Eastman Institute For Oral Health, University of Rochester: More Than $3 Million in Grants Help EIOH Remove Barriers to Dental Care

More than $3 million in grant funding is strengthening Eastman Institute for Oral Health’s (EIOH) Community Dentistry programs, expanding access to preventive and comprehensive dental care for underserved children and vulnerable populations across the Greater Rochester region and New York State. “These grants allow us to meet people where they are and remove barriers that prevent them from accessing essential oral health care,” said Sangeeta Gajendra, DDS, MPH, MS, chair of Community Dentistry and Oral Disease Prevention. Read more.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: Oral Biology and Biochemistry Professors Receive NIH Grant to Study Salivary Gland Regeneration

Salivary glands are essential for everyday human functions —speaking, swallowing, tasting and protecting the mouth—yet they do not fully recover once they are significantly damaged. “Patients who undergo radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, live with autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s disease, take certain medications, or simply experience age-related decline can develop chronic dry mouth that affects eating, swallowing, oral health, sleep, and overall quality of life,” says Rose-Anne Romano, PhD, associate professor of oral biology in the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Read more.

Oral Health Care Access

Touro College of Dental Medicine: Students & Faculty Give Free Oral Health Screenings to Over 600 Students

On March 18, TCDM hosted its annual Give Kids A Smile event at Washington Irving School in Tarrytown, NY, to over 300 young students, where the school gymnasium was transformed into an interactive learning environment featuring fun, dental-themed activities designed to make oral health more engaging and accessible, while also connecting them with dental professionals in a welcoming, non-clinical setting. These young students—many of whom have limited access to regular dental care—gained the knowledge and tools needed to build lifelong healthy habits.

TCDM also partnered with the Ninth District Dental Association for its Give Kids A Smile event at Virginia Road Elementary School in White Plains, NY, in April, serving more than 300 kindergarten through second-grade students. These events are part of TCDM’s participation in the American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile initiative, which mobilizes dental professionals nationwide to serve children in underserved communities. View more photos.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: Dental School Provides Over 100 Local Veterans With Free Oral Health Care

Over 100 local veterans are enjoying healthier smiles following the Dentistry Smiles on Veterans event held on March 6 at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Now in its 11th year, Dentistry Smiles on Veterans provides veterans with free dental services, including cleanings, restorations, X-rays, extractions and more. Read more.

Research

NYU College of Dentistry: Scientists Discover Pathway That Activates Brown Fat

An NYU College of Dentistry study reveals that brown fat cells, which are linked to weight loss, communicate to expand nerve and blood vessel networks, boosting heat generation. The researchers have determined how a key protein activates brown fat by expanding blood vessels and nerves in the heat-generating tissue. The findings, published in Nature Communications, point to a potential strategy for treating obesity that deviates from the current approach of suppressing appetite. Read more.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: AI May Help Clinicians Choose Best Path for Patients Missing Permanent Teeth

Recently, UB’s orthodontics chair led a study using accurate algorithms. In most individuals, permanent second premolars begin to erupt around age 11, pushing out the baby, or primary, teeth. However, in anywhere between 2 and 11% of the population, these permanent second premolars do not exist. Read more.

Awards

NYU College of Dentistry: Alexander Kerr Named Recipient of the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Oral Medicine & Pathology Research

The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) has announced Alexander Kerr as the 2026 recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Oral Medicine & Pathology Research. Kerr, from New York University (NYU), was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 104th General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the 50th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research on March 25-28, 2026 in San Diego, CA, USA. Read more.

Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine: Laniado Named 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

Nadia Laniado, DDS ’84, MPH, MS, director of community dentistry and population health at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital, and associate professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, was named the 2026 recipient of the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine (SDM) Distinguished Alumni Award. The honor is given annually to a graduate who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence. Read more.

More News

NYU College of Dentistry: Early Life Stress Linked to Long-lasting Digestive Issues

Early life stress may lead to digestive issues later in life, driven by changes in the gut and sympathetic nervous systems, according to a new study published in the journal Gastroenterology. “Our research shows that these stressors can have a real impact on a child’s development and may influence gut issues long-term. Understanding the mechanisms involved can help us to create more targeted treatments,” said study author Kara Margolis, director of the NYU Pain Research Center and professor of molecular pathobiology at NYU College of Dentistry and pediatrics and cell biology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Read more.