Dean's Message

Our Simulation Clinic on the second floor of the Dental Science Building is now 25 years old. Despite being older than many of the students who practice in it, the Sim Clinic is the most heavily used teaching facility in the college and is still going strong. The Sim Clinic was the first fundraising campaign since the Centennial campaign in the early 1980s. Our previous dean, David Johnsen, was instrumental in creating a truly grassroots campaign to raise $3M of the $4M cost of the project. There was a long list of alumni who contributed to the project, so to those who donated those many years ago, know your investment has been extremely beneficial for our students. For those looking to make an impact within the college, rest assured that your support significantly impacts the education and training of future clinicians and sets them up for success in their careers. ~Clark Stanford

Timmons elected to Executive Council of the AAOMP

Sherry Timmons, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, was recently installed as Councilor at large to the American Academy of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology (AAOMP). Councilors are elected for a term of three years. Timmons joins the managing body of the Academy and she also represents the first African-American member of the academy to be elected and installed onto the Executive Council.

Johnson named I.B. Bender lifetime educator award

William Johnson, Professor Emeriti in the Department of Endodontics, was awarded the 2024 I. B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). Johnson had a prolific 24-year military career and retired from the Iowa Army National Guard in 1995 with the rank of Brigadier General. He was also the inaugural Walton Endodontics Professor from 2006-14.

5 UI students defend their dissertations

Congratulations to five dental students — Abimbola Oladayo (PhD), Hiba Shareef (MS), Khulood Alzahrani (MS), Ronak Bhagat (MS), Williams Burns (MS) — who have successfully defended their PhD/MS thesis this past month.

College of Dentistry celebrates Tabitha Peter’s Fulbright award

On Tuesday, April 23, members of the UI College of Dentistry met in Galagan Auditorium to celebrate Tabitha Peter’s Fulbright award, which will take her to Colombia for the 2024-25 year. Peter is the college’s first Fulbright award winner in its history.

Dean Stanford presents at VCU research day

Last Thursday, Dean Stanford presented a keynote research presentation at Virginia Commonwealth University's annual Research Day. He shared updates on research from the UI College of Dentistry.

Iowa at the 2024 National Oral Health Conference

A large contingent of Iowa Dentistry faculty, students, and alumni attended and presented at the National Oral Health Conference April 15-17 in St. Louis, MO. Highlights from the conference are on the Iowa Dentistry website.

Hawkeyes leading courses at IDEAS24

The Iowa Dental Association’s annual meeting is next week, May 2-4, and several UI faculty members and alumni are scheduled to lead courses, including Cari Anderson, Emily Lanzel, Karen Baker, Lisa Holst, and Carrie McKnight. Click here to read more about their courses.

Collaborative and Innovative Research

Alade A, Peter T, Busch T, Awotoye W, Anand D, Abimbola O, Aladenika E, Olujitan M, Rysavy O, Nguyen PF, Naicker T, Mossey PA, Gowans LJJ, Eshete MA, Adeyemo WL, Zeng E, Van Otterloo E, O'Rorke M, Adeyemo A, Murray JC, Lachke SA, Romitti PA, Butali A. Shared genetic risk between major orofacial cleft phenotypes in an African population. Genet Epidemiol. 2024 Apr 18. doi: 10.1002/gepi.22564. PMID: 38634654.

This study investigated the genes involved in two types of orofacial birth defects, cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) and cleft palate only (NSCPO). Even though they were thought to have different causes, the researchers found some overlap in the genes linked to each defect. They analyzed genetic data from hundreds of African people with these conditions and identified several single-nucleotide variants that might be genetically involved in NSCL/P and NSCPO. This study helps us understand the genetics of these birth defects better and paves the way for further research on the specific genes involved.

Events

May 2, IDEAS24 Welcome Happy Hour for Dental Students, 4:30 - 6 p.m., Iowa Athletic Club Restaurant

May 2, UI College of Dentistry Herky On Parade statue unveiling, 10:00 a.m., Hyatt Regency Coralville, IA

May 3, Dental Alumni Reception in conjunction with the IDA Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency Coralville, IA. 4-6 p.m. Iowa Athletic Club Restaurant, RSVP HERE.

May 3, IDEAS24 President's Dinner, Hyatt Regency Coralville, Oakdale Ballroom, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., (RSVPs closed)

May 3, IDEAS24 Dueling Pianos, Free; all students welcome, Hyatt Regency Coralville, Oakdale Ballroom, 8:00 p.m.

May 15, Oral Science Celebration, 4:30-6:00 p.m. in W220A/B

May 17, IASDA Talent Show at the Coralville Center for Performing Arts emceed by Dr. Michael Kanellis and Dr. Karen Baker. $5 admission, 7:30 p.m. Email Amam Nasir to sign up for a performance slot.

May 23, LGBTQ 101 and Dental Care Best Practices, 12-1 p.m., Galagan B

August 2, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

August 8, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

August 14, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

August 29, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

September 6, Chew on This: Emerging Trends in Pediatric Dental Care CE course, 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

September 13, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

September 13-14, Dentistry Alumni Reunion Weekend (years ending in 4s and 9s)

September 19, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

September 30, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

October 4-5, Iowa Mission of Mercy (IMOM), Sioux City, Iowa, Tyson Events Center

October 18, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

October 30, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day (Virtual)

November 7, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

Notes and Resources 

Lend a helping hand. Due to her own health-related needs, Ashley Marzocchi has exhausted her sick leave and vacation. If you would like to help Ashley by contributing vacation time, please go to the following website: CAT Leave, and click on “Catastrophic Leave Donation Form.”

Filling Station Menu

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

The Hawkeye Smile banner image shows dental students during the 71st Anniversary of the UI's Iowa Section of the AADOCR