Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.)
Dental Surgery
Howard University
1987
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Faculty
Faculty
Gail Cherry-Peppers, D.D.S., M.S.
Associate Professor
Department/Office
- Restorative Dentistry
School/College
- College of Dentistry
Biography
Gail Cherry-Peppers, D.D.S., M.S. is professor and director of Oral Diagnostics, Radiology and Community Services at the Howard University College of Dentistry. She is also in private practice. The portfolio of courses includes, Dental Public Health, Ethics l and 2, and Principles of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Advanced Radiology, Summer Radiology and Introduction to Clinical Dentistry.
Cherry-Peppers oversees a large part of HUCD’s student community outreach and cultural event activities. Several activities include RAM in Waldorf, Md. And Knoxville, Texas, Virginia and Tennessee, Free Clinic of Virginia, Lynchburg, Jamaica Mission Trips and So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E). Students participate in more than 30 cultural and community service events biannually. These events include Health Fairs, Mission Trips externships, community chronic disease and treatment events, and clinical rotations in underserved areas across the US. More than 10,000 patients have been seen on the Mission trips spear-headed by Cherry-Peppers and her faculty team over the past 3 years. The team took the students on rotations during the most severe time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cherry-Peppers oversees day-to-day clinical operations in oral diagnosis and radiology and Screening Clinics, patient intake and radiology. More than 200 students rotate annually. Additionally, the Clinically Ill and Aging Program, (CIAP) Clinical Rotation provides students the opportunity to re-enforce the treatment of Geriatric, medically compromised and patients who are disabled. She also monitors post-doctoral dental students.
Cherry-Peppers retired military from the US Public Health Service as a Captain, where she worked at several HHS Agencies, (NIH, HRSA, FDA) as a Dental Clinical Consultant with focus on the oral manifestations of chronic disease and population sciences. Cherry-Peppers has been the lead Oral Medicine Specialist on the AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Dental Section, she has led numerous initiatives. Cherry-Peppers had leadership and service roles in projects encompassing women’s health, Tobacco Use and Oral Health, HIV, Million Hearts and Chronic Diseases in minority segments.
Education & Expertise
Education
Master of Science (M.S.)
Central Michigan University
1992
Areas of Expertise
Dentistry
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
Dental Services to the Underserved, Certificate Remote Area Medical (RAM), 2023
Distinguished Faculty Award, Howard University College of Dentistry, 2022
Exceptional Hardship Award for COVID-19 Support, 2021
Phenomenal Woman Dentist Award, 2019
Outstanding Public Health Leadership Award, Rural Health Dental Society (Flagstaff Chapter), 2018
USPHS Outstanding Service Award for Oversight of the PATH (Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study), 2017
Phenomenal Surgeon Generals’ Outstanding Service Award for the Serving on the Oral Health Coordinating CC, 2016
Women’s Award- National Dental Association, 2014
USPHS Commendation Medal for leading program directives for Dental HIV Services in Patients, 2007
Featured News
Featured News
Read: Kingsport Times News | Health Wagon continues free medical care tradition at summer clinic
Publications and Presentations
Publications and Presentations
Alzheimer’s disease, Down Syndrome and Periodontitis
Alzheimer’s disease, Down Syndrome and Periodontitis: What is the Connection?
Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses are increasing due to patients longer life span. Inflammation plays a strong role and this and other factors link Down Syndrome and periodontal disease to Alzheimer’s disease. This article aims to review numerous similarities and conditions that link Alzheimer’s disease, Down Syndrome, and periodontal disease.
Systemic Conditions and Associations with Dental Prostheses
Systemic Conditions and Associations with Dental Prostheses
The incidence of debilitating conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and risk factors such as the use of tobacco products continues to climb. The impact and detrimental role of these systemic conditions present a challenge in the maintenance of oral health after loss of teeth. Long-lasting systemic diseases may persist and worsen over time, and can result in deterioration of oral function, and poor outcomes for those patients who wear full and partial dentures. The need for prosthetic devices will continue to increase as the average life expectancy age increases. There is a great need to improve access and frequency of prosthetic dental visits. Incorporating routine oral health assessments and regular denture maintenance visits may improve overall health and successful patient outcomes.
Eosinophilic Granuloma of the Tongue in an HIV patient: A Case Report
Eosinophilic Granuloma of the Tongue in an HIV patient: A Case Report
Ulcerations of the oral mucosa can be acute and self-limiting or chronic with impaired healing. Chronic, non-healing ulcers require prompt intervention to identify factors hindering proper healing and, more importantly, to determine whether the lesion is reactive or neoplastic. Successful treatment outcomes rely on early detection and diagnosis, particularly in cases involving malignant neoplastic lesions. Age-related changes in oral mucosal tissue can also affect the healing process. In elderly patients, mucosal atrophy, reduced connective tissue elasticity, and the use of medications that contribute to mucosal dryness are factors that may impede ulcer healing. Consequently, food intake can be disrupted, leading to nutritional deficiencies that further compromise overall health. Additionally, age-related changes in immune function may delay healing. Therefore, detection, diagnosis, and early intervention are critical for preserving quality of life as patients age.
Pediatric Oral Health Service Access in Racial/Ethnic Minority Neighborhoods: A Geospatial Analysis in Washington, D.C., USA
Oral health plays a crucial role in overall well-being. One of the goals set by the US Department of Health and Human Service, Healthy People 2030 is to reducing dental caries in children and adolescents. The study aims to investigate the accessibility of pediatric dental care in neighborhoods with mixed-race and predominantly African American populations in the Washington District of Columbia (DC) area. Our objective is to uncover and highlight the disparities that exist in pediatric dental care within these communities. We have specifically examined the geographic and sociodemographic aspects of pediatric dental care facilities, utilizing geospatial tools such as modeling and mapping, as well as data from the clinical database at Howard University College of Dentistry. The detailed analysis of dental care access revealed significant disparities among various Wards in the region. Specifically, Wards 5, 7, and 8 stood out as having both the highest concentrations of African American residents and the lowest availability of pediatric dentistry providers when compared to the more affluent Wards 1,2, and 3. Howard University College of Dentistry's pediatric dentistry department played a crucial role in providing dental care services to the community. Over the course of the year 2022, they recorded a total of 3,855 visits from residents of the DC area. Notably, a substantial portion of these visits, specifically 1,566 visits, were from individuals residing in Wards 5,7 and 8. This data underscores the significant demand for pediatric dental services in these underserved communities and highlights the importance of addressing the disparities in access to care.
A Double Threat to Oral health
A Double Threat to Oral health: The Inflammatory Processes of Diabetes and Tobacco Use
The incidence debilitating conditions such as diabetes and risk factors such as the use of tobacco products continue to climb, so does the need for better understanding of these complex conditions. Long-term presence of diabetes and tobacco use may result in deterioration. Additionally, diabetics who use tobacco products have many adverse oral conditions. Of these factors, inflammatory responses represent a complex interplay and offers a unique challenge. Strong medical consultation team approaches contribute to improving outcomes of diabetes and its comorbid disorders.
