College of Dentistry Newsletter | Volume XXVIII, No. 1
2020 College of Dentistry News, Issue 1
Top Stories | College Round-Up | Achievements
Top Stories
Welcome to Our New Advanced Standing Students

The College of Dentistry's revitalized Advanced Standing Dental Program allows dentists who are educated outside of the United States, and who are U.S. citizens, the opportunity to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. We are excited to welcome four advanced standing students who joined our second-year dental class in January 2020.

Pictured left to right:

Rooh Afza received a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Farooqia Dental College and Hospital/Ravjiv Gandhi University of Health & Sciences in Mysore, India, a Master of Business Administration in health care services from Sikkim Manipal University in Gangtok, India, and a Master of Dental Surgery from the Oxford Dental College & Hospital/Rajiv Gandhi University of Health & Sciences in Bangalore, India. Most recently, Rooh was a dental assistant in Roswell, Ga.

Ramanpreet Randhawa received a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Genesis Institute of Dental Sciences and Research in Ferozepur, India, and completed an externship at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans, La. Most recently, Raman was a dental hygienist in Daytona, Fla.

Julie A. Marshall, D.D.S., M.S., associate professor and director of the Advanced Standing Dental Program.

Kiran Shahid received a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Baqai Dental College in Karachi, Punjab, Pakistan, and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry fellowship at Case Western Reserve University's School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Most recently, Kiran was a dental assistant in Los Angeles, Calif.

Karla A. Mejia received a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from National Autonomous University of Honduras in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and a master's degree in orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedics from the Catholic University of Honduras in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Most recently, Karla was a dental and orthodontics assistant in Newton, Kan.
Dialogue with the Dean:
Digital Dentistry with
Gregory Bennett, D.M.D.

The college's new digital dentistry laboratory is now fully operational; all the technology and equipment needed to educate our students in digital dentistry has been installed.

Dean Guthmiller talks with Gregory Bennett, D.M.D., assistant professor, about:
  • how digital dentistry is revolutionizing oral health
  • how the college's digital dentistry classes are already benefiting students
  • how the college's focus on digital dentistry sets us apart from other dental schools

Rear Admiral Timothy Ricks to discuss Surgeon General's 2020 Report on Oral Health on Feb. 11

Rear Admiral Timothy Ricks, Chief Dental Officer for the U.S. Public Health Service, will be visiting the College of Dentistry on:

Tuesday, February 11
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Rear Admiral Ricks will be discussing the forthcoming Surgeon General’s 2020 Report on Oral Health which documents progress in oral health since publication of the first report in 2000. The new report will also describe key issues that currently affect oral health, identify challenges and opportunities that have emerged since publication of the first report, articulate a vision for the future, and call upon all Americans to take action.

About Rear Admiral Ricks: Dr. Ricks advises the Office of the Surgeon General and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the recruitment, assignment, deployment, retention, and career development of oral health professionals. He holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Nevada-Reno and received his dental degree from the University of Mississippi. Dr. Ricks completed a dental public health residency with the Indian Health Service and is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health and a fellow of the International College of Dentists.
Special Children's Dental Day screenings on Feb. 11

In an effort to provide dental services to more Lincoln children in need, the college will be offering free dental screenings (exam, x-rays, treatment plan) on:

Tuesday, February 11
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.


Details:
  • Children who are uninsured and 12 years old or younger are eligible for a free screening.
  • Walk-ins only; appointments not available. Parents or legal guardians should bring their children to the College of Dentistry and check-in at the front desk. Patient parking is available. 
  • Children may qualify for additional no-cost dental treatments at the College of Dentistry’s Children’s Dental Day on March 6, 2020. 

This event is being advertised to students in Lincoln public schools. If you know local children in need, please invite them to this event to receive a free dental screening.
Wahl receives UNMC Distinguished Scientist Award

James Wahl, Ph.D., has received UNMC's Distinguished Scientist Award which is given to researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years. Dr. Wahl will be recognized at a ceremony on March 3 at 4:00 p.m. at the Durham Research Center Auditorium on UNMC's Omaha campus.

"It’s wonderful to be recognized for our work at the College of Dentistry. This gives me the confidence that our research momentum will continue to grow through the student projects and faculty projects we’re lucky enough to contribute to. I'd like to thank the college, our Dean for Research, and Dean Guthmiller for the wonderful support," Dr. Wahl said.

Dr. Wahl explains his research: "Our group studies the cells that make up skin and the cells that line the oral cavity. During wound healing, cells interact with neighboring cells to close the wound. We are interested in the protein complexes that allow these cells to interact with their neighbors and form a protective barrier, and are working to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating cell adhesion."

"Our laboratory has been fortunate to have fantastic collaborators within UNMC and beyond. The people we’ve worked with are what I remember most. During our studies we have generated a wide range of tools to investigate cell adhesion complexes and assist our collaborators. It’s been humbling and exciting to watch these collaborators in a variety of fields use our tools to expand many different fields."
College Round-Up
Students practice navigating difficult situations at annual Ethics & Professional workshop

The college's annual Ethics and Professionalism workshop for second-year dental students and third-year dental hygiene students was held on January 17 at the UNL College of Law.

The workshop included comments from Yun Saksena, B.D.Sc., M.M.Sc., D.M.D., about how the college values ethical and professional behavior and a presentation from Steven E. Haas, D.M.D., J.D., M.B.A., about the principles of ethics (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice and veracity). Students had the opportunity to participate in group discussions led by faculty members and residents on how to navigate difficult situations. A variety of topics were discussed, including the importance of displaying professional behavior at all times, pain medication prescribing practices, presenting treatment options to patients, and appropriate patient/provider interactions and relationships.
“Our class learned how to navigate a variety of situations that we may face in our professional lives. I was glad to have the opportunity to hear advice from many faculty on how they have handled tough situations and ethical dilemmas throughout their careers. This will be very useful information as we transition into the clinic.” 

Katie Moncrief, second-year dental student
“This workshop provided an opportunity to communicate with faculty and other dental students over difficult ethical topics that present themselves in a dental setting. Being able to discuss and illuminate possible solutions collaboratively with peers was a valuable way to learn about ethics in the dental field.”

Samantha Beal, third-year dental hygiene student
"This workshop allowed students to identify ethical principles and discuss possible ways situations could best be handled. I most enjoyed how engaged the students were in the small group discussion and the interaction that occurred between dental and dental hygiene students and faculty."

Todd Junge, B.S.D.H., assistant professor, department of dental hygiene
Students gain insight and excitement about endodontics from world-renowned endodontist

The college's annual Weeth Lecture was held on January 10 at the Kimball Recital Hall on UNL's City Campus. The speaker was Dr. Sergio Kuttler, a world-renowned endodontist and co-founder of the International Dental Institute Forever Learning (IDIFL) and founder of the International Endodontic Institute (IEI). His presentation was titled 'Making Sense of File Systems and Scientifically Proven 3D Obturation.'

Third- and fourth-year dental students attended to learn more about the endodontics specialty and the endodontics residents had the chance to meet Dr. Kuttler.
"This year's Weeth Lecture was especially memorable, as it focused on the best field of dentistry: endodontics! Dr. Kuttler is a world-renowned influence in our specialty, and his research and innovation in endodontics is remarkable. He is extremely passionate, and continually pushes the envelope, while also reminding the audience to defend with evidence-based opinion."

Kiya Stack, D.D.S., postgraduate resident, endodontics
"The Weeth Lecture allowed me to see a different side of endodontics - that there are multiple ways to treat a tooth. I now better understand that what we learn in school is a great framework, but learning continues throughout our careers."

Zachary Pederson, third-year dental student
"I hope my lecture encouraged the participants to constantly acquire new knowledge to improve themselves and to become better health care providers for their patients."

Dr. Sergio Kuttler
New Faculty Spotlight: Claire Koukol, D.D.S.

Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry 
 
Hometown: Bellevue, Neb.
 
Degrees:  D.D.S., pediatric residency, UNMC
B.A., biology and business management, Gustavus Adolphus College 
 
Teaching responsibilities: Clinical faculty for pediatric residents and dental students.
 
Research/professional interests: Parental presence in the operatory during procedures and prevention of early childhood caries.
 
How I fell in love with dentistry: I loved my dentist growing up and have always loved working with children. I love what I get to do each day!
 
Three things people may not know about me:
  • I love to travel, especially to places where I can ski or scuba dive. 
  • I’ve perfected making French macaroons.
  • I coach figure skating and skated competitively growing up. 

Professional memberships: AAPD, American Dental Association, Nebraska Dental Association, Omaha District Dental Association, UNMC College of Dentistry Alumni Board Member
Achievements
McClain receives NUSmiles scholarship

Tim McClain, D.D.S., pediatric dentistry resident, has received a scholarship to attend the 2020 NuSmiles Summit, a continuing education event being held in February 2020 in Cabos San Lucas, Mexico. The summit will feature leaders in pediatric dentistry speaking on a wide array of topics.

In his scholarship application, Dr. McClain talked about his passion for providing exceptional patient care and treating diseases while maintaining esthetics.

"My motivation for entering residency training was to learn the techniques available to provide superior esthetics. I value the opportunity to attend the upcoming NuSmile Summit and learn techniques that will allow me to better serve my patients," Dr. McClain said.
Shropshire receives Master of Health Professions Teaching and Technology

Jaimee Shropshire, R.D.H., P.H.-R.D.H., M.H.P.T.T., clinical instructor, dental hygiene, received her M aster of Health Professions Teaching and Technology degree from UNMC in December 2019.

"UNMC’s Master of Health Professions Teaching and Technology (MHPTT) program provided me a solid foundation in the sciences of teaching and learning in the health professions. The program prepared me to integrate technology into teaching and learning settings while following best practices and instructional design principles," Jaimee said.

"Through the program I gained the skills necessary to explore, integrate and assess the use of technology to effectively teach students in the health professions. I enjoyed the opportunity to complete all courses online and the opportunity to work with other health professionals (i.e. pediatrician, medical laboratory scientist, sonographer, radiographer) - a great interprofessional experience."
Grateful student story

Nagamani Narayana, D.M.D., M.S., associate professor, oral biology, recently received the following thank you letter from a former student, Erica Dickmeyer, class of 2018.

"I've now learned why oral pathology is important in our practice and why it is so important to take pantomographs. I had a patient who hadn't seen a dentist in five years. His last pano from his previous office from 2011 did not reveal a lesion, but his pano taken at our office did. I referred the patient for a medical scan which revealed a cystic lesion. This cyst grew in an eight year time frame or less. I now understand why it's very important that we take panos as frequently as we do in our profession. Thanks for teaching us!"
College of Dentistry Fast Facts

Started in 2003, the purpose of the Western Division Dental Hygiene Program is to recruit, educate and retain dental hygienists in rural Nebraska. More than 80% of recent graduates have remained in rural communities to start their careers. The program also provides rural Nebraskans increased access to dental care as students provide care at the Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska.
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Erin Wirth, Communications Specialist
UNMC College of Dentistry | unmc.edu/dentistry