Den Besten, Pamela

Den Besten, Pamela
Professor and Chair Pediatric Dentistry, Director Postgraduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry

Degrees: DDS, MS

Department: Orofacial Sciences
Division of Pediatric Dentistry
School of Dentistry

Keywords:
Pediatric dentistry, fluorosis, enamel, amelogenins, matrix metalloproteinase 20, dentin, tooth regeneration, dental education, research education.

Special interests:
My primary research interest is in the mechanisms of tooth enamel formation. My current focus is twofold. First, I am interested in determining the mechanism by which fluoride can alter biomineralization of tooth enamel. To study possible mechanisms of dental fluorosis, I have developed a unique system to grow ameloblasts (enamel forming cells) in vitro. At this time, we are one of only a few labs world wide, who are able to grow ameloblasts in culture. We are now investigating possible effects that physiologic concentrations of fluoride have on gene expression, cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as studying the effects of floride on proteinase secretion and activity in the developing enamel matrix.

As an outgrowth of these studies, we are using these cells in novel tissue engineering studies. We are also studying the interactions between dental pulp stem cells, preodontoblasts and preameloblasts in the formation of mineralized tissues in vitro. A secondary and newly developing research interest are clinically related studies on the prevention and treatment of early child caries in children. We have collaborated with a number of investigators to identify risk factors for early childhood caries, and potential novel methods to treat this disease.

Selected Publications:
1)DenBesten P.K. (1999) Mechanism and timing of fluoride effects on developing enamel. J Public Health Dent. 59:247-251. 2) DenBesten PK, Gao C, Li W, Mathews, CM, Gruenert, D (1999) Development and characterization of an SV40 immortalized porcine ameloblast-like cell line.Eur J Oral Sci 107:276-281. 3) Gronthos S, Brahim J, Li W, Fisher LW, Cherman N, Boyde A, DenBesten P, Gehron Robey P, Shi S (2002) Stem Cell Properties of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells. J Dent Res 81:531-535. 4) Liu H., Li W., Gao C, Blacher R, Kumagai, DenBesten PK (2004) Dentonin, a fragment of MEPE, enhanced dental pulp stem cell proliferation.J Dent Res 83:496-499. 5) DenBesten PK, Machule D, Zhang Y, Yan Q, Li W (2005) Characterization of human primary enamel organ epithelial cells in vitro. Archs Oral Biol 50:689-694. 6) Zhang Y, Yan Q, Li W, DenBesten PK (2006) Fluoride down-regulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 20 in human fetal tooth ameloblast-lineage cells in vitro Eur J Oral Biol 114 :105-110.