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Dr. Nathalia Garcia, periodontist from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM), is a principal investigator for the project titled “Biomarkers of Periodontal Disease Progression.” She is seeking 60 volunteers to take part in clinical research.
The multi-center study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A total of 500 clinical subjects will take part in the study across the country.
The purpose of this study is to discover which germs make gum disease worse. The study requires volunteers to visit the SDM clinic for up to 14 visits. To qualify, a volunteer must:
- Be at least 25 years old
- Have at least 20 natural teeth, not counting wisdom teeth
- Have not used tobacco products for at least a year
Patients will be paid for participating in the study. At the study’s conclusion, participants will receive a full dental cleaning.
At the SDM, Garcia will oversee 60 patients and work with colleagues Dr. Douglas Miley, professor of periodontics and implant dentistry and director of the Advanced Program in Periodontics; Dr. Debra Dixon, associate professor and section head of diagnostic sciences; and Dr. M. Jane Gillespie, section head of microbiology and former director of research at the SDM. Three dedicated dental hygienists and a molecular biologist will also participate.
For more information please contact SIU School of Dental Medicine at (314) 747-9448 or (618)-474-7134, or via email at birdd@mir.wustl.edu.
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, approximately 64.7 million Americans suffer from an advanced form of periodontal disease. Periodontology is the study in dentistry of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of tissues of the teeth and gums. Garcia’s work could lead to new insights and advancements that would affect the long-term health of nearly half of adults in the U.S.
The SIU School of Dental Medicine students manage approximately 35,000 patient visits each year at its patient clinics in Alton and East St. Louis. In addition, students offer oral health treatment, screenings and education to more than 10,000 people annually through a wide variety of off-campus community outreach events. These opportunities provide students the training they need to graduate and become highly skilled dentists. The School of Dental Medicine is a vital oral health care provider for residents of southern and central Illinois, and the St. Louis metropolitan region.
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