BACKGROUND

The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the University of Louisville are making a significant investment in biomedical research to combat high incidences of tooth loss, cardiovascular disease, preterm babies, diabetes and several other treatable chronic conditions. In the last five years it has been appreciated that oral diseases, in particular periodontal disease (where the supporting structures of the teeth deteriorate and the teeth are lost), and certain chronic systemic conditions are intertwined. In the case of diabetes, it is now accepted that periodontal disease will worsen diabetes and vice versa.

It has also been accepted that periodontal disease doubles the risk of heart disease and markedly increases the risk of pregnant women having small babies that need considerable health care support (estimated at $1 billion per year in the U. S. alone). Many of these children  have life-long health problems.

 WHAT WE DO

We investigate mechanisms whereby oral and systemic diseases are related need to be investigated so that therapeutic solutions and preventive strategies can be developed. The Oral Health and Systemic Disease Research Group will engage in translational research focusing on clinically generated and tested hypotheses combined with strong basic science support in the areas of pathology, microbiology, inflammation, immunology, genetics, computational biology, epidemiology and statistics.

 FACILITIES UPGRADE

Renovation of existing space at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry into research laboratories and clinical research space has been central to the creation of the Oral Health and Systemic Disease Research Group. The dental school has already established the Delta Dental Endowed Professor in Oral Health and Systemic Disease with a $1.5 million matching endowment. Additional funding has been requested to upgrade laboratories and recruit other researchers as well as provide equipment.

 ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

Anticipated health outcomes include: better management of chronic systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes; a reduction in the number (morbidity and mortality) of pre-term and low birth weight babies born to Kentuckians; improved functional oral health status such as the ability to chew/digest foods, speak and smile.

 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1) Build a focused research team and program to explore the role of periodontitis, diabetes, smoking, obesity and other conditions in the pathogenesis and progression of other chronic inflammatory conditions by integrating basic, clinical and behavioral research approaches.

2) Measure the clinical outcomes of multidisciplinary approaches to the early diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease in diabetics and other systemically compromised populations.

3) Establish research programs to develop new biotechnology including diagnostic tools, molecular markers, and therapeutics for the early detection and treatment of chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases.

4) Establish multidisciplinary research programs to explore the pathogenic mechanisms whereby tobacco and other risk factors such as obesity have a profound impact on oral and systemic diseases.

5) Develop an internationally recognized center of research excellence.

 OVERALL AIM

In summary, fundamental pathological relationships, mechanisms and risk factors will be explored with special emphasis on how oral and systemic health relate to each other. Systemic conditions will include smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and preterm low birth weight babies, all of which are highly prevalent in the state of Kentucky.  Thus translational research in oral and systemic health will enroll clinicians and basic scientists into researching common disease mechanisms and risk factors relevant to oral and systemic diseases.  Anticipated health outcomes are better appreciation and management of related chronic oral and systemic conditions to improve quality and duration of life.