Innovations, controversies focus of dental symposium

World-renowned dental researchers will discuss pressing issues and advancements in dentistry at the upcoming symposium, “Innovations and Controversies in Oral Health: Connecting the Dots from Research to Practice.”

Hosted by the School of Dental Medicine in cooperation with the Eighth District Dental Society, the symposium will cover topics that range from how genetics influence dental caries and periodontal disease to the potential for stem cells to regenerate oral tissues.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 20 at the Marriott Harborcenter, 95 Main St., Buffalo. Participants are invited to attend a welcome reception at 6:30 p.m. on May 19.

For more details or to register, visit the Continuing Dental Education’s website or call 716-829-2320.

“Our intention is to bring together accomplished investigators working in important areas of dental research with the goal of identifying those areas of basic science that can impact clinical practice,” says Frank Scannapieco, symposium chair and professor and chair of the Department of Oral Biology.

The event is the latest in a series of oral biology symposia sponsored by the dental school that aim to bring together dental researchers and clinicians to discuss essential topics in oral health care.

Speakers and topics include:

• “Role of Host in Periodontal Disease Pathogenesis,” Alpdogan Kantarci, associate member of the staff at Forsyth Institute and adjunct associate professor, Boston University.
• “Oral Microbial Communities and Their Role in Local and Systemic Diseases,” Richard Lamont, Delta Dental Endowed Professor and chair of the Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville.
• “Recent Evidence for a Genetic Basis of Periodontitis,” Thomas C. Hart, professor of periodontics, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.
• “In Pursuit of the Factors that Define Individual Susceptibility to Caries,” Alexandre R. Vieira, associate professor and director of clinical research, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.
• “Evidence that Periodontal Disease Causes Chronic Systemic Disease,” Panos Papapanou, professor and chair, Section of Oral and Diagnostic Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
• “Does Periodontal Disease Really Cause Systemic Disease?” Frank Scannapieco, professor and chair, UB Department of Oral Biology.
• “It’s a Mouthful: New Strategies for Using Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration and Repair,” Rose-Anne Romano, assistant professor of oral biology, UB School of Dental Medicine.
• “Recent Innovations in Photobiomodulation Treatment of Dental Diseases,” Praveen Arany, assistant professor of oral biology, UB School of Dental Medicine.

The symposium is sponsored in part by educational grants from Colgate Palmolive and Ivoclar Vivadent.