NYU College of Dentistry: Study Reveals Biology Underlying Oral Health Issues in Down Syndrome

New research led by Rodrigo Lacruz, MSc, PhD, professor of molecular pathobiology at NYU College of Dentistry, identifies a biological mechanism that may underlie the oral health challenges experienced by people with Down syndrome. Published in Cell Reports, the study found that defects in calcium signaling reduce saliva production, while changes in inflammation, the oral and gut microbiome, and metabolism may contribute to the high rates of gum disease seen in this population.

“Understanding the processes responsible for low saliva in Down syndrome and developing therapies to restore salivation could have a transformative impact on the oral and overall health of people with Down syndrome,” said Dr. Lacruz. Read more

Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine: Kim-Berman’s Passion for Teaching Future Dentists Cultivated at Stony Brook

When it came to her career goals, Hera Kim-Berman, DDS ’91, MMSc, said she was influenced by her father, Il-Ha Kim, DDS, a graduate of Seoul National University in South Korea, who served in the South Korean army as a major working in the dental department. “He did three tours in the Vietnam War as an ally of the United States. He did a lot of trauma cases, going out on helicopters and into the field,” said Kim-Berman. “When he immigrated to the US in 1973, he got trained at New York University and started teaching there. He really enjoyed his time, even though it was difficult for him to teach part-time as an adjunct and have a practice. He was a great influence and support to me.” Read more.

Student News

Eastman Institute For Oral Health, University of Rochester: EIOH Celebrates Class of 2026 and the Power of Service, Leadership and Compassion

University of Rochester Medicine Eastman Institute for Oral Health celebrated its Class of 2026 during a ceremony that honored the graduates’ academic and clinical achievements, as well as the people, purpose and values that shaped their journey. This year’s graduating class included 76 graduates from 27 countries and 14 states, representing 20 master’s degrees, 52 post-doctoral certificates, and 19 fellows, interns and preceptors. Read more.

Touro College of Dental Medicine: Research Continues to Thrive

Student researchers showcased their work at the Touro College of Dental Medicine’s fifth annual Research Day on May 7, presenting 25 projects spanning a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, implant dentistry, orthodontics, diabetes, marijuana use and healthcare policy. Throughout the event, students stood alongside their posters, sharing their findings with faculty, peers and guests.

The keynote address was delivered by Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, who presented, “New Opportunities for Oral Health in the Shifting Health Policy Landscape.” His remarks explored the evolving forces shaping oral healthcare, including policy changes, access to care, and the future workforce needs of the dental profession.

“It’s an exciting time for oral health, and more research is needed now more than ever,” Vujicic said. “And Touro, thankfully, is one of the leaders in this field.” Read more.

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: Prevention is Power Advances Community Health through Cross-Sector Collaboration

The Prevention is Power community health fair brought together Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Team Roc, Henry Schein Cares, and community partners to expand access to preventive health services while emphasizing the connection between oral and overall health. More than 100 community members received free dental and medical screenings, health education, and referrals for ongoing care, with 60 participants connected to follow-up services. The event highlighted the impact of cross-sector collaboration and reinforced CDM’s commitment to improving health equity by helping community members establish long-term relationships with dental and medical providers. Read more.

NYU College of Dentistry: Dental Hygiene Students and Faculty Volunteer at Special Olympics

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, eight NYU Dentistry Dental Hygiene students and five faculty members volunteered at the Special Olympics Metro Games at Queens High School of Teaching, Liberal Arts and Sciences in Bellerose. Working alongside Pediatric Dental residents from Cohen Children’s Hospital, the team assisted with dental examinations, charting, and home care instruction. Together, they provided oral health screenings for approximately 60 athletes. Prof. Rina Nowka, clinical instructor of dental hygiene and dental assisting, led the team. Read more.

Awards & Grants

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: Columbia Resident Receives Waldron Award for Research on B-cell Lymphomas in the Oral Cavity

Dr. Sophie Zhu, a first-year oral pathology resident at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, received the Waldron Award at the AAOMP 2026 Annual Meeting for her poster on B-cell lymphomas in the oral cavity. Her case series highlights how these malignancies can resemble common inflammatory or benign oral conditions, making early diagnosis challenging. Read more.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: Three UB Faculty Receive Fulbright Scholar Awards

UB faculty members Praveen Arany, Supriya Mahajan and Paul Vanouse have received prestigious Fulbright Scholar awards to study and teach abroad during the coming year. “We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s Fulbright Scholar Award recipients, who join a distinguished community of UB faculty recognized through this prestigious program. Their selection reflects not only the excellence of their research and teaching, but also their commitment to collaboration and global engagement,” says Graham Hammill, senior vice provost for faculty affairs and dean of the Graduate School. Read more.

More News

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: Meeting Patients Where They Are – Dr. Donald Chi on Improving Oral Health Equity

Dr. Donald Chi, DDS, PhD, of the University of Washington, delivered the third Dean’s Distinguished Lecture in Columbia University College of Dental Medicine’s Building Bridges for Oral Health Research series, exploring how social and behavioral factors shape oral health outcomes. Drawing on decades of community-based research, Chi emphasized that improving oral health equity requires understanding patients’ lived experiences and partnering with communities to develop practical, sustainable solutions that work alongside clinical care. Read more.

NYU College of Dentistry: Coming Together to Preserve Evidence-Based Dentistry

The NYU Dentistry Center for Oral Health Policy and Management convened a symposium in May titled, “Aiming for Improved Health Care: The Evolving Role of AI in Evidence-Based Practice.” The symposium drew a full house and a large online audience from across the United States, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. This month’s PROHmotion blog covers the symposium and addresses the role that evidence-based dentistry has played in dental education and the profession over the past 40 years and looks ahead to its place amid the backdrop of machine learning and big data. Read more.