Dr. Frank Oppenheim Appointed First Henry M. Goldman Distinguished Scientist

On January 18, Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter announced that Dr. Frank Oppenheim would be changing roles effective June 30, 2011. Dr. Oppenheim requested to step down from his position as Chair of the Department of Periodontology & Oral Biology to pursue his research and other academic interests. In recognition of his efforts and contributions to GSDM, Dean Hutter appointed him as the first Henry M. Goldman Distinguished Scientist, effective July 1, 2011.

“Dr. Frank Oppenheim has provided 39 years of outstanding service to the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 23 of which he served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology,” said Dean Hutter. “He is truly deserving of his new appointment, which is a title and set of responsibilities conferred to recognize individuals who have been members of the GSDM faculty for at least 20 years, and who during that time have performed at the highest level of academic and research achievement, leadership in scientific inquiry, and excellence in the profession.” 

“I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Department of Periodontology & Oral Biology over the past 23 years,” said Dr. Oppenheim. “Its success would not have been possible without the recruitment of excellent faculty and their many invaluable contributions. I am also very happy that the Department enjoys a national and international reputation both in clinical as well as research disciplines.”

Dr. Oppenheim completed clinical specialty training in both periodontology and prosthodontics. In addition to a dental and doctoral degree in dental medicine from the University of Zurich, Dr. Oppenheim also received a PhD in Biochemistry and a DMD from Boston University.

He originally joined Boston Medical Center after holding positions as faculty at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine and Forsyth Institute.

Dr. Oppenheim is internationally known as a periodontist and scientist in Oral Medicine. He has made several discoveries which contributed significantly to our understanding host defense mechanisms in the oral cavity. These studies are based on work focusing on salivary proteins and their interactions with soft and hard tissues. His work has been recognized by many awards such as the NIH Research Career Development Award (1975), the NIH Merit Award (1991), the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) Salivary Research Group Award (1990) and the IADR Salivary Research Award (1995). Dr. Oppenheim was also honored with the William J. Gies Award from the American Association of Dental Research (1992).

“Dr. Oppenheim was the early force and has continued to be significantly responsible in positioning GSDM as a national leader in research,” said Associate Dean for Advanced Education & International Programs and long-time colleague Dr. Thomas Kilgore.

Dr. Oppenheim is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has served as a member and chairman on several NIH Study Sections and continues to review grant applications of program projects and center grants. Dr. Oppenheim has also served on specialty panels and is a reviewer for key journals in his field. He has authored or co-authored over 150 scientific publications and has a continuous funding record from NIH since 1972.  Under his leadership, a Division of Oral Biology was created at GSDM which has gained national and international recognition for its research and academic contributions.

“Dr. Oppenheim will continue to conduct his research as a member of the Department of Periodontology & Oral Biology to the great benefit of the School and the University,” said Dean Hutter. “Please join me in thanking Dr. Oppenheim for his many years of service as Chair and congratulating him on his new appointment.”

Dr. Oppenheim added, “In my forthcoming role I look forward to the new challenges lying ahead and to assisting Dean Hutter to achieve the future academic goals of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.”