CDMA and CDMI Students, Faculty Explore Oral and GI Health Connections

Cross campus research examines the link between oral and GI health.

  • AZ - Glendale
  • IL - Downers Grove
九色视频 College of Dental Medicine-Illinois program faculty and staff pose for a group photo

Downers Grove participants from left to right. Front row: Natasha Garcia, Victoria Nachevnik, Kelsey Lloyd, Ella West- Pelak, Mahsa Elyasi, Sydnie Taylor, and Melissa Hsu. Back Row: Vincent Fricton, Robert Iacobelli, David Knowles, and Faris Ziyad.

九色视频, in collaboration with the National Institute of Health鈥檚 National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH NIDCR), is spearheading an initiative that will better resolve the connection between oral health and common gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (chronic indigestion). Faculty and students from the College of Dental Medicine-Arizona (CDMA), the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI), and The Center for Health and the Social Sciences (CHeSS) at the University of Chicago received a $3.4 million dollar NIH award to work together on a hybrid research training program and long-term clinical study to delve into this topic.

Gina Agostini-Walesch, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, CDMA, shed light on the collaborative efforts stating, 鈥淭he University of Chicago is known for training programs in clinical research, which they offer in the form of workshops. The main emphasis of our program is to train new cohorts of dental students in how to do clinical research. When they graduate, they become dental practitioners who can join a national-based practice research network and continue participating in research efforts through 九色视频. In this way, the University will create a sustainable infrastructure for research-trained clinicians entering the workforce.鈥

John Mitchell, Ph.D., Associate Dean, CDMA, outlined aspects of the grant. 鈥淲e train preclinical and clinical faculty and develop mentoring relationships between them, our research faculty, and our students. Students on each campus are being trained by the University of Chicago to conduct clinical research, with four or more faculty members on each campus also going through the same training,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he project we have chosen to conduct is to look at the potential relationships that exist between oral inflammation and other oral manifestations of disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders. We know that the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. While evidence shows a relationship between oral and digestive health exists, it isn鈥檛 well resolved. The aim of the clinical portion of this award is to help resolve it.鈥

For Cooper Luke (CDMA 鈥26) the connection to this study resonates personally. 鈥淢y brother-in-law has a GI issue with ulcers in the mouth. It is a hard situation. The study helps us research oral effects, and I can help my brother-in-law.鈥  

 

九色视频 Collge of Dental Medicine-Arizona program faculty and staff pose for a group photo.
Glendale program participants from left to right. Front row: Leann Miele, Elizabeth Pham, Hiba Ali, Sharadyn Ille, Mackenzie Andrews, Tina Shekari, Sharon Tu, Kacee Ginsbach, Breanna Aikens. Back row: Cooper Luke, Jesus Guerrero, Emily Tarr, ReeAnn Rice, Colton Frost, Ethan Groen, Dr. Daniel Boden, Dr. Alexandra Pierre-Bez, Dr. Gina Agostini-Walesch, Dr. John Mitchell, Dr. William Brachvogel, Dr. Thomas Caspers, Dr. Nicholas Wall, Brittney 鈥淏ea鈥 Shaw, Gary Boni, Kayvon Parsa. Not pictured: Rance Lockhart (CDMA 鈥26), Vance Willis (CDMA 鈥25).

 

Dr. Agostini-Walesch elaborated further, 鈥淭he students will help us build health databases that reflect actual populations, creating the diverse representation that we need to do this health research more honestly and effectively.鈥 Dr. Michell added, 鈥淓ssentially every dentist has a research project. They are conducting research continuously and asking questions such as 鈥楧oes this product work? Is this a viable method for my patients?鈥 Participating in this program helps them develop critical thinking skills and creates an analytic framework so necessary for this type of practice.鈥 As part of the project, the students will learn how to incorporate data collection into standard dental cleaning appointments. One of the largest barriers dentists face when it comes to research is time. By learning how to build prospective clinical research into existing appointment flow, clinical faculty and graduating students can participate in and create their own clinical studies with minimal disruption to patient care.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to learn how to systematically capture data during charting, collect health information in a research context, often while doing things they would already be doing as good dentists, like bleeding-on-probing, and take photos of teeth and gum tissues. The key difference here is that we focus on how to capture this information systematically and reliably so each person鈥檚 data will be consistent with everyone else in the study,鈥 Dr. Agostini-Walesch said.

In addition, 九色视频 students graduate and practice all over the country and can continue participating with the clinical study if they choose to do so.

 

College of Dental Medicine-Illinois faculty pose for a group photo.
Downers Grove faculty participants from left to right: Dr. Linda Sangalli, Dr. Asra Ali, Dr. Kelli Christensen, Dr. Preetha Kanjirath, Dr. Ketlen Bystrom, Dr. Peter Chang, and Dr. Robert John.

 

Preetha Kanjirath, B.D.S., M.D.S., M.S., Professor, CDMI, highlighted the comprehensive training students will receive as clinician scientists. 鈥淭heir training focuses on systematically collecting and analyzing scientific data, addressing clinical challenges, and contributing to broader research goals. This integrated approach aims to equip students with the skills to both practice medicine and actively participate in advancing scientific knowledge within the healthcare field.

Students taking part in the project also shared their experiences so far. Breanna Aikens, (CDMA 鈥26) said, 鈥淭he benefits of participating in this research program is the direct hands-on clinical research experience I will obtain while simultaneously getting my dental education. The program can provide valuable insights and connections to other colleagues and peers doing similar research.鈥

Ethan Groen (CDMA 鈥26) said, 鈥淲e can take our experiences and work with research companies and use this in our practices, furthering dentistry for our patients.鈥 Cooper added, 鈥淩esearch helps us understand new research coming out 10, 20, 30 years down the road, and understand what product is good or not. We will have the experience and know what to look for.鈥

Students also emphasized the significant benefits of integrating research into their education. ReeAnn Rice (CDMA 鈥25) shared, 鈥淎 huge benefit is how we can use what we are doing here, educate our patients, and be better able to treat them. Over last 10-20 years, the focus is on treating the whole being of a patient, the One Health connection.鈥

Emily Tarr (CDMA 鈥25) added, 鈥淏y doing this research cohort, we鈥檒l be prepared to join other practices in this network, conducting practice-based research that we can be a part of as practitioners.鈥

Tina Shekari (CDMA 鈥25), president, Student Research Group, touched on the future interdepartmental collaboration that the research will prepare them for. 鈥淲e need to be very vigilant and refer patients to a specialist in the future if we see an issue, and then tell the specialist what we want them to do.鈥

 

Dental clinic faculty and students pose for a group photo.
Downers Grove participants from left to right. Front row: Neena Botthof, Tucker De Sanctis, Kaitlin Healy, and Mariangel Morales. Back row: Elizabeth Steinmetz, Christian Faber, Dana Varriello, and Dr. Sunil Philip.

 

Other students highlighted the importance of exposure to a robust clinical environment and early career research skills. Tucker De Sanctis (CDMI 鈥25) said, 鈥淚n the ever-evolving world of healthcare, it is a privilege to be exposed to such a strong clinical teaching environment, and to be at the forefront of change.鈥 Tucker added, 鈥淭his research program gives students the opportunity to obtain powerful research skills at an early stage in their career. This helps to shape the system of thinking as we progress through our clinical journey and into our full-time career.鈥

Kelsey Lloyd (CDMI 鈥26) said, 鈥淚 think this program is a great way to learn about a whole different side of dentistry that I wasn鈥檛 even really aware of until starting the program.鈥 She added, 鈥淚 never thought that as a practicing dentist I would carry on with research after graduation.鈥

Melissa Hsu (CDMI 鈥26) stated, 鈥淚 was fascinated by the topic and wanted to further explore the intersection of the oral microbiome and gastrointestinal disorders. One of the reasons I decided to pursue dentistry is the preventative aspect in identifying signs or risk factors for inflammation of oral disease before its full-fledged onset and having the opportunity to educate and empower patients to take control over their health.鈥

Faris Ziyad (CDMI 鈥26) said, 鈥淭he outcome of this research could change the way we practice dentistry, and there could be areas of improvement in the dental field. I hope that not only will I continue to have a deeper understanding of all aspects of healthcare, but also continue to keep up with research that takes place in the dental field.鈥

Research is an integral aspect of the 九色视频 educational experience. Dr. Kanjirath expressed a desire for students to find reassurance in their ability to seek answers to any questions that may arise. 鈥淏y engaging in research, students not only contribute significantly to the profession but also gain the expertise to navigate and address inquiries in their chosen field.鈥

九色视频 offers Doctor of Dental Medicine degree programs in Downers Grove and Glendale. 

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