Dean's Message

This past Wednesday marked the University of Iowa’s yearly event, “One Day for Iowa”. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed financially, aiding us in furthering our mission. If you didn’t get the opportunity to contribute, it’s not too late! However, giving back extends beyond monetary donations. Your dedication to our college, profession, and local communities through your time, skills, and financial contributions is truly commendable and your generosity is greatly appreciated! ~Clark Stanford

Updates for March 28, 2024–April 4, 2024

Wishing Dr. Tseng the best in retirement!

The UI College of Dentistry would like to wish Dr. Kevin Tseng, clinical associate professor of prosthodontics, a happy retirement as he is embarking on a new journey. The Department of Prosthodontics held a retirement party for Tseng last week.

Join Dean Stanford in Des Moines

The Together Hawkeyes Tour is heading to Des Moines next week. Register to join Dean Stanford and President Wilson at The River Center on Wednesday, April 3, from 6-7:30 p.m. Connect with campus leaders and fellow Hawkeyes at this unique event. Hors d’oeuvres and a hosted bar will be provided.

One Day for Iowa

Thank you to our alumni and friends who participated in One Day for Iowa, the University of Iowa’s annual giving day, on Wednesday. The UI College of Dentistry raised thousands of dollars, which will go toward furthering the college’s mission of advancing oral health for the people of Iowa and beyond through education, research, and person-centered care.

Faculty spotlight: Dr. Sukalski

Get to know Dr. Jennifer Sukalski, assistant professor in the department of preventive and community dentistry.

“I think it's really important [our students] have clinical experience early on, just getting the nerves out, and the ability to provide that foundation for students is unique."

Ganesan named President of Implant Research Group of IADR

At the conclusion of the AADOCR/IADR meeting in New Orleans, Dr. Sukirth Ganesan, Director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontology, was elected as the President of the Implant Research Group of IADR. The Implantology Research Group consists of educators, scientists, and clinicians from across the world, whose scope of research targets all aspects of dental implants: materials and designs, placement techniques, types of restorations, and evaluation methods for long-term success.

Uttamani receives research award

Congratulations Dr. Juhi Uttamani, assistant professor in the department of periodontics, who is a joint recipient of the 2024 IADR/IAP Ricardo Teles Clinical Research Award. This award recognizes a Clinical Research Paper accepted for publication or published during the preceding year reporting the results of a clinical study highlighting either the onset, progression or treatment of periodontal diseases. Uttamani and her research group published the paper "Downregulation of miRNA-26 in Chronic Periodontitis Interferes with Innate Immune Responses and Cell Migration by Targeting Phospholipase C Beta 1 (PLCB1)"; in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology.

Check out this Rubik's Cube mosaic of Caitlin Clark

Fourth-year dental student Brian Dang created a Caitlin Clark Rubik’s Cube mosaic. Dang used 720 Rubik’s Cubes and spent a week to create this photo of the Iowa Women’s Basketball star.

Collaborative and Innovative Research

Mai HN, Ngo HC, Cho SH, Lee DH. Automated scoring and augmented reality visualization software program for evaluating tooth preparations. J Prosthet Dent. 2024 Mar 14:S0022-3913(24)00124-0. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2024.02.008. PMID: 38490936.

This study evaluated a newly developed automated scoring and augmented reality visualization software program for evaluating tooth preparations. Such systems can, in principle, reduce inter-examiner variability with similar levels of quality. In this study, the researchers compared visual assessments conducted by dental students and an expert with the automatic assessment of the program. The automatic assessment resulted in similar tooth preparation scores as the expert assessment, but different scores from the student assessments. The automatic assessment, however, was faster than other assessments methods. The researchers concluded that this automatic evaluation system was comparable with expert-assessment while exhibiting significantly higher time efficiency.

Events

April 1-5, Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week

April 9, Seminars in Dental Research: Ping Zhang, "Periodontitis: from local destruction to brain dysfunction," hosted by Huojun Cao, Galagan B, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

April 9, "Patient aggression toward the dental team," Galagan A, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

April 11, University District Dental Society Social, Field Day Brewery, 6-8 p.m.

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

April 15, Oral Science PhD Dissertation Defense: Abimbola Oladayo, “Exploring the Psychosocial Impact of the Outcomes of Whole Genome Sequencing on Caregivers of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate,” mentored by Azeez Butali, N212, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

April 16, Seminars in Dental Research: Xiaohua Liu, "Bio-inspired Materials for Dental and Craniofacial Tissue Regeneration," hosted by Hongli Sun, Galagan B, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

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 2, IDEAS24 Welcome Happy Hour for Dental Students, 4:30 - 6 p.m., Iowa Athletic Club Restaurant

May 2, UI College of Dentistry Herky On Parade statue unveiling, TBD, Hyatt Regency Coralville, IA

May 3, Dental Alumni Reception in conjunction with the IDA Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency Coralville, IA. 4-6 p.m. Iowa Athletic Club Restaurant, RSVP HERE.

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 (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 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 dental students during the 71st Anniversary of the UI's Iowa Section of the AADOCR