At the American Association of Orthodontics' annual session in Orlando, Florida, Arjun Kumar, DDS ‘23, a third-year orthodontics resident at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, won first place in the prestigious Joseph E. Johnson Clinical Award competition. Established in 1980, the award is one of the AAO's highest honors, given annually to recognize presenters for their excellence in clinical research and presentation.
His research, titled “Morphologic Analysis of Metal Particle Release Following TAD Insertion”, demonstrated that the insertion of temporary anchorage devices (TADs), which are commonly used in orthodontic treatment for skeletal anchorage, results in the release of metal particles during insertion. Kumar discovered that these released metals may contribute to both local and systemic inflammatory responses, highlighting the importance of further investigating the biocompatibility and long-term biological effects of these devices.
He completed the research under the mentorship of Georgios Romanos, DDS, PhD, Prof Dr med dent, professor, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics.
“Receiving this honor is incredibly meaningful and reassuring, as it reflects the impact and value of the work dedicated to this project,” Kumar said. “I am especially grateful for the mentorship and guidance of Dr. Romanos, whose support and expertise have been instrumental to the success of this research.”
Originally from Queens, New York, Kumar earned a Bachelor of Science in biology at Hofstra University. Prior to enrolling at the School of Dental Medicine, Kumar took part in its Discover Dental School Summer Program, and since officially becoming a Seawolf in 2019, he has taken full advantage of the opportunities available at Stony Brook, setting him up for success in practice following his graduation from residency this month.
“My experience here has been deeply enriching and formative,” he said. “Over the years, this institution has truly become a second home, and I am immensely grateful for the mentors, colleagues and lifelong friendships that have shaped both my personal and professional growth.”