Current Oral Health Research

Dental Caries and Biofilms

Early Childhood Caries Prevention
The goal of this project is to identify children 1-5 years of age, at high risk of developing early childhood caries and to facilitate their access to dental care in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics and the New York State Department of Health.
Principal Investigator: Ronald Billings, D.D.S., M.S.D.
Evaluation of a novel anti-caries approach to modulate virulence of S. mutans
This study will investigate the influence of a novel anti-caries chemotherapeutic approach on:

Expression of specific genes associated with the formation of the extracellular polysaccharide matrix
Structure of the polysaccharides matrix in the biofilm using GC-MS, MALDI-TOF-MS and NMR
Metabolic pathway of S. mutans by specific biochemical assays on PTS system and glycolytic enzymes. Furthermore, we will identify the most effective dosage of our therapeutic approach in vivo, which may also reduce fluoride exposure.

Sponsor: NIH/NIDCR
Principal Investigator: Hyun Koo, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Use of GtfB as a diagnostic for caries activity

Environmental Agents and Oral Health

Mercury Vapor from Amalgam and Methylmercury Co-Exposure on Neurodevelopment
The aim of the project is to quantify the level of risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes attributable to prenatal and postnatal co-exposure to mercury vapor from dental amalgam and methylmercury from fish consumption. This multinational collaborative project will capitalize on the availability of mothers and children participating in the well-characterized Seychelles Child Development Nutrition Study.
Sponsor: NIH/NIEHS/NIDCR
Award number: R01 ES015578
Principal Investigator: Gene E. Watson II, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Health Services Research

Oral Health Surveillance
To conduct oral health surveillance of preschool and elementary school children in collaboration with the Monroe County Department of Health.
Principal Investigator: Ronald Billings, D.D.S., M.S.D.
Health risks of Problem-Oriented Dental Attenders
Sponsor: NIH
Award number: K23 DE016917
Principal Investigator: Yan-Fang Ren, D.D.S., M.D., Ph.D.
Utility of Teledentistry to Reduce Oral Disease Burden in Preschool Children
An exploration of teledentistry, an approach that uses an intraoral camera to image teeth and tooth surfaces. To determine if teledentistry is useful in reducing oral disease burden in preschool inner city children, an intervention study will be conducted in inner-city childcare centers participating in Health-e-Access project.
Sponsor: NIH
Award number : K23 DE017230
Principal Investigator: Dorota Kopycka-Kedzierawski D.D.S., M.P.H.
Enhancing Utilization of Oral Health Services for Underserved Children: A Demonstration Project
Enhancing Utilization of Oral Health Services for Underserved Children, funded by the New York State Department of Health, is a collaboration between the pediatric dental clinic at Eastman Dental and the ambulatory pediatric primary care clinic at Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The goals of the project are to 1) train pediatric medical residents and clinic staff to perform oral health screenings during well child visits; 2) institute systematic referrals of identified children/families to Eastman's pediatric dental clinic; and 3) utilize a trained health project counselor to facilitate entry into the dental care system and/or provide case management as needed.
Contact: Lenora A. Colaruotolo, MSW

Craniofacial Development

Genetic basis of cleft lip and palate
Molecular genetic analysis of craniofacial development
Genetic reg. network in craniofacial development

Salivary Diagnosis and Therapy

Radioprotection by targeted SiRNA delivery to salivary glands
Salivary gland precursor cells

Skeletal, Alveolar and Dental Tissue Regeneration

Mammary stem cells in development and cancer

Periodontal Diagnosis and Therapy

Clinical Research (implants, dental materials, lasers)

More Research at the Center for Oral Biology

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