UNC’s Wright Is in Ectodermal Dysplasias Video

As a part of Ectodermal Dysplasias Awareness Month (February), the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias has launched a new educational video – and a UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry faculty member is one of the health experts providing commentary.

“Many of the genes that cause ectodermal dysplasias are going to affect the teeth because the teeth are ectodermally derived tissues,” says Dr. Tim Wright, chairman of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry, near the beginning of the video. “The most frequent manifestation is missing teeth.”

Wright serves on the national foundation’s Scientific Advisory Council. Additional School of Dentistry faculty members who advise the foundation are Dr. Margot Stein, clinical associate professor of dental ecology, who also serves on the Scientific Advisory Council; and Dr. Albert D. Guckes, associate professor of prosthodontics, who serves on the Patient Care Council.

The video features commentary from doctors, dentists, foundation officials and people who have been diagnosed with ectodermal dysplasias and their family members.

The National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias describes the group of inherited disorders as involving defects in the hair, nails, sweat glands and teeth. People who have two or more ectodermal abnormalities, such as malformed teeth and very sparse hair, are identified as having ectodermal dysplasia.

The organization is the world’s first non-profit foundation dedicated solely to helping those with ectodermal dysplasia and their families.

More information on ectodermal dysplasias and a link to the new video are available at the organization’s Web site: http://www.nfed.org/