College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics

Dean's Message

As a proud Hawkeye myself, I am excited to be participating in my first Alumni Reunion weekend as dean of my alma mater. It also just so happens to be a reunion year (classes ending in -2 and -7) for my graduating class, the Class of 1987. It will be an exciting time to reconnect with old friends and colleagues, celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni honorees, and cheer on the Hawkeyes versus Nevada! I am also happy to be a lecturer for one of the many valuable continuing education courses being held all weekend. We hope you will join us by registering for our Alumni Reunion Weekend on September 16-17, or one of our other alumni events this fall. Cheers! ~Clark Stanford

Updates for July 22, 2022–July 28, 2022

Table showing data indicating an increase in external research funds for the College of Dentistry

Iowa Dentistry leads in research funding

In 2018, the University of Iowa was ranked 30th in the country for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) funding with just under $3.2M in funds granted. In 2020, this ranking increased to 10th in the country, and 2nd in the Big 10, and to over $6.4M, an increase of over 100% in two years. Since 2020, the college has further improved in research funding securing $9.5 million in total external research funding in FY2022, which includes both NIH/NIDCR funding and other external research funds. From last year to this year, this represents a 28% increase, the largest percentage increase across the university, with $2M more than the previous year. The college is poised to continue to grow its research enterprise as a global leader in dental and craniofacial research.

Howard Cowen named 2022 Health Equity Hero

For 2022, DentaQuest selected Howard Cowen, the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation Professor in Geriatrics and Special Needs, for his extraordinary work championing equitable access to health care.

Excerpt: Cowen "has been educating generations of dentists about treating geriatric and special needs patients for the past 40 years. The U.S. population of adults ages 65+ is growing, necessitating the need for more geriatric dental care specialists. As part of his mission to teach geriatric dental care, he manages the college’s geriatric care mobile van, which visits area nursing homes to provide comprehensive oral health care for chronically ill and compromised individuals. The DentaQuest Health Equity Hero donation will support the Howard J. Cowen Geriatric and Special Needs Scholarship Fund of the University of Iowa Alumni Association."

Learn more about Cowen's accomplishments at Iowa here.

Dean Stanford receives award

On July 15, the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) named Clark Stanford, dean of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, as the 2022 recipient of the John E. Gilster, DDS Outstanding Service Through Dentistry Award. This special award recognizes the contributions of those individuals who exemplify Dr. Gilster’s commitment to the NFED and to the oral health of individuals affected by ectodermal dysplasia. Stanford has served as chair of the Scientific Advisory Council for NFED since 2009, and he is an internationally-recognized researcher in ectodermal dysplasias, with numerous grants, publications, and presentations in the field.

Leary award winner with those who presented the award

2022 Family Dentistry Student Awards

During their fourth year of dental school at Iowa, students become fully competent clinicians who draw from their earlier educational and clinical experiences to comprehensively manage the oral health care needs of their patients as they would in a dental office. The Department of Family Dentistry is responsible for helping fourth-year dental students accomplish this goal so that they are prepared to enter into general practice after graduation. Each year, the the Department of Family Dentistry selects outstanding students based on their body of work. The 2022 Family Dentistry Student Awards were presented during a ceremony held on May 26, 2022.

Morgan Scholtes awarded IDF scholarship

The Iowa Dental Foundation (IDF) awarded seven scholarships this year, including five scholarships to dental students at our college. This week, the IDF announced dental student recipient Morgan Scholtes.

Morgan Scholtes is a fourth-year dental student from Illinois. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is active in dental student leadership. Speaking of this experience, she said, "Dental school has given me some of the best friends I’ve ever had and I’ve loved getting involved with ASDA. I’ve held multiple positions with IASDA and this year I’m going to be the President!"

A mold made at the camp being proudly shown by a camper

St. Ambrose University Health Careers Adventure campers visit the college

On July 13, middle school students visited the University of Iowa College of Dentistry as part of the St. Ambrose 2022 Health Careers Adventure Camp. Campers experienced hands-on learning sessions provided by dentistry faculty and students while learning about dental careers. Cathy Skotowski, clinical associate professor of Pediatric Dentistry, organized the camp and dental students Sara Saey, Catia Atienzia, and Mariah assisted her.

Kudos to you!

Julian Davis's review: "Incredible staff, incredible customer service and a team that wants to make a difference when it comes to your mouth."

On Facebook, Michelle Kohl Atienza shared our post about the successful IASDA pre-dental academy. She said, "Thank you Catia Kohl Atienza, Casey, classmates and UI COD staff! Dentistry has so much to offer and what a great way to get a hands on trial. " We know she may be a little biased, but when you are right, you are right!

Collaborative and innovative research

Tsujimoto A, Barkmeier WW, Teixeira EC, Takamizawa T, Miyazaki M, Latta MA. Fatigue bond strength of dental adhesive systems: Historical background of test methodology, clinical considerations and future perspectives. Jpn Dent Sci Rev. 2022 Nov;58:193-207. doi: 10.1016/j.jdsr.2022.05.001. Epub 2022 Jun 25. PMID: 35789771; PMCID: PMC9250030.

Although static bond testing is the current principal method for evaluating bond strength, the authors argue that fatigue bond strength tests is the future for strength assessments. Static bond testing used a progressively increasing load until failure occurs. Bonds that last longer are stronger. Fatigue bond strength testing focuses more on the cyclical nature of real-world challenges that restorations face, with cyclical pressure applied repeatedly over a long period of time. The authors argue that using static bond testing as the metric has hampered restorative dentistry. In this review, the authors describe the development of fatigue bond strength testing. They also offer clinical recommendations pertaining to E&R and self-etch approaches to adhesive systems, micro-sized specimens, and resin cement. The authors concluded, "The application of these approaches is just beginning and will hopefully foster a better understanding of fatigue failures of the many kinds of restorations in the oral environment. Further refinements and developments of the methods and a growing emphasis on their application is essential to solving the issues that limit the success of restorative dentistry."

Government inspectors reviewing the ROTC regiment on May 1, 1922

Hawkeye Trailblazers: Medical unit ROTC

Medical ROTC units were created by legislation enacted in 1920. The University of Iowa program began in the 1921-1922 academic year, and the photo above shows government inspectors reviewing the ROTC regiment on May 1, 1922. The colleges of medicine and dentistry at Iowa had a total enrollment of 103 that year. See the 1921-1922 Iowa Alumnus publication for further details (p. 265).

Events

July 22, Noon Presentation: Oliver D. Kripfgans and Hsun-Liang Chan, Anatomical and Functional Real-time Soft Tissue Imaging is Real!, Galagan A, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

August 5, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students

August 11, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students

August 26, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students

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 15, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students

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 14, Fall 2022 Interview Day for Prospective DDS Students

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.”

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