Educational and Professional Background
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, Ph.D., Psychology, 1982.
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, M.A., Psychology, 1979.
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, B.A., Psychology, 1977.
Neal Garrett received his MA (1979) and PhD (1982) in Psychology from the University of Southern California. From 1982 to 1990, Dr. Garrett served as a Research Physiologist in the Dental Research Laboratory at the Sepulveda VA Medical Center. Since 1989, he has been Director of the Dental Research Laboratory at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. Dr. Garrett has been affiliated with UCLA School of Dentistry since 1989 and is an Associate Professor in the Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, Biomaterials and Hospital Dentistry. He joined the Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology in 1998 and is currently the Director.
Dr. Garrett has served the Prosthodontic Groups of both the International and American Associations for Dental Research as Treasurer, Counselor and President. He has provided reviewing consultation to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the Journal of Dental Research, the Journal of Prosthodontics, Gerodontology, and Rehabilitation Physiology. He has been supported by research projects of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and/or Department of Veterans affairs since 1982. Dr. Garrett's research interests focus on the restoration of oral function and quality of life following tooth loss or other oral impairment in the aged. He has established the functional efficacy of several different prosthodontic treatment modalities. Recently completed and ongoing projects include evaluations of oral sensory and motor function in dentate persons and denture wearers, efficacy of implant-supported dentures in persons with diabetes, and restoration of oral function and quality of life with conventional and implant-retained prostheses in oral cancer patients.
Research/Creative Activities
1. Functional and psychosocial outcomes of prosthodontic treatments
2. Aging and oral function
3. Dental implantology
4. Design of longitudinal clinical trials
My research focuses on clinical studies to understand the impact of tooth loss and their replacement with dental prostheses on a broad range of patient impacts, including treatment success, psychosocial perceptions, oral functions such as chewing, speech, taste and perception of texture, diet and nutrition, and costs of initial and maintenance care. Understanding the relationships among these factors will lead to improved treatments of patients with missing teeth or other damage to the oral-facial complex.
Courses taught
Research methodology, critical evaluation of prosthodontic literature, functional and perceptual outcomes of prosthodontic treatment.
Professional memberships and activities:
International and American Associations for Dental Research
International Society of Maxillofacial Rehabilitation
Sigma Xi
Recent Publications
Roumanas, E., Garrett, N., Hamada, M., Diener, R., Kapur, K. A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Mandibular Implant-Supported Overdentures and Conventional Dentures in Diabetic Patients. Part V. Food Preference Comparisons. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 87:62-73, 2002.
de Krom CJ, Koopman AS, Garrett N, van Waas MA. Simulation of pigmented mucosa in complete dentures: development of an oral pigment index. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd. 110:69-73, 2003.
Friedlander, A., Garrett, N., Norman, D. The Prevalence of Calcified Carotid Artery Atheromas on Radiographs of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of the American Dental Association, 33:1516-23, 2003.
Roumanas, E., Garrett, N., Hamada, M., Kapur, K. Comparisons of Chewing Difficulty of Consumed Foods with Mandibular Conventional Dentures and Implant-Supported Overdentures in Diabetic Denture Wearers. In press, International Journal of Prosthodontics.
Kimoto, K., Garrett, N. Comparisons of Chewing Difficulty of Consumed Foods with Mandibular Conventional Dentures and Implant-Supported Overdentures in Diabetic Denture Wearers. In press, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants.
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"We are constantly trying to improve the techniques we employ for replacing missing teeth or other craniofacial structures and assessing the true value of existing and newly developed treatments in changing the quality of a patient's life. At UCLA School of Dentistry and the Weintraub Center, we are critically evaluating advanced restorative treatments, including dental implants, through objective outcomes studies of treatment success, cost/benefit ratios, and functional and psychological impacts. As we develop new guided cellular approaches (growth factors, gene therapy, tissue formation, etc.) for regeneration and restoration of the cranio-facial complex, we will expand our outcomes-related clinical trials to validate their use. This validation will be critical for public acceptance and support."
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