University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine Receives $7.3 Million NIH Grant to Develop Germ-Free Microbiome Research Facility

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine has received a $7.38 million grant from the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create a new microbiome research facility. The grant will fund the creation of a 4,000-square-foot facility in renovated space on the South Campus. Called the UB Microbiome Center Gnotobiotic Animal Research Facility, it will train scientists in how to use gnotobiotic (germ-free) mice for research and provide a safe and effective space for ongoing research into the oral microbiome. Read more.

Eastman Institute For Oral Health, University of Rochester Researchers Ranked Highly by ScholarGPS

Several Eastman Institute for Oral Health scientists have been recognized for their research by Scholar GPS, which uses sophisticated analysis and statistical methods to rank scholars, based on various metrics related to their number of publications and times their publications were cited. Read more.

Medical Education

NYU College of Dentistry: Developing Custom Virtual Reality (VR) Technology for Teaching Local Anesthesia Administration

It’s no secret that novocaine injections are anxiety-provoking for many dental patients. But what those in the chair may not realize is that they can also be stressful for future dentists who are learning to perform the procedure while putting their patients at ease. NYU Dentistry is pioneering the use of virtual reality (VR) to give students a realistic way to practice injections — over and over and over — before they administer local anesthesia in the real-life clinic. Read more.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine Gives Veterans a Reason to Smile

More than 150 veterans received free dental care from UB’s School of Dental Medicine and community-based providers on Saturday during the ninth annual Dentistry Smiles on Veterans program. It was held at the UB dental clinics on the South Campus. Read more.

Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College: Wish You Could Sleep? You’re Not Alone

When you can’t sleep, it’s hard to function at work and you may find yourself snapping at family members and those closest to you. The term “sleep apnea” has crept into the popular lexicon and will soon be even more well known as the new Apple and Samsung watches will be able to help detect sleep apnea. A new clinic at Touro College of Dental Medicine, led by pioneering expert and Director of Orofacial Pain, Headache and Sleep at TCDM, Dr. Lauren Levi, is helping sufferers find relief. Read more.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine Head and Neck Surgeon Provides Relief to Sleep Apnea Sufferers

Individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, which causes the upper airway to become blocked during sleep, often rely on a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for relief. A CPAP machine delivers pressurized air through a face mask and prevents severe health issues associated with untreated sleep apnea, including heart disease, respiratory illness and stroke. While these machines work effectively for many people, other people find them cumbersome and uncomfortable. Read more.

Gifts & Grants

NYU College of Dentistry Alumni Support Veterans Program with $1 Million Gift

NYU College of Dentistry has received a $1 million gift from alumni Dr. Noel Liu, ’07 and Dr. Nazish Jafri, ’11 to support the Veterans Oral Care Access Resource (VOCARE), which provides comprehensive dental care to veterans across New York City. VOCARE is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ VETSmile, a pilot program designed to improve dental care access for veterans who are not eligible for dental care through the VA by partnering with community providers like NYU Dentistry. Read more.

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine Student Designs Educational Module to Increase Oral Health Knowledge for OB/GYN Clinicians

Bree Zhang, president of the class of 2026 at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and a student in the DDS/MPH dual degree program, has been awarded the 2024 Columbia University Provost Grant for Innovative Course Design, based on a proposal to develop an educational module on oral health during pregnancy geared toward obstetrics and gynecology residents. Read more.

Faculty News

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: El Kholy is Named a Tarrson Fellow

On November 1, 2024, Karim El Kholy, DDS, MS, DMSc, an associate professor of dental medicine at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, was presented with the Bud and Linda Tarrson Fellowship by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation at the Academy’s annual meeting, held in San Diego. The fellowship recognizes a mid-career faculty member for teaching and research in periodontology. Read more.

NYU College of Dentistry: Dr. Rita Bilello Named Clinical Director of the NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities

Dr. Rita Bilello, a dentist and former CEO of Metro Community Health Centers, has been named clinical director of the NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities, effective October 1, 2024. A 1999 graduate of NYU College of Dentistry, Dr. Bilello completed a general practice residency at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, and joined Metro Community Health Centers (MCHC) as dental director after nearly 20 years in private practice. Read more.

More News

Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine: Graduates Reminisce at Inaugural School of Dental Medicine Alumni Class Reunion

The beginning of an annual tradition, Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine welcomed graduates celebrating milestone anniversaries back to campus for an Alumni Class Reunion on Saturday, October 26. Festivities included an afternoon barbecue, question-and-answer session with current students, as well as a tour through the school led by Patrick Lloyd, DDS, MS, dean of the school. The event concluded with a cocktail hour and sitdown dinner at the Waterview at Port Jefferson Country Club. Read more.

Eastman Institute For Oral Health, University of Rochester: As the Pittsburgh Steelers Team Dentist, EIOH Alum Remembers Advice from Faculty

As the team dentist for the Pittsburgh Steelers and consultant for the University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department, Eastman Institute alum Rick Gottlieb has also provided dental services to the U.S. Olympic Team, the U.S. Golf Open, NCAA wrestlers and professional soccer players. Read more.