D. Walter Cohen

ORAL DISEASE IN PRIMATES

The increasing use of primates for investigations of oral tissues is evident from a perusal of the literature. This is to be expected when one examines the many anatomic and physiological similarities found among the dentitions, supporting structures, and other oral tissues in nonhuman primates and humans. That many of these species are susceptible to the same oral diseases as is man enhances their value in the laboratory. An effort will be made in this presentation to cite the various pathological conditions that occur in the oral cavities of nonhuman primates.

Clinical observations on the modification of human oral tissue metabolism by local intraoral factors.

The uniqueness of the oral tissues, from the standpoints of anatomic relationships and local environment, has aroused the curiosity of many investigators of organ systems. There exists an overwhelming variety of intraoral influences capable of triggering the complex reactions resulting in changes in oral tissue metabolism, especially for one beginning the study of oral disease. The picture is additionally complicated by systemic factors which are also capable of affecting the metabolism of oral tissues. This discussion will attempt to depict the delicate interplay of local and systemic etiological factors and the resultant clinical manifestations of certain oral diseases.

Effects of soft dietary consistency and protein deprivation on the periodontium of the dog: A preliminary report

Abstract Manifestations of periodontal disease produced in dogs by a combined regimen of protein deprivation (with alternate repletion) and soft dietary consistency have been described. Clinical, roentgenographic, and histologic aspects of the observed lesions were presented. The noteworthy features of the oral tissue response were extensive calculus deposition, associated gingival inflammation and hyperplasia, periodontal pocket formation, and severe resorption of alveolar and supporting bone. The significance of the foregoing observations was discussed in relation to the ecology of human periodontal disease.

Commentary: A Ninety-Year History of Periodontosis: The Legacy of Professor Bernhard Gottlieb

This commentary is intended to: 1) honor Gottlieb’s discovery of “periodontosis;” 2) “review Gottliebs influence on our understanding of periodontal pathogenesis”; and 3) stimulate interest in unresolved questions.

Bob Genco: A Life in Periodontology

I believe that all of us feel privileged to honor a superstar in oral biology, periodontics, and dental research: Robert Genco. I have been given the honor to talk about Bob and our relationship over the past 41 years since we first met in 1963 when a young dental student from SUNY/Buffalo came to Philadelphia to give a clinic on Sjögren’s syndrome. Bob told me of his plans to become a clinical periodontist, and a researcher and I described the PhD training program at Penn. I promised to talk to Ned Williams who directed the first dental training grant DT-1 to see if we could accept a graduate student in microbiology and immunology who also wanted to be trained as a periodontist. Fortunately for all of us, Ned was a risk taker and Bob came to Penn for 4 years, from 1963 to 1967, where he distinguished himself in both areas, with Fred Karush serving as his mentor in immunology. Recently, in reviewing a lecture that was being prepared by Morton Amsterdam to be given in Italy, I noticed that he had selected cases done by graduate students in periodontics and periodontal prosthesis during the past 50 years of the postdoctoral program at Penn. I felt particularly good that I recognized one case that Bob had treated some 40 years ago at Penn that was part of Mort’s presentation. Bob returned to SUNY/Buffalo, his alma mater, where he began his illustrious career that has spanned 37 years. Despite many efforts to pry him loose from Buffalo, Sandy and Bob remained rooted there, which benefited not only Buffalo but also our entire profession. I must acknowledge that what made the environment in Buffalo so appealing to Bob Genco was the tremendous contribution made by James English, who upon his retirement from the Navy, came to Buffalo as dean. During the 10-year period from 1960-1970, Dean English led the private University of Buffalo Dental School to become the impressive SUNY/Buffalo School of Dental Medicine by recruiting many outstanding clinicians and scientists who had a strong influence on Bob Genco as a student and young faculty member. In addition to Jim, we must also recognize the valuable influence that Art Ellison, the first chair of the Oral Biology Department, had on Bob’s development. Bob began a career that coupled clinical with basic research, and he excelled brilliantly in this role. He built a team of investigators who sought and found answers to the role of microbial pathogens and their relationship to periodontal diseases, as well as their potential relationship to such serious systemic problems as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteopenia. He helped us to understand the risk factors involved in the oral–systemic link. Bob succeeded in basic research and united it with the clinical problems he faced in his patient experiences. His more than 325 refereed articles and 10 textbooks indicate that he is a prolific contributor to the scientific literature. His many colleagues in medicine and dentistry recognized that he was a rare talent with a keen intellect and great teaching skills, and who had a quest for more knowledge. He was recognized by his peers when he became President of the American Association of Dental Research and later the International Association of Dental Research (IADR). When one attempts to evaluate the innumerable contributions that Bob has made to our understanding of periodontopathies and their relationship to overall health, we must also recognize that probably one of the most important gifts he made to our profession was the training of many graduate students in Buffalo, who later made important contributions to the many dental schools and institutions throughout the world. In an era when we are all struggling with a deficit in the number of dental educators, we applaud Bob Genco’s role as mentor and role model for the many students who were privileged to sit at his feet during their years in Buffalo. Bob was a trainee on the first dental training grant, DT-1. Martin Taubman pointed out that he was Bob’s first graduate student, and I am certain that Martin has graduate students, so we are now on the fourth generation of scientists supported by this traineeship. This information should be of value to Larry Tabak as the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) examines the long-term value of this training mechanism. One important observation about this symposium is the superb caliber of research that is presented. It is also a treat for me to attend a symposium on contemporary periodontology where there is no mention of dental implants! In reflecting on the past 40 years since Bob Genco completed his graduate training, we all can feel the pride in the advances that have occurred due to the quality of the many scientists who have devoted their efforts to searching for truth and bringing new J Periodontol • November 2005 (Suppl.)