Dean's Message

I am a strong advocate for continuous personal growth, and I firmly believe that lifelong learning is the key to achieving greatness in your careers and personal lives. We're two weeks out from our 2024 commencement ceremony at Hancher Auditorium and there will soon be a class of D4s leaving us. I encourage our soon-to-be-graduates to embrace lifelong learning as they leave Iowa City. This is not an academic pursuit, but an approach to adapting to change and inviting innovation into your lives. Change in life is inevitable, and being able to remain resilient, adaptable, and curious will serve you well in life moving forward. Whether you are pivoting toward more digital workflows or grasping the onset of AI in your daily lives, embracing lifelong learning means you embrace a future where you have no limits. ~Clark Stanford

Updates for May 17, 2024–May 23, 2024

Nair receives Alfred Healy Leadership Award

Rohit Nair, clinical assistant professor in the department of preventive and community dentistry, was a recipient of the Alfred Healy Leadership Award in Developmental Disabilities, given by the Center for Disabilities and Development. After completing a year-long training with the Iowa Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and Related Disabilities Program (I-LEND) at Iowa, he was recognized for his leadership and advocacy in patient care. Nair’s I-LEND mentors were Kecia Leary and Heidi Steinkamp.

5 students recognized during OPRM award luncheon

The Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine held its student award luncheon last week and five students – Logan Brown, Clare Caruso, Hannah Richards, Colton Curtis, and Amanda Seaberg – were presented awards. Brown was presented the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology award, Caruso and Richards won the Alton K. Fisher Award, Curtis won the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology, and Seabert won the American Academy of Oral Medicine award.

The Spring 2024 Dental Link is out

The Spring 2024 Dental Link has been published. Keep an eye out for the semiannual magazine in your mailbox. This edition focuses on a new wave of dentists entering the profession, including first-generation students. You can also view the magazine online.

Justman installed as Secretary of the Board for the Foundation for Endodontics

Dr. Bruce Justman ('83 DDS, professor emeriti in the Department of Endodontics) was installed as Secretary of the Board for the Foundation for Endodontics of the American Association of Endodontics during the AAE annual session in Los Angeles.

Reminder: IASDA Talent show is tonight

The College of Dentistry's talent show, created by IASDA, starts at 7 p.m. tonight at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Karen Baker and Michael Kanellis will emcee the event followed by fun performances from students, faculty, and staff. Admission to the event is free.

Collaborative and Innovative Research

Zabihulla Ahmadi, Judy Chia-Chun Yuan, Michael Spector, Adriana Semprum-Clavier, Cortino Sukotjo, Fatemeh S. Afshari.  Clinical Experience Comparison of Foreign-Trained Dentists and Domestic Dental Students: One Institution’s Experience. MDPI Dent. J. 2024, 12(5), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj12050139

This study compared the clinical experiences of foreign-trained dentists (FTDs) enrolled in an Advance Standing DMD Dental Program (DMDAS) with those of the domestic dental students (DMD) at the University of Illinois Chicago, College of Dentistry (UIC-COD). 

Together Hawkeyes Fundraising update

The Together Hawkeyes Campaign is uniting each college at the University of Iowa for a common cause of pushing the university forward. Through this campaign, the College of Dentistry will address faculty recruitment and retention, student wellness and success, a building expansion, and new innovative clinic technologies. As of May 1, the college has surpassed $22M of its $32M goal with over three years remaining. To learn more about the campaign, visit our website. To learn how you can make an impact at the College of Dentistry, contact Kelly Garvin as the UI Center for Advancement.

Kudos to you!

Caleb K's review: Thank you for being professional and super nice to me and my family. Dr Kepros did a great job with my extractions and treated me and my family with respect. Thank you. I believe I made the right choice here."

Events

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. 

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

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.–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