news-2018 | College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics

News 2018

Banas and Drake Team Up to Study the Role of Oral Streptococci in the Early Stages of Dental Decay
Dec 07, 2018

Some things just go together! Peanut Butter and Jelly. Batman and Robin. Banas and Drake.

Dr. Jeff Banas is a professor of microbiology in pediatric dentistry and the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research and the director of graduate studies for oral health science. Dr. David Drake is a professor of microbiology in endodontics and the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research. With strong rapport and over a decade of collaboration, these two researchers have become known for their work together on the cariogenic roles of oral Streptococci and the oral microbiome.

“When one of us presents our research, most people just assume that the other was involved in the project,” said Drake with a chuckle.

Their work together was rewarded in 2018 when the National Institutes of Health awarded them a five-year $2.6 million grant. For this project, Banas and Drake are examining young children with a high risk of early childhood tooth decay for a particular kind of plaque bacteria, Streptococci.

“The hypothesis for decades has been that certain plaque species have unique acidic properties, particularly Streptococcus mutans and sobrinus, and these are responsible for a large proportion of dental decay, but other low-pH plaque species may blaze the trail for these bad species of Streptococcus,” Banas explained. Although this has been the theory, there is sparse evidence for the roles of highly acidogenic (low pH) streptococcal species besides S. mutans and S. sobrinus.

That’s where Banas and Drake come in. During preliminary investigations on banked plaque samples, they isolated two common streptococcal species that were among those thought to possess the low pH phenotype that can make the oral microbiome a more suitable environment for the tooth-decay-causing species of plaque.

“The problem was that the various species die at different rates in the frozen state, so the banked samples were less than optimal,” said Banas.

As a result, Banas and Drake decided to propose and were awarded a grant for an 18-month longitudinal study of 130 children between the ages of 1 and 3, many of whom have a high risk of dental decay. Each participating child will be examined four times over the course of the study so that the team can track the changes in the low pH streptococcal population as well as other changes in the plaque microbiome.

“We will be able to see how the low pH populations fluctuate and shift the microflora, which helps the bad species of Streptococcus become more dominant, especially for children with high-sugar diets,” Drake said.

Then, the team will sequence the genome of specific low pH species of Streptococcus that were identified in their longitudinal study.

Although the relationship between tooth decay and the oral microbiome is complex, learning more about the specific genetic and phenotypic characteristics of the various species could improve prevention and treatment options. “If we understand the disease process better and can isolate key variables, we might be able to prevent it or treat it early on,” Drake said. “Or even establish a new standard for risk assessment,” Banas added as he finished Drake’s sentence.

And that would be an important step for improving oral health. “Once the disease process begins, it can be stopped but it is much more difficult after the microbiome has been transformed.” That’s one reason why it’s so important for parents to take their children to the dentist at a young age.

Knowing the makeup of the oral microbiome could have other long-lasting implications. For example, prebiotics and probiotics could be designed to help good bacteria in the mouth while preventing bad forms from flourishing. “Prebiotics could feed the good guys, just as sugar feeds the bad guys,” Drake quipped.

As Banas and Drake embark on another research project together, each of the two has really come to appreciate what the other brings to the table. “We really work well together; we are much stronger together than we are individually,” Banas said. “It’s so important to see things from other perspectives, and this type of collaboration helps us leverage our talents to get even more support,” Drake added.

Dr. Fabricio Teixeira Recognized for Some of the Most Highly-Cited Publications in Regenerative Endodontics
Nov 30, 2018

Dr. Samira Adnan and Dr. Rizwan Ullab published a paper in the Journal of Endodontics that detailed their bibliometric analysis measuring the research productivity, author performance, and manuscript impact in the field of regenerative endodontics. The article, “Top-cited Articles in Regenerative Endodontics: A Bibliometric Analysis,” identified and evaluated the main characteristics of the 100 most cited articles in the endodontic literature. Dr. Fabricio Teixeira (DEO and professor, endodontics) had 2 articles in the top 10 and a total of 7 articles in the top 45 most cited. The sixth most-cited article was by “Thibodeau B, Teixeira F, Yamauchi M, et al. Pulp revascularization of immature dog teeth with apical periodontitis. J Endod 2007; 33:680–9” (with 144 citations).

In one of the articles graphics, the authors showed the collaboration network among the authors who had contributed to 5 or more articles of the top-cited articles (Figure 4 of the linked paper above).

Academic-industry collaboration customizes head and neck cancer treatment
Nov 02, 2018

We are all as unique as our fingerprints. When squamous cell cancer of the head and neck strike—as they do on average 51,000 times each year—we need treatments tailored for our specific genetic makeup.

Dr. Kim Brogden, professor in the Department of Periodontics, and director of the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, and his research team are tackling this head-on in partnership with a precision medicine company, CellWorks, Inc., to identify the best available treatments for genetic variations of squamous cell cancers.

For each genetic variation, “CellWorks creates a data set including each signal and cell pathway from stimulus to output, and this data set is used to create a computational model of the cell,” Brogden said. “This model can then identify how cells with different mutations respond to treatment.”

The problem, however, was that CellWorks needed to ensure that their model was accurate. That’s where the collaboration with Brogden’s lab began.

Brogden Research.jpg CellWorks would provide a computational model that the Brogden lab would validate. The lab would collect tumor cell lines with the same genetic makeup as the model, culture those cells, and determine whether those cells responded to treatment as predicted.

According to Dr. Shireen Vali and Taher Abbasi, the cofounders of Cellworks, Brogden’s lab work has greatly improved their model’s predications and has been “… key to establishing a precision medicine computational workflow which takes patient DNA/RNA information as inputs and personalizes treatment.”

The models were validated in 80 to 90 percent of cases, and because of this research, oncologists have a new tool for determining the best treatment for a patient based on the specific genetic makeup of the patient’s tumor, rather than using a trial-and-error method that has a success rate of only 25 percent.

“We would know which treatments are likely to be ineffective,” Brogden said, “and we can avoid subjecting patients to severe side-effects, including autoimmune diseases, inflammation, and infection. Going forward, we may even be able to prevent cancer with these models.”

The end goal is to develop a holistic system of computational models that would learn and adapt as new scientific information is added.

“We often think of science as a linear progression, but with the breadth of research being conducted today, it can be hard to see science that way,” Brogden said.

The hope is that these models can help restore that linear progression, taking all of that information, organizing and making sense of it so that it can inform decision-making and clinical outcomes.

The progression of science, however, is not just about research; it also requires that we train the next generation of scientists. And that’s what Brogden is most proud of in his career. One of his greatest accomplishments at the University of Iowa, he says, is that of the 68 articles he’s published during his 15 years at the University of Iowa, his students have been the first author on 45 of them, and nine of them had four or five students as authors.

Dr. Teresa Marshall, the director of the Dental Student Research Program, speaks glowingly of Brogden’s excellence as a mentor.

“His students are well trained and function together as a team,” said Marshall, which allows them “to generate high quality research, which makes them very competitive for local and national awards,” she added.

Dr. Amber Bates and Dr. Paula Gomez Hernandez are two such students. Bates just defended her dissertation last spring after working in Brogden’s lab for five years, and she is now a postdoctoral research associate in a cancer research center at the University of Wisconsin.

“My research on head and neck cancer in Dr. Brogden’s lab is what led me to become interested in cancer research,” Bates said.

Brogden, Bates said, “… is the type of mentor that everyone wishes they had, but are actually quite hard to find. Dr. Brogden realizes the benefits of transferrable skills and encourages his students to become effective communicators and develop a range of laboratory skills.”

Training the whole person—as a researcher, scientist, communicator, writer, and team member—is a hallmark of Brogden’s approach.

“Amber Bates is a great sign of success,” Brogden said as he beamed with pride. “Sending her on to an elite cancer research center shows what an excellent researcher she’s become.”

Gomez Hernandez, now a pediatric dentistry resident at the University of Iowa, completed her D.D.S. last spring and was a part of Brogden’s lab for the past four years in the Dental Student Research Program.

The Dental Student Research Program provides opportunities for students to learn about cutting-edge research in the oral sciences, so that they are able to draw on those research skills in a clinical setting. Most Iowa dental graduates will practice in Iowa, and this research focus ensures that our graduates have the skills to learn about and evaluate new treatments and procedures so that they can always provide the best, cutting-edge care available throughout their careers.

For Gomez Hernandez, Brogden’s lab has made a great difference for her. She plans to stay involved in cancer research as she goes on to practice pediatric dentistry.

Like Bates, Gomez Hernandez sees Brogden as a mentor far beyond the lab. “He has taught me how to learn from every step in a research project. Even from unexpected results—to see the good that can come from even those circumstances. I think that’s made a difference for me professionally.”

Dr. Peter Damiano appointed as the Morris Bernstein Professor
Oct 19, 2018

On Friday, September 8, the College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics was delighted and honored to announce Dr. Peter Damiano as the new Morris Bernstein Professor of Dentistry.

Dr. Morris Bernstein (D.D.S., 1939) practiced as a dentist for several decades after receiving his D.D.S from the University of Iowa. Dean David Johnsen explained, “Dr. Bernstein was committed and fond of his patients. He showed me a very thick book of notes from admiring patients upon his retirement.”

Likewise, Dr. Bernstein was passionate about his commitment to the college. He provided a significant financial gift to support the mission of the college. Since research is a top strategic priority of the college, the Bernstein Professorship is dedicated to supporting that part of the college’s mission.

According to Dean Johnsen, “Peter Damiano exemplifies the spirit Dr. Bernstein valued: Commitment to students, the oral health of our state and country, curiosity and rigor in studying and developing health policy. He has been relentless in these pursuits, including the mentoring of countless colleagues and students (and a few deans).”

Graciously, Dr. Damiano said of receiving the honor, ““I am personally very humbled and appreciative of this recognition. It is also a reflection of the outstanding colleagues at the College of Dentistry and Public Policy Center, and others with whom I’ve had the pleasure to collaborate with over the years. I have been very fortunate.”

The professorship was first established in 2008. Dr. Damiano is the second professor to hold this chair, following Dr. Deborah Dawson, who was the inaugural Bernstein Professor.

Dr. Katsaros and Dr. Avila-Ortiz awarded a $160K grant from Industry Partner
Oct 19, 2018

Geistlich Pharma AG awarded Dr. Theodoros Katsaros (the principal investigator; Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontics) and Dr. Gustavo Avila-Ortiz (the subinvestigator; Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontics) a $160,000 grant in support of a clinical study, “Clinical, Radiographic and Histomorphometric Analysis of Healing Dynamics in Human Extraction Sockets Grafted with Bio-Oss Collagen®: A Prospective 3-year Post-loading Study.” The purpose of the study is to evaluate the healing of extraction sites in which ridge preservation was performed using Bio-Oss Collagen® at 3, 6 and 9 months post-extraction, as well as possible differences in implant survival and peri-implant tissue stability up to 3 years following delivery of final implant-supported prostheses. Dr. Miguel Romero-Bustillos (first-year Periodontics resident) participated in the conception study and will be responsible for the histomorphometric and radiographic (micro-CT) analysis. Dr. Veeratrishul Allareddy (OPRM) is also a member of the research team. Ms. Karen Kluesner will be the study coordinator. Patient screening and recruitment will begin in November 2018.

Dental students, faculty, and staff traveled to Sioux City to provide free dental care as part of the Iowa Mission of Mercy
Oct 12, 2018

The Iowa Mission of Mercy (IMOM) is an annual, large scale, community dental clinical where dental professionals and others volunteer to provide free oral health care to those who face barriers to receiving dental care. Since 2008, almost 15,000 patients from all areas of the state and beyond have received free dental care totaling over $9 million.

This year, the Iowa Mission of Mercy was held October 5-6 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, IA, and University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students were vital for making this outreach event a success!

“Our 11^th Iowa Mission of Mercy was very successful this year in Sioux City,” said Dr. Patricia Meredith, the dental chief for the Iowa Mission of Mercy. She continued, “We provided nearly $600,000 worth of free dental care to 793 unique patients. Although Sioux City is a long way from Iowa City, the College of Dentistry was well represented. Thank you to all the students, faculty and staff that carried the day for this IMOM!!”

Included below are some excerpts from patients:

“I am so grateful to the Iowa Mission of Mercy free dental clinic. The volunteers went out of their way to make you feel comfortable. Without this kind of event, many of us would not be able to get the care needed. I would like to add a big thank you from the bottom of my heart. The next time this event is in town, I will gladly volunteer to help others in need.” (Reported in the Iowa Dental Journal, 10/9/2018)

“I appreciate everyone in the community - all of the staff and volunteers - because if we didn't have everybody working together, we wouldn't have an event like this in Sioux City.” (Reported in the Iowa Dental Journal, 10/9/2018)

“It's a lot of money that I don't have to spend out of my own pocket and it's just really nice that they (dentists) volunteer and do this out of the goodness of their hearts.” (Reported in the Iowa Dental Journal, 10/9/2018)

“One of Saturday's patients was Danny Dalton, who has had dental issues since he was kicked in the mouth 15 years ago, leading to a number of damaged and broken teeth. Add onto this a phobia of the dentist, and Dalton faced a dental nightmare.

Several of Dalton's teeth were replaced with so-called "flippers" (temporary acrylic partial dentures). After his procedure, he smiled into a mirror handed to him by Fort Dodge dentist Nicholas Drzycimski.

Dalton said that, while he was very nervous at first, the friendly volunteers kept him calm and helped him through the procedure. The removal of several of his teeth, he said, didn't even hurt much. Article from Sioux City Journal, 10/6/2018

Dr. Hongli Sun Awarded An Almost $300K Multiyear Grant
Sep 28, 2018

Dr. Hongli Sun was awarded a multiyear grant for a project entitled, “Functionalized Nanofibrous Scaffold for Endogenous Bone Regeneration.” The long-term goal of Dr. Sun’s research is to develop an effective strategy to repair and regeneration large bone defects. This work will revolutionize how major bone defects—whether they are caused by breaks or genetic defects, among other causes—can be clinically treated and repaired. This particular project is a step toward designing an effective strategy—a biomimetic gelatin nanofibrous scaffold—for delivering therapeutic molecules at a designated location so that one can more effectively bring out the natural regenerative properties of these tissues. More particularly, Dr. Sun’s team will investigate whether this particular scaffold can modulate endogenous bone morphogenetic proteins and angiogenic signals so that bone defects are repaired and regenerated.

Dr. Sun’s research team includes Dr. Brad Amendt, Dr. Kyle Stein, and Dr. Erliang Zeng.

Dr. Terry Lindquist Receives 2018 McLeran Award
Sep 21, 2018

Known as an excellent teacher and mentor who models the very best of patient-centered care, Dr. Terry Lindquist began her thirty-seven year career in the oral health sciences in a Periodontics clinic in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Dr. Gary O’Connor was the dentist at that clinic, and his patient-centered approach left a lasting impression on Dr. Lindquist—particularly his positive portrayal of how he could support patients reaching their goals. “Being positive with patients empowers them to get where they need to be,” said Dr. Lindquist. This mindset carried over into Dr. O’Connor’s relationship with his employees where, in his characteristically positive manner, he encouraged Dr. Lindquist to continue her education.

Like Dr. O’Connor, Dr. Lindquist continues to draw a close connection between her work as a clinician and an educator. After five years as a dental hygienist, she came to the University of Iowa for dental school and graduated with her D.D.S. in 1990. She completed her General Practice Residency at Emory in 1991 and her Prosthodontics Residency and a master’s degree in Oral Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1994. Later that same year, she returned to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics, and she was promoted to Associate Professor in 2001. Dr. Julie Holloway, the chair of Dr. Lindquist’s department, said that Dr. Lindquist embodies “the truest essence of what it is to be an outstanding Professor at the University of Iowa; with the deepest commitment to teaching, patient care, and professional development.”

As an educator, Dr. Lindquist aims to be a role-model of what it means to be an excellent dentist, complete with technical competence and a desire to be a caring dentist who looks out for the welfare of each individual patient. Dr. Lindquist’s primary teaching responsibility is to instruct and mentor third-year dental students during their prosthodontics clerkship. Dr. Julie Holloway said, “This is without a doubt the most challenging clerkship in the college from both the student and faculty perspectives.” Dr. Lindquist models for these students how to approach and manage each clinical case. She shows them how to approach clinical situations by “breaking up the entire process into discrete steps,” Dr. Lindquist said, “so that students can absorb and perform them on their own.” The goal, Dr. Lindquist explained, was not for a student to acquire the knowledge of this particular case; rather, it was for them to know why each part of the process was done so that they learn how to apply the general principles to a much wider group of cases.

Dr. Lindquist also uses her time with students to educate her students’ patients. As she and her students discuss what they see, patients can learn about their oral health and how they can accomplish what they want. Dr. Lindquist encourages her students to continue this practice in their own clinics, verbally describing what they see to their dental assistants. For Dr. Lindquist and her students, patient-centered care is not simply listening to and following the lead of your patient—though that is, of course, essential—but it also includes presenting options in a positive manner that empowers and supports patients.

Among her numerous other collegiate and professional responsibilities, Dr. Lindquist also leads a Thursday lunch meeting with new prosthodontics faculty members discussing clerkship requirements, conducting calibration exercises, and developing educational strategies, and she has played a vital role in the college’s accreditation process.

Dr. Lindquist is also active in the larger profession as a member of the American Dental Educational Association, the American Prosthodontic Society, the American College of Prosthodontists, and the American Dental Association (ADEA). She also served as President of the Removable Prosthodontics Section of ADEA, and in 2015, she was awarded the James H. McLeran and John C. Montgomery Pierre Fauchard Academy Award, which recognized her service to the college and to the profession as a whole.

Because of Dr. Terry Lindquist’s excellence as an educator and her commitment to patient-centered care, it is our great honor to award Dr. Terry Lindquist the 2018 James H. and Hermine E. McLeran Faculty Award.

Drs. Adil Akkouch, Brad A. Amendt and Liu Hong Awarded A Two-Year $152K Grant
Sep 21, 2018

The College of Dentistry’s on-going research in the use of stem cells for growing and regenerating bone material holds great promise for tooth and craniofacial reconstruction. Being able to regrow bone material without the need for extensive reconstructive surgery would revolutionize these fields. Building on this body of research, Dr. Amendt’s research team received a two-year $152,500 R03 grant titled “Hybrid 3D bioprinting of bone using microRNA-based bioink.”

The project investigates a novel way to biofabricate vascular bone material by means of 3D bioprinting. That is, the research team will investigate whether a 3D printed osteoinductive construct acting as a delivery system for both for miR-200c and miR-200a inhibitor will safely and effectively regenerate bone by improving osteogenic differentiation and new blood vessel formation. The novel bioink used in the printing will help resolve technical issues that have impeded both gene delivery and the spatial distribution of cell within biofabricated grafts. This project is a fundamental step towards translating miRs gene therapy and 3D bioprinting technology from the laboratory bench to the clinical bedside.

Both Dr. Liu Hong and Dr. Adil Akkouch (a former post-doc in the IIOHR) collaborated with Dr. Amendt as part of the research team.

Dr. Peter Damiano to receive Iowa PCA 2018 Underserved Champion Award
Sep 21, 2018

Dr. Peter Damiano will be presented with the 2018 Underserved Champion Award by the Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA).

The author of more than 200 journal articles and research monographs and the principal investigator on more than 75 funded research studies, Dr. Damiano's primary research focus is studying access to and the quality of primary care services, particularly dental care.

This award recognizes Dr. Damiano’s on-going impact on the Iowa health care system, specifically regarding increased access to quality, affordable health care for all Iowans.

Previous year’s champions have included the following:

2017 Iowa Legal Aid

2016 University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics

2015 Joe Bolkom, State Senator

2014 Amanda Ragan, State Senator and Linda Upmeyer, State Representative

2013 Iowa Prescription Drug Corporation

2012 Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation

2011 Jennifer Vermeer, Director, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise

2010 Bruce Braley, U.S. Congressman

2009 Chris Atchison, University of Iowa

2008 Ro Foege, State Representative

2007 Dave Heaton, State Representative and Jim Leach, U.S. Congressman

2006 Jack Hatch, State Senator

2005 Dr. Bery Engebretsen, Executive Director, Primary Health Care, Inc.

2004 Tom Harkin, U.S. Senator

Dr. Leonardo Marchini Develops New Mobile App to Improve Oral Health Among Older Adults
Sep 21, 2018

The research of Dr. Leonardo Marchini and several other faculty members has shown that older adults who are unable to brush their own teeth often do not receive adequate oral care from care providers. Researchers have experimented with various interventions and educational strategies to improve oral health care for these vulnerable populations, but those strategies are often not particularly successful (e.g., Marchini, et. al., "Iowa facility oral hygiene (INFOH) intervention: A clinical and microbiological pilot randomized trial").

About four years ago, Dr. Marchini, along with a team of specialists in geriatrics, geriatric oral health, and information technology, began developing an app that could help caregivers provide good oral hygiene to older adults. This initiative was funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U1QHP28731, Interprofessional Strategic Healthcare Alliance for Rural Education (iSHARE), led by the Iowa Geriatric Education Center. It was designed for caregivers to access the vast resources available on an as-needed basis in the course of their caregiving responsibilities. Dr. Marchini, Dr. Howard Cowen, and Dr. Jennifer Hartshorn provided the oral health expertise for the app, while Dr. Sato Ashida (College of Public Health) ensured the language was accessible for a lay audience.

The long-term aim is to improve older adults' oral health; in the future, they plan to study whether this app is helpful in achieving that goal.

The app was just released in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Dr. John J. Warren Receives 2018 Collegiate Teaching Award
Aug 17, 2018

At the All-College Conference held on Monday, August 13, Dr. John J. Warren received the 2018 Collegiate Teaching Award. The award is given to a faculty member who exhibits an “outstanding contribution to dental students’, graduate students’ or residents’ intellectual and professional development.”

Dr. Warren earned his D.D.S. from the University of Iowa in 1986, and he began teaching in the college shortly thereafter in 1989. Since that time, Dr. Warren has established a reputation as an organized, collaborative, and approachable educator dedicated to putting the needs of others ahead of his own desires. He has had a wide range of clinical and didactic teaching responsibilities, including the Preventative Dentistry Clinic course for second-year dental students and three graduate courses—Introduction to Statistical Computing; Research Protocol Seminar, and Dental Public Health Field Experience II. He has also mentored several research projects, chairing ten Master’s theses, sitting on two dissertation committees, and mentoring nineteen pre-doctoral student research projects. Additionally, he has served as the graduate program director in dental public health for thirteen years.

Dr. Warren has also been a champion for teaching students to research—both here at the college and nationally. Not only does he teach the research methods courses at the college, but he was assistant director for the Student Research Program at the college for thirteen years, and he has been the AADR National Student Research Group faculty advisor for five years. Regarding Dr. Warren’s role as a research mentor, one student said, “Dr. Warren is always available to help students—he has always been there to help me through the proposals, presentations, and details of my projects…even when we are working right up to a deadline. More importantly, he encourages me to understand the work I do, and this has given me a great appreciation for my research.” One excellent indication of Dr. Warren’s impact on the college through his teaching is that several of his former students have even gone on to become faculty members at the college, including Dr. Cindy O’Toole, Dr. Justine Kolker, and Dr. Kecia Leary.

In the classroom or teaching in the clinic, Dr. Warren is known for his meticulous preparation; his excellent knowledge of the subject matter; his ability to distill complex information into useable, practical information for students; and his desire to continually refine and improve his teaching. “I’m not sure that many of us would be here if we didn’t have a commitment to teaching,” Dr. Warren said, “it’s what we do, and I’m sure that I wouldn’t have been hired if I hadn’t been a willing teacher. So, teaching was a key in launching my career, and it continues to be really important.”

Although these characteristics make him an excellent educator, Dr. Warren often goes well beyond this for the good of his students. One student said, “Dr. Warren is genuinely interested in the well-being of his students. He views us not only as dental students, but also as people. He wants us to succeed both in the classroom / clinic and in our other interests and activities.” And it is in students such as this that Dr. Warren sees his lasting impact. “When you think about it, all of my research and publications are nice and have hopefully made some contribution to science, but really, much of that will be forgotten “old news” in a few years. The people that you’ve taught and helped with their careers—that’s more lasting and more rewarding.”

In the nomination letter from the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, his colleagues commented on Dr. Warren’s self-depreciating humor and his tendency to deflect praise, and so his response to receiving the award should come as no surprise: “It’s crossed my mind that they ran out of other people to give to, so they had to give it to me, but I know there’s a nomination process involved and that a number of my colleagues put forth a nomination—that’s very humbling, and I certainly feel honored to receive the award.”

Because his role as a teacher and mentor has meant so much to so many, Dr. John Warren is the well-deserved recipient of the 2018 Collegiate Teaching Award. Congratulations, Dr. Warren!

Dr. Brian Howe Awarded Prestigious Career Development Research Grant
Aug 10, 2018

From Dr. Olin’s initial work to the broad cross-section of researchers currently working on craniofacial development, the College of Dentistry is well known for its cutting-edge research in orofacial clefting. Dr. Brian J. Howe’s (family dentistry) research is building on this legacy—he was awarded a nearly $800,000 five-year grant for a project on orofacial clefting. The grant is for a prestigious Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08), and the title of the project is “Identifying Phenomic Patterns of Dental Anomalies in Orofacial Clefting.”

Dr. Howe’s previous research (see here and here) investigated how orofacial clefts affect tooth development, and found that children with orofacial clefts have more dental anomalies, such as missing and malformed teeth, than the general population and even their own family members. He also found that impaired tooth development among cleft patients is most likely a physical consequence of the cleft or the surgical repair. Still, the research did not discover whether the impaired development was a result of the surgery or of the cleft itself (or perhaps both) or if the missing or malformed teeth occur in any discernable patterns.

This new grant will allow Dr. Howe to further develop this line of research with the aim of identifying underlying causes and patterns of the impairment—i.e., whether impairment is a result of clefting or the surgery to repair the clefting. Finding this root cause could allow either surgeons to address it with improved surgical protocols or researchers to address the genetic factors at play.

Drawing on one of the largest sets of data available, Dr. Howe’s research will use novel, multivariable analytical tools and contemporary machine learning algorithms to develop a tool for identifying these patterns and underlying causes.

Dr. Howe has teamed up with Dr. Tong Wang (Tippie College of Business), who is an expert in machine learning and data mining, to collaborate on creating a machine learning algorithm (program) to address this research question. Dr. Howe’s primary mentor is Dr. Lina Moreno (orthodontics) and his other mentors are Dr. Deborah Dawson (pediatric dentistry) and Dr. Mary Marazita at the University of Pittsburgh. This award is the first K-award that the College of Dentistry has received in the past decade.

Dr. Erica Teixeira and Dr. Marcos Vargas Received a $22,875 Grant from an Industry Partner
Jul 20, 2018

The use of bulk-fill composite has increased among dentists. Purportedly these materials perform just as well as traditional composites resins. Bulk-fill composites can be applied in thicker increments (4-5mm) than other composite resin materials, speeding up the restorative process. One of the significant challenges of this technique is that clinicians must adequately cure these materials, but studies have shown that the depth of cure varies depending on the composite used.

Principal Investigators, Dr. Erica Teixeira (Operative Dentistry) and Dr. Marcos Vargas (Family Dentistry), received a $22,875 grant from a German pharmaceutical company, DMG Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH, to investigate the depth of cure for four different bulk-fill composites. They will also evaluate how glossy and smooth the surface is for the four materials, and how well their marginal adaptation is to teeth, using a MicroCT scanner.

This research is one example of how the College of Dentistry partners with industry to meet the needs of industry while improving the science behind our clinical practices.

Dr. Teixeira and Dr. Vargas’ research team includes Dr. Steve Armstrong, and the title of the project is “Performance of different bulk-fill composite materials.”

Drs. Kuthy, McKernan, and Reynolds Awarded a Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation Grant to Study Iowa Dentist Workforce
Jul 13, 2018

Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation awarded Drs. Raymond Kuthy, Susan McKernan, and Julie Reynolds (Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry) a one-year $40,000 grant entitled “20^th Anniversary of the Iowa Dentist Tracking System (IDTS): Assessing Trends.”

IDTS is one of five health workforce tracking systems (physicians, dentists, pharmacists, advanced nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) within the Office of Statewide Clinical Education Programs (OSCEP), Carver College of Medicine. IDTS updates information about all active dentists in Iowa semi-annually. This proactive statewide data collection system is the only one of its kind nationally. Besides tracking information about the individual’s entrance or exit from practice in Iowa, OSCEP’s semi-annual contact to each provider’s office updates possible practice changes, such as work arrangement (i.e., solo, group, corporate), gain or loss of associates, hours worked per week, etc.

2016 was the 20th anniversary of IDTS, making for a unique opportunity to complete a detailed longitudinal assessment, using a single comprehensive and consistent data source. The investigators will analyze these data and develop a comprehensive report for stakeholder planning purposes. Topics of particular interest include changes in the workforce’s gender composition, age distribution, hours worked, practice arrangements, and state retention of UI graduates. The research team will also assess trends in geographic variation in the dentist workforce, incorporating the location of physicians to explore for health professional ‘hot spots’ in Iowa. Population maps showing general population shifts during this time period will be overlaid with changes in health care provider location. Findings will inform policy to assist with recruitment and retention efforts, particularly in Iowa's rural areas.

The World Comes to Iowa
Jun 22, 2018

The Dental Science Building is a busy place—bustling with patients, researchers, faculty, staff, and students. While this locus of activity is ever present, we also open our doors to the world as we receive prominent local, regional, national, and international guests. One week in early May was the perfect picture of this—with visits from the FDI World Dental Federation, Congressman Dave Loebsack, and the President-Elects of both the American Dental Association and the Iowa Dental Association.

FDI World Dental Federation Vists the College of Dentistry

The FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) is the largest membership-based dental organization in the world. In August 2017, Dr. Kathryn Kell (DDS 1979) was installed as the president of the FDI. She and many other FDI delegates visited in College of Dentistry in early May. Dean David Johnsen gave Dr. Kell and the FDI a tour of the college’s facilities and services.

One such delegate was Dr. S.M. Balaji from the Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital. Dr. Balaji’s hospital wrote about his experiences at the University of Iowa.

The group of FDI Representatives visiting the College of Dentistry

US Representative Dave Loebsack Visits the College of Dentistry

US Representative Dave Loebsack also visited the College of Dentistry. Dean David Johnsen and several others gave Congressman Loebsack a guided tour of our facilities. Dean Johnsen and Associate Dean Brad Amendt used the opportunity to talk about the wide variety of cutting edge research being conducted at the college—from the tens of millions of teeth that won’t have to be drilled into because of our research to new basic science research for growing bones and teeth without the need for surgery.

Dean Johnsen also highlighted how the college is able to coordinate efforts to improve and individualize care alongside other medical providers. In particular, the University of Iowa is one of the first institutions to have its dental clinic and the hospital patient databases work together. The hope is that this collaboration can become a model for other dental and health care providers.

Loebsack_Howes_Johnsen_Brogden_Amendt_Qian_Research1_043018_4x6.jpg From Left to Right: Stacey Howes (DDS 2018), Dean Johnsen, Dr. Kim Brogden, Congressman Loebsack, Dr. Brad Amendt, and Dr. Fang Qian.

Congressman Dave Loebsack speaking with Dr. Julie Holloway in the Prosthodontics Lab.

Loebsack_Howes_Johnsen_Moreno_OrthodonticClinic1_043018_4x6.jpg Congressman Dave Loeback speaking with Dr. Lina Moreno, Dean Johnsen, and Stacey Howes (DDS 2018).

ADA and IDA Leadership Visits the College of Dentistry

The American Dental Association’s President-Elect, Dr. Jeffrey Cole, and the Iowa Dental Association President-Elect, Dr. Ryan Stuntz, along with other Iowa Dental Association representatives also visited the College of Dentistry during the same week that Congressman Loebsack visited.

From Right to Left: Dr. Ryan Stuntz, Dr. Justine Stemper (DDS 2014), Dean David Johnsen, and Dr. Jeffrey Cole.

Drs. Stuntz, Stemper, and Cole joined several students for lunch.

The College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics is a model of excellence in research, patient care, and education. That’s why people from all over the world come to the college to hear more about what we are doing, and that’s why what we do here makes a difference not only for all of Iowa but also for the larger world.

Dr. Vidal Receives Grant from Colgate-Palmolive
Jun 15, 2018

Colgate-Palmolive awarded Dr. Cristina Vidal (Operative) a $39,000 grant titled “Development of therapeutic nanoparticles for sustained delivery of proanthocyanidins in adhesives.” The project began in May 2018 and it ends in two years. The research team’s goal is to find a method to deliver a certain plant-derived compound that can preserve, repair, and restore the bond between dentin and resin material. In particular, they will develop a delivery system using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), and determine the optimal delivery for maintaining a strong resin-dentin bond while mitigating factors that degrade the dentin organic matrix and reduce bond strength. The principal investigator for the project is Dr. Vidal, and her research team includes Dr. Steven Armstrong (Operative), Dr. Aliasger Salem (Pharmacy), and Dr. Julie Jessop (Engineering).

Dr. Banas and Dr. Drake Awarded an NIH five-year $2.6 million grant
Jun 08, 2018

The National Institute of Health awarded Dr. Jeffrey Banas and Dr. David Drake a five-year $2.6 million grant titled “Longitudinal Analysis of Low pH Streptococci and Plaque Microbiome in Early Childhood Caries.” The project will examine a particular kind of plaque bacteria, streptococci, in young children with a high risk of early childhood tooth decay. The ultimate aim of this examination is to find an effective and efficient means of determining the risk of tooth decay so that it can be prevented and treated.

Both Dr. Banas and Dr. Drake are excited about the opportunity. "Our understanding of the microbial etiology of dental decay continues to evolve," said Banas, "and we believe this study has the potential for adding considerable new insight into how the streptococci make contributions in both positive and negative ways."

Although there is a large body of evidence that confirms an association between a specific kind of streptococci, mutans streptococci (MS), and tooth decay, the association is not absolute. That is, a patient can have a great deal of tooth decay without the presence of MS, and in some cases, a significant amount of MS is present with sound, healthy teeth. Thus, some researches have suggested that non-MS low pH streptococci may explain why the association is not absolute. Dr. Banas and Dr. Drake’s research team will investigate this complex relationship by conducting an 18-month longitudinal study on children ages 1 to 3 who have a high risk of experiencing dental decay so that they can determine how variations in the non-MS low pH streptococci and overall plaque microbiome affect dental decay. Then, the team will sequence the genome of specific examples of non-MS low pH streptococci that were identified in the longitudinal study. In doing so, the team believes that patterns will be found that may provide a basis for improving the prevention and treatment of tooth decay.

Dr. Drake said that he is excited to begin the research part of the project once all the paperwork has been completed.

The research team includes:

Dr. Justine Kolker

Dr. Karin Weber-Gasparoni

Dr. Deborah Dawson

Dr. Ashutosh Mangalam (Dept. of Pathology, Medical School)

Dr. Huojun Cao

Dr. Min Zhu

Derek Blanchette

Alissa Villhauer

Dr. Austin Foster Advocates for Orthodontics on Capitol Hill
Jun 01, 2018

In early May, orthodontics resident Dr. Austin Foster went to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of legislation important to orthodontics. The American Association of Orthodontists Political Action Committee (AAO-PAC) requested that an Iowan represent them on the trip. Dr. Foster said, “I volunteered because our legislators need to be informed about how we are affected by legislation in order to represent us effectively.”

During the trip, Dr. Foster personally met with Senator Todd Young (Indiana) and Representative Larry Bucshon (Indiana), and he also met with the staff and legislative assistants for Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.

The three pieces of legislation that Dr. Foster and AAO-PAC advocated on behalf of were:

1. The bipartisan RAISE Act (H.R. 1204), which raises limits on Flexible-Spending and Health-Savings Accounts and eliminates the “use it or lose it” clause for those accounts.

2. A permanent repeal of the 2.3% excise tax on medical devices that was created under the Affordable Care Act.

3. The Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act (H.R. 4001), which allows for refinancing of student debt and for borrowing limits up to the cost of attendance for medical and dental students and residents.

From left to right: Dr. Andrew Grillo, Dr. Austin Foster, Dr. Spencer Pope, Dr. Aron Dellinger, Dr. Pranav Patel, Dr. Ben Youel.

Penni Ryan Receives President's Award from the Iowa Dental Association
May 25, 2018

Penni Ryan was presented with the President's Award on May 4,2018 during the 2018 Annual Session of the Iowa Dental Association. The award was given in recognition of Penni's dedication and service to the dental profession in Iowa. Penni received her BLS and certificate in Aging Studies from the University of Iowa and also has certificates in Program Planning and Executive Leadership. Penni has served as president of the Omicron Upsilon Kappa (OKU), Mu Chapter dental fraternity; served as secretary and chair for the Association of Continuing Dental Education and as the secretary, chair and councilor for the American Dental Education Association, Section on CE. She has received the Board of Regents Award for Staff Excellence, the Pride of CASE District Silver Award for the Best Capital/Comprehensive Building Campaign, the Special Appreciation Award from the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the Special Recognition Award from the IDA and the 2017 Honorary Recognition of the Year Alumni Award. She has received numerous Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation grants and has worked at the college for 27 years.

Dr. David Jones Appointed Examiner for the American Board of Orthodontics
May 25, 2018

Dr. David Jones has been appointed as an examiner for the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). This prestigious appointment by the ABO is reserved for elite orthodontists in the United States who have established themselves as leaders in the specialty.

The ABO is the certifying board for the specialty of orthodontics in the United States and is recognized and approved by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association. It is overseen by a nine-member Board of Directors. The objective of ABO is to elevate the standards of orthodontics through certification and maintenance of the certification process. The goal of certification is ultimately to improve patient care by improving the skill, decision-making, communication, and excellence of orthodontists.

IASDA Marches on Capitol Hill
May 18, 2018

Written by Ryan Mooneyham

The Iowa chapter of the American Student Dental Association (IASDA) traveled to Washington D.C. from April 8-10 to join with other ASDA chapters to lobby on behalf of dental students across the nation. Student delegates from IASDA spoke with several representatives and both senators from Iowa to support legislation important to the dental profession.

Higher education issues were at the forefront of every meeting on the Hill, and IASDA petitioned for more favorable interest rates, terms, and the preservation of public loan forgiveness programs for Federal Student Loans. We also discussed the opioid epidemic that is currently plaguing the country. In these congressional meetings, IASDA came out strongly in favor of a newly adopted opioid policy from the American Dental Association. This policy, which is the first of its kind among professional organizations, supports required continuing education for prescribers, imposes a seven-day limit on the prescription of opioids for the treatment of acute pain, mandates the use of prescription drug monitoring programs, and aims to improve the quality of state prescription drug monitoring programs. Among other issues brought up by IASDA delegates in these meetings was the Action for Dental Health Act, which allows events like the Mission of Mercy and Give Kids a Smile to apply for direct funding from the Federal Government. The passage of this bill would expand the scope of these events, increase their reach, and benefit to underserved communities.

The American Dental Association and State Dental Associations were also present to lobby on behalf of practicing dentists. Members of the Iowa Dental Association were hard at work speaking on issues such as the McCarran-Ferguson Repeal for Health Insurance and lobbying for passage of the Dental and Optometric Care Access Act of 2017 (DOC Access Act). The repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act would allow the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the full range of antitrust laws against improper conduct among health insurance companies, a policy that is currently omitted in the McCarran-Ferguson law. Antitrust laws stimulate lower prices, advance innovation, and allow a greater number of options for consumers. The DOC Access Act would make it unreasonable for dental and vision insurance plans to set fees for service in which the plans have no financial liability. This bill would level the playing field regarding how insurance companies dictate the services covered by dental and optometric professionals, creating more competition among insurance providers for the benefit of both the patient and practitioner.

Student Lobby Day is a unique opportunity that allows students to lend their voices to enact change within the dental profession. IASDA’s trip to Washington D.C. was a humbling but truly rewarding experience. And even though most of the time was dedicated to the legislative issues at hand, IASDA members did get an opportunity to explore the city as we took in the historic sites, witnessed the world-famous Cherry Blossom Festival, and networked with a multitude of dentists and congressional leaders.

Back Row (L-R): Dr. Valerie Peckosh, Dr. Maria Fuller, Dr. Martin Gleason, Dr. John Arend, Thanh Nguyen, Donte Nesbitt, Daniel Malloy, Ryan Mooneyham

Front Row (L-R): Alison Christensen, Elaine Boosalis, Grace Moore, Ruchira Laroia

Vislisel Awarded Grant from the American Association of Endodontics Foundation
May 18, 2018

Dr. Jered Vislisel, a first-year Endodontics students in the Advanced Program, was awarded an American Association of Endodontics Foundation grant titled Application of Gene-activating BMP-2/FGF-2 Scaffolds for Dental Pulp Capping for the amount of $10,833.49. Dr. Vislisel's mentors are Drs Bruno Das Neves Cavalcanti and Dr. Cristina Vidal (Operative Dentistry). Dr. Aliasger Salem from the College of Pharmacy will also be supporting the research.

This study will evaluate the efficacy of gene activating scaffolds for direct pulp capping, more specifically for the BMP-2 and FGF-2 genes, which have been demonstrated as being active in pulp repair and dentin bridge formation. The researchers will use two different approaches: in vitro, on dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) cultures, by evaluating cytotoxicity, mineralization effects (ALP activity and alizarin red staining) and expression of odontogenic markers on DPSCs; and an ex vivo tooth culture model, to assess the reparability induced by these scaffolds when compared to MTA. It is hypothesized that the use of BMP-2/FGF-2 plasmid DNA loaded scaffolds will not induce cytotoxic reaction on DPSC and will promote cell differentiation and formation of mineralized tissue. It is also expected that when applied to an ex vivo tooth culture model, this approach will have results comparable to MTA, currently used as the gold standard for this procedure.

Dr. Michelle McQuistan and Dr. John Warren Installed as Presidents of the the American Association of Public Health Dentistry and the American Board of Dental Public Health
May 11, 2018

Several students, faculty, and staff gave poster or oral presentations at the National Oral Health Conference in Louisville, KY on April 16-18. During the conference, Dr. Michelle McQuistan and Dr. John Warren were installed as Presidents of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) and the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH), respectively.

Because dental public health is a relatively small specialty, being president involves a great deal of planning, preparation, and work. The ABDPH is responsible for developing and administering board examinations for dentists that are specializing in dental public health. Each board member is highly involved in these activities, and Dr. Warren said that it is a great honor to have the position, since he is one of those “entrusted to maintain the standards of the specialty and certify new specialists.”

One of Dr. Warren’s chief goals for his upcoming term as president is to foster a better working relationship between the board of directors and the dental public health program directors. He has a unique role to play, since he is both the president of the board and the program director for dental public health here at Iowa.

Dr. McQuistan and Dr. Warren follow a long tradition of service from UI faculty. Dr. Ray Kuthy and Dr. Steve Levy have also served as ABDPH president.

Michele Bills Appointed as VP for the Iowa Dental Assistant Association
Apr 29, 2018

Michele Bills RDA, CDA, EFDA, was appointed as the vice president for the Iowa Dental Assistant Association during the 100^th Anniversary of the Iowa Dental Assistant Association Annual Session held on April 20-21 in Iowa City. Michele has been with the College of Dentistry for almost 3 years and works in the Faculty General Practice, Admissions Clinic, and the Operative Resident Clinic. She has been an active member of the IDAA for the past 8 years, and she served as the secretary and a delegate for the 2017-2018 term. The 100^th Anniversary of the IDAA was well received with over 150 attendees, 9 of which were past presidents. On Saturday, April 21, a gift bag and lunch was provided for attendees as they earned continuing education hours covering topics such as whitening, jurisprudence, bonding, and radiology. Dental assisting students from all across the state presented table clinics on "100 years of dental assisting: overcoming challenges year by year." Please mark your calendars for the 101^st IDAA Annual Session that is tentatively scheduled for April 26-27, 2019.

The College Takes Research Advocacy to Washington D.C.
Apr 13, 2018

As state and federal government agencies seek to make budget cuts, it has become even more important for institutions of higher education to explain the crucial role of scientific research for our communities. On February 27, three representatives of the College of Dentistry— Matthew Oishi, Stacey Howes, and Dean David Johnsen—were doing this important work as they took part in the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Advocacy day is an annual event where representatives recommend increased support for dental, oral health, and craniofacial research. More particularly, Oishi and Howes were advocating for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). This funding has been crucial to the on-going research projects at the college and to Iowa more generally.

Both Oishi, a second-year resident in dental public health, and Howes, a fourth-year dental student, have served as Vice President of the AADR’s National Student Research Group (NSRG)—a student-run organization that aims to encourage dental research as part of dental education.

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry has a long history of encouraging and supporting student research as part of its research mission. Many students in the college’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program conduct research, and their ability to understand, evaluate, and conduct their own research helps ensure that new generations of dentists are able to learn, grow, and develop as dentists long after they have left dental school—taking the very best research and applying it on behalf of their patients.

Howes’ experience conducting research at the college has been formative for her, and she is a passionate advocate for how that research can benefit the larger community. “We can already see the benefits of using silver diamine fluoride because of research, and we have been promoting the proper use of opioids within the dental profession since at least the 1980s under the leadership of Dr. Baker and Dr. Marek,” said Howes.

She indicated that the college’s commitment to student research sets the University of Iowa apart from other dental colleges. “With every new development , we are taught to ask, ‘Is it true?’, ‘Does it make sense?’, and ‘Does it matter?’,” Howes said. Students are taught how to both rigorously identify and understand quality research and apply that research in a clinical setting. “In a clinical setting, you have to know what to do and why you do it. It needs to be both statistically significant and clinically significant. That’s what research does for you,” Howes said.

Although Howes primarily emphasized the translational and clinical applications of research, she was equally passionate about basic science research. “Basic science and clinical trials go hand in hand. Without basic science , dentistry won’t be able to develop.” Changes in the basic sciences today will build a bridge to future translational and clinical research. Recognizing these trends are vital for oral health care professionals. Without a strong commitment to research, Howes said, “You’ll find dentists who are doing the exact same procedures that they learned 50 years ago in dental school.” The state of Iowa has already benefitted greatly from the college’s commitment to student research as nearly 80% of Iowa dentists earned their degree at the University of Iowa.

Oishi, who earned his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) from the University of Pennsylvania, has been impressed by how the College of Dentistry values research as part of quality patient care, but he was also worried about the long-term implications of previous reductions in research funding for the NIH and potential future cuts. “We are really coming to a watershed moment with regard to global competitiveness in science and technology R&D. We are already starting to see the effects of brain drain where researchers are seeing better opportunities and more funding in other countries,” said Oishi.

Oishi and Howes are excited about opportunities to continue their advocacy. The local student research group here at the college plans to coordinate with another student research group in Wisconsin, and Howes said that they are looking for a new first- or second-year dental student to become active in the AADR’s National Student Research Group. If you are a first- or second-year student and you would like to hear more, please reach out to Howes or Oishi!

Dr. Steven Fletcher Appointed Examiner for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Apr 06, 2018

Dr. Steven L. Fletcher has been appointed as an examiner for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS). This prestigious appointment by the ABOMS is reserved for elite surgeons in the United States who have established themselves as leaders in the specialty.

The ABOMS is the certifying board for the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the United States and is recognized and approved by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association. It is overseen by an eight-member Board of Directors. The objective of ABOMS is to elevate the standards of oral and maxillofacial surgery through a certification and maintenance of certification process that fosters excellence and encourages learning, thus promoting the delivery of superior health care.

Dr. Bruno Cavalcanti Appointed to AADR Constitution Committee
Apr 06, 2018

At the 2018 AADR meeting, Dr. Bruno Cavalcanti was nominated and appointed as a member of the AADR Constitution Committee for a three-year term ending at the completion of the 2021 AADR Annual Meeting. His committee is responsible for reviewing the constitution and bylaws of the AADR, advising the Council regarding essential revisions, and monitoring compliance of the activities of the Division with the Constitution among other responsibilities. Dr. Cavalcanti joins Dean David Johnsen, who serves on the Government Affairs Committee, and Dr. David Drake who serves as treasurer on the AADR Board of Directors.

Dr. Azeez Butali Contributes to Newborn Screening Program Resource
Apr 06, 2018

Azeez Butali recently wrote about newborn screening procedures and communicating across cultural barriers in a health-care context. The work was part of a larger volume that interviewed a host of experts on the Newborn Screening Program, and it was supported by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Iowa Newborn Screening Program, the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hopsital, and the University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory. In his contribution, Dr. Butali drew from both his scholarly expertise and his family's personal experience with newborn screenings. An excerpt of Dr. Butali's interview is below.

Access to care is as important as information about care. Some families have limited access to care due to socio-economic situtations or location (with little or no means of commuting. Again, regardless of whether the care or treatment is important, the economic situation and cost of treatment will be deciding factors and in most cases jeopardize the chances of the child getting continuous care.

Read Dr. Butali's full contribution here.

Delta Dental Awards Dr. Arwa Owais Grant for Dental Student Groups
Apr 06, 2018

Delta Dental of Iowa awarded Dr. Arwa Owais an $8,124 grant to help support four dental student organizations. The funds will be used to support the Dental Public Health Club, the Pediatric Dentistry Student Club, the Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA), and the Student Research Group. The funds will be used to support on-going efforts of these groups to improve oral health outcomes across Iowa. More specifically, the Dental Public Health Club funds will be used to bring in important scholars in dental public health and related fields, and the Student Research Group will help fund the publication costs of the research day booklet that contains the abstracts and findings of student researchers. The Pediatric Dentistry Student Club and the HSDA both provides service opportunities for their students—the pediatric group provides a dental screening for children in cooperation with the Iowa Children’s Museum, and the HSDA provides oral health screenings and education, and applies fluoride to prevent disease in Hispanic children and adults. The funds from the grant will be used to help fund these student service opportunities.

Make your ONE DAY FOR IOWA for the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics
Feb 21, 2018

On Wednesday, April 4, Hawkeyes everywhere will have the opportunity to make a difference by taking part in One Day for Iowa, the University of Iowa’s 24-hour giving day. Gifts made during One Day for Iowa will go further through challenge matches and friendly competitions, which means that your support may have an even greater impact on Iowa’s students, faculty, and staff.

Nate Kaeding (04BA, 15MBA) is ready to make a difference. “I am proud to have made the first gift during the inaugural One Day for Iowa, and I’m going to try and do it again!” says Kaeding. “I challenge all UI alumni and friends to give back on April 4.”

We hope you will donate online at 1Day.uiowa.edu on April 4 and show the true power of our generous Hawkeye community.

News & Events

News 2018

Services

QuickLinks

Contact Us

Faculty / Staff