori, assistant professor of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, has a longstanding interest in studying the cellular and molecular pathways underlying cell fate and differentiation. Her research focuses on the identification and characterization of genes that regulate bone development and homeostasis as potential therapeutic targets. Recently, she was awarded an R56 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Award, as well as the William F. Milton Fund Award from Harvard University’s Office of the Provost to fund two studies that may lead to insights in human diseases...

When Dr. Bjorn R. Olsen, professor of Developmental Biology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), and Hersey Professor of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School (HMS) received funding for his NIH R01 grant, “Biogenesis of Extracellular Matrix” in 1985, his expectations were high that it might yield a new discoveries related to collagen-like proteins. Much to his delight, the grant, now extended for years 33 and 34, has been one of the most prolific in the history of the School, ... Read more about Long-Running Grant Produces over 30 Years of Discoveries