Dr. Frank Oppenheim Lectures in Canada

Professor and Henry M. Goldman Distinguished Scientist Dr. Frank Oppenheim recently lectured at both the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry and the Western Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

His lecture at the University of Toronto was part of the prestigious Dean’s Lecture Series and took place on March 28, 2012. The title was, “Saliva: The Role of Phosphoproteins in the Protection of Tooth Enamel.” Dr. Oppenheim explains that this topic is really a culmination of his work from the last three decades.

“For this lecture I explained how saliva protects our teeth over a lifetime,” said Dr. Oppenheim. “Saliva is really a surrogate repair organ for tooth enamel. Intermittent demineralization of enamel occurs in the oral cavity, and the moment saliva is in contact with the teeth it re-mineralizes them.”

The second lecture, which took place on March 30 was part of the Schulich Dentistry Research Seminar Series and was titled, “Saliva and Innate Immunity.” Dr. Oppenheim was invited to present as part of the seminar series by a former researcher in his laboratory Dr. Walter Siqueira. Dr. Siqueira completed his post-doctoral research at GSDM and now serves as assistant professor in dentistry and biochemistry at the school.

The lecture discussed how histatins—the proteins of saliva—provide innate immunity in the oral cavity. “For this lecture I explained everything from isolation of the histatins, to their structural characterization, to their functional importance.”

This is the first time that Dr. Oppenheim has lectured at either university. Both lectures were well attended by faculty and residents.