Dental Research Returns to Military Health System Research Symposium

USU Postgraduate Dental College Leader Spearheads Efforts to Bring Dental Research back to MHSRS

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Dr. Rodney Phoenix (left), associate dean for Research in the USU Postgraduate Dental College, and his co-moderator, Army Col. Kevin Gillespie, kick off the 2024 MHSRS session, the "Central Role of Dental Care in Military Readiness, Operational Deployment, In-Theater Care, Post-Injury Reconstruction, and Warfighter Rehabilitation." Phoenix discussed the importance of dentistry and dental research in a military environment.

August 30, 2024 by Sharon Holland

Dr. Rodney Phoenix has been on a mission for the last several years: to reintegrate the military dental community into the annual Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS).

Phoenix, the associate dean for Research at the Uniformed Services University'sPostgraduate Dental College, noticed that while the dental community had once participated in MHSRS, its presence had been limited and eventually vanished from the agenda altogether.

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Army Maj. Ellen Sharma discussed how different disinfectant gels can impact the prevention of bacterial infiltration around dental implants, potentially reducing the risk of infection and implant failure, during the 2024 MHSRS conference.

Determined to reverse this trend, he worked tirelessly to ensure that dental research was back on the docket. His persistence paid off. This year, dentistry made a triumphant return with a dedicated session titled "Central Role of Dental Care in Military Readiness, Operational Deployment, In-Theater Care, Post-Injury Reconstruction, and Warfighter Rehabilitation," co-moderated by Phoenix and Army Col. Kevin Gillespie from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio, Texas.

The session featured an impressive lineup of presentations. Phoenix himself spoke on the critical role of dentistry and dental research within the military environment. Dr. Gill Diamond, from the University of Louisville, Ky., presented on "Claromer Peptoid Activity Against Four Oral Pathogens: A Potential Convenient Prophylactic and Therapeutic Dental Care Dosage Form," highlighting a promising treatment against oral infections. Dr. Sabrina Snyder, from the University of Pittsburgh, introduced her research on a novel self-healing dental composite for filling cavities and repairing cracks or breaks in teeth.

Additionally, Army Maj. Ryan Kang from the U.S. Army Dental and Trauma Research Detachment presented "Incorporating Additive Manufacturing in Field Dentistry to Meet the Demand of the Future Operational Deployment." which discussed how 3D printing technology can be used to quickly produce customized dental tools and prosthetics in the field, enhancing the efficiency and adaptability of dental care during military operations.

Army Maj. Ellen Sharma discussed her research on "The Effect of Disinfectant Gels on the Dental Implant Microleakage Microbial Profile," which focused on how different disinfectant gels can impact the prevention of bacterial infiltration around dental implants, potentially reducing the risk of infection and implant failure.

Army Lt. Col. Brian Kirkwood presented on the "Development of a Generative Adversarial Network for Generation of Clinically Realistic Dental Radiographs" which explored the use of artificial intelligence to create highly accurate and realistic dental X-rays for enhanced training and diagnostic purposes.

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Lt. Col. Andreas Pabst from the German Armed Forces (left) and Army Lt. Col. Kevin Gillespie, exchange a laugh during the MHSRS dental research session.

The session also included an international perspective, with Lt. Col. Andreas Pabst from the German Armed Forces delivering two presentations: "Advantages of Patient-Specific and Semi-Specific Guides and Osteosynthesis Plates in Fibula Free Flap Reconstruction of Facial War Injuries: A Comparative Analysis Identifying Potential Advantages," which explored the the benefits of customized surgical tools in improving outcomes for complex facial reconstructions in war-injured patients, and "Multicenter-based Development of Structural Treatment Algorithms and Clinical Recommendations Utilizing Botulinum Toxin for Severe Bruxism and Temporomandibular Disorders in Warfighters," which examined innovative treatments for managing severe jaw muscle tension and dysfunction in military personnel.

"I think this session showcased the breadth and depth of what we do-things most people don't realize are part of military dentistry," said Phoenix. "We were able to highlight the full spectrum, from initial care to complete restoration and reconstruction."

USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson, who attended the session, was impressed. "This was an outstanding program, and the research presented was top-notch," Woodson said. "This work directly impacts medical readiness and the overall health protection of our forces."

Gillespie concluded the session with a powerful statement: "The oral cavity is the gateway to the body. If we neglect oral issues, we are overlooking one of the top three reasons for medical evacuations-dental and oral maxillofacial trauma. To provide comprehensive care, we must include dental trauma research."

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