The Explorer Winter 2018 Explorer_Fall_2018 | Page 18

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the
University at Buffalo (UB) were granted accreditation by the
Commission on Dental Accreditation for a newly created
general-practice dental residency program. Students in the
one-year program will rotate between the UB Dental and
Roswell Park Dental Services.
The training program is designed to provide qualified
graduates of dental schools with a fundamental knowledge
of the multidisciplinary care of oncology patients, along with
in-depth practical training in dental care for these patients.
Residents will receive instruction and hands-on education in
the treatment of patients who have been recently diagnosed
with head and neck cancers, as well as education in
comprehensive dental treatments for patients who are either
undergoing active cancer therapies or are in remission.
Residents also will have the opportunity to participate in
current research projects involving the early detection of
oral cancer in high-risk patients.
University at Buffalo faculty will oversee the residents’
academic and clinical training. Residents at Roswell Park
will spend approximately 70% of their time in the clinical
care of patients, under the supervision of academic and
practicing dental clinicians specializing in oncology.
Specialized training for dental oncologists is important, as
cancer patients have unique dental needs. Many cancer
therapies cause side effects to oral tissues or can decrease a
patient’s ability to fight infection, including dental infections.
“The residency program provides the opportunity to obtain
advanced knowledge and expertise in providing dental care
to patients before, during and after treatment for cancer,”
says Moni Abraham Kuriakose, MD, FRCS, Vice Chair of
the Department of Head & Neck Surgery/Plastic &
Reconstructive Surgery at Roswell Park. “We believe this
joint academic program will benefit the region greatly, as we
will advance the training of dentists who will be providing
dental care to cancer patients in the Western New York
community and beyond.”
Heidi C. Crow, DMD, MS, Chair of the department of Oral
Diagnostic Sciences within the School of Dental Medicine
at UB, added, “We believe the UB-Roswell Park
collaborative program will allow dental residents the
opportunity to learn from experts both at UB and Roswell in
the comprehensive care of patients who are battling the
effects of cancer.” 䡲
LADS Continuing Education Course Nov. 13, 2018 | Maggiano’s 6 - 9pm 3 CEU
Restorative-Optimized Orthognathic Surgery
Correction of dentofacial disharmony in the teen and young adult traditionally comprises a collaboration between orthodontist and
surgeon. Older adults seeking such care often present with significantly worn dentition and mutilated occlusion, consequently
requiring an additional and crucial restorative component to attain complete orofacial rehabilitation. Failure to properly address
and sequence this crucial element of the plan risks less than ideal or frankly disappointing outcomes, particularly when the restor-
ative care becomes an afterthought. This presentation will introduce a simple yet powerful concept that can be used to optimize
these sometimes-complex cases for restorative excellence. 3-D virtual planning of orthognathic surgery will be illustrated within the
context of this presentation.
Dr. Robert Relle is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon whose practice is limited to orthognathic and reconstructive
jaw surgery. He is a graduate of Indiana University School of Dentistry, and received his specialty certification at Harbor-UCLA
Medical Center. He has completed over 3,500 orthognathic surgery cases. Dr. Relle co-chairs the Dentofacial Conference at
the USC Graduate Orthodontic Program and has a part-time voluntary academic appointment at UCLA School of Dentistry. He
completed a seven-year term as an examiner for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and he is a Fellow of
the American College of Surgeons. He is a frequent speaker at local and national educational forums.
To register or obtain more information about any course, please call the LADS office or visit the LADS website.
Los Angeles Dental Society Explorer