Dean's Message

With the cold winter weather leaving and frost melting away, I am delighted to welcome the warmer spring weather to our college as well as the midpoint of the semester. We're entering the final quarter of the academic year, so be sure to take time to rejuvenate this spring and find a delicate balance between your academic and professional pursuits and enjoying our beautiful campus as it blooms. ~Clark Stanford

Updates for March 1, 2024–March 7, 2024

President Wilson and Provost Kregel visit the College of Dentistry

This week, the College of Dentistry welcomed President Wilson and Provost Kregel to the college. Wilson and Kregel met with deans, DEOs, and students and they took a brief tour of the Dental Science Building’s research spaces.

Gonzalez, Ehmann present at national prosthodontics meeting

Members of the Department of Prosthodontics attended the 73rd Annual Scientific Session of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics (AAFP) last week. The event featured two showcases from current prosthodontic residents Dr. Yuli Gonzalez and Dr. Nicolas Ehmann. Attendees of the two showcases were very impressed with the quality and innovative approach in the prosthodontic cases presented. Congratulations to our residents for their successful presentations and for representing Iowa on a national stage.

Kanellis featured on ‘Everyday Iowa’ morning show

Professor of Pediatric Dentistry Michael Kanellis was featured on KCRG channel 9’s Everyday Iowa morning show on Feb. 27 to promote his book, Iowa Mike’s Family Recipes, which is collecting money for the Pediatric Smiles Fund. Kanellis put together a Village Greek Salad.

Supporting Excellence: Iowa Dentistry’s Research Support Team

Like most high-level research universities, Iowa Dentistry relies on its grant administration team to help faculty develop their grant applications, ensuring that the applications meet all grant requirements while providing feedback to faculty members identifying potential weakness in the grant application. Ann Lawler, Mikaela Rhoads, and Maria Bertorello make up the grant administration team, and Iowa Dentistry's research successes are due in no small part to their on-going efforts to support our faculty and researchers.  

Zubcic named Dentistry Wellness Ambassador

Michelle Zubcic, department administrative specialist in the Department of Operative Dentistry was announced at the College of Dentistry’s new Wellness Ambassador. Zubcic’s role will be pivotal in connection the college to liveWELL and other University well-being programs and services. As a Wellness Ambassador, she will help support promoting a culture of prioritizing health and well-being. If you are interested in volunteering to be a wellness ambassador, visit hr.uiowa.edu.

Floyd named College of Dentistry Staff Council Representative

Hunter Floyd, Administration Services Coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs, has been named the College of Dentistry’s representative on Staff Council. Staff Council represents full and part-time regular/permanent staff members who are not represented by an exclusive bargaining agent.  The Council serves in an advisory capacity to University’s central administration.

IMOM 2024 is coming to Sioux City

The Iowa Mission of Mercy (IMOM) 2024 event is set. Entering its 15th year, IMOM will be held Oct. 4-5 in Sioux City, Iowa at the Tyson Events Center.

Did you know: Total Clinical Production

The UI College of Dentistry is ranked first in North America in total clinical revenue among dental schools. This includes patients seen by students, residents, and faculty members and further supports Iowa as a top choice for students who want extensive clinical experience in dental school.

Collaborative and Innovative Research

Oladayo AM, Odukoya O, Sule V, Molobe I, Busch T, Akodu B, Adeyemo WL, Gowans LJJ, Eshete M, Alade A, Awotoye W, Adeyemo AA, Mossey PA, Prince AER, Murray JC, Butali A. Perceptions and beliefs of community gatekeepers about genomic risk information in African cleft research. BMC Public Health. 2024 Feb 17;24(1):507. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-17987-z. PMID: 38365612; PMCID: PMC10873930.

A fundamental ethical issue in African genomics research is how socio-cultural factors impact perspectives on, acceptance of, and the use of genomic information, especially for stigmatizing conditions like orofacial clefts. Community gatekeepers (e.g., religious, political, family or community leaders) wield considerable influence on the decision-making capabilities of their members, including health issues. Thus, the research team took this socio-cultural fact into account to improve cultural sensitivity surrounding information about genomic risk in sub-Saharan Africa. In the study, the team found mixed opinions regarding whether such information would be accepted and received. They found that many participants saw their role as guiding and supporting their community members when they receive results, but the gatekeepers felt they would need training from medical experts to do so. They also found that religious and cultural beliefs played a crucial role in mediating understanding of orofacial clefts and accepting and using genomic information. These findings support the researchers proposed synergistic relationship between community health specialists/scientists, and community leaders, including spiritual providers, so that participants have a better understand of the risks associated with genomic information and are able to use it appropriately.

Events

March 1, Exploring the World: Saudi Arabia, Galagan A, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

March 6, Continuing Education Webinar: Importance of vaccinations for a safe dental practice. 6:00–7:00pm. Register 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.

March 19, Seminars in Dental Research: Lakmali Silva, hosted by Sukirth Ganesan, Galagan B, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

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 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 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 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 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.
Mar 10-15: M-F: 7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

The Hawkeye Smile banner image shows dental students during the 71st Anniversary of the UI's Iowa Section of the AADOCR