Winter 2012 - Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

AluMnI
events
WInTEr/SPrInG 2012
March
Fri. March 23 Thomas Cangialosi Annual Meeting
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Orthodontic Alumni Society
New York, NY Columbia Club
Sat. March 31 Alumni Luncheon
12:00–1:30 p.m. Nation’s Capital Dental Meeting
Washington, DC Brasserie Beck
April
Tues. April 3 CDM Connects
6:30–9:00 p.m. Alumni Social networking Reception
New York, NY Sotheby’s Art and Auction House
Thurs. April 19 endodontic Alumni Reception
5:30–7:00 p.m. AAE Annual Session
Boston, MA Boston Marriott Copley Place
May
Fri. May 4 Class Reunion Day 2012
11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. honoring classes ending in 2’s and 7’s
New York, NY CUMC
Fri. May 4 Orthodontic Alumni Reception
2:30–4:00 p.m. American Association of
Honolulu, HI Orthodontists Annual Session
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18 primus Notes | WINTER 2012
May (cont.)
Wed. May 16 Columbia University Commencement
10:30–12 noon Morningside Campus
New York, NY
Wed. May 16 CDM Class Day Awards Ceremony
4:30–6:30 p.m. CUMC
New York, NY
Thurs. May 17 CDM Graduation Ceremony
10:30 a.m.–12 noon CUMC
New York, NY
Sat. May 26 Pediatric Dentistry Alumni Reception
6:00–8:00 p.m. American Academy of
San Diego, CA Pediatric Dentistry Annual Session
June
Wed. June 13 Postdoctoral Graduation Ceremony
10:00–12 noon CUMC
New York, NY
CDM Study Identifies Diabetes/Prediabetes In High Percent of At-Risk Dental Patients
The researchers recruited approximately 600 white, non-white,
and Hispanic patients in northern Manhattan, all 30 years or
older and all uninformed about their diabetic or prediabetic
condition. About 530 at-risk patients qualified for the study
protocol because of age and at least one self-reported risk
factor, including family history of diabetes, high cholesterol,
high blood pressure, and obesity. With this simple approach
to screening, 36% of the participants were identified with
diabetes or prediabetes. The addition of two dental parameters
(number of missing teeth and percentage of deep
periodontal pockets) was effective in correctly identifying
73% of unrecognized diabetes or prediabetes. When this
algorithm was expanded to give each at-risk patient a
periodontal examination and a fingerstick, point-of-care he-
moglobin A1c test, correct identification of such cases
rose to 92%.
Dr. Evanthia Lalla, an associate professor at CDM and lead
author on the paper, explains that because early recognition
of diabetes means earlier treatment to eliminate many serious
complications from disease, it has been the focus of efforts for
years."Now," she says, "Our findings provide a simple
approach that can be easily used in all dental care settings."
Dr. Carol Kunzel, associate professor in Community Health
at CDM and the Mailman School of Public Health, Dr. Sandra
Burkett, an examiner and project coordinator in the Division
of Periodontics, and Dr. Bin Cheng, assistant professor
in the Department of Biostatistics at the Mailman School of
Public Health, were also participants in the study.