Kathleen Vergona is Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. She has developed courses on the biological aspects of aging and its impact on oral health. Her research interests include age-related changes in salivary gland physiology, oral health services, and the related educational needs of health care providers. Evidence of her service and leadership in aging include awards from the Geriatric Education Center of Pennsylvania, American Dental Education Association, and the School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh. The Certificate in Geriatric Dentistry, directed by Dr. Vergona, was recognized as an Innovative Model in Geriatric Dental Education, by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), as published in “Oral Health for Independent Older Adults. ADEA/GSK Predoctoral Curriculum Resource Guide”, 2006.
Research Areas of Interest: biological aspects of aging and oral health
Representative Articles
Dobrosielski-Vergona, K.A., M.M. Piko, and E.D. Brastins. Assessment of dental services and provider education in geriatrics. J. Dental Res., 71:199, 1992.
Dobrosielski-Vergona, K., "Age-related changes in the function of salivary glands". Chapter 7, pp. 431-441,in The Biology of the Salivary Glands, K. Dobrosielski-Vergona, ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1993.
AK Chen, ED Brastins, RR Matuscak, and KA Dobrosielski-Vergona. Salivary gamma glutamy-transpeptidase in cancer patients. J. Dental Res., 73: 422, 1994.
Vergona, Kathleen, Judy Gallagher, and John Close, Predictors of knowledge on the dental health of the elderly. J. Dent. Ed. 61: 203, 1997.
Zalewsky, C., Dobrosielski-Vergona, K., and Zomeck, L. Localization of Lysozyme Using Immunohistochemistry in Rat Salivary Glands. Pennsylvania Academy of Science Journal, 71; 55-60, 1998.
Dobrosielski-Vergona, K., A Self Reported Survey of Alzheimer’s Centers in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Special Care in Dentistry, 25(3), 164-170, 2005.
Gallagher, Judith E., Dobrosielski-Vergona, K. and Wingard, Robin G. Web-based vs. Traditional Classroom Instruction in Gerontology. A Pilot Study, J. Dent Hyg. 79: 1-10. 2005.
“Global Demographic Changes, Economics of Health Care, and Their Impact on the Practice of Dentistry” Kathleen D. Vergona, pgs. 1 – 27, In Geriatric Dentistry, 5th edition, ed. Abdel Rahim Mohammad, Montrose Publishing Co., Montrose PA, 2008.
“Aging Process”, Kathleen D. Vergona, pgs. 28-47, ibid.
“Age-Related Sensory, Cognitive, Personality Changes, Social Environment, and Their Dental Implications”, Abdel Rahim Mohammad and Kathleen D. Vergona, pgs. 48-64, ibid.
“Assessment of Depression, Adult Daily Activities, and Nutrition in the Elderly Patient (Geriatric Assessment Scales)”, Abdel Rahim Mohammad and Kathleen Vergona, pgs. 65-87, ibid. |
