College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics

Dean's Message

With the academic year nearing the end, there are many accomplishments and awards to celebrate. It's a time to enjoy what we've accomplished. Another year of dental school almost complete. Four years of dental school almost done. A master's degree, a residency, or dissertation complete. New beginnings are wonderful, but take time to enjoy what you've done, especially with this beautiful weather. You deserve it! ~Clark Stanford

Updates for May 12, 2023–May 18, 2023

Student award winners

At the Iowa Dental Association Annual Meeting in Cedar Rapids awards luncheon, several Iowa Dentistry students were recognized. Fourth-year dental student Uzair Ahmad received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Iowa Section of the American College of Dentists. Fourth-year dental student Guillermo Cortes received the Humanitarian Award from the International College of Dentists for exemplifying and demonstrating passion for altruistic humanitarian service as a dental student. Third-year dental student McKenna Moreland received the 2023 Oral Health Scholarship Award from the Oral Health Foundation of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. The winner was selected because of demonstrated leadership development in university, dental school or community activities, and is expected to exhibit integrity, imagination, initiative and communication skills. Congratulations!

The group of new inductees: Adam Fuller; Zachary Koury; Lucynda Raben; John Arend ('82 DDS); Clark Stanford, dean of Iowa Dentistry; Jordan Moffitt; McAllister Castelaz; Christopher Barwacz, associate professor and chair of the Department of Family Dentistry; Sara Stuefen ('10 DDS); and Michael Callan, clinical assistant professor of orthodontics

Several Iowa Dentistry faculty and alumni inducted as new fellows of the Pierre Fauchard Academy

At the Iowa Dental Association Annual Meeting in Cedar Rapids, new fellows were inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy. The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an international honorary dental service organization designed to recognize and develop outstanding leadership in the dental profession worldwide. Fellowship in the Academy is by nomination and is designed to honor past accomplishments in field of dentistry and encourage future productivity. Professional leaders select fellows based on contributions to dental literature, service to the profession of dentistry, and service to the general community, thereby bringing credit to dentistry. The newly inducted fellows included: Adam Fuller ('03 DDS); Zachary Kouri (03 DDS); Lucynda Raben ('83 DDS); John Arend ('82 DDS); Clark Stanford, dean of Iowa Dentistry; Jordan Moffitt; McAllister Castelaz, dental public health candidate; Christopher Barwacz, associate professor and chair of the Department of Family Dentistry; Sara Stuefen ('10 DDS); and Michael Callan, clinical assistant professor of orthodontics.

Iowa dentistry faculty inducted as fellows to the ACD

At the Iowa Dental Association Annual Meeting in Cedar Rapids, Satheesh Elangovan, professor emeritus of periodontics, and Chris Barwacz, associate professor and chair of the Department of Family Dentistry, were inducted as new fellows of the American College of Dentists (ACD). The ACD is the oldest national-level honorary organization for dentists, and its members exemplify excellence through their exceptional contributions to dentistry and their leadership in the dental profession. William McBride ('10 DDS) introduced the new fellows.

Dental Student Research Program

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics has the most accomplished student research program in the country. Around one-third of all dental students at Iowa spend at least one year participating in the program. Graduates of the program learn how evidence and research makes a difference in all areas of dentistry—whether in private practice or in academic or clinical research.

Iowa Dentistry College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics

Why Iowa: Iowa City is a great city!

With the university's close integration with the city, there is always something to do in Iowa City. Whether its Hawkeye sports, arts and music events and festivals downtown in the pedmall, or excellent local restaurants, Iowa City has a big city feel in a small town atmosphere, and all within walking distance of campus. Learn more about what Iowa City has to offer from some of our students.

Kudos to you

Tara Nygaard: "My daughter had teeth removed by Dr Fridrich. He did a wonderful job. He was patient with her when she was nervous. Him and the other staff took great care of her. Ms Becky (perhaps from the Child Life department) held her hand the whole time and then sent her home with a goody bag."

Collaborative and Innovative Research

Leary KS, Iribarren S, Reynolds J, Johnsen DC. Teaching Tool for Teledentistry Modeled with Pediatric Dentistry Residents. J Dent Child (Chic). 2022 Sep 15;89(3):162-167. PMID: 37149878.

The Department of Pediatric Dentistry has been effectively using teledentistry to reach underserved populations. The research team built on their earlier work developing an emulation model of critical thinking in pediatric dentistry to show that such a model is also effective as a teaching tool for synchronous teledentistry appointments. The teaching tool was initially developed from interviews with pediatric dental residents and clinicians. During that process, the team identified six main areas with 26 total steps for appointments. The main sections included: greeting, medical, dental and behavioral histories; airway assessment; treatment recommendations; behavioral modalities of treatment; and follow-up. In this pilot study, researchers showed that students consistently completed over 90 percent of skillset steps, and thus, this teaching tool served as an effective framework for teledentistry appointments.

Iowa faculty and staff holding a College of Dentistry sign at a previous IMOM event

Iowa Trailblazers: IMOM and the College of Dentistry

The Iowa Mission of Mercy IMOM began in 2008 with the aim of providing free dental care to underserved populations. Since then, it is has served over 16,000 patients from all over the state. Iowa Dentistry has played an influential role in supporting IMOM, especially on Saturday, and has provided care at IMOM since its inception in 2008. The 2023 IMOM is being held in Waterloo on October 13-14. You can sign up to be a volunteer today, and be part of a legacy of making an impact in our community and state.

Events

May 17, Dissertation Defense: Wattawan Wongpattaraworakul, Novel Prognostic Biomarkers for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, mentored by Andrean Burnett, N304 and via Zoom, 8:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

June 1, Culturally Responsive Health Care Conference, College of Public Health, 8:00 a.m.–1:00 pm. Co-sponsored by the College of Dentistry.

August 4, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

August 10, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

August 25, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

August 30, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

September 15-16, Dentistry Alumni Reunion Weekend

September 8, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

September 22, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

October 5, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

October 13-14, IMOM, Waterloo Convention Center, Sullivan Brothers Plaza, 200 W Fourth Street, Waterloo, IA.

October 20, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day

November 3, Prospective DDS Student Interview Day