| | Dean's Message
Once again, I am reminded that our students, faculty, and staff are truly dedicated toward elevating our college to new heights. Over the last 10 days we've braved as harsh of an Iowa winter as I can remember. Multiple feet of snow, sub-zero temperatures, and while the rest of campus began their semester virtually, we remained open and in-person, treating patients, serving Iowans, and continuing groundbreaking research. Each one of your plays a vital role in shaping the future of dentistry and know that when you overcome challenges, you make the following days easier. Our strength lies in unity and that was no more apparent than the way we came together in tough conditions to continue our mission. Thank you for your tireless efforts and let us continue to inspire and support each other. Cheers! ~Clark Stanford | | | Updates for January 19, 2024–January 25, 2024 | | | | Since 1882, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics has focused on meeting the needs of our patients. Clinical care frames and undergirds our approach to dental education and our commitment to translating oral science research into discovery. The college continues to serve Iowans every day as it looks to grow, expand, and provide. The long-term flourishing of the college is structurally supported by four pillars that bolster and strengthen our ability to deliver excellence in these areas. | | | Michael Chavez, a DDS/PhD student, was named a 2024 Dare to Discover students. Chavez is researching ways to harness the power of mineralized tissues. These mineralized tissues possess an inherent capacity for repair and regeneration. Chavez is aiming to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of mineralization to pave the way for new and innovative treatments. | | | | A free mobile app for dental healthcare providers and family caregivers. Dr. Leo Marchini, with help from the Delta Dental Institute, created and piloted a mobile app that provides on-demand and evidence-based information about oral health care and oral hygiene routines for older adults who may need assistance maintaining their oral hygiene. Visit dental.aging.tips to view the app. | | | Welcome Joan Smothers! Joan Smothers began as the UI College of Dentistry’s Continuing Education (CE) and Practice Transitions Manager earlier this week. Smothers will handle organizing future CE courses and help connect private practices with our students as they seek employment after graduations. Smothers previously worked in the Carver College of Medicine as the Registrar Services Specialist. If you see Joan around the college, be sure to say hi! | | | | Congratulations Tony Smothers! Effective Jan. 22, 2024, Dr. Tony Smothers will begin as the Assistant Dean for Students. Smothers has a significant and impactful history in higher education, specifically addressing the needs of student learners in various capacities. Smothers joined the college in 2021, serving as dentistry’s registrar. | | | D4 ADEX Boards are approaching Heads up! The upcoming D4 ADEX Board Exams will occur on the third floor in the Admissions and Family Dentistry Clinic on Feb. 3-4 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please be mindful of this event if you are planning on being in the building. | | | | In an interview with the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Dr. Sukirth Ganesan was asked his top five tips for optimal oral health. Additionally, the story focused on how having healthy mouth can determine a lot about your overall health. | | | Chaudhary PP, O'Laughlin B, Kumar PS, Dabdoub SM, Levy S, Myles IA, Hourigan SK. Vaginal delivery provides skin colonization resistance from environmental microbes in the NICU. Clin Transl Med. 2023 Dec;13(12):e1506. doi: 10.1002/ctm2.1506. PMID: 38058267; PMCID: PMC10701179.
The researchers presented novel data suggesting an increased sharing of the environmental microbiome on the skin in infants delivered by cesarean section (CS) compared to vaginal delivery (VD) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The researchers found that, among these infants, those delivered by VD tended to have fewer environmental microbes (from the NICU for instance) and more maternal vaginal and fecal microbes. The research team speculated that the “sterile” environment and perhaps the antibiotics that accompany CS allowed for environmental microbes to gain a foothold. These differences in the skin microbiome may affect a person’s risk of developing various skin diseases. | | Events
January 20, Human Rights Week Martin Luther King, Jr. Documentary Viewing, Galagan C, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
January 22-23, Iowa Community Health Conference in Des Moines, Iowa.
January 24, Seminars in Dental Research: David Johnsen, "The research side of critical thinking implementation for dental students from theory to practice," hosted by Eric Van Otterloo, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
January 31, Seminars in Dental Research: Afsar Naqvi, "Viruses in Periodontal Disease Pathogenesis," hosted by Juhi Uttamani, W220A/B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
February 9, Live Distance Course: Simplifying Alveolar Ridge Preservation — Open membrane technique; Flying Safely in dental implant practice — implant safety checklists
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.
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 Hawkeye Smile banner image shows two first-year dental students, Ann Luo and Katie McAllister, at the Dental Public Health booth of the Bone Dash 5K.. | | | |
