Frank A. Scannapieco, DMD, PhD, is a professor and chair of the Department of Oral Biology in the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. He has conducted National Institute of Healthfunded research, studying the mechanisms of oral bacteria colonization and their implications for health and disease. Scannapieco has published widely in professional journals. He can be reached at: fas1@buffalo.edu.