It is with great satisfaction that the Editorial staff of JOI publishes this Special Issue for our readers. The topics covered in this Special Issue have been selected because of their importance and timeliness for our readers.
The practice of Implant Dentistry is evolving. Clinicians have the responsibility of staying current with comprehensive knowledge supported by basic science and clinical research. This current knowledge will assure individual practitioner competency that spearheads effective treatment for dental implant patients. JOI has made a commitment to publish research reports/letters,1–3 clinical case reports/letters,4–6 and review articles7,8 to assist its readers in the endless efforts to maintain state-or-the-art practice techniques.
Before research or clinical case reports/letters are ready for publication, the basic science and clinical research must have a plan; funding, and then it can be completed. Everyone acknowledges that research does not always provide immediate results and that it comes with a huge financial investment. The reality is that, often times, we find out what does work, but just as importantly, we discover what does not work. Research protects the clinician and the patient by providing statistically and clinically significant data that can be applied by the profession. The research process guides the art and science of the clinical discipline.
Through generous donations from American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) members and dental implant Corporate Partners, the AAID Foundation (formally the AAID Research Foundation) has been able to award $170 000 in research grants during 2010 and 2011. These grants include five $25 000 grants, sixteen $2500 grants and one $5000 to Dental Lifeline Network, formally National Foundation for the Handicapped. These grants were awarded to 17 major US-based Dental Education Postgraduate programs and 2 foreign Postgraduate programs. The AAID Foundation's Board of Directors under the leadership of Chairman Jaime Lozada, DDS, awarded the 5 larger grants to the following individuals:
- 1.
Salvador Nares, DDS, MS, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: In-vivo molecular assessment of endosseous implant adherent cellular phenotypes in smokers and non smokers.
- 2.
Tara Aghaloo, DDS, MD, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles: Site specific marrow stromal cell responses to titanium surfaces.
- 3.
Sompop Bencharit, DDS, MS, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Effectiveness of antibiotics in immediate placement and loading of dental implants, replacing a failed endodontically-treated tooth with a chronic periapical lesion: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
- 4.
Sandra Bordin, PhD, University of Washington: Optical coherence tomography probes for early diagnosis of peri-implantitis. Evaluation in an animal model.
- 5.
Paulo Camargo, DDS, MS, UCLA School of Dentistry: Cellular and molecular differences between periodontitis and peri-implantitis.
A heartfelt “Thank you” needs to be extended to the Foundation's Chief Financial Officer, Mr Afshin Alavi, for the management he provides.
The total dollar amount awarded represents an approximate $38 donation per member. Many AAID members and Corporate Partners donated far in excess of this amount to the endowment fund. Imagine the good that could be achieved if each member would donate a minimum of $100 each. I encourage all of the AAID members to become a part of the Research Community and donate to this worthy cause. Donations can be made on line at http://www.aaid-implant.org/research_foundation/Endowmen_Fund/How_to_donate.html, or a form can be downloaded for your use via traditional methods.
The AAID Foundation Board and the AAID Board of Trustees appreciate your continued support and contributions.
James L. Rutkowski, DMD, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Oral Implantology
