Vrushali Abhyankar
Memphis
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Professor
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, TN
01.2022 - Current
- Department of Periodontics
- College of Dentistry
- Teaching and Training Activities for Residents doing the Master’s in Dental Surgery program in Periodontics
- Significant clinical teaching responsibilities with the graduate periodontics program involving the latest surgical techniques of soft tissue grafts and surgical placement of dental implants with intravenous conscious sedation.
- Didactic training involves evidence-based journal clubs, seminars, case presentations, classic lectures and one-on-one discussions with surgical hands-on training forms the part of clinical training encompassing all aspects of periodontics, including etiology, pathogenesis, systemic interactions/considerations, diagnosis, treatment planning, surgical/non-surgical therapy, maintenance care, dental implantology, interdisciplinary considerations, and oral medicine/stomatology.
- Clinical: Clinical activities are based on the treatment of patients admitted to the College of Dentistry and its affiliated hospital and clinics.
- Periodontic treatment for older adults
- Periodontic treatment of medically compromised patients
- Surgical preparation of the implant site with bone grafts and sinus lifts
- Surgical placement of dental implants
- Management of peri-implant tissues
- The adjunctive use of chemotherapeutic agents to prevent, treat, and/or control diseases; this must include, but it is not limited to, local, topical, and systemic medications and their delivery systems
- Tooth extraction during periodontic therapy
- Occlusal reduction to control tooth adjustment/selective grinding; stabilization/splinting, including bite-guard therapy
- Functional and esthetic periodontal surgical procedures
- Non-Surgical Treatments
- Gum Graft Surgery
- Laser Treatment
- Regenerative Procedures
- Dental Crown Lengthening
- Pocket Reduction Procedures
- Periodontal plastic Surgery Procedures
- Involved in clinical and didactic Instruction of the periodontics residents, research mentoring, and day-to-day administration of the program including but not limited to didactic and patient scheduling, maintaining drugs and inventory, hiring of dental assistant for the graduate clinic, conducting case presentation examinations in coordination with the departmental Chair.
- Clinical resident supervision at Extramural practice at Church Health Dental Center: Since July 2019, Church Health and UTHSC periodontics have created a collaboration to provide patient care to the underserved population of the community, where residents rotate through Church Health Dental Center. Instrumental in starting and continuing this rotation, which has been critical the residents’ clinical experience.
- Course director for Classic Literature course with Graduate Periodontics PPER 810: Redesigned the course to improve its clarity, relevance, and overall effectiveness—making it more engaging and aligned with students’ learning goals directly affecting National inservice examination scores for periodontics residency.
- Course director for D3 Periodontics course- PERI-301- Basic Periodontal Surgery
- Course director in Conscious Sedation in Dentistry PPER 814 for graduate periodontics residents: For the first the innovative pedagogical techniques including simulation and live feedback systems were introduced to affect learner outcomes.
- Course director, Practice management course for the residents
- Course director and present Co-Course director and instrumental in starting the Elective Periodontal Surgery course for undergraduate dental students increasing the number of students applying for periodontics residency ELEC PERI 515
- Course director and present Co-Course director for D3 Periodontics course- PERI-303- Special Problems in periodontal therapy
- Instructor in PERI 101 course- Introduction to Periodontology
- Instructor in PERI 203 course- Clinical Periodontics
- Instructor for Current literature Perio-Pros PPER 811 for graduate periodontics residents
- Instructor for Case presentation seminar on treatment planning, therapy and recall course for Periodontics residents that involves presentation of complex cases to train residents to become board certified.
- Instructor in Perio-Ortho seminar course PPER 815 for Periodontics and Orthodontics residents involving interdisciplinary treatment planning.
- Instructor for Evidence Periodontology Journal club
- Instructor in PDSC Oral Sciences course for all residents in the COD.
- Clinical Instructor Basic periodontal surgery for undergraduate dental students
- Clinical Instructor of Periodontics for Third- and Fourth-year Dental Students- Clinical Periodontology
- Clinical Instructor for Graduate Periodontics residents
- Clinical instructor at Church health
- Clinical Instructor for Intravenous sedation cases for graduate periodontics residents.
- Established a registered Periodontics Study Club for D1 and D2 undergraduate students, fostering early interest in the field through community, mentorship, and interactive learning opportunities.
- Externship Director
- The Department of Periodontology offers short-term, one to two-week and long-term, 3 months to 1-year externship opportunities to highly motivated dental students desiring to explore the full scope of the specialty beyond what students are traditionally exposed to during their dental training. The program provides externs with exposure to both didactic and clinical portions of the Graduate Periodontics Program at the University of Tennessee. As a Director of the Program, I am responsible for recruiting and selecting the right candidates for the program and ensuring that they receive exposure and understanding of the entire scope of surgical and non-surgical periodontics. I am also responsible for mentoring research projects for long-term externs. On average, one extern per semester has visited the program.
- Graduate Program Director Periodontics – 2023 to Present
- Interim Graduate Director Periodontics- 2022- 2023
- Assistant Graduate Director – 2020– 2022
Assistant Professor
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, TN
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Department of Periodontics
- College of Dentistry
- ROLES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Associate Professor/Reader
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Roles and responsibilities
- Teaching: Significant teaching responsibilities for pre-doctoral & post-doctoral dental students in various aspects of diagnosis, treatment planning & execution of simple to complex cases of completely or partially missing dentitions with fixed, removable and implant treatment options. I was involved in teaching postdoctoral Prosthodontics students who are licensed dentists to practice the specialty of prosthodontics in private practice, academia, or a combination of the two. The three-year course of study covers advanced theory and practice of prosthodontics (including course work in complete and removable prosthodontics, fixed prosthodontics, implant prosthodontics, and maxillofacial prosthetics), as well as the basic and applied sciences.
- Course Director: Pre-doctoral courses on Complete dentures & Removable partial dentures
- Clinical instructor: Served as clinical instructor of Prosthodontics for third- and fourth-year dental students.
- Research: Served as Post-doctoral guide or research mentor to Dr. Anushri Kulkarni for the project from 2011-2013
- External Examiner: Conducted examinations and seminars for pre & post-doctoral students not only at the same teaching institutions but multiple others as an external examiner.
- Involved in interdisciplinary faculty practice.
Lecturer
Nair hospital Dental College
01.2004 - 01.2007
Associate Periodontist
Benchmark Periodontics
Webster, Texas
01.2017
- I provided personalized periodontal treatment for optimum oral health with comprehensive treatment planning and execution of cases involving Traditional periodontal surgery (Regenerative & Resective); Implant surgery (surgical placement of implants of various systems, horizontal & vertical guided bone regenerations, direct & indirect sinus lift procedures, immediate implants); Soft tissue grafting (wide range of procedures involving self and donor tissue) with and without Intravenous & Oral sedation. Also conducted regular study group sessions and continuing dental education for General dentists in the Houston area.
Consultant Prosthodontist
Gum Care Dental Clinic
01.2003 - 01.2013
- Gum Care Dental Clinic is a professionally run multispecialty dental clinic dedicated to comprehensive quality oral care with emphasis on the health of your gums. It offers the latest dental techniques and infection control measures in the field of modern dentistry. The Clinic is run by a team of well qualified, dedicated specialists backed by the state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Dentist/Owner
V-Care Dental Clinic
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Self-owned private dental clinic committed to providing quality healthcare to families located in the Mumbai area and treat patients of all ages, providing comprehensive solutions to patients' oral health needs, taking the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle.
Education
Master of Oral Sciences -
Certificate - Periodontics
NBDE Part I & NBDE II Examinations - undefined
Diplomate American Board of Periodontology - undefined
01.2018
The Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) Certification - undefined
01.2016
Master of Dental Surgery - Prosthodontics
Nair Hospital Dental College
Mumbai, India01.2003
Affiliations
- Diplomate, American Academy of Periodontology
- Member, American Board of Periodontology
- Member, American Academy of Periodontology
- Member of International Association of Dental Research (IADR) and American Association of Dental Research (AADR)
- Member, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- Tennessee Dental Association
- Member, Memphis Dental Society
- Member Indian Dental Association
- Past member – Indian Prosthodontic Society
Certification
- Tennessee State Dental License
- Additional Licenses
- Moderate Intravenous sedation licenses in the States of Washington, Texas, and Tennessee
Timeline
Associate Professor
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
01.2022 - Current
Assistant Professor
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
01.2018 - 01.2022
Associate Periodontist
Benchmark Periodontics
01.2017
Associate Professor/Reader
01.2007 - 01.2013
Dentist/Owner
V-Care Dental Clinic
01.2007 - 01.2012
Lecturer
Nair hospital Dental College
01.2004 - 01.2007
Consultant Prosthodontist
Gum Care Dental Clinic
01.2003 - 01.2013
Certificate - Periodontics
NBDE Part I & NBDE II Examinations - undefined
Diplomate American Board of Periodontology - undefined
The Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) Certification - undefined
Master of Dental Surgery - Prosthodontics
Nair Hospital Dental College
Master of Oral Sciences -
Committee Assignment
- Member of the DDS student admissions committee playing a vital role in the selection of DDS candidates.
- Question writer for American Board of Periodontology recertification 2025
- Site visitor for Commission of Dental Accreditation, CODA, since July 2023 and have visited multiple programs for CODA accreditation as a CODA site visitor and and Mock CODA site visitor
- President of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society Tennessee Chapter 2024-25
- President Elect of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society Tennessee Chapter 2023-24
- Secretary of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society Tennessee Chapter 2022-23
- Chair of ADEA chapter on advanced education in Dentistry 2025-2026
- Vice Chair of ADEA chapter on advanced education in Dentistry 2024-2025
- Secretary of the ADEA chapter on advanced education in Dentistry 2023-2024
- Member of the Inservice committee of the American Academy of Periodontics for the National in-service examination taken by residents 2023-2026
- Member of the National Committee for the Charles Finley Award given to institutions for their continuing education efforts by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation
- Member of the TLC (Teaching and learning center) awards committee of UTHSC, giving teaching and scholarly awards across all campuses of UTHSC.
- Chair of the Search Committee for a Faculty at the Assistant professor level in the Department of Periodontics in 2023-24/ 24-25
- Member of the Search Committee for Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs for year 2024-25
- Member of the Search Committee for Executive Associate Dean for the year 2024-25
- Member of the Search Committee for Chair of the Department of Prosthodontics 2023-24
- Member of the Search Committee for a Faculty at the Assistant or Associate professor level in the Department of Bioscience in 2022-23
- Member of the Search Committee for the Associate Dean of Student and Faculty Affairs 2022
- Member of the Search Committee for the Program Director of the Department of Endodontics in 2022
- Faculty Senator, University of Tennessee Health Science Center Faculty Senate- (June 2020 - Present).
- Appointed member of the Faculty Senate Clinical Affairs Committee in 2021, which promotes consistent faculty practice expectations, rewards within the Colleges and Departments, supports clinical faculty professional development, including publication, resource availability, and grant support, and promotes the involvement of clinical faculty in all UTHSC missions by providing time to participate in teaching, research, and service.
- Member of UT Advanced Dental Education Committee
- Member of Clinical committee, the purpose of which is to provide a comprehensive review of all patient care activities within the college, make recommendations for improvement in patient care, review and approve all new materials, equipment and instruments used in the clinic, review clinic fees and recommend to the Dean all clinically related protocols and procedures.
- Member of the Search Committee for the Chair of the Department of Endodontics in 2021 concluded with the successful hiring of a new Chair of the department.
- Member of the Infection Control Committee. 2021- 2024
- Chair of the Search Committee for Assistant Professor for the Department of Periodontics: The purpose of this committee is to evaluate the clinical, scholastic, and extracurricular and research achievements of all the candidate’s seeking employment as a faculty at the College of Dentistry, concluded with hiring of new faculty as an Assistant Professor in Periodontics
- University Dental Practice committee- Addressing and overcoming challenges to successfully manage private practice by faculty in a university setting.
- Member of the Search committee for the Program Director for department of Periodontics in 2018 concluded with the hiring of Program director Periodontics.
- Member of the Search committee for the Chair of the Department of Periodontics in 2019 concluded with hiring of Chair of Periodontics.
- Advanced Periodontics Resident Search Committee: The purpose of this committee is to evaluate the motivation and capabilities of the candidates applying to the graduate program in Prosthodontics. Every year, based on the committee’s recommendation, two candidates are offered a position in this 3-year specialty program.
- Member of Exam Policy Committee: This committee recommends protocols & procedures related to testing in the College of Dentistry, ensures test validity AND integrity, ensures academic freedom of faculty, ensures student rights and enforces student responsibilities.
- Member of Departmental Promotion and Tenure Committee of other faculty members: The committee votes on each candidate, judging every candidate based on their research, service, and teaching, thereby making a positive or a negative recommendation to the Dean.
Reviewer
- ADEA annual session program reviewer 2025-26 for educational session and poster presentation
- Scientific Editor of Journal of Tennessee Dental Association, the official Journal of Tennessee State Dental Association(2021-2023)
- Guest editor for JOVE, Journal of Visualized Experiments for the topic “Advancements in Basic Sciences and Clinical Techniques to Improve Oral Health"
- Editor of “Perio Times” , the UTHSC Periodontics departmental monthly newsletter(2020-2023)
- Peer reviewer for the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, a PubMed indexed national journal of the Indian society of Periodontology
- Reviewer for International Journal of Oral and Dental Health
- Reviewer for Dental Research and Practices
- Reviewer for Global scientific research journal of Dentistry
- Past peer reviewer and editorial committee member of Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society
Honorary work
- Volunteer at the Mission of Mercy at Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee (Jan 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
- Volunteer, UT - Covid Vaccine drive. (December 2020)
- Volunteer, Mission of Mercy, Memphis, TN. (January 2020)
- Volunteer or Community oral health and outreach event at the New Horizon Community Health and wellness Fair in August 2019
- Volunteer at the Mission of Mercy at Baptist Church in Memphis Tennessee in 2018
- Volunteer at the BAPS Charities health fair at organized at Sri Swami Narayan temple, Memphis 2018,2019
- Volunteered at Houston Middle and Dogwood Elementary School PTO, Germantown- 2018 to present, and Horn Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, Iowa City, 2013-2016
Training
- Continuing education courses given to practicing dentists and faculty
- Continuing education course at the Annual End of Summer Meeting in Destin, Florida (2021) on Perio-restorative considerations, Crown lengthening- Functional and Esthetic. This course discussed the esthetic and functional concepts related to surgical crown lengthening procedures in esthetic (anterior) and functional (posterior) anatomical sites
- Continuing education course (2019) for practicing dentists showing the Use of Diode lasers in dentistry. Operating between 810-980 nm wavelengths, diode lasers becoming increasingly common in the practice of dentistry for the treatment of periodontal and peri-implant disease. However, it is important to know the correct techniques and principles before incorporating these in daily dental practice. This course provided a know-how of the use of diode lasers along with their potential pitfalls and was very well received.
- Hands-on-workshop on “Restorative dentistry solutions for patients with missing single and multiple teeth.” (2017) Implant dentistry consists of two main components, the surgical part where the implant is placed in the bone and the restorative part where the crown and abutment are placed on the implant. Since these are newer treatment modalities many practicing dentists are not familiar with the intricacies of treatment. Along with Straumann representative Ms. Ermis and Dr. Brady, I conducted a hands on demonstration on models to help dentists understand, plan and implement various steps in restoring dental implants
RESEARCH
- Peer-reviewed articles:
- Cone Beam Computed Tomography of Bone Dimensions in Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics: A Retrospective Study. Trevor D Richmond, MDS, Ayman Al Dayeh, Mark Scarbecz, Sidney Stein, Jack Fisher, Vrushali Abhyankar (Corresponding author), Clinical Advances in Periodontics (Flagship clinical journal of American Academy of Periodontology) Accepted for publication June 2025
- A Review of Enzyme Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay (ELISA) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) Technologies. Journal of Pathology Research Reviews & Reports. SRC/JPR-201. DOI: doi.org/10.47363/JPR/2025(7)182, Gabriela Fernandes, Mrudula Katarni, Shireen Ali, Vrushali Abhyankar, Saurabh R Nagar (2025)
- Eslinger, M., Abhyankar, V. P., Garcia-Godoy, F., Morrow, B., Ajitsankardas, P. Efficacy of calculus removal with hand and ultrasonic instruments and their impact on titanium surfaces. American Journal of Dentistry. Am J Dent 2025;38:22-26
- Abhyankar, V. P., Al Dayeh, A. A. H., Richmond, T., Vogler, J., Schuetz, J. D. (2024).Surgically facilitated orthodontics in an adult orthodontic patient- A Case Report. Oral health and dental sciences, 8(5), 1-5
- Abhyankar, VP: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Advanced periodontology program, Commission on dental accreditation- Self-study report 2024-25
- Jain, V., Abhyankar, V. P., Abidi, A. H., Dabbous, M. K. (2023). The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Phyto Cannabinoids on IL-1β-induced PGE2 Production in Gingival Fibroblasts. Advances in oral and dental health,106, Volume 16 Issue 4 -September 2023
- Compton, A., Abhyankar, V., Zacharia Kashlan, Cimaroli, S., Tipton, D., Eslinger, M., Luepke, P. (2022). Surgical Considerations in Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics. J Dent Implant Res 2022;41:102-112. The immunomodulatory role of phytocannabinoids in an in-vitro peri-implantitis model- J Dent Implant Res 2022;41:102-112.
- Impact of Metal Particles Released during Ultrasonic Scaling of Titanium Surfaces on Human Gingival Fibroblasts -Pooja AjitSankardas, Sidney H. Stein, David Tipton, Vrushali Abhyankar, Brian R. Morrow. Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants, 33(1):9–22 (2023)
- Abidi AH, Abhyankar V, Alghamdi SS, Tipton DA, Dabbous M. Phytocannabinoids regulate inflammation in IL-1β-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts. J Periodontal Res. 2022 Dec;57(6):1127-1138. This article is on the cover page of the Dec 22 issue!
- The Journal of Tennessee Dental Association, Forging towards the future, Editorial – Abhyankar V. Journal of Tennessee Dental Association. Vol 99 .1(4-5)
- G Fernandes, V Abhyankar, Josanne M O’Dell. (2021) Calcium Sulfate as a Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering: A Descriptive Review. J Dent Oral Disord Ther 9(2): 1- 22
- Abhyankar, V., Luepke P. Jain V, Fernandez G (2020). Dentistry in the Post Covid world- Are we prepared? Acta Scientific Dental Sciences, 4(7).
- Ghadri N, Livada R, Abhyankar V, Binkley LH Jr, Bland PS, Shiloah J. Use of Collagen Matrix Scaffolds as a Substitute for Soft Tissue Augmentation: Case Series. Clin Adv Periodontics. 2019, Sept. PubMed PMID: 31524316
- Abhyankar V, Nagda S. Effect of ring liner and casting ring temperature on the dimensional changes in morphologic cast posts: An in vitro study. J Indian Prosthodont Soc 2005, 5:146-51.
- Book Chapter: Abhyankar, V. P., Abidi, A. H. (2020). Multiplexing of Immune Markers via Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassays for Systems Biology. Tomar N. (eds) Immunoinformatics. Methods in Molecular Biology, (vol. 2131).
- Book Chapter in final stages of publications- Abhyankar, V.P., Fernandez, G., Katira G. Keluskar, P. Advances in Clinical Chemistry, Editor- Gregory Makowski, Edition 7, Vol 101.
- Article in review with Journal of Dental Education: Periodontists’ Attitudes and Professional Behavior Towards Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Tooth Movement – A National Survey. Schuetz J, Scarbecz M, Stein S, Abhyankar V. (Corresponding and last author)
- Local/National/International Presentations
- 2025 Memphis dental society Invited speaker – “The regenerative edge- harnessing PRF for optimal outcomes” Abhyankar V.
- 2025 William F. Slagle Dental Meeting- Invited Speaker- “Its time to move- Accelerating orthodontic movement with surgical help” Abhyankar V. March 2025
- West Tennessee Dental Hygiene Association meeting- Invited speaker- “Spring flowers in the gum garden” Abhyankar V. March 2025
- National Survey on the Use of Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics: Student research day Feb 2025 J.Schuetz, T. Richmond, M. Scarbecz, Ayman Al Dayeh, S. Stein, V. Abhyankar
- Abhyankar, V. P., Invited Lecture. Grand rounds UTHSC College of dentistry, “Spring in the gum garden, a time of plans and projects,” UTHSC College of dentistry, Memphis, TN. (May 2024)
- Abhyankar VP, Ghaizzami A: National presentation on the topic “CODA Accreditation for Advanced and Graduate Education” at the 2024 ADEA annual session held in New Orleans.
- Abhyankar, V. P., UTHSC’s Tennessee Population Health Consortium, "Oral health and its connections to heart health," Memphis. (July 2023)
- Abhyankar V; Esthetic crown lengthening, AEGD residency program Memphis and Nashville, (April 2023)
- Richmond, T., Abhyankar, V. P., Mentor, American Academy of Periodontology 2023, "Combined retrospective and prospective CBCT analysis of buccal bone dimensions with and without periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics in adult patients," AAP, Austin, TX. (November 2023).
- Eslinger, M., Abhyankar, V.P.,Ajitsankardas P, Godoy G, Morrow B, Student Research Day 2023, "Hand and Ultrasonic effects of scaling and rootplaning on Titanium." (September 2023).
- Abhyankar V,Growth mindset in teaching –Media –Video presentation on YouTube by UTHSC, TLC- Sept 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4mvKrG0Zro
- Soft tissue management in endodontic surgery-Endodontics department UTHSC, COD-Sept2022
- Potential therapeutic role of Cannabinoids in Peri-implantitis- Compton A, Abhyankar V, Abidi A. Student research Day UTHSC 2021
- Poster presentation on Impact of metal particles released during ultrasonic scaling of titanium surfaces on human gingival fibroblasts- P. AjitSankardas, Tipton D, Stein S, Abhyankar V, Morrow B., at the American Academy of Periodontology national conference, Nov. 2021
- Poster presentation on Evaluation of phytocannabinoid effects on stimulated human gingival fibroblast growth, proliferation, and inflammatory cytokine production V. Abhyankar, A. Abidi, American academy of Periodontology national conference, November 2020
- International poster presentation: Najib Ghadri, Rania Livada, Vrushali Abhyankar, Les Binkley Jr., Paul Bland, Jacob Shiloah. "Use of Collagen Matrix Scaffolds as a Substitute for Soft Tissue Augmentation: Case Series" Poster Presentation, International Osteology Symposium, Barcelona, Spain, April 25-27, 2019
- Poster presentation – “A comprehensive study of root surface preparation of periodontally involved teeth comparing various modalities of traditional and non-traditional modalities” Valk JG, Walinski CJ, Abhyankar V at Student research day, UTHSC College of dentistry 2019
- “Oral care- The gateway to health”- Presentation given to seniors at Town of Arlington Senior Citizens Center on oral care- 2018
- The project “The chemokine and cytokine response of a keratinocyte, dendritic cell, and T cell co-culture model treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis hemagglutinin B”
- Table clinics at the Iowa dental association, Des Moines - April 2015
- Research poster finalist at American Academy of Periodontics, National meeting in Florida - Nov 2015
- DENTSPLY Implants oral presentation at the Iowa section of AADR conference in Iowa City - February 2016
- Poster presentation at the 11th Ramfjord Symposium, Ann Arbor, MI - June 2016
- Oral sensory perception: a useful tool for improvement of speech: A case report; Indian Prosthodontic Society Congress, Chandigarh, 2000
- Symposium on complete dentures; Post graduate convention, Aurangabad, 2001
- Dentinogenesis Imperfecta - A case report; Indian Prosthodontic Society Congress, Hyderabad, 2001
- Symposium on Fixed partial denture; Post graduate convention, Mumbai, 2002
- Treatment of medically compromised patients in implant therapy; India International Dental Congress, Mumbai, 2007
- Scientific chairperson: 8th Maharashtra State Indian dental Students Conference, Mumbai 2010 Students from dental colleges across Maharashtra took part in a state student conference to present research at pre-doctoral and doctoral levels. In the capacity of scientific chairperson, I was responsible for judging the best research at the conference
AWARDS, HONORS, DISTINCTIONS
Fellow, International College of Dentists (ICD) Inducted: [2025], Selected by invitation only for outstanding professional achievement, leadership, and service in dentistry. Part of a global honor society committed to advancing oral health through education, humanitarian outreach, and international collaboration. Recognition reflects a career marked by integrity, excellence, and meaningful contributions to the dental profession and community., Southern Academy of Periodontology Billy Pennel Award in the Clinical Sciences Category(2025) 3rd place to resident Jacob Trammell with mentor V. Abhyankar and authors AjitSankardas P and Scarbecz M for project titled- “Concentrated Platelet-Rich Fibrin (C-PRF) into Free Gingival Grafts Improves Surgical Outcomes by Modulating Cicatrization”, UTHSC College of Dentistry Alumni Grant (2025) for the project: As a primary investigator for Concentrated Platelet-Rich Fibrin (C-PRF) into Free Gingival Grafts Improves Surgical Outcomes by Modulating Cicatrization, Dean’s Appreciation Award presented (2024), UTHSC College of Dentistry Alumni Grant (2023) for the project: As a primary investigator for “Effects of tooth movement on periodontal health and keratinized tissue in orthodontic fixed and removable retention patients- A cross-sectional study, UTHSC College of Dentistry Alumni Grant (2022) : As a primary mentor in the project, “Use of periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics: A national survey”, Dr. Colin Richman Perio-Ortho interface award by the American Academy of Periodontology foundation (2021): for perio-ortho research proposals that provide new paradigm of treatment with implications to periodontal practice., John S. Diggs Nelson Graduate Faculty Enrichment Award (2021): To recognize research skills to participate in research and programs, Craft of teaching Medallion (2021): A gold level medallion received after completion of 4 intense silver medallions including a) Teaching philosophy, b) Learning outcomes, c) Feedback and Assessment d) Reflection., UTHSC College of Dentistry Alumni Grant (2021) : As a primary mentor in the project, Impact of Bleeding on Probing and Keratinized Tissue on Predicting Implant Stability and Health, The Colgate Award for Research Excellence (CARE) (2021): for $ 30,000 for a study of “The effects of phytocannabinoids on human gingival fibroblasts proliferation, migration, growth, and inflammatory cytokine production.” As a co-investigator with Dr. Ammar Abidi, UTHSC College of Dentistry Alumni Grant (2021): Analgesic Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD)-Rich Hemp Oil after Dental Prophylaxis (cleaning), As a co-investigator with Dr. Ammar Abidi, Excellence in Research (2021) to resident Dr. Anna Compton on Research day for project the potential therapeutic role of cannabinoids in peri- implantitis., Judge at the Annual Student Research Day (2021), (2020), and (2019): University of Tennessee conducts an Annual Student Research Day. This is a forum where in students who are presently involved in research activities in the University of Tennessee present their respective research work through posters and oral presentations. Judges evaluate their work through the posters and oral presentations to present awards., Judge at the Hinman Research Symposium (2021), (2019), and (2018): The Hinman Student Research Symposium is a national meeting that features oral and poster presentations of research studies by dental students and graduate trainees from dental schools across North America., American Academy of Periodontology Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award in Periodontics (2020), UTHSC College of Dentistry Alumni Grant (2020): The potential therapeutic role of cannabinoids in peri- implantitis., Finalist for Bud and Linda Tarrson Fellowship Award (2020) (2019): The Bud and Linda Tarrson Fellowship fund of the American Academy of Periodontology awards the Tarrson Fellowship career development award for academic periodontists. The American Academy of Periodontology has identified the support of gifted teachers and researchers as a key focus of the specialty and nominates 3 candidates every year., UTHSC College of Dentistry Alumni Grant (2019): Research grant for conducting scientific study on Evaluation of the effects of cannabinoids on human gingival fibroblast proliferation, migration, growth and inflammatory cytokine production, International Congress of Oral Implantologist’s (ICOI) grant (2019): Research grant for Comparison of Residual excess cement form implant abutment crowns interface after performing a clinical experimental luting and crisscross flossing techniques. Implant dentistry research and education foundation (IDREF) was established in 1993 in order to substantially advance the science and quality of practice of implant dentistry and to foster high standards of research and education for all dental professionals. Through IDREF the ICOI raises needed funds to support these goals. IDREF’s grant review procedures mirror those used by the NIH., University of Tennessee College of Dentistry Award for Outstanding teaching (2019): This award is presented to a faculty in consideration of outstanding teaching efforts as well as exemplifying a positive and caring approach to teaching undergraduate students., University of Tennessee College of Dentistry Clinical Sciences Faculty Enrichment Award (2018): for their dedication to teaching dental students at the College of Dentistry. This award is given to a faculty member who willingly gives of their time to help assure the students are competent in meeting the oral health care needs of the state of Tennessee and the nation., American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Foundation Fellowship to the Institute for Teaching and Learning in Health Professions (2018): AAP Foundation Fellowships are available to the Academyfor Advancing Leadership (AAL) Institute for Teaching and Learning in the Health Professions. The periodontists receiving the fellowship go through a very rigorous selection process to be enrolled in a fellowship program that provides the opportunity to learn about teaching and best practices, the academic environment, and career opportunities., Travel Grant to represent University of Tennessee Department of Periodontics in American Academy of Periodontology Foundation Award, the AAL-ITL fellowship held in Houston (2018): UTHSC offered a travel grant to attend the ITL program at Houston that provided intensive, comprehensive and immediately applicable development of teaching philosophy in an extremely unique surgical-dental, didactic and hands on training program of dental and periodontal teaching., American Academy of Periodontology Annual Meeting Scholarship (2018): The 104th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) was held October 2018 in Vancouver. It was a global meet presented in collaboration with the Canadian Academy of Periodontology, the Japanese Academy of Clinical Periodontology and the Japanese Society of Periodontology., Travel Grant to represent University of Tennessee Department of Periodontics in American Academy of Periodontology meeting in Vancouver, Canada (2018): As a board-certified Periodontist and a recipient of two awards, AAP annual meeting scholarship sponsored by Straumann and the AAL-ITL award winner, I was invited to attend the Appreciation reception and receive the Straumann award for which the University of Tennessee awarded a travel grant., American Association of Dental Research (AADR)- Dentsply Implants Award (2016): Received the Dentsply Implants award at the Iowa section of AADR for her research on periodontal microbe P. Gingivalis which has also been shown to be a causative agent for peri-implantitis affecting dental implants., First place award at Iowa Dental Association Meeting (2015): Table clinic, based on the research project “The Chemokine and Cytokine Response of a Keratinocyte, Dendritic Cell, and T-cell Co-culture Model Treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis Hemagglutinin B.” won the first place at the annual Iowa dental association meeting in 2015.