Author Archives: admin

Dr. Mark Burhenne’s journey to functional dentistry started in a hotel room. He and his wife were headed to drop off their oldest daughter at college. Instead of getting a good night’s sleep, Burhenne’s daughters were kept awake by constant snoring. Their parents were woken up repeatedly with pillows to the face. Burhenne and his…

Thousands of different types of bacteria can be found inside our mouths. Scientists at Forsyth believe these microbes are more than just idle passengers—they’re active partners in our health. Investigating bacteria in the oral cavity is now a major frontier of biomedical research, leading us to a deeper understanding of tooth decay, overall health, and…

In a healthy mouth, the diverse communities of microbes collectively known as the oral microbiome live in harmony with one another. They exist in a state of balance, or homeostasis. When that balance is disturbed—through smoking cigarettes, or eating lots of sugary foods, for example—some microbes capitalize on the chaos and use it to gain…

Cambridge, Mass. – The Forsyth Institute, with its mission of improving oral and overall health through research, innovation, and community outreach, recently appointed two new members to its Board of Directors. Stephanie Hsieh and Dr. Charles Bridges bring to the board a diverse scope of expertise with a strong focus on technology development. Their appointment…

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools, it removed access for thousands of children who rely on school-based health programs to receive regular dental care. The consequences of that disruption are only beginning to be understood and will likely have lasting effects on oral and overall health. The ForsythKids team has witnessed these consequences first-hand.…

Our body is teeming with bacteria—in our gut, on our skin, and in every corner of our mouths. What prevents these microbes from getting out of control and causing diseases? Our immune system plays a role, but it’s not acting alone. In recent research, Forsyth Institute scientists in the Bor Lab and collaborators found that…

The Forsyth Institute has been the training ground for thousands of researchers around the world. Education and Training programs are considered a strength and priority of the Institute, with post-doctoral training opportunities available, as well as continuing education courses for clinicians. The goal of Forsyth’s post-doctoral training program is to develop a diverse group of committed,…

The microbes that live inside our mouths, collectively known as the oral microbiome, impact our overall health in many ways that are not yet fully understood. Some bacteria cause inflammation, leading to periodontitis and other systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Other oral organisms have been associated with certain types of cancer. Scientists…

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research within the National Institutes of Health released a much anticipated report today titled, Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges. The new report is a follow-up to the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America, and explores the nation’s oral health over the last 20 years.…

The Forsyth Institute’s ForsythCares program was recently awarded a $50,000 grant to expand its services providing oral health care to seniors in need. The funding will allow ForsythCares to create a “free-care fund” to bridge the cost deficit for seniors whose oral health treatment is not covered or insufficiently covered by MassHealth insurance. The ForsythCares…