| | Dean's Message
Caring for patients is the goal for all that we do at the college. It is one of the reasons that I'm committed to regularly and consistently seeing patients as dean. I've had the opportunity to hear so many positive reports from patients praising the work of our clinics from our front-line staff to our providers. This is the heart and soul of all that we do, whether it's our education as we aim to train patient-centered dentists or our research discovery mission where we aim to translate our finding for improving patient outcomes. I know that caring well for patients, particularly those who are in pain, are suffering, or have other challenges that try our patience, is no easy task. Thank you for doing that so well. Keep up the good work! ~Clark Stanford | | | Updates for February 3, 2022–February 9, 2022 | | | | Azeez Butali was one of two Iowa faculty named a 2022 fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The AAAS is the world’s largest general-scientific society and publisher of the journal, Science. Butali is a professor of oral pathology, radiology, and medicine, and world’s foremost expert in the genetics of cleft lip and palate among African populations. | | | The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) awarded Robert Bowers, assistant professor of Family Dentistry, a 2023 Early Career Scholars grant for his project, “A Novel Use of the Periodontal Ligament Injection for Delivery of Extended-Release Periodontal Therapeutics.” These competitive $30,000 awards are intended to help tenure-track assistant professors develop competitive proposals that can secure awards with external funding. As part of the award, the OVPR supplies grant consultation and support, and substantive written critiques to help recipients improve their projects. In the study, Bowers will investigate injections of extended-release therapeutics in the periodontal ligament. Dental practitioners currently use periodontal ligament injection to deliver local anesthesia safely and predictably to the gums and bone surrounding teeth. Bowers hopes to model how modified solutions would flow after injections, aiding in the development of a novel, non-invasive method to deliver regenerative, pain-relieving, or antimicrobial therapeutics. This is the second year in a row that Iowa Dentistry has received an award. | | | | John J. Warren, professor and interim head of the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, was recently interviewed by WalletHub on a variety of topics related to access to care, affordability of care, and preventive care in dentistry. | | | Each year, UIHC recognizes providers with Patient's Choices Awards for their excellence in patient experience. Doug Kendrick, clinical associate professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry, was selected for a 2023 award. Based on patient responses, providers with an aggregate score in the top 10% nationally were recognized with Patient’s Choice Awards, including Kendrick. | | | | The Iowa Dental Foundation (IDF) is currently accepting scholarship applications. All dental (D3s), dental hygiene, dental assistant, and dental lab technician students are encouraged to apply. Dental students may receive up to $5,000 and all other dental professional students up to $750. The total number of scholarships awarded and amounts vary each year. For more information or to see past awardees, visit the IDF webpage.
Completed applications must be submitted by March 31. | | | On February 14, researchers will showcase their projects at the 2023 Iowa Section of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research. Students, faculty, and guests will present their research during the day, and a banquet will follow in the evening. Please join us for an exciting day for our research! | | | | As a vibrant Big 10 college town, Iowa City has the amenities of a much larger city but with the small-town feel of a more intimate community. Our students, faculty, staff, and alumni have long recognized this. | | | Mark Dyken's review: "Fantastic people with a fantastic service as the routine!" | | | | Awotoye W, Whitt J, Yoo B, Farooqi MS, Farrow E, Allareddy V, Amendt BA, Venugopalan SR. Genetic Heterogeneity and Enrichment of Variants in DNA-Repair Genes in Ameloblastoma. J Oral Pathol Med. 2023 Jan 30. doi: 10.1111/jop.13410. PMID: 36715450.
Ameloblastomas are a group of common odontogenic tumors that originate from the dental epithelium. These tumors are aggressive in nature and present as slow growing painless cortical expansion of the jaw. Histologically, the follicular and plexiform subtypes constitute two-thirds of solid/multicystic ameloblastomas. This study was designed to understand the genetic architecture of follicular and plexiform ameloblastomas using deep whole-exome sequencing (dWES). The team's enrichment analysis showed a significant role of DNA repair genes in the development of these tumors. The observed genetic heterogeneity in these ameloblastomas may contribute to the aggressive nature and recurrence risk of these tumors.
| | | Iowa Trailblazers: Radiology from 1917-1950s In 1917, a new building was constructed for the College of Dentistry on the corner of Capitol and Market St. The building had more space for patient care, and designated spaces for oral surgery, research, demonstration, and dental care for children. It also had a dedicated X-ray room “supplied with the best apparatus procurable for roentgenology [another name for radiology]…”. | | Events
February 10, Live Distance Course: Dealing with Interesting Pediatric Patients, Kecia Leary and Heidi Steinkamp, 8:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
February 21, Seminars in Dental Research: Joseph Cavanaught, "Reassessing Health Sciences Research: Moving Beyond p-Values and Statistical Significance," hosted by Steve Levy, W220A/B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
February 24, Dental Alumni Reception in conjunction with the Chicago Mid-Winter Meeting, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago, IL, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
March 10, Live Distance Course: Digital Smile Planning: Veneer preps, computer design, and material’s indication, Thiago Porto, 8:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
April 14, Live Distance Course: Thinking Game for Maxillary Full Arch Implant Restorations, Aaron Cho, 8:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
May 5, Dental Alumni Reception in conjunction with IDA Annual Meeting, Cedar Rapids, IA, 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
September 15-16, Dentistry Alumni Reunion Weekend
Notes and Resources
Lend a helping hand. Due to family caregiving needs, Alanna Keating has exhausted her sick leave and vacation. If you would like to help Alanna by contributing vacation time, please go to the following website: CAT Leave, and click on “Catastrophic Leave Donation Form.”
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 Melika Farshad, an associate in clinic administration and patient care, with Herky. | | | |
