An Expanded Periodontics Show 'n Tell

The Department of Periodontics annual Show ‘n Tell was held in May at the LSU School of Dentistry (LSUSD) to showcase case presentations by its graduating residents and implant fellows. Under the leadership of program director Dr. Angela “Toula” Palaiologou-Gallis, the program has been held since 2009. Presenters this year included Drs. Theo Katsaros, Rafa Porras, Eugenia Prokopets, Brent Benoit, and Panos Dragonas.

Periodontics fellows and residents (l-r) Drs. Brent Benoit, Rafa Porras, Eugenia Prokopets, Theo Katsaros, and Panos Dragonas

Purnima Kumar, DDS, PhD, associate professor of periodontology at The Ohio State University, served as the keynote speaker this year. Her honorarium and travel were underwritten by the R. Jack and Mary Louise Cassingham Endowed Chair in Periodontics; invitations were extended to Leadership Circle donors to the Periodontics Resident Research and Education Support Fund. Leadership donors contribute $1,000 annually to benefit any department or project at LSUSD. Attendees of the Show ‘n Tell earned five hours of continuing education hours.

Dr. Kumar’s main research focus is on host-bacterial interactions in periodontal health and disease. She has published articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has written chapters in textbooks on molecular microbiology and periodontology. She has also been invited to lecture on biomarkers of periodontitis and risk factors for oral and systemic disease at national and international meetings.

(l-r) Drs. Gerald Evans, Toula Palaiologou-Gallis, Purnima Kumar, Henry Gremillion, Pooja Maney, and Ronald Monica

The Periodontics Resident Research and Education Support Fund, established in 2012 under the leadership of part-time faculty member Dr. Ronald Monica with the support of a volunteer alumni committee, underwrites resident research, clinic enhancements, and resident learning opportunities outside of the classroom. A portion of the contributions have been directed to start an endowed fund to support future residents. The principal remains intact and the annual interest supports resident activities. Once the endowed fund reaches $60,000 in cash donations, LSUSD can apply for a competitive match of $40,000 from the Louisiana Board of Regents.

The R. Jack and Mary Louise Cassingham Chair was established in 2003, two years before Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and LSUSD. To honor Dr. Jack and Mary Louise Cassingham’s love and devotion to each other and their family, as well as Dr. Cassingham’s lifelong dedication to dentistry, their family chose to fund the chair. Dr. Cassingham taught at the school for over 20 years and in 1974 he helped launch the LSUSD Postdoctoral Program in Periodontics.

Drs. Steven Spindler, Charles McCabe, Virginia Angelico-Tatum (LSUSD Alumni Association Board of Directors), and Edward Savoy