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Award-Winning Mentorship in Touro’s College of Dental Medicine Leads to Research Excellence
Award-Winning Mentorship in Touro’s College of Dental Medicine Leads to Research Excellence
AS THE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH at the Touro University College of Dental Medicine in Hawthorne, Jaffer A. Shariff, D.D.S, M.P.H, D.P.H, M.S., has guided more than 50 research projects to completion; organized and hosted the school’s research fair; and personally mentored dozens of students. In March, his work was recognized by the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) when he received the organization’s National Student Research Group Faculty Mentor Award.
“Research is not just a requirement; it serves as the catalyst for innovation and excellence in dental medicine,” Dr. Shariff said. “Students become pioneers, shaping the future of oral health with every discovery they make. Engaging in research equips TCDM students with the tools to become evidence-based practitioners, enabling them to make informed decisions grounded in scientific rigor. This foundation not only prepares them to excel as future general dentists but also lays the groundwork for success to pursue specialization with a deep understanding of the latest advancements in oral health.”
The combined aspects of research and mentoring have long been a thread in Dr. Shariff’s career, which began with dental school in his native India, continued with a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Tulane University, and concluded with a Dental Public Health residency at Columbia University, where he also earned an M.S. in periodontics and completed a Faculty Implant Fellowship.
“I realized early on that I enjoyed explaining things,” recalled Dr. Shariff, who was a faculty member at Columbia University before joining TCDM. “My love for teaching came from that. When my mentors praised me for it, I listened to them. This led me to pursue a career in academia and research, where I’m able to guide students.”
Dr. Shariff joined TCDM in 2021. He sees his work as promoting evidence-based practice and increasing Touro’s presence in the world of dental research.
Two recent projects overseen by Dr. Shariff have received national attention. Jawad Tamimi, a member of the class of 2024, presented his paper “Immediate Implant Placement and Immediate Provisionalization Using Digital vs. Conventional Fabrication Techniques with Bis-Acryl: Literature Review and Case Report” at the 2023 American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) Annual Meeting in October in San Diego. Mr. Tamimi examined the difference between fabricating a temporary tooth by hand versus fabrication through digital dentistry. He concluded that the results were similar, though the traditional process required more effort and skill from the dentist. For his work, Mr. Tamimi received a third-place prize in the category of Best Student and Resident Dental Research.
Anish Cheriyan, another member of the class of 2024, authored “Impact of Socio-Demographics Status on Children’s Dental vs. Medical Health,” under Dr. Shariff’s guidance. Mr. Cheriyan’s research examined dental care across socioeconomic levels in patients seen at the TCDM clinic. Surprisingly, he found that children at higher socioeconomic levels had worse teeth. They haven’t discovered a reason for the discrepancy, and Mr. Cheriyan is still gathering data.
Mr. Cheriyan presented his research at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) Annual Meeting and at the American Academy of Dental Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) - National Oral Health Conference (NOHC), where he was awarded second place for his poster presentation in the Predoctoral Dental Student Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement in Community Dentistry category. z
A longer version of this article appears at https://dental.touro.edu/ news--events/news/stories/mentorship-leads-to-research-excellence.php
