.jpg)
Professor
The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, OH and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
Ann Griffen, DDS, MS is a pediatric dentist, microbiologist and Professor in the College of Dentistry at The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Her research group explores the human oral microbiome. Using DNA-sequencing methods she has been a leader in exploring the role of uncultivated bacteria and revealing the complexity of microbial communities in dental caries and periodontitis. Her work has provided insights into the polymicrobial etiology of these chronic diseases and identified new, previously unsuspected pathogens. In addition her work has characterized the composition of the bacterial communities associated with oral health. Her most recent studies have focused on the acquisition of normal, healthy oral microbes in children.