Public Health Issue - Harvard School of Dental Medicine

From the DeanAs we reflect on the accomplishments of the past year with gratitude and look forwardto the coming months of 2013, the Harvard School of Dental Medicine anticipatesa year of innovation and excellence in education, research, and patient care. Indeed,exciting developments are continually taking place at HSDM.In keeping with the School’s focus on public health, HSDM has instituted a new DMDcourse, Introduction to Global Oral Health, based on a popular advanced graduateclass that was piloted last year. This discussion-based critical thinking course examinesthe extensive relationship between oral health and global health, including the ways in which global population and diseasetrends affect oral health and the association of oral diseases with a number of issues, including poverty, HIV/AIDS, maternaland child health, and lack of sanitation and clean water.HSDM researchers are engaged in studies with major implications for advancing human health, in areas such as osteoarthritis,chronic inflammatory disease, tissue engineering, cell biology, and genetics. One important study, concerning afinding that could lead to new treatments for osteoporosis, is featured in this issue of the Bulletin.As part of the School’s continuing efforts toward integrating oral health and overall health, last fall the Harvard DentalCenter began conducting medical screenings to help patients understand their health. At every visit, the providers discusswith patients several health areas, including blood pressure, asthma status, weight, vaccination for pneumonia, growth (forchildren), vaccination for the flu, and smoking. We anticipate that these measures will lead to improvements in health forour dental patients. HSDM is also leading the way in standardizing dental diagnostic coding to improve patient care andcommunication among oral health professionals.One focal point of HSDM is to provide free oral health screenings, education, and dental care in underserved communitiesand for vulnerable populations in the local area. All DMD students participate, whether in volunteer projects that they haveorganized under faculty supervision or through externships at community health centers across the region. Service is a tenetof the HSDM educational experience, and the knowledge students gain about the variety of patients they may encounterbenefits them immensely. Some decide to pursue careers in public health as a result.Those of you who are HSDM alumni remember what yourHSDM education meant to you as a foundation for your futureand for success in your field. Your past generosity has madethis foundation possible for aspiring oral health professionalswho seek the very best in dental medicine education, and weare deeply grateful. I look forward to sharing with you the goodworks of HSDM during 2013.INSIDEalumni focus 2public health focus 6research focus 21dental school news 22Bruce Donoff, DMD67, MD73harvard dental bulletin • winter 2012–131