2.19
School of Dental Medicine
Penn Dental Medicine offering free emergency care to furloughed federal workers
As the federal government shutdown continues, Penn Dental Medicine is opening its doors to furloughed federal workers, offering them free care for emergency dental needs.
Launching junior faculty into fulfilling careers
Taking a holistic approach, the Penn Faculty Pathways Program equips early career professors with the tools they need to excel professionally and personally.
A Sayre-Keystone collaboration brings dental care to kids
Penn Dental at Sayre Health Center teamed with Keystone First to help children and young adults living in the Center’s West Philadelphia neighborhood find dental care.
Two from Penn named to new class of AAAS Fellows
Noted for their contributions to dental and biological sciences, respectively, Hyun (Michel) Koo of the School of Dental Medicine and Joshua Plotkin of the School of Arts and Sciences are part of the newest cohort of fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Modeling the most common form of vision loss in older adults
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people older than 50. Kathleen Boesze-Battaglia and colleagues have developed a model system that mimics many features of the human condition, giving scientists a platform to gain a deeper understanding of risk factors and possible treatments.
To resolve inflammation, location matters
A single protein can both restrain the initiation of inflammation and help to actively resolve it, according to new research led by George Hajishengallis of the School of Dental Medicine. He and his colleague found that the type of cell that secretes the protein determines which activity the protein promotes.
The Power of Penn in London
In London, President Amy Gutmann presented the vision for the University’s $4.1 billion campaign, The Power of Penn.
5 tips to scare away cavities
Beyond the inevitable sugar high, what are the implications of consuming a glut of candy? Pediatric dentist Maria Velasco suggests coming up with a plan, then giving away the rest of the treats.
Drivers of inflammation provide valuable targets for new gum disease therapies
A subset of T cells contributes to the inflammation and bone loss that characterizes periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease. According to new research by George Hajishengallis and scientists at the National Institutes of Health, drugs that specifically inhibit these cells may offer an effective therapy.
Targeting a viral vulnerability to treat disease
Robert Ricciardi company ViRAZE utilizes interdisciplinary approaches to drug discovery. Its first target is molluscum contagiosum, a disease that targets children and immune-compromised adults with no current FDA-approved therapy.
In the News
Self
Kids are using too much toothpaste and it’s actually a problem
Commenting on the risks of children consuming too much fluoride toothpaste, Dean Mark Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine said the hazard “is not about using too much toothpaste once or twice” but for years.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Government shutdown: How federal workers in Philly can get help, from food to finances
The School of Dental Medicine is noted for offering free dental care to furloughed federal employees with proper identification.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Dentists Urged to Limit Opioid Prescriptions to Prevent Addiction
The School of Dental Medicine’s Elliot Hersh commented on Pennsylvania’s legal requirement that doctors screen patient histories for signs of opioid abuse. Hersh stated that for many dental patients over the counter pain relief can be just as effective.
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Newsworks (WHYY-FM)
Leftover Painkillers Driving Opioid Crisis, Penn Researcher Says
Peggy Compton of the School of Nursing and Elliot V. Hersh of the School of Dental Medicine are quoted about participating in a panel discussion about the opioid crisis, along with Kyle Kampman of the Perelman School of Medicine, Mary Robinson of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Jeffrey Saven of the School of Arts & Sciences.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
What Diabetic Mice Can Teach Us About Keeping Teeth Healthy
Dana Graves of the School of Dental Medicine is featured for researching the consequences of poorly managed diabetes on tooth and gum health.
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