H. Asuman Kiyak, MA, PhD is a professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, director of geriatric dentistry programs in the School of Dentistry and director of the campus-wide Institute on Aging at the University of Washington. She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology. Dr. Kiyak has obtained research funding to study behavioral aspects of orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, health disparities across ethnic and socioeconomic groups, barriers to health care, and to test new models of oral health promotion for special populations. Dr. Kiyaks studies of informed consent in clinical dental practice have led to a new understanding of the importance of dentist-patient communication prior to major dental procedures with children and adults. Dr. Kiyak has published over 140 journal articles and book chapters, given numerous lectures at scientific, professional, and community meetings, and is the author (with Dr. Nancy Hooyman) of a well-known textbook in aging, Social Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective