Here are a few words regarding research from the society's past president:

These are very exciting times for dental research.  The field of dentistry is rapidly changing before our eyes.  New technologies are emerging every year.  Caries detection systems, caries remineralization products, laser scaling devices, new composite and porcelain materials are just some of the advances that may take permanent residence in our dental offices.  The fundamental processes underlying periodontal disease have revealed many new targets for therapy.  We are beginning to uncover the links between our systemic physiology and periodontal disease.  This line of research is turning the heads of the entire health care community and has derived the promising sub-field of periodontal medicine.  Dentistry has finally joined the informatics age with the advent of virtual dental charting.   If structured correctly, these archives may generate a goldmine of epidemiological data.  Now that dental organizations such as the ADA and IADR have embraced the concept of “Evidence Based Dentistry” research will play an even more prominent role in shaping the future of dentistry.  Now more than ever must we recognize the importance of “Evidence Based Learning” both in the classroom and in the clinic.

             Participating in research as a student can be a very valuable complement to both our didactic and clinical training here at Stony Brook.  Research experience provides critical thinking skills, which can raise the standard for both our ever-growing knowledge base as well as our clinical judgment. Being comfortable with accessing the literature is essential to staying current and adapting to our dynamic profession.  It is the trained scientific mind that is best equipped to evaluate new technologies and distinguish what is best for your patients.  Being “in the know” will allow us all to practice a higher standard of dentistry. 

             As a dental Student working in the clinic and treating patients has been unbelievably rewarding and is why I came to dental school.  However participating in a research program was unexpectedly just as rewarding.   I felt that I was part of something bigger then a single patient.  I began to feel that I was personally contributing to a body of knowledge that collectively will help treat every patient in every chair for the next ten years.  Research is that important, and the impact that you can make here at stony brook is both far-reaching and profound. 

                                                                                                 Philip Vahab