NSU CDM Impressions Fall/Winter 2019

32 | COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE earlier from a brain tumor that may have been caused by the same disorder. “Many things I handle help with the patient’s quality of life. It’s rewarding when you are able to save a life because you care,” she said. “Dr. Mejia has great diagnostic instincts,” said Michael A. Siegel, D.D.S., M.S., assistant dean for faculty, professor in and chair of the NSU CDM Department of Diagnostic Sciences. BIG PICTURE FIRST Mejia tells students that when they see a patient, they have to look at the big picture first, and then focus on smaller details. “The oral cavity shows you a lot,” she said. “I always say you need to know your patient very well. You cannot treat a stranger. You need to know all the medical conditions; the medications they use; and their social history, such as smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs. Some of the oral findings can be due to that background. Sometimes, the clinical exam can reveal an underlying systemic condition that hasn’t been diagnosed. We play a very important role, referring patients to their physicians for evalua- tion and timely treatment.” Mejia mentioned a few times how happy she was that a 53-year-old woman was diagnosed in a timely manner with a B-cell lymphoma thanks to teamwork that included her students. The patient will have radia- tion therapy and is expected to do well, Mejia said. CANCER PREVENTION Her interest in oral cancer prevention extends to her role as an educator and lead dental director of an evidence-based smoking cessation program for the NSU Area Health Education Centers. “In dental school, we started incorporating information regarding the social history of the patient into the curriculum. Now, we even ask about e-cigarettes,” said Mejia, adding that discussions about the increased use of vaping products and their associated risks are also incorporated. Patients are told about all the services available in Florida, including NSU’s program that offers free nicotine replacements for patients. In addition, Mejia conducted a project on oral cancer awareness based on research with CDM dental clinic patients. She presented this research at the European Association of Dental Public Health. The research amplifies the need for patient education and consciousness regarding oral care, she said. As president of the Hispanic Dental Association’s South Florida chapter, Mejia has been engaged in efforts to educate the community on the work of a dentist and on dental hygiene basics, bringing bags of dental hygiene items to schools, churches, and events. FACULTY IMPRESSIONS FACULTY Impressions GATA2 History GATA2 deficiency is a disorder that was first identified in 2011. It is characterized by immunodeficiency, myelodysplastic syn- drome (a condition exemplified by ineffective blood cell production), lung disease, and problems of the vascular/lymphatic system. GATA2 deficiency is diagnosed based on clinical findings, laboratory tests, and genetic testing. Early diagnosis is critical for optimal disease management, prevention of severe complications, treatment, and evaluation of at-risk relatives. It is caused by mutations in the GATA2 gene, which provides instructions to produce GATA2—a protein controlling when certain genes are “turned on”—and directs the activity of many types of cells, including immune cells. Mutations in the GATA2 gene result in impaired GATA2 protein function, leading to GATA2 deficiency. Inheritance is autosomal dominant, which means a person needs only one abnormal GATA2 gene copy to have GATA2 deficiency. Symptoms are typically not present at birth. By age 20, about 50 percent of people with a GATA2 mutation have symptoms. Treatment depends on the symptoms and may include vaccination, antibiotics, and bone-marrow transplant. Source: National Institutes of Health Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (continued from page 30)