New Research Fund Established to Support Dental Hygiene Scholars

October 10, 2016

Through the Dental Hygiene Research & Innovation Fund, selected dental hygienist scholars will be able to participate in one of the School’s current research projects.

Recent Recruit Dr. Shuying Yang Explores Bone Development and Therapies

October 7, 2016

Dr. Yang, associate professor, Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, is contributing to an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of bone development, remodeling and repair.

Wells Fargo Gift Continues to Advance PennSmiles

September 29, 2016

PennSmiles is the School’s mobile dentistry program designed to provide dental services directly to children at their schools in West and Southwest Philadelphia aboard the PennSmiles dental bus.

Penn Dental Medicine Welcomes New Board Member

September 22, 2016

Vincent Mosimann, President and Chairman of the Board of Bien-Air Holding SA, has joined Penn Dental Medicine’s Board of Overseers. Bien-Air is a privately held medical instrument manufacturer based in Switzerland.

Plant-made Antimicrobial Peptide Targets Dental Plaque and Gum Tissues

The labs of Michel Koo & Henry Daniell showed a plant-made antimicrobial peptide significantly prevented bacterial biofilm build-up and could be taken up by oral cavity cells.

Dental Mentorship Program Graduates Return to Penn as Students

September 21, 2016

Freshman Melanie Grajales and her sister, a Penn undergrad, credit their time at Penn Dental through the summer mentorship program with putting them on a path to Penn.

Penn Dental Medicine Welcomes New Executive Director of Finance

August 31, 2016

David Nerenberg, who will serve as the School’s chief financial officer, comes to Penn Dental with over 20 years in higher education, nonprofit and public sector finances.

Penn Dental Study Finds Nasal Spray Effective and Safe Anesthesia for Dental Work

August 26, 2016

The spray, a drug called Kovanaze, was deemed safe and effective in a recent Phase 3 clinical trial led by Dr. Elliot Hersh, Professor, Dept. of Oral Surgery/Pharmacology.

Penn Dental Medicine’s White Coat Ceremony Welcomes Class of 2020

August 17, 2016

Held August 15, this annual tradition holds symbolic significance for the students as they declare their commitment to the responsibilities of the dental profession.

Dr. Manju Benakanakere Selected for National Research Mentoring Program

August 9, 2016

This year-long program offers grant writing and professional development training. Dr. Benakanakere is one of 10 fellows selected nationwide.

Penn Dental Team Uses Nanoparticles to Break Up Plaque and Prevent Cavities

July 27, 2016

Dr. Michel Koo’s lab has used nanoparticles to activate hydrogen peroxide, producing free radicals that were able to degrade the biofilm matrix and kill the bacteria within.

Penn Dental-Led Team Develops Plant-based Polio Booster Vaccine

July 22, 2016

Dr. Henry Daniell’s lab has developed an oral polio vaccine booster by manipulating plants to express a protein found in the polio virus.

DScD Student Awarded IADR Periodontal Research Group Travel Award

July 21, 2016

As the award recipient, Dr. Hyeran Helen Jeon, a Penn Dental Medicine DScD candidate, presented her research on wound healing at the IADR General Session in Korea.

Penn Dental Medicine Appoints New Members to its Board of Overseers

Dr. Anne Koch (D’77, GD’93) and Dr. Anne Klamar have been appointed to the Penn Dental Medicine Board of Overseers.

Dr. Shuying Yang Joins Penn Dental Medicine’s Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology

July 18, 2016

Dr. Yang’s research interests focus on exploring the mechanism of craniofacial and bone development and bone remodeling as well as gene/stem cell therapy of bone diseases.

In the News: Fox 29 Talks with Drs. Sollecito and Stoopler on Oral, Systemic Health Connection

June 30, 2016

Drs. Tom Sollecito and Eric Stoopler of the School’s Dept. of Oral Medicine explain how one’s mouth can hold lifesaving clues to other conditions.

George Hajishengallis Receives NIH MERIT Award

June 10, 2016

The highly selective MERIT Awards are designed to give stable, long-term support to scientists. Less than 5 percent of NIH-funded researchers across all disciplines are selected to receive them.

Dr. Chun-Hsi Chung Installed as ABO President-Elect

June 3, 2016

During his tenure as an American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) director, Dr. Chung has represented the Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists. ABO directors establish policy for the board certification of specialists in orthodontics.

In the News: Philly Inquirer Talks with Dr. Elliot Hersh on Opioid Prescribing

May 27, 2016

Dr. Elliot Hersh, Professor of Pharmacology, discusses the issue of opioids and how dental students are instructed on the dangers of overprescribing pain killers.

Periodontics-DScD Resident a Henry M. Thornton/SCADA Fellowship Recipient

Dr. Kang Ko (D’15, GD’18), a Periodontics-DScD candidate, has been selected to receive a fellowship from Student Clinician Research Program of the ADA.