Dean's Message

The end of our first week of the 2023-24 academic year is here. I have enjoyed seeing the DSB return to form with faculty, staff, students, and patients navigating the hallways. It won’t be long until we welcome back our alumni with continuing education events and, of course, our Alumni Reunion weekend in September, which is a special weekend I look forward to each year. I encourage all of you to stay connected with old friends and colleagues while we celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni honorees. We’d love to see you at our Alumni Reunion Weekend Sept. 15-16, or one of our CE courses. Cheers! ~Clark Stanford 

Updates for August 25, 2023–August 31, 2023

NIH awards supplemental grant to dental faculty member

Azeez Butali is extending his research on the genetics of orofacial clefts in African populations so that his team improve the reception and acceptance of genetic information found in their studies.

Research grant awarded to orthodontics faculty extending research on the epigenetic causes of orofacial clefting

Aline Petrin’s research on identical twins has shed led on the epigenetic causes of orofacial clefting. Her new study explores the epigenetic causes of mirrored clefting among twins.

2023 White Coat Ceremony

On August 18, our first-year dental students, the new class of 2027, and our new Advanced Standing Program students participated in their White Coat Ceremony. Iowa Dentistry is one of the few dental colleges in the country that grants students clinical privileges during the first year of a student's dental education. The white coat symbolizes the beginning of a dental student’s career as a health care professional. As a college, we are proud of what our students and look forward to the great things that you will accomplish for our profession!

D1 Orientation Week!

Iowa prides itself on building a vibrant and committed community. The spirit of collaboration and cooperation are a centerpiece of what makes the Hawkeye community special. Dentistry alumni, residents, and students regularly identify the warmness and comradery as part of what set their dental educational experience apart.

The D1 Orientation is designed for students to learn university and collegiate policies and procedures and began the transition to pursuing an education in a profession. But it is also designed to help students form friendships that will last a life time, and orientation is the first step in forging those relationships. From speed-networking with all D1 students to performing group feats—completing the university challenge course, completing photo scavenger hunts, and so forth—students learn about each other and the unique persons that make up our excellent first-year class. Additional photos are on the Iowa Dentistry website.

First iACP Conference held at Iowa

On August 15, the Department of Prosthodontics successfully inaugurated the iACP (Iowa Annual Conference for Prosthodontics) meeting at the Kirkwood Regional Center in Coralville. During this meeting, each course director presented their current course content and other faculty members provided input. With the ever-changing world of digital dentistry, faculty focused on innovations for the future of prosthodontic education to ensure our students are prepared for their careers after graduation.  This event served as a platform to explore innovative approaches and strategies to enhance the learning experience and keep pace with the ever-evolving field of prosthodontics.

IDA Scholarship Profile: Sarmad Saadi

"Receiving the Iowa Dental Foundation Scholarship as an upcoming D4 student at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry is an incredible honor and opportunity. This scholarship represents recognition of my dedication, hard work, and commitment to the field of dentistry. It serves as a testament to my academic achievements, clinical skills, and potential to make a positive impact in the dental profession and the community as a whole.

The Iowa Dental Foundation Scholarship not only provides financial support but also signifies the trust and confidence placed in me by the dental community. This prestigious award encourages me to strive for excellence in my studies, clinical experiences, and patient care. It serves as a motivating force to continue my pursuit of knowledge and skill development, ensuring that I become a competent and compassionate dentist.

Moreover, this scholarship carries with it the responsibility to uphold the values and principles of the dental profession. It inspires me to contribute to the betterment of oral health and to serve the underserved populations with dedication and empathy. By receiving this scholarship, I am reminded of the importance of giving back and becoming an active participant in dental outreach programs and community service initiatives.

I am immensely grateful for this opportunity and will continue to work diligently to fulfill the expectations associated with this scholarship, making a lasting impact on the dental field and the lives of those I serve." ~Sarmad Saadi

IMOM helps others!

Testimonial from Alberto Gasparoni, director of patient admissions and clinical associate professor in clinic administration, on why he volunteers year after year at IMOM:

"To work with so many people, all dedicated to help others."

Sign up as a volunteer today. Everyone has a part to play!

Why Iowa: Clinical experience

Early patient experiences, including for first-year dental students, and Iowa's combined clerkship and comprehensive care approach to dental education helps Iowa rank among the top schools in amount of clinical experiences.

Collaborative and Innovative Research

Herndon JB, Reynolds JC, Damiano PC. The Patient-Centered Dental Home: A Framework for Quality Measurement, Improvement, and Integration. JDR Clin Trans Res. 2023 Aug 18:23800844231190640. doi: 10.1177/23800844231190640. PMID: 37593882.

"This study completed the development of a standardized patient-centered dental home (PCDH) framework to align and integrate with the patient-centered medical home. This study identified measure concepts and specific measures and standards to complete the 4-level measurement framework to implement and evaluate a PCDH. This study built on prior model development, which identified the PCDH definition and characteristics and the components nested within those characteristics... [The team] identified more than 500 existing oral health care measures and standards. A structured process was used to identify a subset that best aligned with a PCDH for rating by the project's National Advisory Committee."

Healthcare History: First White Coat Ceremony

In response to scandals among students in medical school, healthcare doctoral programs begin emphasizing that healthcare students are fledgling members of the healthcare community. This first white coat ceremony took place in this context in 1993 sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. Medical students would have a white coat placed around their shoulders and they would recite the Hippocratic Oath, a symbol of them being a member of the medical profession. Similarly in dentistry, white coat ceremonies symbolize the first steps that a dental student takes in becoming a member of the dental profession as they recite the dental oath. 

Events

August 25, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

August 30, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

August 31, Domestic Violence Intervention Program "Opening Doors to Safety" benefit for a new Shelter. Dr. Damiano invites the college to attend a Domestic Violence Intervention Program benefit at Big Grove Brewery from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

September 8, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

September 12, Research Seminar: Chad Novince, Medical University of South Carolina, "“Commensal Microbiota, a Dynamic Regulator of Skeletal Metabolism," hosted by Heidi Steinkamp, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

September 15-16, Dentistry Alumni Reunion Weekend

September 21, Research Seminar: Ana Bedran-Russo, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, “Bioinspired Materials to Enhance the Lifespan of Teeth and Restorative Therapies,” hosted by Erica Teixeira, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

September 22, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

October 5, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

October 6, Dental Alumni Reception in Orlando, Florida (in conjunction with the ADA Annual Meeting)

October 10, Research Seminar, Ana Fugolin, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, “Designing the Future: Exploring the Potential of Stimuli-Responsive Dental Biomaterials," hosted by Ariene Leme Kraus and Cristina Vidal, Galagan B, 12:00–1:00 p.m.  

October 13-14, IMOM, Waterloo Convention Center, Sullivan Brothers Plaza, 200 W Fourth Street, Waterloo, IA.

October 20, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

November 3, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

November 9, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

November 14, Research Seminar, Jamie Nichols, School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado–AMC, title TBD, hosted by Eric Van Otterloo, Galagan B, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

November 15, Virtual Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

November 30, Research Seminar, Ronald Strauss, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, "Blessings in Disguise : Finding Wisdom from Facial Difference", hosted by Steve Levy, Galagan B, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Notes and Resources 

Filling Station Menu

Hours: M-R: 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; F: 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 

The banner Hawkeye Smile image shows Shaoping Zhang, an assistant professor in periodontics, with Herky.