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Dr. David L. Cochran Installed as Past President of the AAP

Dr. Cochran, DDS, PhD, is chair of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

CHICAGO–September 14, 2009—Dr. David L. Cochran, DDS, PhD, of San Antonio, Texas was installed as Past President of the American Academy of Periodontology Board of Trustees during its 95th Annual Meeting, held September 12 – 15, 2009, in Boston, Massachusetts.

An AAP member since 1982, Cochran served on the Board of Trustees as President in 2009. Previously, Dr. Cochran served as President Elect in 2008, Vice President in 2007, and as Secretary/Treasurer in 2006. In addition to his work with the AAP Board, Dr. Cochran has previously served the Academy as a member of the Organizing Committee for the AAP Pre-doctoral Periodontal Education Congress and the Task Force for Distance Learning. He has also chaired the Committee on Research Science and Therapy, the Continuing Education Oversight Committee and the Task Force on Distance Learning Options. Dr. Cochran is a Copper Level donor to the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation.

During his tenure as AAP President in 2009, Dr. Cochran aimed to increase understanding of the role of inflammation in the progression of periodontal disease and in the link between periodontal disease and other systemic diseases. To that end, he helped spearhead a partnership with The American Journal of Cardiology to write a paper on the link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. The resulting consensus paper, The American Journal of Cardiology and Journal of Periodontology Editors’ Consensus: Periodontitis and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, contains clinical recommendations for both cardiologists and periodontists to use in treating their patients living with, or at risk for, either disease. Dr. Cochran also oversaw a joint conference between the AAP and the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO). The program offered a specialized focus: mutual support of both specialties in the shared treatment of patients. The conference was well-received by members of both organizations.

“Dr. Cochran has been a very successful leader of the American Academy of Periodontology, and has left an ongoing legacy that is sure to inspire future leadership,” said Dr. Samuel Low, 2010 AAP President. “I look forward to working with him in the upcoming year as the AAP moves forward on future endeavors that benefit the specialty.”

David Cochran received his dental degree in 1981 and his PhD in biochemistry in 1982, both from the Medical College of Virginia. He completed his specialty training in periodontics from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 1985 and is a Board Certified periodontist. Dr. Cochran is currently the Professor and Chair of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is is an 8,000-member professional organization for periodontists - specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation and receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school. Periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

Find out if you are at risk for periodontal diseases by taking the Academy’s risk assessment test. Referral to a periodontist in your area is available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's website at www.perio.org.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at meg@perio.org or 312/573-3242.

Dr. David L. Cochran Installed as Past President of the AAP

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