Alan M. Polson, DDS, LDS, MS

Professional Biography

Dr. Polson is Emeritus Professor of Periodontics. Before coming to the University of Pennsylvania in December 1994, Dr. Polson was Vice President and Director of Clinical Research at Atrix Laboratories, Inc. in Fort Collins, Colo. Prior to joining Atrix in 1990, Dr. Polson had been Chairman of the Department of Periodontology for 13 years at the Eastman Dental Center, University of Rochester, N.Y. During his tenure at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Polson has been Chairman of the Department of Periodontics, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and had a leadership role in FDA multicenter clinical trials. Degrees received by Dr. Polson include: DDS cum laude from the University of London; DMD from the University of Pennsylvania; LDS from the Royal College of Surgeons, England; MA from the University of Pennsylvania; MS from the University of Rochester (NY); and a Specialty Certificate in Periodontology from Eastman Dental Center, University of Rochester. In 1977, he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, and he has been a practicing clinical periodontist for over 30 years. Since 1971, Dr. Polson has conducted extensive research funded by over $14,000,000 obtained from more than twenty major national and international research grants. His research has encompassed etiology, pathogenesis, occlusion, treatment, and regeneration of periodontal tissues. He is author or co-author of over 150 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, together with making over 180 invited presentations worldwide serves on the editorial board of several scientific journals.

Selected Publications