School of Dentistry Mesaros Lectureship focuses on gum disease and diabetes
The West Virginia University School of Dentistry is proud to announce the return of the Mesaros Symposium on April 3, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 pm. The symposium is offered through a generous gift from Drs. Paul and Laura Mesaros. In 1993, they established the Drs. Paul and Laura Mesaros Endowed Lectureship in Dentistry. Their gifts to the School of Dentistry reflect their lifelong commitment to healthcare.
The lectureship is designed to bring to campus clinicians and researchers who are working on key issues in oral health. This year, the program is “Periodontal Disease and Diabetes: Update and Interprofessional Management”.
West Virginia is among states with the highest rates of residents who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Periodontal disease is also prevalent. Research has shown that the two diseases are associated, and their co-management is critical to the overall wellness of patients.
The program this year will feature three outstanding speakers: Dr. Wenche Borgnakke, University of Michigan; Dr. Ira Lamster, State University of New York – Stony Brook; and Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, WVU School of Medicine. Click to read more about our speakers.
Speakers will provide an update on the association of periodontal disease with diabetes and expand upon the medical management of diabetes and the impact improved oral health can have on this management.
Finally, symposium will emphasize the need for intensive interprofessional management of these patients, requiring dental and medical health professionals to work closely and cooperatively in order to achieve the best clinical outcomes for patients.
“The School of Dentistry is excited to bring this program back to the WVU campus”, shared Fotinos S. Panagakos, DMD, PhD, and Associate Dean for Research. “This topic is critical to the both the dental and medical professions. We must work together to improve the health and wellness of our patients who suffer from both diseases, and we hope that this program will increase collaboration. We are fortunate to have three outstanding and talented speakers participate in the program.”
The program is free to all students, faculty, residents and staff with the WVU School of Dentistry and WVU School of Medicine. The program fee for all other attendees is $50.00. The program will be offered at the Erickson Alumni Center, and CE credit is available.
Course objectives:
- Recognize the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes
- Describe how improving oral health can impact overall wellness
- Work across health profession disciplines to manage patients
For more information and to register, please visit http://ce.wvu.edu/mesaros.