Dentistry Commons^™

Do Social Determinants Of Health Affect Tooth Retention For American Indian/Alaska Native (Ai/An) Adults?, Vae Day

Summer Research Showcase

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults face severe dental disparities due to social determinants of health (SDOH). This study examines how socioeconomic, functional, and cognitive factors influence access to dental care. Quantitative analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics. Chi-square testing and logistic regression evaluated relationships between variables. Using a strengths-based approach to this research, the outcome variable was recoded to measure “teeth retained” instead of “teeth removed due to tooth decay or gum disease”. Analyses revealed that tooth retention and healthcare access significantly increase with favorable SDOH, including reliable transportation, household income, ability to complete errands independently, having insurance, and retained …

Agenda (Pdf), School Of Dentistry

LSU School of Dentistry Research Day

Agenda for the LSUSD Research Day held June 5, 2026.

Functional Genomics Of Streptococcus Mutans: Identifying Critical Genes For Oral Biofilm Formation, Cara E. Pirani

Create@State

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a pathogen found in the human oral cavity that plays a central role in the development of dental caries, or tooth decay. This pathogen thrives on the sugars consumed in the diet, contributing to the breakdown of tooth enamel, especially in the presence of poor oral hygiene. S. mutans produces a glycosyltransferase enzyme that converts sucrose into the polysaccharide glucan. Glucan allows the pathogen to attach to the enamel of the tooth and begin metabolizing the sugar on the teeth, resulting in lactic acid. The acid under the biofilm layer lowers the pH of the …

Inhibitory Effects Of Novel Compounds On Biofilm Formation In Streptococcus Mutans, Graysen S. Jones

Create@State

Inhibitory Effects of Novel Compounds on Biofilm Formation in Streptococcus mutans

Potential Applications Of Thymus Vulgaris In Dental Care: A Review Of Antimicrobial And Oral Health Benefits, Lakenzia Z. Ham

Undergraduate Research Conference

This research proposal focuses on how common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) can be used in dental care. There has been more interest in natural products for dental health because some common dental treatments can have side effects or lead to antibiotic resistance. Thyme contains natural compounds like thymol and carvacrol that help kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and prevent buildup on teeth.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the current scientific literature to see the effectiveness of thyme in preventing common oral health problems like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Research shows that thyme can fight bacteria …

Craniofacial Differences And Safe Sleep Practices: Findings From A Caregiver Survey At A Children’S Hospital, Cait Vuturo-Brady, Aracelia S. Aldrete, Jesus Gil Inciong, Miccah Seaman, Rianna Leazer

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Purpose

Many infants with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) have airway issues that make supine, flat-surface sleep challenging.¹ Prior studies indicate that alternative positioning may reduce obstructive events,² and early sleep-disordered breathing can affect later development.³  Despite this, caregivers of infants with craniofacial differences rarely receive tailored sleep guidance, and no evidence-based, condition-specific recommendations currently exist.^4,5

Methods

This single-site, cross-sectional study evaluated sleep practices, caregiver education, and barriers to adherence among parents of children (< 3 years) with CL/P treated at CHKD’s Craniofacial Program. Eligible caregivers (n=117) were identified via query of the electronic medical record by CHKD Data Governance and invited to complete an anonymous REDCap survey assessing demographics, sleep environment, counseling, and understanding of safe-sleep recommendations.

Results & Conclusions

Of the 11 caregivers who completed the survey, 91% reported crib sleep, though several also used beds, couches, …

Electronic Cigarette Use And Clinically Assessed Oral Mucosal Lesions In Adults: A Systematic Review, Kevin K. Zhang, Kamran Awan

Annual Research Symposium

Abstract

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among adults has risen rapidly over the past decade, prompting concern about potential adverse effects on oral health. Although the systemic consequences of e-cigarette exposure have been increasingly studied, effects on the oral mucosa remain less clearly defined. Existing investigations describe a range of oral mucosal findings, but reported outcomes and assessment methods are inconsistent, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions.

Objectives: To systematically review the available evidence examining the association between electronic cigarette use and oral mucosal lesions/alterations in adults, compared with non-users or other tobacco exposure groups.

Methods: A systematic literature …

The Effect Of Digital Dentistry On Clinical Practice And Patient Outcomes, Jonathan Blackwell, Jeffery Talbot

Annual Research Symposium

This poster presents findings from a cross-sectional study and literature review evaluating the impact of digital dentistry on clinical efficiency, patient outcomes, and practitioner perceptions. The study examines awareness, clinical applications, perceived advantages, and barriers to adoption of technologies such as CAD/CAM systems and intraoral scanning. Results highlight how educational background influences perceived usefulness and identify key factors affecting the integration of digital workflows into clinical practice.

Nicotine's Influence On The Oral Microbiome: Harm Reduction Or Hidden Risk?, Trevor Ward, Kamran Awan

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Orthodontic Trial Transparency Audit: Automated Registry To Publication Linkage And Outcome-Switching Signals In Registered Rcts, Stephen P. Osman, Frank Licari, Shankargouda Patil, Shilpa Bhandi

Annual Research Symposium

Objective: To quantify transparency gaps in orthodontic randomized controlled trials by linking trial registry records to publications and characterizing timing of registration, publication delay, and selective outcome reporting signals using automated text-based methods.
Methods: A retrospective computational audit was designed around trial registries (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov and other major registries used in orthodontics) and bibliographic records. Registry entries marked completed were programmatically screened for publication linkage using identifier matching (e.g., registration IDs) and document-similarity approaches aligned with prior registry-publication linkage research. Trial-level transparency indicators included (i) prospective vs retrospective registration, (ii) completion to publication lag, (iii) presence/absence of posted results in …

Ai Applications In Assessing Risk For Periodontal Disease: A Systematic Review, Grant O. Korte, Claudia M. Tellez Freitas

Annual Research Symposium

Objectives:

The goal of this systematic review is to examine the impact of using artificial intelligence (AI) to predict a patient’s risk level for periodontal disease by analyzing proven systemic health diseases linked to periodontitis. This is being done by primarily focusing on prevention and early diagnosis using machine learning programs that have been proven effective in other fields of periodontitis research.

Methods:

To conduct this study, a comprehensive literature review of journals published after 2020 was performed through four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Dentistry and Oral Science Source. The search was completed in adherence …

The Impact Of E-Cigarettes: A Review Of Risks And Emerging Evidence, Alexander Girgis, Kamran H. Awan Dr

Annual Research Symposium

Abstract Body:

Objectives: This review aims to examine the overall effects of e-cigarettes on oral health, including its associations with xerostomia, dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, NIH, and MDPI, analyzing many studies published between 2010-2025. Inclusion criteria consisted of peer-reviewed human and in-vitro studies that evaluated the oral effects of e-cigarettes. Studies were screened for correlation to caries formation, salivary changes, mucosal alterations, microbiome disruptions, and carcinogenic potential.

Results: A total of fifteen studies were included. Findings across studies showed that e-cigarettes reduce salivary flow rates and …

Accuracy Of Salivary Mmp-8 Testing For Periodontitis In Patients With Type Ii Diabetes, Piper Collins, Claudia Freitas

Annual Research Symposium

This paper investigates the accuracy of salivary biomarker testing in patients with type II diabetes

Regulatory Signal Mining Of Orthodontic Device Adverse Events: A Maude-Derived Taxonomy And Severity Triage For Clear Aligners And Fixed Appliances, Nazmi Duka, Dana Faghih, Shankargouda Patil, Shilpa Bhandi, Frank Licari

Annual Research Symposium

Objective: To build and validate a practical, orthodontics-specific adverse event taxonomy and severity triage framework using publicly available regulatory narratives, enabling rapid surveillance of high-risk event patterns across clear aligners and common orthodontic appliances.
Methods: A retrospective computational audit was conducted using U.S. FDA MAUDE medical device report narratives related to orthodontic appliances, with a focus on clear aligners (including Invisalign and direct-to-consumer sequential aligners). Narrative reports were normalized and grouped into clinically interpretable event families (airway compromise, hypersensitivity/allergic reactions, ingestion/aspiration, soft-tissue injury, periodontal/tooth injury, and occlusal/bite changes). A lightweight natural-language processing pipeline (keyword+pattern rules with clinician-informed adjudication) was used …

Txa In Dentistry, Valeria Coronilla, Jaime Cabrera-Pardo

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Could Dietary Zinc Protect Your Gums? Insights From Non-Diabetic Adults, Jacob R. Kelly, Hayden Dehoyos, Man Hung Phd, Amir Mohajeri Phd

Annual Research Symposium

Background:
Zinc plays an important role in enzymatic and inflammatory processes that may influence periodontal health. The relationship between zinc intake and periodontitis remains insufficiently characterized in adults without diabetes.
Methods:
A population-based adult sample was analyzed to examine the association between zinc intake from dietary and supplemental sources and periodontal disease, adjusting for relevant demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health-related factors.
Results:
Zinc intake patterns varied across population subgroups and were associated with periodontal outcomes after accounting for potential confounders. Adequate zinc intake was consistently linked to more favorable periodontal status.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that sufficient zinc intake may …

Beyond Sugar: Nutrient Patterns And Dental Caries Risk In Us Children Using Explainable Machine Learning, Sydney M. Sorensen, Bailey Axelrad, Shilpa Bhandi, Frank W. Licari, Shankargouda Patil

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Bridging Biology And Biomaterials: In Silico Discovery Of Bioactive Surface Molecules To Enhance Osseointegration, Samuel Thomas, Akash Patel, Shilpa Bhandi, Frank W. Licari, Shankargouda Patil

Annual Research Symposium

This study presents a biologically guided strategy to enhance dental implant osseointegration by integrating peri-implant transcriptomic analysis with molecular docking simulations to identify bioactive surface molecules that may promote osteoblast attachment, extracellular matrix formation, and early bone healing. By aligning implant surface chemistry with host tissue biology, this translational in silico workflow offers a rapid, cost-effective pathway toward next-generation bioactive coatings designed to improve healing, strengthen bone–implant integration, and support long-term clinical success.

The Effect Of Social Media On Orthodontics: The Patient And Practitioner Perspective, Corban Ward, Jacob Marx, Man Hung, Samuel Dyal, Alicia Parry

Annual Research Symposium

Introduction Social media now shapes how people find information, connect and form identity. It increasingly influences cultural standards around  health and appearance. In orthodontics, these platforms are reshaping public perceptions, attitudes and treatment decisions. This review synthesizes existing research on social media’s impact on how people view and choose orthodontic care.

Methods A PRISMA guided review searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for  peer-reviewed English-language studies published between 2015 and 2025. Using terms such as “social media,” “orthodontic treatment,” “dental esthetics,” “perception,” we included studies assessing how social media shapes public beliefs, behaviors, and  self-perception related to orthodontic care. …

Magnesium Intake And Periodontal Health In Adults, Dana Faghih, Man Hung, Amir Mohajeri

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

From Image To Chairside Decision-Making: Unsupervised Morphological Clustering Of Carious Lesions Aligned With Clinical Severity, Bailey Axelrad, Shilpa Bhandi, Shankargouda Patil, Sydney Sorensen

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Computational Network Biology Of Host Microbe Crosstalk In Persistent Endodontic Inflammation, Janaki O’Callaghan, Shilpa Bhandi, Shankargounga Patil, Frank W. Licari

Annual Research Symposium

Persistent endodontic infections can endure despite technically adequate root canal treatment, reflecting a biological transition from microbial invasion to a host-driven chronic inflammatory state. This study applied a computational network biology approach to model host–microbe molecular interactions in chronic apical periodontitis and to identify key network hubs sustaining inflammation and periapical bone resorption.

International Conference On Dentistry, University For Business And Technology (Ubt) In Kosovo

UBT International Conference

UBT Annual International Conference is the 14th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make them be aware of the recent …

Decoding Genetic And Network Signatures Of Susceptibility To Orthodontic Root Resorption: Toward Predictive And Personalized Orthodontics, Casey Morishige, Morgan Mecham, Gabriel Eisenhuth, Shilpa Bhandi, Frank Licari, Shankargouda Patil

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Agenda (Pdf), School Of Dentistry

LSU School of Dentistry Research Day

No abstract provided.

Teaming Up For Better Health: An Interprofessional Collaborative Approach To Older Adult Oral Care, Deborah Dowd, Jodie Lopez, Jennifer Goodman

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Oral health is a critical component of overall health, significantly influencing systemic diseases and the quality of life in older adults. Conditions such as xerostomia, swallowing difficulties, and poor oral self-care are associated with aspiration pneumonia. Integrating oral health into healthcare in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is essential for preventing various conditions and improving quality of life. Effective oral hygiene is crucial in avoiding non-ventilator hospital-associated pneumonia by reducing oral biofilm and lowering the risk of pneumonia. Nurses' knowledge and care in oral health across healthcare settings are vital for positive health outcomes. Revising nursing curricula to incorporate oral health …

Triple Antibiotic Paste Pulpotomy (Lstr: Lesion Sterilization And Tissue Repair Technique) To Treat Necrotic Primary Molars, Kayleigh Denner Dmd

St. Chris Research Day

No abstract provided.

Natal And Neonatal Teeth In Mississippi Newborn, Keona Sanders, Anna Mcdowell, Dr. Sarah Mccrary

Undergraduate Research Conference

Title: Natal And Neonatal Teeth In Mississippi Newborns

Submission Type: Semester Long Research/ Oral Presentation

Abstract: In recent years, we have seen a growth in Mississippi infants being born with or growing teeth at an earlier stage. This may be caused by several things, like gestational age, maternal age, or possibly the mother’s diet. We are now looking for common similarities between these infants to see what the possible cause may be. Although this may not seem detrimental, this is still very harmful for infants, causing diseases like Riga Fede Disease. This is a disease that is caused by mandibular …

87 - Maternal Dental Status And Caries Among Siblings, Monica Walker, Charity Hammond, Angela Wilson, Denise Mckinney, Katie Protogyrou

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Research has suggested that birth order or environmental factors affect siblings' oral health status during childhood. However, more recent research suggests that the strongest predictor of children's oral health status is the mother's oral health status. This project investigated the association between the oral health status of the mother during pregnancy and bacteria (biofilms) identified in cavitated lesions (dental caries) of their children’s exfoliated primary teeth. Five consenting maternal participants anonymously donated their children's primary teeth and completed a questionnaire about their oral health status during each pregnancy. After visually identifying the exfoliated teeth with dental caries, the biofilms were …

Enhancing Periodontal Therapy With Non-Invasive Adjunctive Techniques A Comparative Literature Review, Stockton Stohl, Kamran H. Awan

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.