J. Tim Wright, DDS, MS, s the Distinguished Bawden Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has served as Pediatric Dentistry Department chair and Department of Endodontics interim chair. He also served as the School of Dentistry’s director of strategic initiatives. A diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, Wright has published more than 200 papers, edited two texts and authored 24 text chapters. A former chair of the Council for Scientific Affairs for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Dental Association, he is president-elect of the American Association for Dental Research. He can be reached at Tim_Wright@unc.edu.
The genomic era is increasing scientific understanding of dental caries determinants, based on the interactions of host, oral flora and environmental factors.