Grant Essink didn’t know much about Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease — until this summer, when he encountered it in patients coming into the dental clinic at the UNMC College of Dentistry.
Essink is the fourth College of Dentistry student in the past eight years chosen to participate in the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Summer Dental Student Award program at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.
It’s an experience he will never forget.
“It’s an invaluable opportunity to learn from passionate researchers,” Essink said.
“Only a small number of dental students are chosen to participate in this program each year. We are proud Grant was selected,” said Jeffrey Payne, D.D.S., associate dean for research and F. Gene and Rosemary Dixon Endowed Chair in Dentistry at the UNMC College of Dentistry.
During his time at the NIDCR the third-year dental student learned why Sjogren’s syndrome is more than just a dry mouth.
“It causes rampant caries and decay in the mouth because it attacks the salivary glands and decreases the production of saliva,” he said.
More than four million Americans are living with Sjogren’s, which causes joint pain, digestive problems, difficulty eating and talking. It affects mostly women in their 50s and 60s but also can affect younger people as well.
While there is no cure, there are treatments that make symptoms more manageable – artificial tears, saliva stimulants and anti-inflammatory drugs.
At the NIDCR Essink studied specific genes in people affected by Sjogren’s targeting three different cell types in the salivary gland. By doing so Essink was able to see and compare what was happening at the cellular level in patients affected by Sjogren’s to those unaffected.
“It helped me better understand the disease process in a way that makes it easier to connect with patients in a way that I don’t think I would’ve been able to do had I not done this research,” Essink said.
Essink, who plans to specialize in orthodontics, said this experience will prepare him for residency when he will be required to do a research project.
“We are so honored that Grant was able to participate in this program,” said Janet Guthmiller, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean, UNMC College of Dentistry. “These kinds of opportunities can be life changing for students thinking about future careers and impressing upon them how basic science can translate to optimal clinical care.”
CONGRATS!!!!!!