Dental Medicine

A gloved hands holds two small pieces of ceramic dental technology.

Embracing digital dentistry

The School of Dental Medicine is enhancing and integrating its digital capabilities, opening up new possibilities for training students, conducting research, and delivering seamless and cutting-edge patient care.

Katherine Unger Baillie ・

Scientific diagram shows how protein called DEL-1 leads to a T cell expressing FOXP3

New insights into autoimmune disease

According to research by the School of Dental Medicine’s George Hajishengallis and colleagues, novel insights into a pathway that restrains the immune response opens up new avenues for treating inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Katherine Unger Baillie ・

Parent brushes their toddler’s teeth seen in a bathroom mirror

Oral care during COVID-19

Experts from the School of Dental Medicine share tips on how to maintain healthy teeth and gums even when a trip to the dentist isn’t in the cards for the time being and what to expect as restrictions are lifted.

Katherine Unger Baillie ・



Media Contact


Katherine Unger Baillie

Katherine Unger Baillie Senior Science News Officer
kbaillie@upenn.edu

Experts



In the News


MarketWatch

The weirdest sign of COVID-19 fatigue? More Americans are grinding their teeth

Thomas Sollecito of the School of Dental Medicine spoke about the increase in patients experiencing pain from grinding or clenching their teeth. He recommended meditation and physical exercise to reduce stress but encouraged patients with persistent pain and tension to call their dentists.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

Stress from COVID-19 has led to a surge in teeth grinding, dentists say

Thomas Sollecito of the School of Dental Medicine commented on teeth grinding during the pandemic. “The stress and distress of the world’s events will affect things like sleep and someone’s clenching and grinding,” he said. “If we’re constantly under that duress, the frequency and intensity of clenching and grinding is just going to continue.”

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Self Magazine

The 11 best at-home teeth-whitening kits, according to dentists

Dean Mark S. Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine offered advice to those looking to whiten their teeth using at-home kits.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

What’s up with my bad mask breath?

Mark S. Wolff of the School of Dental medicine explained why mask-wearers are suddenly smelling of their own bad breath. “The mask doesn’t make us have bad breath,” he said. “It makes us more conscious that we have bad breath.”

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WHYY (Philadelphia)

Dental school grads find it hard to beat back student debt

Dean Mark Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine said dental school tuition has increased because dentistry, in general, has gotten more expensive. “You used to get the X-rays in your mouth taken with film, put inside your mouth. Today, we put sensors inside the mouth, capture it directly into the computer,” he said. “Film used to cost a few dollars a pack. That sensor is a $7,000 sensor.”

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Philadelphia Tribune

New program aims to expand oral health care for those with disabilities

Dean Mark Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine spoke about the school’s efforts to better equip providers to care for patients with disabilities.

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