Professor

Joined the faculty: WVU: 1981, Biochemistry: 1993

Affiliations: School of Dentistry, MBR Cancer Center Research Faculty

Teaching: PCOL 760 

Office: G110B HSN
Phone: (304) 293-6290 or (304) 293-6133
Fax: (304) 293-8561
Email: rcrout@hsc.wvu.edu

My research interests lie in the areas of pharmacology, periodontics and more recently oral health disparities.

Research projects in pharmacology have included evaluations of local
anesthetics, narcotic analgesics, and immunmodulators.

Periodontic research has included topical drug activity, diagnostics utilizing crevicular fluid, and the development of a model to evaluate chemotherapeutic solutions for topical debridement.

My interest in oral health disparities stems from the population of Appalachia having the worst oral health in the United States. As a member of a group of WVU investigators, we have partnered with the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and have been awarded a 6.3 million dollar NIDCR seven year grant to investigate reasons for the oral health disparities in this population. Utilizing 500 recruited family members in four Rural Health Consortium Clinics in Webster and Nicholas Counties, we are exploring behavior, economic status, family structure, microbial etiologies, and environment. Blood samples are also being studied to determine the role of genetics. In addition, we are currently investigating the relationship between cognitive function and oral health. We have determined that oral disease has been correlated with mild to moderate cognitive loss. Once we isolate the cause or causes, we hope to better treat the population and implement oral disease prevention programs, hopefully reducing the oral health disparity in this Appalachian community.

  References:

• Daniel McNeil, Chris Martin, Richard Crout, Peter Ngan, Robert Weyant, Hilda Heady, Mary Marazita “Oral Health Disparities in the Treatment Need and Demand in an Appalachian Population.” Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) 2008; 139(5):598-604.
   
• Bei Wu, Brenda Plassman, Richard Crout, Jai Liang “Cognitive Function and Oral Health among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.” Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences; May 2008, Vol. 63A, No. 5, 495-500.
   

• A. M. Mahmoud, D. Cortes, A. Abaza, H. Ammar, M. Hazey, P. Ngan, R. Crout, and O. M. Mukdadi, "Non-Invasive Assessment of Human Jawbone Using Ultrasonic Guided Waves", IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, Vol. 55(6), pp. 1316-1327, 2008.
   

• Chris Martin, Daniel McNeil, Richard Crout, Peter Ngan, Robert Weyant, Hilda Heady, Mary Marazita “Disparities in Appalachia: Orthodontic Treatment Need and Demand.” J Am Dent Assoc, 39(5):598-604, 2008. PMID: 18451377.
   
• Richard Crout, Karen Skaff, Ershel Harrison, Robert Walker, Stan Wearden, Daniel Cassis “Kentucky Dental Practitioner Survey on Methamphetamine and Other Drug Use..” Report on Methamphetamine and other Drug Use in Kentucky. Prepared by: The University of Kentucky Special Commission on the Study of Methamphetamine and Other Emerging Drugs in Kentucky; March 2008.
   
• Deborah Polk, Robert Weyant, Richard Crout, Daniel McNeil, Ralph Tarter, John Thomas, Mary Marazita “Study Protocol of the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA) Etiology Study.” US National Library of Medicine PubMed Biomedical Central BMC Oral Health 2008, 8:18 (03Jun2008). PMID: 18522740.