Dr. Willard D. McCall, Chair
University at Buffalo
State University of New York
School of Dental Medicine
355 Squire Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
|
Phone: |
(716) 829-2241 |
|
FAX: |
(716) 829-3554 |
|
E-mail: |
Margaret Penque (mpenque@buffalo.edu) |
|
PRIMARY MISSION
The primary mission of the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences is to teach, conduct research and related scholarship, and provide service in the differential diagnosis of orofacial diseases and disorders. Inherent in this mission is the teaching and application of the principles, scientific bases and techniques that underlie the diagnostic disciplines and the advancement of knowledge in these areas. This implies that emphasis will be given to the use and integration of those biological, behavioral and clinical sciences that are relevant to the differential diagnosis of pathological conditions in the orofacial region and to the utilization of critical thinking skills in that process. Although priority will be given to didactic, laboratory, seminar and clinical teaching to predoctoral dental students, particularly in required courses, the department maintains a strong commitment to graduate education, research mentoring, and the creation of new knowledge and insights through scientific research and related scholarship. TEACHING PROGRAMS
The teaching of The Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences in the predoctoral dental school curriculum encompasses the fields of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, TMD and Orofacial Pain, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, and Oral Medicine. In the graduate and post-graduate areas ODS has two ADA accredited post-graduate programs (Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and the General Practice Residency), a TMD and Orofacial Pain Program, the Master of Science Program in Biomaterials, and participants strongly in the school-wide Master of Science program in the Oral Sciences. A BRIEF HISTORY
The Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences was formed in 1994 by merging two full departments (Oral Medicine and Stomatology & Interdisciplinary Sciences) and some faculty from three other departments (Behavioral Sciences, Oral Biology, and Dental Materials). The founding chair was Norman Mohl, who insisted rightly that to avoid factions the new department would have no conjunctions in the name. Since its founding, retirements have been celebrated [1] , deaths have been mourned [2] , and bright, energetic, new faculty have been recruited and hired [3] . The dozen or more changes in faculty have made us accustomed to change. We are also accustomed to competence, experience, and high quality. The Department includes among its current and past members three of the seven SUNY Distinguished Professors [4], one of the two UB Distinguished Professors [5], four of the five SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching in the School of Dental Medicine [6], seven former deans and department chairs [7], and eleven current or past winners of NSF or NIH grants [8].
[1] Alan Drinnan, Stuart Fischman, Elliot Gale, Joseph Gong, Michael Meenaghan, William Miller, Norman Mohl, Mirdza Neiders, Ahmed Uthman, and Larry Wolfgang.
[2] Alan Drinnan, Elliot Gale, Joseph Gong, Michael Meenaghan, Soren Sorenson, and Ahmed Uthman.
[3] Pat Anders, Heidi Crow, Yoly Gonzalez, Richard Ohrbach, Lida Radfar, Lynn Solomon, Jose Luis Tapia, and Mine Tezal.
[4] Alan Drinnan, Norman Mohl, and Mirdza Neiders.
[5] Robert Baier.
[6] Alfredo Aguirre, William Miller, Joseph Natiella, and Mirdza Neiders.
[7] Richard Buchanan, Alan Drinnan, Louis Goldberg, Michael Meenaghan, Norman Mohl, Joseph Natiella, and Ahmed Uthman.
[8] Robert Baier, Elliot Gale, Louis Goldberg, Yoly Gonzalez, Scott McCall, Anne Meyer, Normal Mohl, Micheal Meenaghan, Joseph Natiella, Richard Ohrbach, and Mine Tezal.
|
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Corey Hmiel successfully defended his thesis in Biomaterials on June 2, 2011. The title of his thesis defense was "Strain-Induced Strengthening of Bioprosthetic tissue in Physiological Super-Saturated Calcium Phosphate Solution". The research provides progression toward a bioengineering technique used for the mineralization of implantable bioprosthetic devices.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Laura Briones (Kraft Company), Dr. Aguirre and Dr. Javier Portilla
Alfredo Aguirre was invited to present a histopathology seminar on November 25, 2011. Dr. Javier Portilla, former Dean of the Faculty of Odontology (FO), National Autonomous University of Mexico, extended the invitation. Dr. Aguirre presented an array of challenging oral and maxillofacial lesions to the graduate students and faculty members of the FO. The seminar was well received and it was proposed to repeat this event on an annual basis.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Al Cantos was appointed by the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Dental Health, to be a member of the Healthy Aging Planning Committee in January 2012. The committee will be developing an oral health surveillance plan of older adults.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
NEW RESEARCH - Yoly Gonzalez received a grant award for the study, “Joules, Genes and Behaviors: A multifactorial assessment of TMD risk indicator” (JG&B), and funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) for five years. The study is in collaboration with the University of Missouri at Kansas City and the University of Zurich (Germany). Scott McCall and Richard Ohrbach are co-investigators. The main objective of this project is to evaluate the biomechanics, muscle behavior and genetics associated with TMJ dysfunction. Jeff Nickel and Laura Iwasaki (UMKC) will continue their research visits to UB during the duration of the grant. Betsy Seyler-Piccolo has also joined the research team.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Amy Gallo was awarded a certificate of competency for the Level 1 Cone-beam Computed Tomography, following successful completion on an online test. The course was held by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, during the American Dental Association (ADA) Annual Session in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 10-12, 2011.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Angela Poon successfully defended her thesis on May 24, 2011. The title of her thesis was "Endo-toxin Removal by Radio Frequency Gas Plasma (Glow Discharge)". This research utilizes a new technique for eliminating endotoxins present after sterilization of dental/medical tools. She also received her Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Angela will be moving to the Kansai region of Japan and plans to teach English. She will also work on her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Tohoku University.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Samyuktha Prabakaran (Samy) completed her Oral Pathology training program in June 2011. She joined her husband in Yakima, Washington, and began her residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) in the Northwest Dental Residency Program, that specializes in treating the underserved in the local area.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Alfredo Aguirre was the featured speaker at the 15th International Meeting of the Center of Specialties and Advanced Odontological Studies (CSAOS) in Veracruz, Mexico. The meeting took place April 8-10, 2011 and was well received by more than 500 individuals who came from a number of dental schools located along the Gulf of Mexico.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Al Cantos received his Fellowship award at the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM), held April 6-9, 2011, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nora Townsend also attended the meeting and was awarded membership of the AAOM.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Former UB President John Simpson designated Bob Baier as a “UB Distinguished Professor”, effective September 1, 2011. Dr. Baier is being recognized for his outstanding record of scholarship and contributions to teaching and public service missions at UB.
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Ashley (May) Litten joined the Radiology team in January 2011. She continues to work at Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital in Radiology. Ashley got married on April 9, 2011. Welcome and congratulations!
ODS HIGHLIGHTS >
Sonia Sharma successfully defended her thesis in the Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) Program on April 15, 2011. Her topic was “Reliability and Diagnostic Validity of Joint Vibration Analysis”. Dr. Sharma plans to continue her studies at the Dental School.
|
|
|
|