| | Dean's Message
February is Black History Month, and it is a time to appreciate the accomplishments of our Black faculty, alumni, staff, and students. It is amazing what some of our esteemed alumni and students have had to overcome to accomplish their goals, and it is amazing to see the important work that numerous faculty are doing to support current and future Black, indigenous, and other students of colors. Yet it is important to realize that no one should face the kinds of barriers that many of them have faced and are facing still, and as such, it's important to acknowledge that we still have work to do and then also to do the work! I encourage you to consider these weighty matters and attend (in person or virtually) our upcoming CE course for Black History Month, "'Caring for Equality:' African American health care through the historical lens" by David McBridge, professor emeritus of African-American studies and African-American history at Penn State over the noon hour on February 28. ~Clark Stanford | | | Updates for February 24, 2022–March 2, 2022 | | | | Third-year dental student Mary Young has made the most of her research opportunities at Iowa to make a difference in understanding the genetics of orofacial clefting for African and other populations. Already with several major awards and fellowships, the future is bright for Young. | | | The college’s Clinical/Dental Education Research Initiative Support Program (CRISP) selected Aaron Cho and An Yi Ma’s pilot study investigating the use of intra-oral scanners for use in measuring posts for crown places. This study lays the foundation for further studies to clarify and define the efficacy and limitations of intra-oral scanner use in creating post space impressions. | | | | Black History Month Presentation On February 28 over the noon hour, David McBride, professor emeritus of African-American studies and African-American history and the Center for Health Care and Policy Research at Penn State University, will be giving a hybrid talk (via Zoom and in Galagan B) titled, "'Caring for Equality:' African American health care through the historical lens." Please join us to learn about effective health care services and key initiatives that have resulted in long-term improvements in health care outcomes for Black Americans. | | | The College of Dentistry held a celebration recently for Shaoping Zhang, assistant professor of periodontics, and his team because the National Institutes of Health awarded them a 5-year, $1.95 million R01 grant to assess and understand the role of type I interferon (IFN-I) in periodontal disease. | | | | On Friday, March 3 at noon, the Tippie Women Summit will host a virtual panel discussion on “Learn from your mistakes.” We’ve heard this mantra many times, but if we are honest, we know this can be challenging. The panel of distinguished alumni will share their stories of mistakes, regrets and lessons learned. Register today to discover how such experiences can help us grow. | | | The Iowa Dental Foundation (IDF) is currently accepting scholarship applications. All dental (D3s), dental hygiene, dental assistant, and dental lab technician students are encouraged to apply. Dental students may receive up to $5,000 and all other dental professional students up to $750. The total number of scholarships awarded and amounts vary each year. For more information or to see past awardees, visit the IDF webpage.
Completed applications must be submitted by March 31. | | | | Carver College of Medicine and CCOM’s Writing and Humanities Program will be hosting our third annual art show this spring! All health and science professionals, students, and trainees are invited to submit their art; all mediums are accepted (painting, graphic design, illustration, photography, 3D art, writing, and more). Opening night is March 24, 2023, and art will be displayed until May 5. Submissions will be accepted until March 10. At the artists’ discretion we plan to offer pieces for sale, and proceeds from the event will go towards helping local community non-profits through an online auction and a partial amount to the Humanities program to support this event for the future. We're excited to see your pieces! Please fill out the form to display your art! Send your questions to Daniel Sands. | | | Person-centered care is a way of thinking and providing care by taking into consideration the preferences, beliefs, and values of the person. Focusing on the elements of care, support and treatment by using health and social services as equal partners. Patients and their families are at the center of decisions. From the dental student curriculum to our graduate training programs and our clinics, person-centered care is at the heart of who we are. | | | | Borrell LN, Reynolds JC, Fleming E, Shah PD. Access to dental insurance and oral health inequities in the United States. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2023 Feb 22. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12848. PMID: 36812148.
While the oral health status of the United States (U.S.) population has improved over the years, racial/ethnic inequities are pervasive with Black Americans carrying a greater burden of oral diseases in most measured outcomes. Access to dental care is a major structural determinant of oral health inequities rooted in structural racism. From post-Civil War-era to present day, this essay presents a series of examples of racist policies that have shaped access to dental insurance for Black Americans both directly and indirectly. Additionally, this essay explains the unique challenges of Medicare and Medicaid highlighting the specific disparities that these public insurance programs face, and proposes policy recommendations aimed to reduce racial/ethnic inequities in dental coverage and access to advance the nation's oral health with comprehensive dental benefits in public insurance programs.
| | | Rufus P. Beshears (1909) and Rosalie Reddick Miller (1958) were two of the first Black graduates of the College of Dentistry. Black history month at the College of Dentistry is an opportunity for us to look at our past, celebrate the accomplishments of our esteemed alumni, and drive us to become a more inclusive community for our students, alumni, staff, and faculty. | | Events
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.
February 28, Black History Month Lecture: David McBride, "'Caring for Equality:' African American health care through the historical lens," via Zoom and Galagan B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
March 9, All College Potluck hosted by the International Affairs and Planning Committee, W220A/B, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
March 10, Live Distance Course: Digital Smile Planning: Veneer preps, computer design, and material’s indication, Thiago Porto, 8:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
March 21, Documentary and Discussion with the producer of "Through my Eyes, Galagan A, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
April 14, Live Distance Course: Thinking Game for Maxillary Full Arch Implant Restorations, Aaron Cho, 8:30 a.m.–12:15 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 banner Hawkeye Smile image shows Melika Farshad, an associate in clinic administration and patient care, with Herky. | | | |
