Dean's Message

I am proud to celebrate the hard work and dedication you have shown in caring for our patients. It is why we all chose this profession, and your exceptional care is a testament to your professionalism and expertise. Your work is not only essential to our college and your education, but to the community we serve. I am proud to be part of a team that is dedicated to making a positive impact on people's lives. Keep up the fantastic work! Cheers! ~Clark Stanford

Updates for February 2, 2024–February 8, 2024

NIH Deputy Director Lawrence Tabak to present at College of Dentistry Research Day

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry is pleased to welcome Dr. Lawrence Tabak DDS, PhD, Principal Deputy Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to the college on Feb. 13. Tabak is the keynote speaker of the 71st annual meeting of the Iowa Section of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR). His address, “The View from NIH: Many Challenges, Many Opportunities” will give insights and updates from the NIH.

Dare to Discover highlights Senthilguru Kulanthaivel

Senthilguru Kulanthaivel, a postdoctoral research scholar, is named a 2024 Dare to Discover Scholar. Mentored by Cristina De Mattos Pimenta Vidal and Erica Teixeira, Kulanthaivel’s research investigates the contribution of host proteins to tooth inflammation and destruction in dental cavities. He wants to identify specific proteins expressed by the tooth cells and present in tooth tissues that can participate in destructive and reparative mechanisms as cavities advance.

Spearheading an International Network of Cleft Lip and Palate Research for African Populations

Azeez Butali is a global leader in cleft lip and palate research and the world’s foremost expert in the genetics of these conditions in African populations. As part of his research mission, he has also spearheaded the formation of a diverse, international network of researchers in Africa and the US to develop, refine, and apply their findings for the benefit of African populations and their genetic descendants. 

College of Dentistry partners with United Way to make Oral Health Care kits

During Human Rights Week, the DEI committee partnered with United Way to assemble 288 oral health care kits. The kits included toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and encouraged recipients to stay on top of their oral health.

Hollander awarded GSLDS Gold Medal

Dr. Craig Hollander (’91 MS PEDO) was recently awarded the Greater St. Louis Dental Society (GSLDS) Gold Medal Award. This award is the highest award the society can give to an individual and is presented to individuals who are known for being true leaders in the field of dentistry and have dedicated their careers toward advancing the profession. Congratulations Dr. Hollander!

Are you interested in leading a CE course?

The college is beginning to schedule Continuing Education (CE) speakers for the fall 2024 semester. If you are interested in leading a course or would like more information, please reach out to Joan Smothers (joan-smothers@uiowa.edu).

UI expands 24/7 Support and Crisis Line services to faculty, staff, and postdocs

The University of Iowa 24/7 Support and Crisis Line is now available for faculty, staff, and postdocs as part of the university’s ongoing effort to prioritize the mental health and well-being of employees. The 24-hour crisis line has been available to students since fall 2021. Employees can call or text 844-461-5420 for free and confidential support. This service also includes a chat online option.

Prospective DDS Student interview days announced

The Office of Student Affairs has announced 10 interview dates for prospective dental students for the fall 2024 semester. We are excited to welcome prospective students to campus, beginning Friday, August 2, with the fall slate wrapping on Thursday, Nov. 7. See the full list of interview days in the events section below.

Check out the university’s brand site for templates, tools, and tips

The University of Iowa’s brand webpage (Brand.uiowa.edu) offers an all-encompassing look at our brand that can be used by anyone at the university. Check out the webpage to learn more about applying the brand, exploring graphic elements, and downloading branded templates.

Collaborative and Innovative Research

Hlas A, Ganesh V, Marks J, He R, Salem AK, Buckwalter JA, Duchman KR, Shin K, Martin JA, Seol D. Buffering Mitigates Chondrocyte Oxidative Stress, Metabolic Dysfunction, and Death Induced by Normal Saline: Formulation of a Novel Arthroscopic Irrigant. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jan 20;25(2):1286. doi: 10.3390/ijms25021286. PMID: 38279286; PMCID: PMC10816598.

To improve visualization, surgeons use a normal saline (0.9%) for joint irrigation during arthroscopic procedures. But a growing body of evidence has shown that this saline exposure impairs chondrocyte metabolism and compromises articular cartilage function. The researchers hypothesized that chondrocyte oxidative stress induced by low pH is the dominant factor driving toxicity of the saline, and that buffering this solution to increase its pH would mitigate these effects. The researched studied the effects on chondrocyte viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and overall metabolic function. They found that even brief exposure to normal saline caused cell death, ROS overproduction, and disruption of glycolysis, pentose phosphate, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle pathways. Normal saline also stimulated ROS overproduction in synovial cells that could adversely alter the synovial function and subsequently the entire joint health. Buffering normal saline with 25 mM 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) significantly increased chondrocyte viability, reduced ROS production, and returned metabolite levels to near control levels while also reducing ROS production in synovial cells. These results confirm that adding a buffering agent to normal saline averts many of its most harmful effects.

Events

February 3, Support Professor Peter Damiano's music group HomeBrewed at "daBluesapalooza" a benefit concert supporting 'da Blues' on KCCK from 6-10 p.m. at the Olympic South Side Theater in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

February 3-4, D4 ADEX Board Exams, third floor clinics, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.

February 8, "Cocoa, Coffee, and Conversations" All are welcome, 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., W220A

February 9, Live Distance Course: Simplifying Alveolar Preservation - Open membrane technique; Flying Safely in dental implant practice - implant safety checklists

February 13, 71st Annual Meeting of the Iowa Section of the AADOCR

February 23, UI College of Dentistry Alumni Reception in Chicago, Illinois, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Blackstone. In conjunction with the Chicago Midwinter Meeting. 
RSVP HERE.

March 8, Live Distance Course: Beyond Bonding: Resin Cement in Modern Dentistry with Dr. Nikkita Madhu; From Hues to Hardness: Understanding Color and Mechanical Properties in Dental Materials with Dr. Franciele Floriani.

April 9, Seminars in Dental Research: Ping Zhang, "Periodontitis: from local destruction to brain dysfunction," hosted by Huojun Cao, Galagan B, 12-1 p.m.

April 12, Live Distance Course: An update on Posterior Restorations with Dr. Hiromi Saisho.

April 25, Seminars in Dental Research: Ronald Stauss, "Blessings in Disguise: Finding Wisdom from Facial Difference," hosted by Steve Levy, Galagan B, 12-1 p.m.

May 3, Dental Alumni Reception in conjunction with the IDA Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency Coralville, IA. 4-6 p.m. Location TBD

May 17, IASDA Talent Show at the Coralville Center for Performing Arts emceed by Dr. Michael Kanellis and Dr. Karen Baker. $5 admission. Email Amam Nasir to sign up for a performance slot.

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 13, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

September 13-14, Dentistry Alumni Reunion Weekend

September 19, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

September 30, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

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 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.”

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 two first-year dental students, Ann Luo and Katie McAllister, at the Dental Public Health booth of the Bone Dash 5K.