Dean's Message

This upcoming Monday is Memorial Day, which serves as a poignant moment to contemplate on the valor and dedication of those service members who laid down their lives for the nation. While it’s a time of earnest reflection, it also reinforces our understanding of the essentials of life. During this significant holiday, I encourage you to spare a thought for the individuals who are no longer with us. ~Clark Stanford

Updates for May 24, 2024–May 30, 2024

Congratulations to our Teachers of the Year

Four College of Dentistry professors - Victor Feitosa, Salah Abuhammoud, Sally Roushdy, and David Gimer - were recognized as Teachers of the Year by the Iowa American Student Dental Association (IASDA) during the college's annual Talent Show on Friday, May 17 at the Coralville Center for Performing Arts. 

Abuhammoud featured on cover of Journal of Dental Technology

Salah Abuhammoud, assistant professor of Prosthodontics, had his clinical activity photos selected as the cover for the Journal of Dental Technology's (JDT) June/July 2024 edition. Keep an eye out for the next issue of the JDT.

Operative Dentistry hosts spring awards banquet

The Department of Operative Dentistry held their annual Spring Banquet on Thursday, May 16 at Wilson's Ciderhouse in Iowa City. Nine awards were presented, including the Dr. Wallace W. Johnson Operative Dentistry Award, Academy of Operative Dentistry Award, Walter Williamson Award, Rudy Minger Award, Caries Management Award, Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry Award, Academy of Dental Materials Award, and the Carl Svare Pre- and Post-Doctoral Research Award.

Prosthodontics holds student award luncheon

The Department of Prosthodontics hosted a luncheon on May 14 to recognized student accomplishments over the past academic year. Nine students received awards that inlcuded the R.E. Minger Award, Ralph C. Appleby Removeable Prosthodontics Award, Keith E. Thayer Fixed Prosthodontics Award, American Equilibration Society's Outstanding Senior Award, Ostrus Scholarship, Dr. Dan Steele Memorial Scholarship Fund Award, Academy of Osseointegration Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and International Congress of Oral Implantologist's Pre-Doctoral Student Achievement Award.

Department of Periodontics hosts annual awards luncheon

The Department of Periodontics held their annual Awards Recognition Luncheon on Wednesday, May 22, to recognize outstanding predoctoral students in the College of Dentistry. Four awards were presented to three students. The department is fortunate to have a legacy that includes three named awards from College of Dentistry Alumni.

Dental students participate in His Hands Dental Clinic

From January 21, 2023, to May 18, 2024, 60 UI College of Dentistry students volunteered part of their weekends at His Hands Dental Clinic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, led by Jeff Akey, a 1987 graduate. Over 23 Saturdays, the students saw 107 patients and provided an estimated $73,554 worth of dental services. 

Iowa dental researchers receive exploratory grant to treat periodontitis-associated bone-loss

The National Institutes of Health awarded three Iowa dental researchers, Hongli Sun, Shaoping Zhang, and Erliang Zeng, a $660,000 exploratory grant to investigate an innovative strategy for treating bone loss that tends to accompany periodontitis. This strategy uses tissue engineering strategies that can reduce bone loss and regenerate bone tissue. 

Reminder: Commencement is next Friday

We're only a week away from our spring 2024 commencement ceremony, beginning at 3 p.m. at Hancher Auditorium. Faculty must be at Hancher by 2:30 p.m. to line up for the procession onto the stage. Staff are an important part of the education of our students and residents and are strongly encouraged to attend. There is a reserved space for the staff inside Hancher. You all have played vital roles in the success of each student who will walk the stage next week. Thank you to the faculty and staff on a successful year.

Events

May 31, UI College of Dentistry Commencement Ceremony, 3 p.m., Hancher Auditorium

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.”

Filling Station Menu

Hours: M-R: 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; F: 7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 

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