Professional Activities

Employment History:

1985-91	Private periodontal practice, Damascus, Syria
1986-91	Clinical instructor, Department of Periodontology, Damascus University
1991-92	Postdoctoral fellowship, Clinical Research, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo
1992-93	Clinical scientist, Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo
1995-present	Director, International Visiting Scholar Program, University at Buffalo
1997-present	Coordinator, International Advanced Education Scholar Program, University at Buffalo
2004-2011	Director, Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo
2004-present	Associate director, Center for Dental Studies, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo
2004-2010	Assistant professor, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, University at Buffalo
2007-present	Member, Graduate Faculty, University at Buffalo
2010-2012	Director, International Dentist Program, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo
2010-2012	Clinical assistant professor, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, University at Buffalo
2012-present	Clinical Associate professor, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, University at Buffalo

Honors and Awards:

• Olav Alvares Award for Outstanding Article Published in the Journal of Dental Education, for “Effect of Tobacco Counseling by Dental Students on Patient Quitting Rate,” 2011
• New York State Dental Foundation award for providing donated dental services, 2011
• Commendation, Town of Amherst, for fostering interfaith dialogue, understanding and collaborative service in the town and throughout Western New York by organizing and participating in the Western New York Mosque–Synagogue Twinning Weekend, 2009
• Recognition Award, Western New York Tobacco-Free Programs, for contributions to University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine tobacco counseling program and addressing tobacco dependence among patients, 2009
• Certificate of Appreciation, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, acknowledging contribution to the Spirituality and End-of-Life Care Project in the Department of Family Medicine, 2009
• Community Service Award, Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York, for distinguished service and exceptional commitment to the community, 2008
• Religious Service Award, Network of Religious Communities of Western New York, in recognition of outstanding community service, 2008
• Appreciation Award, Student Association, University at Buffalo, for outstanding mentoring and advising, 2007
• Omicron Kappa Upsilon, national dental honor society, 2007
• Award for Outstanding Contribution to International Education, University at Buffalo, 2005
• Appreciation Award, Muslim Student Association, University at Buffalo, for outstanding contributions and dedication to the University, 2004 
• Circle of Distinction Award, University at Buffalo, in recognition of commitment to the promotion of respect for diversity, mentoring international students and working with the campus community to foster positive cultural relations with international visiting scholars and students, 2002
• Acknowledgment of Accomplishments in Teaching, Research and Clinical Therapy, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, 1992

State Licensure:

State of New York, Dentistry, 1999

Specialty Board:

 Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology, 2004

Research Advisement for MS and Graduate Students.

1996-present     Thesis Committee member for MS degrees and graduate students for the following:

1. Dr. Abdelkader Felo. Chlorhexidine Irrigation and Implant Maintenance. MS degree in Oral Sciences, 1996.
2. Dr. Rami Jandali. Effect of Smoking on Initial Periodontal Therapy. MS degree in Oral Sciences, 1998.
3. Dr. Abdulaziz Hassan (2002)
4. Dr. Nour Mosa. A Clinical Evaluation of Dental Stain Removal by Chewing Gum. MS degree in Oral Science advisory committee. 2000
5. Dr.Mohamed Al-Ghazi. Evaluation of Efficacy of Administration of Sub-antimicrobial-dose Doxycycline in the Treatment of Generalized Adult Periodontitis in Diabetics. MS degree in Oral Sciences, 2002.
6. Dr. Ahmend Qannam. The Association between Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers and the Intake of Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs. MS degree in Oral Sciences, 2003.
7. Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi. Comparison of Bioactive Glass synthetic Bone Graft Particles Plus Bioabsorbable Barrier, Bioactive Glass Alone and Open Debridement in the Treatment of Human Periodontal Defects: a Clinical Study. MS degree in Oral Sciences, 2004.
8. Dr. Mohanad Al-Sabbagh. A Clinical Evaluation of Rembrandt Plus Toothpaste Following Bleaching. MS degree in Oral Sciences, 2005.
9. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Sanousi. Characterization of Nanoparticles of Calcium Sulfate in Bone Regeneration. MS degree in Oral Sciences, 2007.
10. Dr. Mohammad A. Hassan. An Evaluation of the Effects of Stainless Steel Crowns Placed in Pediatric Patients on the Operating Room, on the Gingival Health. MS degree in Oral Sciences, 2008.
11. Dr. Frank Aryan. The Effect of Quitting Smoking on Periodontal Health. MS degree.  Thesis advisor. Research is not completed yet.
12. Dr. Tareq Qasim. Clinical and Histological Comparative Study Between Connective Tissue Graft and Acellular AlloDerm Graft in Reconstructing the Soft Tissue Defects of the Alveolar Ridge. Current graduate student, research in progress.
13. Dr. Majd Othman. Comparative Study Comparing Coronally Positioned Flap, Connective Tissue Graft and Acellular Matrix Protein in Achieving Root Coverage, research in progress.
14. Dr. Reham AL Jasser. The Effect of Smoking Cessation on periodontal clinical parameters following Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review.
15. Dr. Amal Jamjoum. Ridge Preservation for Implant Using Platelet–Rich Fibrin and Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate: A Clinical and Histomorphometric Study.

Research Advisor for DDS Students

1. Kirsten Knauss. New Classification for Immediate Implant Placement in the Esthetic Zone. Research presented at the World Conference on Implant Dentistry, Las Vegas, NV, May 2007.
2. Tracey Guitard. Immediate Implant Replacing Lower Molar in a Smoker Patient. Presented at the World Conference on Implant Dentistry, Las Vegas, NV, May 2007.
3. Elizabeth Pacia. Is There an Age Limit For Implant Therapy for Elderly Patients? Research presented at the World Conference on Implant Dentistry, Las Vegas, NV, May 2007.
4. Emily Rotundo. Immediate Implant Placement in an Elderly Smoker Patient on Fosamax. Research presented at the World Conference on Implant Dentistry, Las Vegas, NV, May 2007.
5. Angela Ma. Immediately Placed Implant Restored with Procera Abutment and Procera Crown. Research presented at the World Conference on Implant Dentistry, Las Vegas, May 2007.
6. Kirsten Knauss. Comparing the Esthetic Outcome of Immediate Implants Between Immediate vs. Delayed Loading. Research presented at the Academy of Osseointegration, Boston, MA, Feb. 27-29, 2008.
7. Nishith Patel. Immediate Implants with Immediate Loading vs. Immediate Implants with Delayed Loading: 1-year report. Presented at the International Association for Dental Research conference, Miami, FL, April 3, 2009. He won a student research award in February 2009 at the dental school’s Student Research Day.

SOCIETIES

• Omicron Kappa Upsilon
• American Dental Association
• International and American Associations for Dental Research
• American Academy of Periodontology
• Eighth District and Erie County Dental Societies
• American Dental Education Association ADEA
• Coalition for Organ-Failure Solutions (COFS)
• Eastern CAMBRA Coalition (Caries Management by Risk Assessment)
• Cochrane Oral Health Group, The Cochrane Collaboration
• PEARL—Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning Network