The Future of Dentistry: Transforming Scholars into Leaders

Dr. D'Souza to Assist Surgeon General Report on Oral Health

The United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the U.S. Public Health Service’s Oral Health Coordinating Committee recently announced the commission of a Surgeon General’s Report presenting prominent issues affecting oral health. The report will document progress in oral health in the twenty years since the 2000 Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health, identify existing knowledge gaps, and articulate a vision for the future. Dr. Rena D’Souza was selected as a plenary speaker on a panel of five experts who presented overviews on oral health across the lifespan; impact on communities; addiction and substance use disorders, and, workforce needs. Dr. D’Souza addressed an audience of about 200 key stakeholders at the listening session held in Washington DC on November 26-27, 2018. She explained how knowledge in the emerging fields of science and technology can transform oral health. Dr. D’Souza described the transformative power of big data, artificial intelligence, deep learning, digital technology, genomics, microbiome research, cancer immunotherapy and precision medicine initiatives. She explained how such advances are driving exciting research in multiple disciplines of the oral health sciences. ... Read More