Dean's Message

The first Hawkeye football game of the year is tomorrow. It is an exciting time that marks one of our most active times of year, especially with our alumni and continuing education offerings. Our first CE courses begin next weekend, and I'm especially looking forward to our Alumni Reunion weekend in two weeks. Please join us as we reconnect with old friends and colleagues, celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni honorees, and cheer on the Hawkeyes  We hope you will join us by registering for our Alumni Reunion Weekend on September 16-17, or one of our other CE courses or other alumni events this fall. Cheers! ~Clark Stanford

Updates for September 2, 2022–September 8, 2022

2022 Iowa Advanced Standing Program White Coat Ceremony

The University of Iowa Advanced Standing Program offers dentists trained outside the United States the opportunity to earn a CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) accredited DDS degree. After an intense body of work over the spring and summer, the incoming class of four students was granted faculty-supervised clinical privileges on August 17, 2022. This event signifies the beginning of these students' careers as oral health care professionals in the United States. The dental profession in the United States, and elsewhere, is a noble profession because of those who have gone before us. We know that these four students—Heba Al Aani, Aimy Johnson, Sneha Patel, and Bhargavi Vududala—will continue that legacy, and we were delighted that friends, family, and colleagues came to celebrate the occasion with them. See additional photos on the Advanced Standing Program website.

D1 Orientation

Hawkeye means family. Our fledgling Hawks—our D1 students—have begun to experience that Iowa spirit during their D1 Orientation week. You can see photos from orientation week and learn how these new Hawks are becoming family. Keep those shout outs coming, and keep showing that Hawkeye Spirit!

Dental students participate in Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellows Program

Two dental students were two of the six University of Iowa graduate trainees selected to participate in the 2022 Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellows Program. The program was held in August, and David Jun and Jackie Yeh learned about the policies, programs, resources, and other factors that influence entrepreneurial approaches to address unmet societal needs. The students learned from experienced entrepreneurs, renowned industry experts, venture capitalists, UI faculty and alums who have licensed technology or created and scaled successful companies, and they have also been invited to participate in other meetings because of their participation in the program, including  the Iowa Innovation Council. 

Five campus safety tips

Play in the Prophy Cup–College of Dentistry Golf Scramble Fundraiser

Why Iowa: We help others succeed

Each Hawkeye is unique and has a different set of needs. Hawkeyes know that we all grow best by supporting and helping one another.  

The College of Dentistry welcomes Wanda Powers

Wanda Powers joined the Department of Pediatric Dentistry as a dental assistant in July. She grew up in West Liberty, but now lives in West Branch. She has two daughters, Shauna and Heather, and three grandchildren, Eliza, Aisha, and Meru. She said, "I am very excited to work in pediatrics and work with the kids." Please extend a hearty Hawkeye welcome to Wanda!

The College of Dentistry welcomes Ethan Heusel

In July, Ethan Heusel began working as a research assistant in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. He was born in St. Louis, but grew up in Iowa City. He now lives in Coralville, and he has two brothers, a twin and an older brother. He also has a dog named Sadie. Ethan worked in biomedical and pediatric stroke research labs for 2.5 years prior to started this position, and he has two academic publications. 

Collaborative and innovative research

Semprini J. Oral cancer screening prevalence in low-income adults before and after the ACA. Oral Oncol. 2022 Aug 24;134:106055. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.106055. PMID: 36029746.

Detecting oral cancer early is associated with higher probability of survival, reduced treatment costs, and improved quality of life. Unfortunately, <30% of oral cancers are detected early. Recent health insurance expansions from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could improve outcomes by increasing access to screening. Despite oral cancer screening rates declining across the overall population, the ACA may have slowed the decline in low-income adults. Understanding why oral cancer screenings are declining could inform cancer control policies in the future.

The Facebook cascade of congratulations and well wishes!

Last week, we posted a photo of our D1 Class all together during their orientation. The cascade of shout outs from their parents and loved ones is heart warming to read!

Events

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 13, David Johnsen, “Connecting critical thinking outcomes with the scientific method," hosted by Eric Van Otterloo, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

September 15, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students

September 16, Fall Meeting for the Dental Student Research Group, Galagan 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 11, Sriram Ravindran, “Engineering and Delivery of MSC Exosomes for Bone Repair," hosted by Clark Stanford, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

October 14, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students

October 18, Bruno Lima, “Investigating Streptococcus gordonii surface protein regulation and biofilm formation," hosted by Cristina Vidal, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

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.”

Filling Station Menu

M-R: 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; F: 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The banner Hawkeye Smile image shows Herky with Austen Hawthorne, the revenue cycle manager in the dental business office.