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School of Dental Medicine
Three years on: A look at the Penn Wharton China Center
The impact of the Beijing-based center and research fund has been far-reaching on campus and in China.
Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand visits Penn, with scientific partnerships in mind
The princess met with President Amy Gutmann and leaders of Penn’s health schools on Thursday, April 5, to discuss future collaboration aimed at advancing health and science.
Mark Wolff named dean of Penn Dental Medicine
Mark Wolff will become the next Morton Amsterdam Dean of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, effective July 1.
Unraveling how stem cells from gum tissue accelerate wound healing
Gum tissue stem cells heal twice as fast as skin, and researchers are determining their potential in accelerated wound healing research.
By altering bone marrow, ‘training’ can prepare innate immune system for future challenges
George Hajishengallis of the School of Dental Medicine and an international team of colleagues have found that “training” the immune system causes changes in the precursors of immune cells in the bone marrow. These changes could facilitate a more robust response to future infections or even enable the immune system to regenerate faster after chemotherapy.
New Dental Material Resists Plaque and Kills Microbes, Penn Dental Team Finds
Dentists rely on composite materials to perform restorative procedures, such as filling cavities. Yet these materials, like tooth enamel, can be vulnerable to the growth of plaque, the sticky biofilm that leads to tooth decay.
Improving oral cancer diagnosis on many fronts
A comprehensive dental visit includes more than a cleaning and X-rays; well-trained dentists know they must also take a thorough look inside the oral cavity to spot any potentially unusual lesions that could signal oral cancer.
Opioid Epidemic
Opioid drug misuse and addiction are epidemic in the United States. Every day, 90 people lose their lives to opioid overdose and the economic burden of the crisis has climbed to an estimated $80 billion a year. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are spearheading multi-faceted solutions to address the problem.
New Coursera Offering From Penn Explores Ties Between Medicine and Dentistry
By Erica AndersenDentists and physicians practice health care from different perspectives, however, the oral and general health of their patients are of primary importance to both types of providers. A new online course taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty seeks to highlight the inextricable connections between the two professions.
Penn Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Driven by Desire to ‘Make Someone Whole Again’
In his office at the University of Pennsylvania, oral and maxillofacial surgeon Rabie Shanti sits at his computer, clicking through photos of patients he’s operated on.He pulls up an image of a mouth open wide, tongue extended.
In the News
Does your jaw click? Do you grind your teeth? It could be this little-known condition
Thomas P. Sollecito of the School of Dental Medicine says that roughly 10-15% of adults have some form of temporomandibular disorder, though the vast majority don’t require treatment.
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Menopause can bring on dental problems, but you can protect your mouth
Thomas Sollecito of the School of Dental Medicine says hormonal changes can reduce bone density and saliva production, harming gums and teeth.
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Six health myths about oils
Dean Mark Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine says that oil pulling won’t cause harm but has never reversed periodontitis or gingivitis.
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Swish, spit, repeat: Is oil pulling good for your teeth?
Mark S. Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine says that oil pulling should never be a substitute for brushing or flossing one’s teeth.
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The five best water flossers (for people who hate flossing)
Dean Mark Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine explains which features are most helpful for a good water flosser.
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