Category: News

Dr. Yan Wang, an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R03 grant to investigate the oral microbiome—the community of microorganisms residing in the mouth—of children living with HIV in Kenya. This research aims to understand how HIV infection influences the development of oral diseases in these children. By analyzing oral bacteria, Dr. Wang hopes to identify specific microbial patterns associated with oral health complications in HIV-positive pediatric populations. The findings could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for affected children.

Dr. Wang’s project complements the ongoing efforts of the University of Washington’s Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health, of which she is a collaborator. The DeRouen Center is conducting an NIH R21 study titled “Dynamics of HIV-infection, Oral Innate Immunity and The Development of Oral Diseases in Children” in Kenya. This project examines how HIV affects the immune system’s natural defenses in the mouth and the subsequent development of oral diseases. Dr. Wang’s focus on the oral microbiome provides a microbial perspective that enriches the DeRouen Center’s broader investigation into oral health among HIV-infected children. Together, these collaborative efforts aim to develop comprehensive strategies to prevent and manage oral diseases in this population.

Dr. Immaculate Opondo, a pediatric dentist at Maseno University in Kisumu, Kenya, and a colleague of the University of Washington’s Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health, has enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Nairobi. The research training program, which focuses on HIV prevention and treatment in children and adolescents, is led by Drs. Dalton Wamalwa and Ruth Nduati of the University of Nairobi, with co-direction from Dr. Carey Farquhar of the University of Washington. Supported by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) D43 grant, the program provides a robust platform for advancing research in critical areas of public health. Dr. Opondo began her coursework in October 2024 and is expected to complete the program within four years.

Dr. Opondo’s PhD research explores the intersection of oral health and public health, specifically investigating infant oral mutilation and its association with HIV infection. This unique area of study seeks to uncover critical insights into how traditional practices contribute to HIV transmission, aiming to inform prevention and intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. Beyond her academic pursuits, Dr. Opondo has served as the study coordinator for the NIH R21 grant titled “Dynamics of HIV-infection, Oral Innate Immunity and The Development of Oral Diseases in Children” led by the DeRouen Center, and has served as the onsite leader for seven UW dental students conducting oral health research project in Kisumu, Kenya as part of the UW Global Oral Health: From Theory to Action course, further demonstrating her dedication to impactful global health research. Her work continues to contribute to the advancement of oral health and HIV prevention in children, enhancing health outcomes in Kenya and around the world.

Dr. Ana Lucia Seminario, representing the UW DeRouen Center, attended the 2024 World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany in October 2024. The summit’s theme, “Building Trust for a Healthier World,” emphasized the importance of fostering trust among global health stakeholders to build collaboration and improve oral health outcomes worldwide. This event convened leaders from politics, science, the private sector, and civil society to discuss health challenges and potential solutions.

]Highlights from the summit included the worldwide governmental pledges totaling one billion US dollars made or reaffirmed. “All for Health, Health for All: Signature Event for the WHO Investment Round”, the launch of Global Health 2050: The Lancet Commission on Investing in Health 3.0 and of the Climate Overshoot Commission’s Policy Paper. The DeRouen Center is committed to becoming an international leader for integrating oral health into broader global health initiatives. Dr. Seminario’s participation highlighted the critical intersection of oral health with overall health, advocating for its inclusion in global health policies and programs.

Dr. Yan Wang from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has been selected as a Visiting Professor Program class of 2024, at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). During her time in the summer program activities, she developed a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant proposal focused on the oral microbiome and biomarkers in elderly individuals living with HIV. The project aims to explore how changes in the oral microbiome could serve as indicators for health outcomes in older adults with HIV. Dr. Wang completed the draft of her grant proposal with guidance from her mentors—Dr. Monica Gandhi, Dr. Peter Hunt, and Dr. Sheri Weiner— experts in HIV research at UCSF, who provided critical feedback and support throughout the process.

In addition to working on her research proposal, Dr. Wang connected with other early-stage investigators participating in the program. These interactions provided her with the opportunity to discuss shared research interests and current challenges in HIV research. While her primary focus was on completing her grant proposal, networking with her peers allowed her to explore potential future collaborations and stay informed on developments in the field.

University of Washington students had the opportunity to travel to Kenya for the second consecutive year through the Global Oral Health: Theory to Action course. During the trip, two dental students, Priyanka Prajapati and Delbert Oxborrow, implemented their research projects in and around Kisumu, in the west of Kenya. They visited several clinics affiliated with the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital and worked alongside the National Institutes of Health R21 grant “Dynamics of HIV-infection, Oral Innate Immunity and The Development of Oral Diseases in Children” led by Dr. Immaculate Opondo. Their research projects focused on key public health issues, including Oral Health Promotion Among Healthcare Providers and “Resiliency in Public Health: Perceptions from Kisumu”, providing them with invaluable experience in global healthcare systems.

In addition to their research, the students had the chance to immerse themselves in Kenyan culture, enjoying traditional foods and engaging with local customs. The trip was successful in broadening the students’ engagement with global oral health research and enhancing their cultural competence. This experience not only deepened their academic understanding but also prepared them for potential future careers in global oral health.

In July, Dr. Ana Lucia Seminario (UW Department of Pediatric Dentistry) and Dr. Hai Zhang (UW Department of Restorative Dentistry) were invited to participate in the Campus Asia Plus Symposium & University Immersion Program (UIP) co-hosted by West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University (China) and the Graduate School of Dentistry, Tohoku University (Japan).

The two-week UIP was initiated in 2012 in Chengdu, China where Sichuan University is located. This program aims to cultivate global awareness, cross-cultural competencies, and broader cultural understanding among dental students in the world. In this year’s program, students and faculty came from more than ten dental schools worldwide, including two schools from the US. Besides the UW, students and faculty from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) were also invited. Other dental schools were from Japan, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries.

This year’s program was held from July 1st to July 12th, 2024. The program included faculty lectures, students’ clinical skill competitions, as well as cultural exchange activities. Dr. Seminario gave a lecture entitled “Current Opportunities for Global Oral Health Research,” while Dr. Zhang’s lecture was focused on interdisciplinary graduate dental education. They both participated in the department seminars of their corresponding specialties.

On April 10, 2024, the Peruvian Oral Health Indicator Database was officially launched, introducing an innovative tool designed to enhance the management and monitoring of the oral health of the Peruvian population. This groundbreaking resource was developed by the Public Health and Stomatological Management Research Unit of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), a leading institution in medical and health sciences education and research in Peru.

The dashboard presents the main oral health indicators of Peru in a graphic and didactic manner, utilizing data from the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) of the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) from 2013 to the present. This comprehensive approach ensures that users can access a wealth of information that tracks changes and trends in oral health indicators over time.

The presentation was delivered by Dr. Carol Guarnizo Herreño, a professor at the National University of Colombia and Co-president of the Lancet Commission on Oral Health. Dr. Guarnizo Herreño emphasized the significance of this tool in improving planning and decision-making in the field of oral health. The first version of the dashboard provides detailed information on the oral health status of children under 12 years old and adults over 60 years old. Through various visualizations, it highlights the changes and trends in oral health indicators at local, regional, and national levels, making it a valuable management tool for informed decision-making and effective monitoring.

The “Peruvian Oral Health Indicator Database” is not only aimed at health professionals and academics but also at any citizen interested in understanding the importance of oral health and its impact on overall well-being. This initiative marks a significant milestone in UPCH’s efforts to improve oral health in Peru, offering a publicly accessible resource to develop and implement policies and programs that promote oral health and enhance the quality of life for all Peruvians.

In May 2024, Dr. Walter Curioso from Universidad Continental visited Dr. André Ritter, Dean of the University of Washington School of Dentistry, to discuss collaborations between their institutions, in the context of the memorandum of academic exchange subscribed between Universidad Continental and the School of Dentistry at the University of Washington with the objective of increasing cooperation in the fields of education and academic research.

Dr. Curioso is a prominent figure in digital health and medical informatics. He serves as the Vice-Rector of Research and a Professor at Universidad Continental’s School of Human Medicine. With a rich background that includes serving as a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion in Peru and holding an affiliate professorship at the University of Washington, Dr. Curioso has made significant contributions to public health and informatics, focusing on improving healthcare delivery through innovative technologies.

Dr. André Ritter, who has been the dean of the University of Washington School of Dentistry since 2022, has a distinguished career in dental education and operative dentistry. Before his tenure at UW, Dr. Ritter held leadership positions at New York University and the University of North Carolina. He is known for his commitment to advancing dental education and research, fostering international collaborations, and integrating new technologies and methodologies into dental practice. His vision for the School of Dentistry includes strengthening global partnerships to enhance educational and research opportunities for students and faculty.

During their meeting, Dr. Curioso and Dr. Ritter explored avenues for collaboration between their institutions. They discussed joint research initiatives, particularly in the fields of oral health research, research integrity, digital health and dental informatics, and the potential for student and faculty exchange programs. This collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both universities to advance dental and medical education, improve research outcomes, and ultimately enhance healthcare delivery on an international scale.

Recent work by colleagues of the Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health at Khon Kaen University (KKU) have expanded oral health research, with notable publications by Dr. Araya Pisek, Dr. Maritess Oliveros Villarico, and Dr. Sirima Sritangsirikul.

Dr. Araya Pisek’s recent study, published in International Dental Journal, investigates the relationship between lipid metabolism and oral health. Specifically, Dr. Pisek’s research examines how maternal weight and lipid metabolism influence the risk of orofacial clefts in infants. In simpler terms, the study suggests that a mother’s weight and how her body processes fats might affect the likelihood of her baby being born with a cleft lip or palate. This research adds a new dimension to understanding the causes of these birth defects, highlighting the importance of maternal health and nutrition. Dr. Pisek has also contributed to the Dental Tribune magazine in Germany, where her work on the same topic emphasizes the broader implications of maternal health on infant oral health outcomes.

Dr. Maritess Oliveros Villarico has also made significant contributions to oral health research. Her latest publication in BMC Oral Health addresses the prevalence of dental caries (tooth decay) among different populations. The study reveals alarming rates of tooth decay among Filipino toddlers, suggesting a need for improved dental care and preventive measures in early childhood. Dr. Villarico’s work underscores the critical importance of early dental interventions to combat the widespread issue of tooth decay in young children. In a recent interview featured in Dental Tribune, Dr. Villarico further elaborates on her findings, advocating for increased awareness and better dental health policies to protect young children from dental caries.

Dr. Sirima Sritangsirikul’s recent publication in Scientific Reports focuses on the epidemiology of oral diseases, examining patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in specific populations. Her research aims to identify risk factors and develop strategies to prevent and control oral diseases. Through her work, Dr. Sritangsirikul contributes to the understanding of how various factors, including socioeconomic status and access to dental care, impact oral health. Her findings are crucial for designing effective public health interventions to improve oral health outcomes in underserved communities.

These recent publications by Dr. Pisek, Dr. Villarico, and Dr. Sritangsirikul reflect the ongoing efforts at Khon Kaen University to advance global oral health through rigorous research and collaboration with international institutions. Their work not only enhances our understanding of oral health issues but also informs public health strategies to improve dental care and outcomes worldwide.

Pooja Rajanbabu, who interned for three years at the University of Washington’s Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health, has achieved a significant milestone in her academic journey by being accepted into the prestigious School of Public Health graduate program at UW. Her acceptance into the Community-Oriented Public Health Practice program is a testament to her dedication and passion for public health advocacy and community engagement.

A 2020 graduate of the UW’s public health undergraduate program, Pooja has been both an intern with the DeRouen Center working on research, data analysis, social media, and community outreach, making her an indispensable asset of the Center. She has gone on to work at various non-profit organizations within the Seattle area, focusing on social-emotional learning, maternal and child health, and older adult health promotion.

With her acceptance into the UW public health graduate program, Pooja is poised to make an even greater contribution to the field of public health, leveraging her academic training and practical experience to address pressing health disparities and promote community well-being.