Research and Education—
The Cornerstones of the Future of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
We’ve come to a real watershed moment in the specialty. New avenues of research are beginning to unfold. The completion of the 13-year Human Genome Project in 2003 has opened new doors of research in medical and dental healthcare. The OMS Foundation is taking advantage of this research renaissance for the benefit of patient care. Support of new research and educational opportunities for oral and maxillofacial surgeons is the key to new diagnosis and treatment for patients. After all, today’s research is tomorrow’s practice.
A perfect example is the Third Molar Study, supported by OMS Foundation, the OMS Foundation Alliance and AAOMS. The Third Molar study has affirmed that failure to extract third molars before age 25 may lead to periodontal disease, complications in adjacent molars, delivery of low birth weight babies and increased risk of future health concerns. Results of this study have affected the treatment of patients worldwide.
The OMS Foundation is proud to have committed more than $9.4 million in research and education to support the specialty, including the following:
- Third Molar Study
- Outcomes Assessment Project
- More than 200 Grants, Fellowships and other awards
How the OMSF Funds Research and Education
The Foundation Research Fund, created through the generosity of donors, exists to support priority, clinically relevant research.
Research Awards
An independent committee, the Committee on Research, accepts applications for research awards and fellowships. Members of the Committee on Research are well-respected in the field and have years of experience in practice and in research. Applications are accepted until August 31. The Committee on Research meets in October. After a thorough review of applications, employing objective criteria based on the National Institutes of Health study section format, the Committee recommends awards based on scientific merit to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approves funding for awards at its November meeting. On average, about $400,000 per year is disbursed for research awards and fellowships.
Research grants are awarded to experienced investigators; investigators in training; oral and maxillofacial surgeons in private practice; residents; and health-professions students. The Foundation takes pride in the fact that it has been able to serve as a source of support for the important and evolving work of both promising pre-doctoral students as well as fully trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons who have pursued a career involving scientific inquiry.
Fellowships
Fellowships provide the opportunity for young surgeons to develop specialized surgical skills and to broaden knowledge, experience, and judgment in areas of oral and maxillofacial surgery practice. Those selected for a one-year fellowship make a commitment to spend two years on the staff of an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency-training program thus disseminating the information and skills they have acquired to the next generation of surgeons
Committee on Research
Dr. O. Ross Beirne, Chair
Dr. Lionel Gold
Dr. Ahn Le
Dr. Brian Schmidt
Dr. R.Gilbert Triplett
Dr. John Zuniga
Dr. Thomas Dodson, Board Liaison
Committee on Fellowships
Dr. Douglas Sinn, Chair
Dr. Eric Carlson
Dr. Peter Quinn
Dr. Paul Tiwana
Dr. Peter Waite
Dr. James Q. Swift, Board Liaison