News Release

September 26, 2005

Contact: Carolyn Pennington, 860-679-4864
e-mail: cpennington@uchc.edu

Head of Periodontology Receives National Award

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Maurizio Tonetti, Professor and Chair of the Division of Periodontology and Head of the Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences at the UConn School of Dental Medicine has been selected to receive the prestigious Clinical Research Award from the American Academy of Periodontology.

Dr. Tonetti was recognized for his work linking periodontitis, a chronic infection that in its severest form affects more than ten percent of adults, and chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, stroke, heart attacks and the metabolic control of diabetes.

During clinical trials, Tonetti showed intensively treating severe periodontitis not only improved the condition of the patient’s gums, it decreased inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. These markers have been associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

“These treatment studies indicate the relevance of oral health goes beyond the obvious benefits of a pleasing smile, good chewing function and speech,” says Tonetti. “Oral health is an integral component of the overall health and well being of our population and needs to be recognized as such,” he added.

Peter J. Robinson, D.M.D., dean of the UConn School of Dental Medicine, says “Dr. Tonetti has an incredible reputation, among his peers, no one can compare in the clinical research area. Receiving this prestigious award attests to that and adds to his national prominence in the field.”

Tonetti received the award during the 91st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology in Denver, Colorado on September 24th.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

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