Dr. Ira B. Lamster received his D.D.S. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook (1977), his M.M.Sc. from Harvard University (1980) and a Certificate of Special Training in Periodontology from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (1980). Dr. Lamster served as Dean of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine from 2001 to 2012, and Senior Vice President of Columbia University Medical Center from 2006 to 2012. From 2012 until 2017 he was in the Department of Health Policy & Management of the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Dr. Lamster is currently Dean Emeritus, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, and Clinical Professor at the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Lamster’s research efforts have focused on diagnostic testing and risk assessment for periodontal disease, the interrelationship of periodontal disease and systemic disease, the oral health care needs of older adults and the future of dental education and practice. His research has been supported by NIH, corporations and foundations.

Dr. Lamster is the author of more than 200 manuscripts and book chapters and has delivered more than 200 guest and invited lectures. He is the editor of “Improving Oral Health for the Elderly,” published by Springer U.S. in February 2008, both the January 2011 and October 2012 issues of the Dental Clinics of North America (addressing “Contemporary Concepts in the Diagnosis of Oral Dental Disease”, and “Primary Health Care Activities in the Dental Office”, respectively). He is the editor of “Diabetes Mellitus and Oral Health: An Interprofessional Approach” published by Wiley/Blackwell in 2014, and the October 2016 issue of Periodontology 2000 (“Geriatric Periodontology”). He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Dental Journal.