Dean's Message

In recent weeks, our college has continued to participate a series of events that highlight our active role and engagement in organized dentistry. The impact of organized dentistry remains monumental, from our leading professional bodies like the ADA, ADEA, and AADOCR to local chapters and specialized groups such as the IDA. These organizations are crucial in creating networks among practitioners, researchers, students, and scholars, all while fostering the advancement of our field. A heartfelt thanks to everyone who dedicates their time to this essential endeavor! To our students, I encourage you to explore how you can contribute to organized dentistry. It’s a fulfilling way to advance professionally and to contribute to our field. Cheers! ~Clark Stanford

National signing day is March 24

The Iowa Dental Association is coming to the College of Dentistry on Monday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for National Signing Day on the third-floor link. All D4 students are invited to stop by. If 95% of the Class of 2025 participates, IASDA will receive $1,000. To participate, complete the National Signing Day Application and stop by the table on March 24.

Ehmann, Gonzalez pass thesis exams

Congratulations to prosthodontics residents Nicholas Ehmann and Yuli Gonzalez, both mentored by Dr. Aaron Cho, who successfully passed their Oral Science MS Thesis Exams on March 5. Ehmann’s thesis was titled “A Comparative Study of Fiber Post Removal Made By Traditional Freehand, Static Surgical Guide, and Dynamic Navigation Methods” and Gonzalez’ thesis was titled “Effect of different ridge heights and duplication methods on the accuracy of mandibular complete denture duplication.”

Iowa Dentistry at the AADOCR

The UI College of Dentistry is at the 2025 AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting and Exhibition in New York this week. If you are in New York for the meeting, please stop by the college’s booth, say hello, and grab some swag.

The 2025 Prosthodontics Alumni Reunion is next month

The Department of Prosthodontics’ 2025 Alumni Reunion is set to take place in Iowa City April 25-27. The reunion includes an all-day Continuing Education for pros alumni, multiple College of Dentistry activities and a Saturday reception at The Graduate Hotel, Iowa City. For more information or to register, check out the event page on the college’s website.

Mental Health Column: Rethinking resilience

When things do not go as planned, it's important to keep moving forward. Becoming resilient isn’t about suppressing emotions — but rather allowing ourselves to feel them, process them, and then move forward.

Collaborative and Innovative research

Barwacz CA, Swenson M, Couso-Queiruga E, Comnick C, Xie XJ, Avila-Ortiz G. Effect of CAD/CAM Abutment Morphology on the Outcomes of Implant Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2025 Mar;36(3):374-385. doi: 10.1111/clr.14389. Epub 2024 Dec 6. PMID: 39641983; PMCID: PMC11891029. 

This randomized controlled trial, featured on the cover of Clinical Oral Implants Research (implant dentistry’s most cited journal), examined whether the shape of custom CAD/CAM zirconia abutments—concave or linear divergent—affects gum health and appearance around upper front jaw implants. Over 12 months, researchers found no significant differences in gum stability, thickness, or health indicators (bleeding or bone loss) between designs. Both performed well clinically with minimal tissue changes and high prosthetic success. While the study reinforces the complex relationship between abutment design and peri-implant mucosa, it suggests providers can tailor abutment selection to patient needs. Longer-term studies are needed to assess patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcomes. 

Events

March 24, National Signing Day:  UICOD 3^rd Floor, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

March 25, Seminars in Dental Research: Xianghong Luan, hosted by Hongli Sun, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

March 28, Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office, 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

April 3, University District Dental Society Social, Pinseekers, Tiffin, Iowa, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Registration required.

April 8, Seminars in Dental Research: Hyuk Jae Edward Kwon, hosted by Jun Cao, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

April 11, Preventive and Community Dentistry CE Day, Stanley Museum of Art, All Day, SOLD OUT

April 12, 2025 Donald B. Osbon Memorial Lecture (6 CE credits), Galagan Auditorium, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Register by April 1.

April 22, Seminars in Dental Research: Jay Kumar, hosted by Steve Levy, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

April 29, Seminars in Dental Research: Clarissa Souza Gomes da Fontoura, hosted by Aline Petrin, Galagan B, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

May 8-10, IDA Annual Session IDEAS25: Des Moines.  Students may attend any sessions and join the President’s Dinner and Dueling Pianos Party for FREE!  Info here. Register here.

May 30, IASDA Talent Show, Coralville Center for Performing Arts, 7:00 p.m.

September 19-20, Iowa Mission of Mercy, Coralville, Iowa.

Notes and Resources 

Filling Station Menu

Hours: M-R: 7:30 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
 March 17-21: 7:30 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. (Spring Break)

The Hawkeye Smile banner image shows (L-R) Jeremiah Poppin (D3), Bryce Carroll (D3), Destiny Ho (D3), and Claudia Jun (D1) with Dean Stanford at one of the college's pregame social tailgates.