The University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco recently opened an innovation center aimed at forging clinical research partnerships and improving oral health.
The Center for Innovation and Translation will bring together internal and external collaborators to develop innovative practices and apply clinical research toward improving oral healthcare, according to a May 18 news release.
Additionally, the school will host a "biobank" to facilitate patient sampling, clinical assessment and investigation for global academic and commercial access. Some of the work planned for the biobank includes big-data analysis to find links between oral and general health and the use of salivary diagnostics to improve the diagnosis and treatment of oral and systemic conditions.
The center is directed by Rebecca Moazzez, PhD, professor and chair of the school's department of preventive and restorative dentistry. The school is currently forming an advisory board for the center that will include school leaders, research organization representatives, commercial companies and a patient or member of the public.