Orthodontic Resident Wins Joseph E. Johnson Table Clinic Award

Susan Baloul ORTHO 11 was one of three Joseph E. Johnson Table Clinic Award winners at the 2009 American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) 2009 Annual Session, held in Boston May
1-5.

Dr. Baloul’s table clinic presentation was titled, "Cathepsin K Expression in Corticotomy-Facilitated Tooth Movement." She worked on this research with Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) Professor of Orthopedic Surgery Dr. Louis Gerstenfeld as well as Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Assistant Professor of Orthodontics Dr. Roberto Carvalho, Professor and Director of the Periodontology Research Laboratories Dr. Thomas Van Dyke, and Assistant Professor of Periodontology and Oral Biology Dr. Alpdogan Kantarci.

Dr. Baloul’s research is geared toward finding out what’s happening to the bone, on the molecular level, when selective alveolar decortication is combined with conventional tooth movement.

"Clinicians have reported that this technique works and the orthodontic treatment is fast, however, no one understands the science behind it," said Dr. Baloul. "This study is the first to describe the bone changes and long term stability related to the corticotomy facilitated tooth movement technique."

Following acceptance of her award Dr. Baloul and all residents and faculty of the GSDM orthodontic clinic were informed about the probable case of swine flu and agreed to voluntary isolation. No faculty or residents attended the remainder of the Annual Session.

"I want to congratulate Dr. Baloul on her award," said Dean Jeffrey Hutter, adding "I am very pleased with the manner in which the entire School community handled the H1N1 situation and I am pleased that the postdoctoral orthodontic clinic is open and operating normally."