I am a dentist and an epidemiologist who is passionate about oral health issues in developing countries. I lead the oral health and hygiene initiative in the Millennium villages and coordinate the efforts of the Earth Institute and the the oral health related research efforts of the New York and Africa-based Millennium Villages Project health teams, and the MDG West Center policy leaders. Prior to my appointment at the Earth Institute, Columbia University, I worked at the Ministry of Health in Khartoum, Sudan and was responsible for an array of initiatives, which included playing an instrumental role in the establishment of the first state-wide oral health school program in Khartoum State...