Dean's Message

We're nearing the end of yet another academic year and I am always extremely thrilled to think back on the year and everything we've accomplished. There will never be the same group of great people in this building. I think back to August during our All-College Conference when we welcomed new faces to our college and set the tone for a promising 2023-24 academic year. We then welcomed a new cohort of dental students, who will soon have their first full year under their belt. Fast forward to May and we have a class of fourth-year students preparing to graduate, embark on new beginnings, and join a wonderful network of dental alumni around the world. I know we still have a few weeks until commencement, but its been a pleasure to see this year through with all of you. No matter what your role is in the college from being a student, faculty, staff, or alumni know that you have the full support of myself and the college behind you. ~Clark Stanford

Updates for May 10, 2024–May 16, 2024

Stanford receives IDA’s Outstanding Service Award

Last week during the Iowa Dental Association’s annual meeting, Dean Stanford was named a recipient of the IDA President’s Outstanding Service Award during the President’s Dinner. Congratulations Dean Stanford!

5 students awarded at Pierre Fauchard, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists luncheon

Five UI College of Dentistry students – Mary Young, Mallory Obenauf, Krayton Struve, Colton Curtis, and Shanee Haberman – were presented awards last week by the Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentists, and International College of Dentists. The awards banquet was held in conjunction with the Iowa Dental Association’s annual meeting.

Iowa faculty member receives Student Supervisor of the Year award

Erliang Zeng, associate professor in the Division of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, was named Student Supervisor of the Year by the University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center. He was one of seven supervisors to receive the award and was selected from among 97 supervisors nominated for the award (out of 1,467 supervisors on campus). Four of Zeng's students, Priyanka Singh, Phuong Nguyen, Jihyun Kim, and Shri Vishalini Rajaram, nominated Dr. Zeng, and each supporting letter spoke about his excellence in training and coaching student employees in addition to his care for them as people. 

Prosthodontics celebrates National Pros Awareness Week

During the week of April 22, the Iowa Prosthodontics department celebrated National Prosthodontics Awareness Week (NPAW). The celebration was highlighted by having pros residents fabricate sets of dentures for veterans at no cost as an appreciation for their services. All six Pros residents began denture construction on the 22nd and delivered them to patients on April 25. Since 2021, Iowa’s NPAW has been recognized thanks to efforts from Dr. Tarek El. Kerdani to communicate with and establish this week with the office of Governor Kim Reynolds.

Marchini featured on Iowa Public Radio

On May 8, Preventive and Community Dentistry department chair Dr. Leo Marchini was featured on Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa show to discuss geriatric dentistry. Marchini discussed common barriers this population faces in oral health care and ways to further understand and improve the oral health outcomes of an aging population.

The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation awards funds for pilot project

Jhanvi Desai and Dan Caplan received a $10,000 grant from the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation to support a one-year pilot project that aims to increase awareness among students and communities across Iowa of various dental service models and career opportunities in underserved areas.

Bogue named IDA President

UI College of Dentistry alumni Chris Bogue was sworn in as the 161st Iowa Dental Association President on May 3. Bogue was sworn in by Dr. Linda Edgar, President of the American Dental Association. Bogue succeeds James Larsen.

Last call for 'ABC's fundraiser

Remember to stop by the first-floor link over the lunch hour on Tuesday, May 14 to pick up your copy of "The ABC's of Dentistry" by John Syrbu, Assistant Professor of Family Dentistry. If you cannot make it on Tuesday, email Dr. Syrbu at john-syrbu@uiowa.edu to arrange pick-up anytime in May to contribute to the Patient Assistance Fund with your purchase.

Collaborative and Innovative Research

Ogwo C, Brown G, Warren J, Caplan D, Levy S. Predicting dental caries outcomes in young adults using machine learning approach. BMC Oral Health. 2024 May 3;24(1):529. doi: 10.1186/s12903-024-04294-7. PMID: 38702639; PMCID: PMC11069237.

Drawing from the Iowa Fluoride Study dataset, this study used machine learning techniques to predict dental caries outcomes in young adults. The study found that previous caries found at age 13 and age 17 and sugar-sweetened beverages intakes at age 13 and age 17 were four of the most important predictors of cavitated caries count at age 23. The researchers concluded that the machine learning model was highly accurate and precise in predicting caries in young adults on the basis of the dataset. The resulting model could be used, after further refinement and validation with a more diverse population, by health specialists and policy-makers as a screening tool to identify those most at risk of caries and to target interventions accordingly. 

Events

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

June 6, Culturally Responsive Health Care Conference, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Carver College of Medicine, 1110A MERF. Co-sponsored by the College of Dentistry. CE Credit pending, course overview

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.”

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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