The Buffalo OsteoPerio Studies: Summary of Our Findings and the Unique Contributions of Robert J. Genco, DDS, PhD

Purpose of Review: Robert (“Bob”) Genco was a member of the research team that established the Buffalo Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease (OsteoPerio) study. Here we detail the scientific discoveries emanating from this enduring collaboration. Recent Findings: OsteoPerio is ancillary to the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS). WHI-OS is a longitudinal study of 93,676 postmenopausal women aged 50–79 enrolled at 40 US centers (enrolled in 1993–1998). OsteoPerio enrolled 1342 women 3 years later (1997–2001) from the Buffalo WHI-OS participants to study the association of osteoporosis and periodontal disease. OsteoPerio has 5-year (N = 1026) and 17-year (N = 518) follow-up examinations. In addition to information on health status from the WHI-OS, OsteoPerio further included comprehensive oral examinations assessing probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, gingival bleeding, alveolar crestal height, and decay/caries, missing, and filled teeth. Systemic bone density (measured by DXA), blood, saliva, and plaque also were collected at all three visits. Summary: Findings from these studies are summarized here.