EIOH Leadership Transition for the National Dental PBRN Northeast Region

Dr. Dorota Kopycka-Kedzierawski has been announced as the new director of the National Dental PBRN’s Northeast region.

The Northeast regional node of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network has announced a leadership transition. The assistant director, Dr. Dorota Kopycka-Kedzierawski, has assumed the role of director, while the former director, Dr. Cyril Meyerowitz, transitioned to assistant director. Approved by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, this leadership changes reflects the network's commitment to planned succession as a means of maintaining excellence and innovation in dental research.

Dr. Meyerowitz’s tenure as the PBRN’s Northeast region’s director has been marked by numerous achievements. Throughout the 12 years of his leadership, the Northeast node recruited and trained hundreds of practitioners, fostering robust engagement in studies and collaboration across the region. His visionary approach helped guide numerous studies, involved Rochester faculty in studies and significantly expanded the evidence base for clinical decision-making, leaving a lasting impact on the network and the field of dentistry.

Dr. Kopycka-Kedzierawski brings a wealth of experience to her new role as director. A tenured professor of dentistry at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, she has been actively involved with the NDPBRN since 2012, serving as principal investigator and co-investigator for several pivotal studies in addition to her role as assistant director. Her extensive research portfolio includes studies such as the Povidone Iodine Efficacy Study and investigations into the utility of teledentistry. 

Dr. Cyril Meyerowitz served as the director of the National Dental PBRN’s Northeast region since it was established in 2012.

“We’re grateful for Dr. Meyerowitz’s dedication and many contributions,” said Dr. Eli Eliav, director, Eastman Institute for Oral Health. “We are confident Dr. Kopycka-Kedzierawski will continue to successfully build on the region’s collaborative achievements to conduct impactful research and improve patient care.”

Established in 2012, the National Dental PBRN is a nationwide community of participating dental professionals and organizations committed to advancing knowledge of dental practices and discovering ways to improve them. Comprised of six regional nodes, Eastman Institute for Oral Health was selected to direct the northeast node. Practitioners throughout the country participate in research initiatives to address pressing clinical questions. The studies help to expand the profession’s evidence base and further refine care.

To date, the NDPBRN has completed 56 studies, published 229 peer-reviewed articles, and engaged over 75,000 patients nationwide. These efforts have addressed critical gaps in dental knowledge and practice, from exploring opioid prescription practices to advancing treatments for cracked teeth.