‘American dentistry at its best is remarkable’

Established in 1985 and presented by the ADA once every three years, the award honors individuals who contribute to the advancement of the profession of dentistry or who help improve the oral health of the community through basic or clinical research.

Slavkin, a noted policymaker, educator and researcher served as dean of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry from August 2000 until his retirement in December 2008. He is currently on sabbatical, but he plans to return to USC in early 2010 to resume being part of the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology (of which he is the founding director) and teaching in the graduate school and dental school.

Before becoming dean at USC, Slavkin served as the sixth director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, which is one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He is past president of the American Dental Research Association and a member of the International Association for Dental Research.

Slavkin, who has been called by ADA President Dr John S. Findley “one of dentistry’s most influential and forward-thinking leaders,” spent a few moments with Dental Tribune discussing his thoughts on dentistry, the current state of affairs in our nation’s capital and what he does in his spare time.

You are being honored by the ADA with the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Dental Research, which is quite an honor. Who influenced you most in your career and how?
I am deeply honored that my peers in the dental profession have extended this tribute to me. Yet, I am the beneficiary of extraordinary immigrant parents who provided me with unconditional love and a sense that anything was possible.

While a young soldier at Fort Sam Houston I met Dr Henry Sutro, who modeled the best of what dentistry could be at that time in history. I was coached by many to seek a liberal arts education before going to dental school.

I received excellent clinical training and had fabulous people, such as Professors Dick Greulich and Lucien Bavetta, mentor me during my post-doctoral training. Thereafter, hundreds of students, residents, graduates and postdocs profoundly infuenced my journey in science.

From my perspective, living was learning and the journey has been a glorious experience, and still continues.

How do you feel about the state of dentistry as it is practiced today?
American dentistry at its best is remarkable. All over America, I have met and seen amazing oral health care being provided to all types of people.

There is a debate going on today in Washington about health care reform. If you could write the legislation yourself and get it enacted, what would it include for dentistry?

It sounds trite, but the mouth is part of the body. From my perspective, comprehensive health care must be available for all people of all ages and must include mental, vision and oral health, with an emphasis upon prevention.

While I worked in Washington as director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research at the NIH, I had the unique opportunity to be a small part of the Surgeon General’s Report Oral Health in America, which was released in May 2000.

In that report we learned that 110 million Americans did not have dental insurance and that there were enormous oral health disparities according to socioeconomic determinants. We need to find a way for all Americans to experience optimal oral health, especially children under 5 and our elderly.

In your view, what does the future hold for general dentists?
If I look beyond the current economic crisis that has challenged all of society, domestic and international, the future of our oral health profession is very bright and filled with enormous opportunities. The emerging science, technology and patient needs of all ages will truly enhance our profession’s future.

We know a lot about your work and your professional life, but what is something people might be surprised to know about you? What do you do for fun?
Fun is being with my wife, children and grandchildren in essentially any venue. Fun is doing watercolor painting. Fun is sailing our boat “Winnie” and having the “Zen” experience of being on the Pacific Ocean. Fun is learning.