AAP honors members for their contributions to the specialty

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) issued special recognitions to members for their contributions to the periodontal specialty during its recent annual meeting in San Francisco.

Clinical Research Award: The recipients of this award are authors of "Patient Stratification for Preventative Care in Dentistry," which was published in the Journal of Dental Research. They include William Giannobile, DDS; Thomas Braun, PhD; Lynn Doucette-Stamm, PhD; Gordon Duff, PhD; and Kenneth Kornman, DDS, PhD.

R. Earl Robinson Periodontal Regeneration Award: This award was given to the authors of "Platelet-derived Growth Factor Promotes Periodontal Regeneration in Localized Osseous Defects: 36-84 month Extension Results from Randomized Controlled, Double-masked Clinical Trial," which was published in the Journal of Periodontology, and include Myron Nevins, DDS; Marc Nevins, DMD; Robert Genco, DDS, PhD; William Giannobile, DDS; and James Hinrichs, DDS, for oral health research at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.

Distinguished Scientist Award: This award was given to Steven Offenbacher, DDS, PhD, a 38-year veteran of the periodontal specialty. He currently serves as the director of the Center of Oral and Systemic Diseases and is the chair of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill Department of Periodontology.

Dr. Offenbacher has published nearly 300 articles, and his research includes epidemiological studies on the role of periodontal infection on other conditions. He received the 2008 AAP Educator Award for Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontology for his work with students at Harvard University, UNC, Emory University, and the Medical College of Virginia.

Outstanding Periodontal Educator Award: The recipient of this award is Kent Palcanis, DDS. Dr. Palcanis began his tenure as the assistant professor of periodontics at what is now Virginia Commonwealth University. He later began a teaching career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Dr. Palcanis has been a lecturer, department director, department chair, and associate dean for academic affairs. Dr. Palcanis has received nearly 25 awards from the American Academy of Oral Medicine, the American Dental Association, UAB, and the AAP.

Humanitarian Award: This award was given to Craig Hovick, DDS, a Colorado periodontist, who has spearheaded dental missions for those without access to dental care services in Costa Rica, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Cambodia, Liberia, Uganda, and Cameroon. Dr. Hovick earned his dental degree the University of Iowa and later earned his certificate in periodontology from the University of Nebraska.

William J. Gies Award: The recipient of this award is Michigan periodontist and University of Michigan (U-M) professor William Giannobile, DDS, a well-published researcher whose contributions to study and practice have advanced the application of growth factors and stem cells in oral and periodontal reconstruction. Dr. Giannobile's research includes salivary diagnostics, and his collaborative clinical research led to the approval of the first-in-class synthetic bone graft incorporating platelet-derived growth factor for periodontal regeneration.