Dr. Morten Schiødt Passes Away Unexpectedly

Dr. Morten Schiødt, a long-term member of the American Academy of Oral Medicine and invaluable participant in the World Workshop of Oral Medicine passed away in May, 2020.  His death occurred, unexpectedly, six weeks following a heart valve repair.  He was a senior consultant and a practicing oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS) at Rigshospitalet Hospital in Denmark.  

Dr. Schiødt completed his OMFS training in 1979 in Copenhagen, his doctoral thesis in 1984, and was Chair of OMFS at the Copenhagen University Hospital from 2001to 2011. 

He was a Visiting Professor in epidemiology at Aarhus University Hospital, and at the University of California, San Francisco.  Dr. Schiødt was the president of the Danish Association and Danish Society of OMFS for six years, and he conducted many symposia internationally.  Dr. Schiødt was the author of over 198 publications, 25 textbook chapters, and multiple published scientific abstracts.  

Among his research positions were Director of Osteonecrosis Research and ONJ at Copenhagen University Hospital and of the Danish Research Group for the Sjögren’s International Collaborative Clinical Alliance: SICCA-Denmark.  He directed the Denmark-based research group that was a part of an NIH-funded multicenter project, which led to several new discoveries including a new classification for Sjögren’s Syndrome.  He was the European principal investigator of many scientific studies with dental implants, osteonecrosis of the jaw, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus erythematosus, HIV, and a consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO). 

His loss will leave a tremendous void among the students he mentored, and he will be remembered for his scientific curiosity, enthusiasm, and contribution to the WWOM and as a Director of the Research Group in the Sjögren’s International Collaborative Clinical Alliance. 

Dr. Schiødt attended annual AAOM meetings and will be remembered as a dear and respected colleague and friend of Oral Medicine and the Academy.  

Dr. Schiødt leaves behind his beloved wife, Dorte, of 46 years, a daughter Julie, and a grandson August.  His loss is felt deeply by his family, his community, and his friends and colleagues in the scientific community and the American Academy of Oral Medicine.