NIDCR funds research on periodontitis and diabetes

Access, Sept-Oct, 2008

Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine Periodontology and Oral Biology Assistant Professor Hatice Hasturk, DDS, PhD, has been granted a K23 award by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). The award for "Treatment of Periodontitis and Inflammatory Changes in Diabetes" will be distributed over a five-year period.

Hasturk was the principle investigator of the grant application, which focuses on determining the association between diabetes and oral disease.

"This study is designed to determine the association between two major community health care problems, diabetes and oral disease, and improve the quality of life of the affected subjects," said Hasturk. "Diabetes and chronic oral health conditions continue to present a serious obstacle to public health. I strongly believe that while chronic oral inflammation is being controlled by successful periodontal treatment and maintenance therapy, simultaneous care of diabetes by health care providers will support the elimination of the unstable and reciprocal condition between periodontal disease and diabetes."

This is the first time Hasturk has received direct funding from NIDCR as a principal investigator. Prior to this she has worked as a co-investigator on several NIDCR-supported studies.

Source: Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine