Alsaffar’s poster wins twice at AAP Annual Meeting
Alaa Alsaffar, BDM, MSD ’24, was recognized at the 110th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology in San Diego.
Alumna Alaa Alsaffar, BDM, MSD, a 2024 graduate of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry’s Advanced Education Program in Periodontics, won first place in the clinical science category and received the Best Clinical Impact Award for her poster presented at the 110th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology.
“This award holds a special place in my heart,” said Alsaffar. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our team’s hard work is driving change in periodontics. A huge thank you to the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene for their unwavering support, and to my home country, Kuwait, for sponsoring my journey to becoming a periodontist. What a memorable way to celebrate the conclusion of my residency.”
Alsaffar was recognized for her poster, titled “Accuracy of Rule-Based Algorithm and Deep-Learning Platform in Periodontal Disease Diagnosis.” Her mentor was DDS, DMSc, MS, associate professor and the director of periodontics research in the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene.
“Dr. Alsaffar’s passion and drive are inspiring, and her achievements highlight the dedication we hope to instill in all our residents,” said Nikola Angelov, DDS, MS, PhD, chair of the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene. “Warm thanks are also due to her mentor, Dr. Chun-Teh Lee, whose unwavering support was instrumental in helping Dr. Alsaffar bring her project to life. Remarkably, this marks the second time in the past six years that our program has received the Research Poster Competition Award, highlighting the sustained excellence of our department’s research team.”
Alsaffar received her Bachelor of Dental Medicine from Kuwait University. She completed the Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry from UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry before obtaining her residency in periodontics and dental implant surgery. Alsaffar is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a diplomate of the American Board of General Dentistry.
Alsaffar is currently working as a periodontist at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital in Kuwait.
The AAP’s 110th Annual Meeting was held Oct. 31-Nov. 3, in San Diego.
