Dentistry Prof. Ismail to get international research awardANN ARBOR—Dr. Amid Ismail, University of Michigan professor of dentistry, will receive the 2001 H. Trendley Dean Memorial Award on June 27 at a meeting of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) in Chiba, Japan.

Ismail, a professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics at the School of Dentistry, first made his name in epidemiological research, with several large studies of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease based both on national databases and on data he collected. His work has challenged prevailing concepts in several areas, including fluoride use, the diagnosis of dental caries (tooth decay) and the epidemiology of periodontal diseases.

More recently, Ismail has been a leader in the development and implementation of the evidence-based approach to dental practice and its applications in large-scale public health programs. In the evidence-based approach, dentists base treatment decisions on the strongest evidence from scientific studies, rather than relying solely on their own experience or the advice of colleagues. At a conference hosted by the National Institutes of Health in March, Ismail played a major role in developing and shaping the first evidence-based consensus statement on treatment of dental caries.

The prestigious IADR award is presented annually and is supported by the Colgate-Palmolive Co. and a bequest from the estate of Frank J. McClure in memory of H. Trendley Dean, the 21st president of the IADR and first dental officer of the National Institutes of Health. The award is conferred for distinguished accomplishments in research and development in the fields of behavioral science, epidemiology, and public health.

Ismail will receive the award during the opening ceremonies of the IADR’s 79th General Session.

The U-M School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction train future dentists, dental specialists and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. More information is available on the Web at http://www.dent.umich.edu.

dentistryDepartment of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and EndodonticsNational Institutes of HealthColgate-Palmolive Co.http://www.dent.umich.edu