About

Reyes Enciso, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Instructional Dentistry at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. She has been a faculty member at the dental school for 21 years and serves as the Director of the minor in Craniofacial and Dental Technologies. Dr. Enciso teaches courses such as Evidence-based Dentistry, PBL, and the 'Research Methodologies' course in the online MS programs in Geriatric Dentistry and Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine. Her research focus includes clinical research design and critical assessment of literature, with a significant contribution to online education, supervising over 100 online Master's students' capstone projects since 2013, resulting in more than 33 peer-reviewed publications under her supervision. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Paris XI and a Master's in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations from Keck School of Medicine at USC. Dr. Enciso has received notable recognition, including awards from the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, and she is an Honorary member and the 2023-24 President of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Zeta Chapter.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Pathology
• Internal medicine
• Physical therapy
• Anesthesia
• Dermatology
• Immunology
• Psychiatry

Selected publications

• Efficacy of Dental Varnishes and Gels for the Prevention and Management of Dental Caries in Older Adults—A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

  Gerodontology · 2026-04-15

  articleOpen access

  INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the efficacy of dental varnishes/gels in the prevention/management of dental caries in older adults. METHODS: Cochrane, PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE were searched through March 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCT) including patients aged ≥ 60 years (or average age ≥ 60 years) utilizing varnish or gel interventions. Outcomes included caries incidence and lesion progression or reversal. RESULTS: Of 112 abstracts reviewed, 10 RCTs (unclear or high risk of bias) were included. One study showed 1% chlorhexidine (CHX)-1% thymol varnish applied 7 times over 12 months significantly reduced carious/filled surfaces versus placebo (p < 0.001) and improved active lesions (RR = 2.00, p = 0.018). Monthly 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish with professional brushing significantly improved outcomes versus standard fluoride toothpaste and oral hygiene instructions [OHI] (RR = 1.63, p = 0.002). When professional cleaning and OHI were provided quarterly, adding varnishes (1% CHX-1% thymol or 5% NaF) showed no significant additional benefit. Evidence quality was low to moderate due to heterogeneity and bias. CONCLUSION: Quarterly professional cleaning with OHI was as efficacious as adding either the 1% CHX-1% thymol or 5% NaF varnishes. Applying dental varnishes in the office every 3 months could be a more practical option for the delivery of preventive modalities to older adults who could have cognitive or physical limitations that negatively impact the frequency of daily or weekly use at home of toothpaste or rinses. Future research should evaluate cost-effectiveness and adherence to preventive protocols across different patient functional and behavioural abilities and care settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID: CRD42024585284.

  PublisherDOI

• A Literature Review of Elder Abuse Curriculum in Dental Schools, Dental Hygiene Programs and Continuing Education

  Special Care in Dentistry · 2025-03-01

  reviewOpen accessCorresponding

  AIMS: As mandated reporters of elder abuse in many states, dental providers require training in identifying, reporting, and managing suspected cases. This review aims to identify elder abuse and neglect (EAN) curricular models and training programs found in the literature for dental/dental hygiene (DH) students, and other dental professionals, as well as summarize surveys of EAN's knowledge of practicing dentists/DHs, and to suggest recommendations for enhancing training programs including a dental-focused EAN screening tool. METHODS AND RESULTS: An electronic search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane was performed up to and including July 2, 2024, to identify studies on elder abuse education/training found in dental schools, DH programs and continuing education courses for practicing dentists/DH. Nineteen studies on dental/DH curricula or surveys of knowledge about elder abuse were included in this review. Published studies included mailed or in-person surveys as well as in-person or online didactic training session(s) some of which contained pre- and post-session assessments. Survey results indicate that dental/DH students as well as practicing dentists have limited knowledge and confidence in reporting elder abuse. Included studies found that training programs are instrumental in increasing dental/DH student's and providers' knowledge and confidence in recognizing and reporting suspected cases of elder abuse during their clinical encounters. CONCLUSION: Reported dental/DH students and practitioners' knowledge about EAN is limited; however, training programs can improve knowledge and confidence. The inclusion of elder abuse education in dental school/DH curriculum and continuing education courses is needed to ensure current and future dental/DH practitioners possess adequate training in identifying, reporting, and managing suspected cases. The implementation of a standardized elder abuse screening tool for use in a dental clinical setting would be beneficial in identifying possible cases of abuse and neglect.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Oral potentially malignant disorders in older adults: A review

  Dentistry Review · 2023-07-22 · 9 citations

  reviewOpen accessCorresponding

  Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) have been associated with an increased risk and prevalence of cancers in the oral cavity and the lips. This literature review presents an overview of these disorders, based on their clinical features. However, histological sections are needed for a definitive diagnosis. A group of lesions under the term ‘Oral potentially malignant disorders’ were considered, including leukoplakia, erythroplakia, proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis, actinic keratosis, palatal lesions in reverse smokers, oral lupus erythematosus, dyskeratosis congenita, oral lichenoid lesions and oral graft-versus-host disease. In this review, clinical characteristics, images, differential diagnoses, etiology, prognosis, treatment as well as prevalence are considered. Oral leukoplakia [1], oral erythroplakia [2], proliferative verrucous leukoplakia [3], oral lichen planus [4] and actinic keratosis [5] are more common in middle-aged and older adults, when reported. Further studies are needed on the efficacy of other treatments than excisional biopsy, such as CO2 laser, cryotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Authors recommend continuing education and other forms of oral health literacy for practicing oral healthcare professionals to recognize, diagnose and treat OPMDs as early as possible to facilitate the recognition, prevention and management of oral potentially malignant disorders and cancer.

  PublisherDOI

• Oral health for baby boomers: Past, present, and future

  Special Care in Dentistry · 2023-01-30 · 5 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  AIMS: This paper reviews the oral health services which were available for early (1945-1955) and late (1956-1964) baby boomers, as well as predicts their future oral healthcare needs. METHODS AND RESULTS: The knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of the parents of the baby boomers toward dental hygiene and oral healthcare, are reviewed. The introduction of dental health screenings occurred from 1910 to early 1970s, the creation of the first dental hygiene school and the introduction of water fluoridation influenced oral healthcare. Technology introduced in the dental offices in the 1960s included the high-speed handpiece, followed by intraoral suction in 1979. Baby boomers are keeping their teeth at higher rates than preceding generations due to improved prevention and advances in the treatment of periodontal disease, and overall lower rates of smoking in older adults, when compared to younger adults. However, access to dental care remains an issue for many. Advances in prevention and treatment of periodontal disease, early detection of root caries, new restorative techniques, and improved technologies to replace teeth are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection of periodontal disease, oral, and oropharyngeal cancer, risk factors for tooth loss and untreated caries are needed to improve the oral health for baby boomers. Access to oral healthcare is still an issue due to socio-economic disparities in America.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• C.E. Credit. A Mandibular Adenomatoid Odontogenic Tumor With a Novel Treatment Utilizing Platelet-Rich Fibrin

  Journal of the California Dental Association · 2022-03-01

  article

  Background: Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is an uncommon odontogenic tumor that originates from odontogenic epithelium. It is predominantly found in young women, particularly in the maxilla in association with an unerupted permanent tooth.Case description: This is a case report of an AOT in a 60-year-old male with an asymptomatic mandibular lesion that radiographically presented as a mixed lesion.Conclusions: Enucleation was performed and the defect was treated with bone grafting and platelet-rich fibrin with no recurrence at follow-up.

  PublisherDOI

• Efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid in patients with burning mouth syndrome compared to that of placebo or other interventions: a systematic review with meta-analyses

  Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine · 2022-01-01 · 8 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  , and laser therapy. Altogether, 137 records were scanned for inclusion/exclusion, and nine RCTs (two unclear and seven at high risk of bias) were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses, with a total of 594 patients with BMS included in this review. All studies reported an improvement in VAS pain scores ranging from -0.72 to -2.77. Meta-analysis results showed a non-significant reduction in pain intensity for ALA (P = 0.616) compared to that of placebo on a VAS of 0-10. Patients taking ALA were 1.923 times more likely to show an improvement in self-reported BMS symptoms (P = 0.031) than those in the placebo group. Clonazepam and pregabalin showed a significant VAS pain reduction of 4.08 and 4.68 (P < 0.001), respectively, compared to that with ALA. Although ALA intervention provided a non-significant improvement in the pain score and was more likely to produce a reduction in BMS symptoms, the evidence was of low quality. Further research is needed to establish clear guidelines for the use of ALA for BMS treatment.

  PublisherDOI

• EFFICACY OF ORAL AND TOPICAL ANTIOXIDANTS IN THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF ORAL MUCOSITIS IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER. A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

  Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology · 2022-04-14

  review
  PublisherDOI

• Efficacy of oral and topical antioxidants in the prevention and management of oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analyses

  Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022-06-10 · 22 citations

  reviewSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Opioids and older adults: Increasing trends in opioid usage in a dental population compared to a National Database (NHANES)

  Special Care in Dentistry · 2022-03-13 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  AIM: To examine self-reported opioid prevalence at a dental school clinic for patients ≥65 years old as compared to national data, comparing gender, ethnicity/race and older adult age groupings. METHODS AND RESULTS: Self-reported prescription opioid medication use was extracted from the medical record for dental patients ≥65 years old who visited the school's general dental clinic (GDC) in 2012 or 2017. This data was compared to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for 2011-2012 and 2017-18. There was a significant increase in prevalence of opioid use in adults ≥65 between 2012 (4.5%) and 2017 (6.5%) and for ages 65-79 (from 4.7% to 6.3%) and ≥80 (3.4% to 7.9%), women (4.8% to 7.0%), and African Americans (4.7% to 8.4%) in the GDC. Older adults at the GDC reported less opioid use than the NHANES national average for both periods no matter the gender or the age with variable results for race/ethnicity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of older adults taking opioids in our general dental school clinic population increased significantly in 2017 as compared to 2012 but was lower than the national average for the respective periods. Awareness of existing opioid usage in older adult patients and its higher adverse risk potential is critical when prescribing analgesics for dental pain for this age group.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Regeneration of temporomandibular joint using in vitro human stem cells: A review

  Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine · 2022-03-31 · 17 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) range from gross anatomic deformities of the disc and hard tissue to functional disturbances. Traditional treatment of TMDs includes physical therapy, use of appliances, pharmacological, surgical and psychological interventions. However, during the late stage of TMDs, conventional management often results in inadequate relief of symptoms. Stem cell-based tissue regeneration has been studied extensively in joint regeneration, including the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). This study aims to review the potential of various human stem cells (HSC) for the regeneration of the TMJ. In vitro studies using human mesenchymal stem cells cultured under different conditions to evaluate regeneration of TMJ related structures were searched on PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science up to March 2020. In vitro studies utilized several different types of stem cells under varying conditions. Increased osteogenesis and/or chondrogenesis were noted with stem cell interventions compared to control groups on Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity, Col-I, Col-II, Col-X, RUNX2, LPL, and Aggrecan mRNA expression. This review emphasizes the potential of stem cell therapies in the regeneration of TMJ-related structures. However, further in vivo studies are required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these therapies in humans.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant K25DE016391

  NIH · $460k · 2011

Frequent coauthors

• Glenn T. Clark

  41 shared

• Yuko Shigeta

  Tsurumi University

  27 shared

• James Mah

  University of Nevada, Las Vegas

  17 shared

• Takumi Ogawa

  15 shared

• Ulrich Neumann

  14 shared

• Roseann Mulligan

  Newcastle University

  13 shared

• Pascal Magne

  10 shared

• Mariela Padilla

  9 shared

Awards & honors

• Arthur H. Wuerhmann Prize (2010)
• William H. Rollins Award for Research in Oral and Maxillofac…
• Honorary member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Zeta Chapter (…
• President of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Zeta Chapter (2023-24)