ATSU hosts NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Forum

ATSU hosts NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Forum

A.T. Still University (ATSU) hosted the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Forum in St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 20. The event gathered ATSU leadership, deans, and researchers to learn about NIDCR's priority research areas and identify joint research initiatives. A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) Dean Dwight McLeod, DDS, MS, welcomed guests, delivered opening remarks, and introduced keynote speaker Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PhD, acting director of NIDCR.

NIDCR is the federal government's lead agency for scientific research on dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease. Its mission is to advance fundamental knowledge about dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease and translate these findings into prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies that improve overall health for all individuals and communities across the lifespan.

Dr. Webster-Cyriaque, an accomplished clinician, researcher, and leader, presented "Oral Health for All: Realizing the Promise of Science," which highlighted the state of oral health globally and in the U.S. She discussed oral disease as a universal challenge, affecting approximately 3.5 billion people - a $500 billion burden - with untreated caries in permanent teeth being the most prevalent of all conditions. She also discussed societal implications of oral disease and how it affects issues including workforce productivity and military readiness.

"People cannot be productive when they are in pain," Dr. Webster-Cyriaque said. "Many people don't have access to care, and that is something you are working hard at to address."

Additionally, Dr. Webster-Cyriaque shared her own career journey using NIH's pathways and discussed NIDCR's programs for career development, re-entry, mentoring, and diversity.

"I was always very interested in what causes diseases," Dr. Webster-Cyriaque said. "I also liked the opportunity to work with other people who wanted to know the answer, so we could work together to make a difference for others."

The forum marked a milestone in the University's ongoing efforts to engage in research addressing the needs of underserved populations and contribute to the overall advancement of oral and whole person health. Following the keynote, a panel discussion was led by Gaylah Sublette, MBA, interim president of ATSU's Missouri campus and vice chancellor of research & grants; Ann Spolarich, PhD, RDH, assistant dean for research at A.T. Still University's Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH); Hanan Omar, BDS, PhD, MSc, assistant dean for research at ATSU-MOSDOH; and Kim B. Perry, DDS, MSCS, chief partnership officer at ATSU.

Underscoring the University's commitment to supporting a pipeline of researchers, the forum included a session with ATSU alumni researchers. Josh Coffey, DMD, '18, ATSU-MOSDOH, and Samantha Yineman, DMD, MPH, '20, ATSU-ASDOH, now an ATSU-ASDOH assistant professor and faculty researcher, shared their career stories and research experience as students.

The forum concluded with a Q&A session and open discussion with Dr. Webster-Cyriaque. She provided insight on available funding programs, strategies for pursuing research, and the importance of collaboration in addressing complex health challenges.

"We were privileged to host NIDCR's acting director, Dr. Webster-Cyriaque, who provided a comprehensive update on NIDCR's latest research initiatives and shared her own inspiring career pathway to oral health research and mentorship," Sublette said. "Together, we discussed joint research initiatives and strategies to enhance patient care and oral health outcomes for all, and especially for the underserved.

"This forum also provided a platform for NIDCR to learn more about ATSU's mission-focused research and culture while stimulating collaborative conversations within ATSU's own research community. Moving forward, ATSU's investigators gained a much better perspective on NIDCR's funding mechanisms and pathways to improving oral health for all."