| | Dean's Message
Over the next few months, we will have 240 or more pre-dental students join us for DDS interviews. Today we host our first group of 24 candidates, and what happens today will most likely be a major factor in them choosing Iowa. Remember, they are interviewing us just as much as we are interviewing them. So, when you see some new faces in the hallways today, please give them a hearty Hawkeye welcome. Let them know why Iowa has the best dental education in the country! Cheers! ~Clark Stanford
| | | Updates for August 5, 2022–August 11, 2022 | | | | Advances in dental care occur because of a strong clinical research program. The college’s Clinical/Dental Education Research Initiative Support Program (CRISP) selected a project currently led by Rohit Nair on the factors that are clinically associated with dry mouth (xerostomia) among older adults. The goal is, ultimately, to improve dental care for older adult patients suffering from dry mouth. | | | At the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry's research day in March, Paul Olin ('82 DDS, '94 MS), interim associate dean for patient care and clinical services at Minnesota, was selected as the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry's 2021 Century Club Professor of the Year.
"Olin is known for his leadership and ingenuity, expressed most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic’s early days, when his virology research, coordination with other Big 10 schools and close monitoring of CDC guidelines resulted in a safe clinical space where students could receive as many clinical experiences as possible before graduation." | | | | The Gazette recently wrote about DentaQuest selecting Howard Cowen, the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation Professor in Geriatrics and Special Needs, for his extraordinary work championing equitable access to health care. | | |
The Iowa Dental Foundation (IDF) awarded seven scholarships this year, including five scholarships to dental students at Iowa. This week, the IDF spotlighted dental student recipient Tanner Storbeck.
"Growing up, I had my fair share of dental work done. Between extractions, congenitally missing teeth, braces, and headgear, I spent a lot of time in the dental chair. But I was one of those weird kids who actually enjoyed going to the dentist, so I didn't mind. My dentists always made it a fun experience, and I knew that someday I wanted to pursue dentistry as a career.
In college, I majored in Biology at the University of Northern Iowa and did research on DNA hybridization. When I started Dental School at Iowa, I was able to continue my research interests. For the last three years, I have participated in the Student Research Program, focusing on xerostomia and its causative factors [editors note: see the grant above!!].
I am entering my fourth year of school and plan on practicing general dentistry in the state of Iowa. I am very thankful to the Iowa Dental Foundation for awarding me this scholarship. It will go a long way in helping me pay for school. "
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The site initiation visit for the PrimeTaper study was on June 16-17. This is the only clinical trial site in all of the Americas (i.e., North, Central, South); the rest of the sites are in Europe. The photo shows some of our research team members and Dentsply Sirona personnel, including Sara E. Miller, Jennica Zwick, I-Ching Wang, Megumi Williamson, Anvita Maharishi, Carlos Garaicoa Pazmino, Chris Barwacz (principal investigator), Rose Bachus, and Chris Hansen (Dentsply Sirona). JoLynne Etscheidt, Sukirth Ganesan, Emily Meyer, Katie Mims, Kelby Scandrett, and Valerie Waterhouse are also part of the team. Thanks for Mikaela Friberg (Dentsply Sirona) for sending us the photo!
| | | Interview day always leaves a fantastic impression on our dental students and is the #3 reason applicants choose Iowa only behind access to specialty training and early clinical experiences. | | | | The College of Dentistry welcomes Casey Shook Casey Shook started July 29, 2022 in the Department of Family Dentistry as a dental hygienist. She lives in Coralville and has two children: Haley, a recent graduate of Iowa State (we won't hold it against her!) and Hunter, who was accepted into the Naval Academy. Casey enjoys walking with her dachshund, Miss Eleanor. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and gardening, and she recently started playing pickle ball. Casey said, "I am thrilled to be working at the college and look forward to meeting everyone." | | | The College of Dentistry welcomes Sarah Barnes
Sydney Barnes is a new Support Services Specialist in Family Dentistry. She previously worked at UIHC in Orthopedics. She is married and has two dogs, a Rottweiler and Golden Doodle. She enjoys doing home projects, playing video games, and adding to her collection of house plants.
| | | | Howe BJ, Pendleton C, Withanage MHH, Childs CA, Zeng E, van Wijk A, Hermus R, Padilla C, Hecht JT, Poletta FA, Orioli IM, Buxó-Martínez CJ, Deleyiannis F, Vieira AR, Butali A, Valencia-Ramirez C, Restrepo Muñeton C, Wehby GL, Weinberg SM, Marazita ML, Moreno Uribe LM, Xie XJ. Tooth Agenesis Patterns in Orofacial Clefting Using Tooth Agenesis Code: A Meta-Analysis. Dent J (Basel). 2022 Jul 5;10(7):128. doi: 10.3390/dj10070128. PMID: 35877402; PMCID: PMC9323030.
Those with orofacial clefts tend to have a greater number of teeth that did not form (tooth agenesis) than does the general population. Although this much is clear, the specific etiology and patterns, for example by gender or cleft type, of how that manifests have yet to be found. This research team conducted a meta-analysis of studies found in searchable databases and unpublished studies. The research team analyzed the data and found that particular teeth tended to be missing among those with clefting. The study found that those with more severe clefting tended to have tooth agenesis. They also found differences between those with cleft lip but no cleft palate and those with cleft lip and palate. They found no differences based on sex. The aim of the research was to gain greater knowledge about the genetic causes of tooth agenesis. | | | It might come as no surprise that a building called Old Dental would be the Pentacrest’s last—ahem—extraction. When the 1894 structure was torn down in 1975, it represented the final step toward completion of the university’s central campus as initially envisioned by President George MacLean at the turn of the 20th century.
Old Dental was the second home of the College of Dentistry, designed to accommodate a program that was attracting a rapidly growing enrollment in the late 19th century. It was situated immediately north of Old Capitol at the corner of Capitol and Jefferson, a three-story brick and wooden structure that had already reached capacity when its doors opened for classes in 1895.
By 1975, time had caught up with the aging structure, which by then was rife with safety hazards. The decision to remove Old Dental, informally made by university administrators some 50 years earlier, was at last final. Demolition was completed in October 1975, and the Pentacrest could—at last—live up to its name as a setting for five architecturally harmonizing edifices. A perfect set of teeth, as it were. | | Events
August 5, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
August 11, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
August 26, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
September 8, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
September 9, CE Course: Olin Family Visiting Lectureship, Peter Nordland, Utilization of Periodontal Plastic Surgery to Assist in the Esthetic Outcome.
September 10, Pregame Professional Program, Iowa v. Iowa State.
September 15, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
September 16, Fall Meeting for the Dental Student Research Group, Galagans A, 12:00 p.m.
September 16, Alumni Reunion Weekend Reunion and CE-Classes Ending in 2s and 7s (details forthcoming)
September 17, Pregame Professional Program, Iowa v. Nevada (University Family Weekend)
September 17, Alumni Weekend Tailgate, Iowa v. Nevada
September 23, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
September 30, CE Course: Elevating Patient-Centered Restorative Care: Integrating Technology and Biology to Optimize Outcomes
October 1, Pregame Professional Program (Michigan)
October 1, Alumni Tailgate, Iowa v Michigan
October 3, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
October 14, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
October 21, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
October 28, CE Course: Pediatric Dentistry Legends in the Fall
October 29, Pregame Professional Program (Northwestern/University Homecoming)
October 29, Alumni Tailgate, Iowa v. Northwestern (University Homecoming)
November 4-5, Iowa Mission of Mercy, Des Moines
November 11, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
November 11, CE Course: A Full Day Endodontic Experience
November 12, Pregame Professional Program (Wisconsin)
November 16, Virtual Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students
Notes and Resources
Lend a helping hand. Due to medical issues, Stacey Jones has exhausted her sick leave and vacation. If you would like to help Stacey by contributing vacation time, please go to the following website: CAT Leave, and click on “Catastrophic Leave Donation Form.”
M-F: 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
NOTE: CLOSED Monday, August 15
The banner Hawkeye Smile image shows Melika Farshad, an associate in clinic administration and patient care, with Herky. You can learn more about one of her projects WeMigrate on the College of Dentistry website. | | | |
