Clinical research is an integral part of the mission of our department, and a critical element in the training of clinicians who must keep up with and interpret the important literature in their field. Our department has active clinical and basic science research focusing on problems in the field of oral medicine. Some of our faculty members have a heavy commitment to research and they are involved in several important studies at any given time. In addition to the many publications, textbook chapters, and research grants produced by the department, this commitment also provides for solid clinical research training for oral medicine residents.

Early on in their training, oral medicine residents will identify one or more areas of clinical research to pursue on a longitudinal basis with faculty supervision. Training includes exposure to grant, abstract, and manuscript writing, as well as the development and implementation of clinical and/or basic science research studies.

Examples of current research initiatives:

• Examine the overall health effects of bacteremia (bacteria in the blood stream) from dental disease. Our department will soon complete a three year, 1.7 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the issue of bacteremia and the relationship to heart valve infections.
• Establish the mechanism for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia, which has a high incidence, morbidity and mortality rate, and results in major cost to the healthcare system.
• Develop new treatments for patients with oral complications of Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects as many a 4 million Americans.
• Evaluate the pathophysiology and treatment of cancer treatment related alimentary mucositis.
• Examine the role of liver disease and medications in bleeding complications from invasive dental procedures.