We welcomed the dental class of 2024 and dental hygiene class of 2022 to the College of Dentistry during New Student Orientation held Aug. 18-21. Orientation activities included color group bonding, meeting faculty and upperclassmen, learning about student organizations, participating in UNMC interprofessional education activities, and learning about things to do in Lincoln.

INFOGRAPHIC: Learn all about our newest class of dental students.

Bryce Byman (Red) | Nate Heimann (Blue) | Sophia Pankratz (Green) | Hope Wilke (Black)

The course was taught by Edward Kusek, DDS, a 1984 College of Dentistry alum, and included instruction and hands-on training with various types and applications of lasers in dentistry. Dr. Kusek has taught previous courses at the college and presents internationally on topics relating to implants and lasers.

Third-year dental students Logan Lawrence and Hibah Chughtai and second-year dental students Christine Scanlon, Shyamaly Premaraj, Ian Fullinfaw and Jordan Brozek organized and led a presentation focused on inclusivity that was held during the All College Conference on Aug. 21. The goal of the workshop was to lay the foundation for a sustained dialogue around inclusion within the college.

Members of the college community were offered opportunities to share their experiences related to inclusion. A series of anonymous statement reflections were read, there was a faculty panel discussion featuring Dr. Ali Nawshad and Dr. Luana Oliveira-Haas, and Dr. Sheritta Strong, director of inclusion at UNMC, spoke about implicit bias.

"The inclusivity program shed light on the role that inclusivity plays in the lives of students, faculty and staff. The program provided a platform for our colleagues to share their experiences of inclusivity that have held great gravity in their lives. These experiences not only provided a glimpse into the unspoken lives of those around us, but also helped us recognize the importance of accepting the differences that make each of us unique." - Hibah Chughtai, third-year dental student

"Inclusion affects everyone in the UNMC community: faculty, staff, students and patients. As health care practitioners, it's important that we understand that each of us has a unique perspective. The primary goal of our program was to lay the foundation for a more sustained dialogue around inclusion within our college. To every person involved, thank you for your time, your dialogue and your commitment." - Logan Lawrence, third-year dental student

The faculty advisor for this project was Dr. Yun Saksena.

VIDEO: Learn how the patient's treatment improved his quality of life, and how he transformed into a more enthusiastic and communicative young man.

This video appears in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and was featured on UNMC's main Twitter page and the College of Dentistry's social media channels.

Premaraj, Premaraj and Underwood publish "Ethnic variation of oral microbiota in children"

Sundaralingam Premaraj, BDS, MS, PhD, FRCD(C), associate professor, growth and development, Dr. Sheela Premaraj and former pediatric dentistry resident Dr. Kori Underwood studied variations in microbiota of the supragingival plaque in 96 children between 6 and 11 years old in four ethnic groups (African American, Burmese, Caucasian and Hispanic) from the same geographic location.

PUBLICATION: Learn how they discovered that supragingival microbiota differed among ethnicity groups in children.

Congratulations to Jillian Wallen, BDS, MS, assistant dean of extramural activities and outreach, for graduating from UNMC's Interprofessional Leadership for Excellence and Academic Development (iLEAD) Program.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in iLEAD. I have made connections across campus and across colleges that are very valuable to me. I plan to assist in implementing some of the lessons learned in iLEAD such as Design Thinking and support these activities at the college and campus level this fall," Wallen said.

"Participation in iLEAD cements your desire to be a strong leader for UNMC. As an introvert by nature, it has helped me find my voice on a campus level, and to better realize that my opinion matters."

INFORMATION: Learn more about iLEAD.

Ann Alexander was nominated and selected by the UNMC iEXCEL team as an Honorable Mention recipient for the iEXCEL Collaboration Award. Ann was nominated based on her rapid adoption and deployment of iWalls to advance education and training. Her overall contributions to the iEXCEL statewide outreach mission for the College of Dentistry educational initiatives was especially appreciated!

Maricarmen Venegas, Dental Assistant, Omaha Dental Clinic

Background: I graduated from the Midwest Dental Assistant School in 2017 and then worked in emergency dental care for three years.

Hometown: I spent part of my childhood in Mexico City, then moved to Fremont in 2003 and Omaha in 2013.

My family: I'm married and have two girls, ages seven and five, and a boy, age three.

Favorite thing to do on a day off: Spend time with my kids, go for walks and spend time outdoors.

Something unique about me: I have discovered sewing due to pandemic. I enjoy sewing masks for my kids and family members. 

The following individuals celebrated milestone UNMC service anniversaries in September!

Scott Morrison, clinical instructor

Deb Dalton, administrative business associate

Jintana Saowapa, researcher

Marcela Williams, pediatric dental clinic supervisor

Erin Wirth was a finalist for the Lincoln Journal Star's Inspire: Celebrating Women's Leadership Awards for Excellence in Philanthropy. This award recognizes women who excel in providing their time, talent or resources for the community. Erin works with several Lincoln nonprofit organizations in the areas of marketing, outreach, education and volunteer management, including the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Let's celebrate all our achievements! Send your achievements to Erin Wirth (erin.wirth@unmc.edu).