Top Stories | College Round-Up | Achievements

The following stories feature team members at each of our locations and the great things they are accomplishing. The College of Dentistry's students, faculty and staff continue our long-standing tradition of excellence year after year.

Students star in new recruitment and alumni video

In this month's Dialogue with the Dean, Dean Guthmiller talks with several students about what's happening at the College of Dentistry. This video is currently being shown to applicants who are interviewing at the college and alumni and includes pictures showing the transformation of the new clinical and virtual simulation laboratory and digital design studio from the start of the project in May 2019 to the completion in October 2019.

Featured students include:

Watch the video on YouTube.

From left: Jay Hansen, D.D.S., director of advanced education in general dentistry, Kathleen Ausman, D.D.S., director of general practice residency; Janet Guthmiller, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry; Amir Farhangpour, D.D.S., assistant dean for Omaha Clinics, Omaha; and Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., chancellor of UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Ribbon-cutting at UNMC College of Dentistry Dental Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center

This story was picked up by the Associated Press, appeared in 71 national and international publications, and was seen by 14 million people.  View event pictures.

The College of Dentistry cut the ribbon on a $2.6 million renovation of their Omaha dental clinic at the Durham Outpatient Center on October 14.

"The proximity of this clinic to our clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, sets a new standard for care as it allows us to provide for the oral health care needs of patients," said Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.

The complete facility renovation expands the dental clinic from seven dental chairs to 15, adds multipurpose rooms for special procedures, updates all the dental operatories, adds a conference room and updates the sterilization lab, reception area and support spaces.

"This renovation allows the clinic to now serve as a rotation site for our dental students and dental hygiene students who are able to come alongside and learn and serve the citizens of this area and beyond," said Janet Guthmiller, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry.

Jay Hansen, D.D.S., director of advanced education in general dentistry, Kathleen Ausman, D.D.S., director of general practice residency, and Amir Farhangpour, D.D.S., assistant dean for Omaha Clinics, Omaha, joined Drs. Gold and Guthmiller in cutting the ribbon, officially marking the completion.

The growth of the dental clinic allows the College of Dentistry to increase the number of patients they serve, as well as accommodate a new residency program, Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), headed by Dr. Hansen, and current General Practice Residency Program, headed by Dr. Ausman.

Speaking to attendees, Dr. Hansen pointed to the facility's comfortable environment for patients, more efficient flow for patient management and care, and accessibility for patients with compromised mobility and complex medical conditions.

"The new digital dentistry space gives our students access to more technology than ever before at the college. Not only will our students be able to practice their skills at designing restorations, they will be able to turn those designs into final products using a top-of-the-line lab grade mill or 3D printing.

The digital revolution in dentistry is in full swing. With the new lab and equipment, we can outpace other schools in digital dentistry education and innovation."

Gregory Bennett, D.M.D., assistant professor, adult restorative dentistry

We will be highlighting how the digital design studio is benefiting other faculty and students in future editions of News Bites.

"The new simulation lab is very intuitive and innovative. From the moment I walk inside, I can't help but feel amazed by how much has changed. The new simodonts give an in-depth virtual and tactile experience of preparing a tooth with amazing feedback on how I can improve myself, which is a surreal experience."

Sunit Patel, second-year dental student

"The new technology in the lab is amazing! It is great to be able to see our instructors' demonstrations from our work spaces. This has really made it easier to follow along step-by-step through procedures."

Mitchell Kaus, second-year dental student

We will be highlighting how the clinical and virtual simulation laboratory is benefiting other faculty and students in future editions of News Bites.

Dr. Spencer Burton and Dr. Laura Videtich teach students at Spring Lake Magnet Elementary in south Omaha what to expect when visiting a dentist. 

Pediatric dental residents visit Omaha Head Starts to teach oral health habits

The pediatric dental residency program partners with Omaha Public Schools each fall to provide oral health education to students. They take Mr. Flossie on the road to visit Omaha Head Start classrooms. The students are taught about good brushing habits, healthy food choices and what to expect when visiting the dentist, and are given a toothbrush and toothpaste. 

This fall, the pediatric dental outreach program reached more than 950 preschool children and provided more than 200 dental screenings.

"For some of these kids, this is their first visit with a dentist. It’s great to be able to interact with the kids and talk with them about taking care of their teeth and developing healthy eating habits."

Spencer Burton, D.D.S., pediatric dentistry resident

Gering dental hygiene program receives grant to provide oral assessments and education during pediatric wellness visits

Most parents know the importance of regular medical visits for young children, but few parents understand how oral health is connected to overall health and recognize the importance of scheduling dental visits for young children.

The UNMC College of Dentistry West Division Dental Hygiene Program will be partnering with the UNMC College of Nursing and Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska to provide easier access to early dental care by incorporating oral assessment and education into pediatric wellness visits.

The project, which is supported by a $25,000 grant from the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation, will be a collaborative and integrated approach to care delivery between a dental hygiene provider and primary care provider at the Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska Health Center in Gering, Nebraska.

"I am really excited about this collaborative project with the UNMC College of Nursing and Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska. By utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach (nursing and dental hygiene), we will educate children and parents/guardians on dental and medical health during a single visit, thus increasing awareness of the oral-systemic link. This also will remove a barrier of having to schedule multiple appointments and will increase access to care."

Lisa J. Moravec, R.D.H., M.S., coordinator and assistant professor, dental hygiene

Volunteers needed for SHARING Clinic on November 7

This semester's SHARING Clinic will be Thursday, November 7, from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the College of Dentistry, Lincoln.

SHARING Clinics started in 2008 as a way to help address the oral health needs of the underserved in Nebraska. Many SHARING Clinic cases are complex and represent dental emergencies with pain, swelling and fever.

All faculty and students are encouraged to participate. Contact Dr. David Brown ( [email protected] ) for more information on how to get involved.

Community Outreach: Dental hygiene students distribute oral health items at the Whitehall Fall Festival in Lincoln on October 19.

Annual BBQ/Renovation Celebration: On left, students enjoy the annual BBQ in Lincoln on October 1. On right, dental hygiene students in Gering join in on the celebration.

See more pictures on Facebook.

Building Awareness of the College of Dentistry: The College of Dentistry has a renewed focus on increasing awareness of the college and our comprehensive dental services among the Lincoln community. Many relationships have been built and creative marketing activities have evolved.

New relationships include: Speedway Motors, College of Hair Design, The Hub, Lincoln Children's Zoo, Southeast Community College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Involvement, Lincoln Children's Museum's Have a Heart Program, Lincoln's Active Aging Week, Lincoln Journal Star, and Lincoln's Thrive Active Expo. November's focus is on building more strategic relationships and producing a television commercial.

2019 Award Winners (l to r): Dr. Jennifer K. Kallio, Dr. Charles (Fritz) Craft, Dr. Eugene E. Keller, and Dr. Henry A. St. Germain, Jr.

College of Dentistry Alumni Association's 2019 Award Winners

The College of Dentistry Alumni Association held the annual alumni banquet at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln on October 4. Over 200 alumni and friends attended.

The following awards were presented:

Charles (Fritz) Craft, D.D.S., of Roca, '80, Distinguished Service Award

Eugene Keller, D.D.S., of Rochester, Minn., '65, Alumni Achievement Award

Jennifer Kallio, D.D.S., of Lincoln, Honorary Life Membership

Henry St. Germain, Jr., of Lincoln, D.M.D., Outstanding Educator Award

Read more about the award recipients.

Congratulations, Dr. Prem Premaraj, on new and ongoing appointments

Dr. Prem Premaraj has been elected as the 2019-2020 president of the IADR/AADR Craniofacial Biology group. He has been appointed as: proposal coordinator (symposia, hands-on workshop and breakfast breakthrough) for the IADR centennial session in Washington, D.C. in March 2020; examiner for the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) clinical examination; associate editor for the Sri Lanka Orthodontic Journal (SLOJ); and member of the steering committee (full-time faculty fellowship award program) for the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). Dr. Premaraj also serves in many other capacities for other organizations.