Dean of UB Dental School Recognized for Innovative Approach to Dentistry

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Michael Glick, DMD, professor and dean of the UB School of Dental Medicine, has been awarded the Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Education Award and the American Dental Education Association's William J. Gies Foundation First Place Editorial Award (ADEA GIES).

Glick, who became dean in December 2009, is editor of The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), the premier, peer-reviewed journal in dentistry, and is known for his innovative, medicine-oriented approach to dental care. He is an advocate for having dental students think of themselves as health care professionals first, and dentists second.

The Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Education Award is given every year to an individual or organization that represents the dental community from areas as diverse as industry, academia, organized dentistry and public health dedicated to oral health care. Individuals must demonstrate creativity, engagement with multiple constituencies in the dental community, leadership and effectiveness to be considered. The nominating committee recognized Glick "as an outstanding transformational leader" and for his "steadfast editorial voice and advocacy on behalf of the underserved."

"I am fortunate to have been given opportunities to be involved in undertakings that I believe are important and to have been given a platform from where I have been allowed to articulate my opinion about issues that am passionate about," Glick said. "It is humbling to know that my peers consider these, for me very rewarding endeavors, valuable and noteworthy."

Glick is being recognized not just for his research contributions, having published more than 200 articles, book chapters and monographs on topics related to oral medicine. He has also lead the way in the area of clinical dental care for medically complex patients, including those with HIV. Because of his experience, he is a proponent for dentists to become involved in the overall health and well-being of their patients, which may include chair-side screening of dental patients for cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses.

"The rise in cardiovascular disease and diabetes is a global issue for which successful disease-prevention strategies require an integrated approach that incorporates health care professionals across disciplines," said Glick.

The ADEA GIES Foundation Award is a first-place editorial award for the article, "Expanding the Dentist's Role in Health Care Delivery: Is it time to discard the Procrustean bed?" which appeared in the November 2009 issue of JADA. In it, Glick challenges the notion of the "traditional dental workforce model" as imposed by state dental boards that determined that dentists may not be allowed to perform finger sticks for the purpose of identifying patients in need of a medical referral.

Instead, he proposes that in order to address "availability and affordability of medical care for all people," the discussions should consider "how to change the way dentists practice dentistry," and he calls for dentists to "fight for the opportunity to make their own choices."

This is the second year in a row that a faculty member from UB's School of Dental Medicine has won the award. Last year, Chester J. Gary, clinical assistant professor in restorative dentistry, was the recipient.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.