There is increasing recognition of the importance of children’s oral health to the overall well being of children, and the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to addressing children’s oral health issues. In children, genetic, environmental, or health related conditions can impact a child’s oral health, affecting their ability to concentrate and learn, their self-esteem, and their overall health for the remainder of their lifetime. The Center for Children’s Oral Health Research (COR) is a cross campus initiative, launched in the fall of 2013, and led by Dr. Pamela DenBesten, Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Orofacial Science, to focus on linking clinicians, basic and translational scientists to build new models for advancing oral health for all children. Initial efforts and programs will focus on personalized strategies for addressing dental caries in children, and the etiology and treatment of debilitating tooth defects found in patients with amelogenesis imperfecta.
