School of Dental Medicine

Now until July 29, the University of Pennsylvania Office of Development and Alumni Relations is hosting two interns for the CASE Advancement Internship Program.

Jonas Salk created a vaccine against polio that has been used since 1955; Albert Sabin created another version that has been on the market since 1961. Together, these two vaccines have nearly eliminated polio from the face of the earth.

April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month and University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine students teamed with students from Temple University to bring attention to the disease and the importance of early detection through the annual Philadelphia Oral Cancer Walk and 5K on April 2.

Periodontitis, a gum disease present in nearly half of all adults in the United States, involves inflammation, bleeding and bone loss. In its severe form, it is associated with systemic inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dentistry is often described as part art, part science. Geelsu Hwang, a research associate in the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, wants to add engineering to the mix.

The oral cavity is a complex landscape, cavernous and full of irregular structures. Using a two-dimensional X-ray to map its variations can only reveal so much. That’s why a technological revolution that has made three-dimensional imaging of the teeth and jaws easier and safer has ushered in a transformation of practice in the dental clinic.

Antarctica was once a balmier place, lush with plants and lakes. Figuring out just how long the continent has been a barren, cold desert of ice can give clues as to how Antarctica responded to the effects of past climates and can perhaps also indicate what to expect there as Earth’s atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide grows.

The winter months come with their own special health challenges. From delicious food everywhere you look to harsh weather conditions to the stress of creating a perfect holiday, the season can be challenging.

Antiretroviral therapies, or ART, have enabled people with HIV and AIDS to live much longer lives, transforming what was considered a death sentence into a chronic condition. Yet concerns for these patients remain.

People with lupus, an autoimmune disease, suffer from fatigue, joint pain and swelling and also have a markedly increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Clinical trials have shown that receiving a transplant of mesenchymal stem cells can greatly improve the condition of lupus patients, yet it has not been clear why this treatment strategy works so well.