b'SCIENCE & INNOVATIONAnnual Meeting Speaker SpotlightDr. Flavia H. Pirih Dr. Shayan BarootchiTell us a little about yourselfTell us a little about yourself and and what made you choose thewhat made you choose the field of field of periodontology.periodontology. I am a professor and the Tarrson Family Endowed ChairCurrently, I am part of the faculty team at the Harvard School of in Periodontics at the UCLA School of Dentistry. I am aDental Medicines Division of Periodontology. I recently joined this Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, ainstitution after spending a productive and wonderful year as an Fellow of the American College of Dentists and a pastadjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, president of the American Academy of Periodontologywhere I also obtained my periodontology residency training, and was Foundation also a post-doc research fellow for two years prior to that. Early on in my dental education, I realized that theMy path in perio started with me having always been fascinated for possibility of understanding the molecular mechanisms ofthe delicate, yet robust foundation of the supporting apparatus of the periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conveying theteeth, and the periodontium. In addition, I have always been fond of knowledge to others would be very appealing as a careerthe intricate arts that are inherent to periodontal surgeries, especially path for me. I knew even then that an academic careerthose required for regenerative procedures. This is what initially drew which combined research and teaching would be myme to pursue advanced training in periodontology. calling.What does the AAP mean to you? How has the AAPWhat does the AAP mean to you? How has the AAP helped helped you in your periodontal career?you in your periodontal career?The American Academy of Periodontology has always been extremely The AAP has been fundamental in my professionalsupportive of not just our field and profession, but also of young development. It has given me a platform to learn, toprofessionals who are pursuing their own path in perio. This is indeed network, and most importantly, to grow professionally andwhat paves the way to the future of our profession, the science of personally. periodontology, and dentistry as a whole.What topic did you present at the Annual Meeting,What topic did you present at the Annual Meeting, and what and what was your favorite thing about thewas your favorite thing about the experience?experience?During the Annual Meeting in Austin this year, I presented as part of This year, I presented at the AAP Annual Meeting session,the AAP Foundation Future Horizons in Periodontology lecture series EV3: Dental Hygiene Symposium, along with speakerson the topic of immediate implant therapy and how it is so intimately Jennifer H. Doobrow, Gustavo Avila Ortiz, Katrina M.related to the periodontal soft tissues. I also presented during the Sanders, Rachel A. Schallhorn, and moderator JamesWinners Circle lecture seminars for having received the Balint Orban G. Wilson. We spoke about peri-implant diseases, riskMemorial Clinical Research Award. The award was for a randomized factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options. It wasclinical trial our group recently completed on the topic of soft tissue wonderful seeing so many dental hygiene colleagues there! grafting around natural teeth. AAP Periospectives| 37'