dentalum spring/summer 2007

For more information about

these and other continuing

dental education courses

contact:

University of Michigan

School of Dentistry

Office of Continuing

Dental Education

1011 N. University Avenue

Room G508

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078

www.dent.umich.edu.

Homecoming Weekend 2007

Thursday, October 11Emeritus Pinning Ceremony Time: 11:30 a.m. Location: Room G390

Emeritus Class Picture Time: Noon Location: Foyer staircase outside the Sindecuse Museum

Emeritus Reunion and Hall of Honor Luncheon Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: Sindecuse Atrium

Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: Sindecuse Atrium

Friday, October 12 Morawa Lecture Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Location: Kensington Court Hotel, 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor Speaker: Bruce J. Crispin (DDS 1972, MS 1975), founder and director, Esthetic Professionals Dental Education Center, Tarzana, CA

Homecoming Dinner Celebration Honoring Dental and Dental Hygiene classes with graduation years

ending in 2 and 7. Doors open and registration begins: 6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception: 6:00 p.m. Dinner: 7:00 p.m. Location: Kensington Court Hotel, 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor

Saturday, October 13Alumni Association Go Blue! Tailgate Time: 3 hours before kickoff Location: Indoor Track Building

Football Game – University of Michigan vs. Purdue Time: Noon Location: The Big House

Upcoming Continuing Dental Education Courses

August 3, 2007 (Friday) and August 4, 2007 (Saturday)Clinical Update in Pediatric Dentistry

Speaker: Dr. Michael Ignelzi

This entertaining and informative course will provide timely and practical information for those in any practice who treat children. Subjects to be discussed include pulp therapy for primary and younger permanent teeth, caries risk assessment, the infant and toddler visit, and the most commonly found developmental anomalies and pathology in children.

Location: August 3, Crowne Plaza, 5700 28th St., S.E., Grand Rapids August 4, U-M School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor

October 5, 2007 (Friday)Bruised, Broken, and Bedeviled Teeth: Managing Traumatic Injuries

Speaker: Dr. Anthony DiAngelisProfessor, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and Chief of Dentistry, Hennepin County Medical Center

Learn the most current techniques for treating all manner of traumatic dental injuries as well as the medical and legal implications of dental implant surgery.

Location: U-M School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor

October 18, 2007 (Thursday)Esthetics in Orthodontics: State of the Art

Speaker: Dr. Bjorn ZachrissonDepartment of Orthodontics, University of Oslo (Norway)

Learn more about new concepts and guidelines for achieving a beautiful display of teeth, desirable crown torque variations of canines and posterior teeth in different facial types, and more.


DentalUM Spring & Summer 2007

1

This issue of DentalUM focuses on a subject that is probably asked about more than just about anything else – admissions. As our director of External Relations and Continuing Dental Education, Richard Fetchiet, says, “The two questions we hear most often from our alums are – ‘What is the admissions process at the U-M School of Dentistry?’ and ‘What must one do to be a competitive applicant to gain admission’?” When I travel to visit and talk to many of you, those questions are invariably raised in one form or another. This issue answers those questions and also provides a significant amount of very important information beginning on page 18. You will learn about how competitive the admissions process is…how the number of applications has surged in recent years…why it’s important for someone interested in pursuing a dental education to begin preparing as an undergraduate…how to apply online…what information an applicant must submit and keep track of…a timeline of important dates…campus visits and interviews…selection factors…and more. You will also learn more about those in our Office of Admissions who do an outstanding job of keeping track of thousands of pieces of information, including Dr. Marilyn Woolfolk, our assistant dean for student services, and those who work with her on behalf of interested applicants and candidates – Pattie Katcher, Jillian Yant, and Mary Gaynor. Also included is a story about the admissions process from the viewpoint of a student, Patrick McGrath, who will be joining us as a first-year dental student later this summer. After reading this issue, many of you may be surprised to learn our admissions process is not the same as it was previously. This is an informative publication that you may want to retain or pass along to someone you know who is considering applying to our great School.

Sincerely,

Peter J. Polverini, Dean

DentalUM magazine is published twice a year by the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Office of Alumni Relations and Continuing Dental Education.

Mail letters and updates to: Jerry Mastey, Editor, School of Dentistry, Room G532, 1011 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078. Or you may send your letters and updates via email to: [email protected].

Dean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter PolveriniDirector of External Relations andContinuing Dental Education . . . . . Richard Fetchiet Writer & Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry MasteyDesign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris JungPhotography . . . . . . Keary Campbell, Per H. Kjeldsen

Member publication of the American Association of Dental Editors

The Regents of the University: Julia Donovan Darlow, Laurence B. Deitch, Olivia P. Maynard, Rebecca McGowan, Andrea Fischer Newman, Andrew C. Richner, S. Martin Taylor, Katherine E. White, Mary Sue Coleman, ex officio.

University of Michigan School of DentistryAlumni Society Board of Governors

Terms Expire 2007:Samuel Bander, ’81, Grand Rapids, MIRichard L. Pascoe, ’70, Traverse City, MISusan Pritzel, ’67 DH, Ann Arbor, MI (chair)Terry Timm, ’71, Saline, MIJosephine Weeden, ’96, ’99, Saline, MI

Terms Expire 2008:William E. Brownscombe, ‘74, St. Clair Shores, MIJohn R. McMahon, ‘82, Grand Rapids, MIGeorge M. Yellich, ‘72, Los Gatos, CAHarold Zald, ‘79, West Bloomfield, MIJemma Allor, ‘00, Dental Hygiene, Mt. Clemens, MI

Terms Expire 2009:Charles Caldwell, ‘77, Grand Rapids, MIDaniel Edwards, ‘97, Ann Arbor, MIGary Hubbard, ‘78, Okemos, MIMetodi Pogoncheff, ‘76, Lansing, MIJanet Souder Wilson, ‘73, Dental Hygiene, Northville, MI

Student Representative: Casey Tenniswood (D4)

Ex Officio Members:Peter Polverini, DeanJanet Souder Wilson, ‘73, DH, Northville, MI Alumni Association LiaisonSteve C. Grafton , Executive Director, Alumni Assoc.Richard R. Fetchiet, Director of External Relations and Continuing Dental Education

The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex*, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Senior Director for Institutional Equity and Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator, Office for Institutional Equity, 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109-1432. (734) 763-0235, T.T.Y. (734) 647-1388. For other University of Michigan information, call (734) 764-1817.

* Includes discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression.

DentalUMOur School’sAdmission Process

Spring & Summer 2007 Volume 23, Number 1


2

COVER STORY

FEATURES

In This Issue . . .

18 The Admissions Process…and the Team that Makes it Work

What is the admissions process at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry? What must one do to be a competitive applicant to gain admission? Those are probably the most frequently asked questions of School of Dentistry administrators and those in the Office of Alumni Relations.

This issue of DentalUM answers those questions and others as it details the School’s admissions process and the team that makes it work. Members of the team include (standing) Drs. Marilyn Woolfolk and Marilyn Lantz and (seated, left to right): Jillian Yant, Pattie Katcher, Gale Jaynes, and Mary Gaynor.

Learn more about the admissions process, the timeline applicants must follow,

mini-profiles of those who help applicants and candidates, and other vital information. You may be surprised to learn the School’s admissions process is not the same today as it was thirty, twenty, or even ten years ago.

18 – What’s Involved: Getting Accepted at the U-M School of Dentistry 28 – Prospective Students Invited for Campus Visits and Interviews 32 – Advice from New Dental Student to Future Applicants

Design by Chris Jung, photo by Keary Campbell.

4 Dental Students in the (Elementary) Classroom When time permits, U-M dental students will go almost anywhere to

talk to interested individuals about the profession and the importance of good oral health. In response to a request from elementary school teacher Nicholas Husbye, three dental students recently traveled to Milan, Michigan, to talk to first-grade students about dentistry.

5 Big Turnout for Give Kids a Smile Program The turnout was better than expected. In early February, 95 children

from across southeast Michigan traveled with their parents or a relative to the U-M School Dentistry to receive free oral health care as part of the ADA’s Give Kids a Smile Program.

7 Filling a Critical Need – Community Outreach The School of Dentistry’s community outreach program continues to

fill a vital need throughout Michigan by providing oral health care to those in need. New statistics show the number of patients seen at eight sites across the state rose more than 21 percent and the number of procedures performed rose nearly 28 percent.

15 Oral Cancer: Perspectives from Two Survivors “Grateful Patient” Tells Dental Students: Oral Exams Vital An oral examination by a U-M School of Dentistry periodontal

alumnus saved Chuck Coté’s life. He recently described his experiences to 100 dental students and how each of them could make a difference in the lives of their patients.

Also, in a new, 10-minute video that is a part of a continuing dental education course dealing with oral cancer screening and prevention, another patient said, “If my dentist had not diagnosed my cancer, I would likely be dead by now.”

4

5

15


3

DEPARTMENTS

Spring & Summer 2007

34 Alumni Profiles — Dr. Charles and Dolores (Dee) Kelly Dentistry has been more than a profession and a passion for Dr. Charles

Kelly and his wife, Dee. It seems to be a family tradition of nearly 100 years…and will continue for the foreseeable future.

54 Faculty Profile — Dr. William Giannobile His father’s toss of a dart was a roll of the dice. Looking back, Dr. William

Giannobile learned important lessons about taking a chance, acquiring new skills, and applying previously-learned skills in a new environment that ultimately set the stage for his scientific and academic career.

71 “Let’s Face It” Facial Disfigurements Web Site Transferred to U-M

It seemed to be a simple question. But the question led to a whirlwind of activity that eventually involved the School of Dentistry, University Libraries, Mott Children’s Hospital, and the U-M Health System’s Craniofacial Team.

84 White Coat Ceremony

39 Development 39 – School at 92% of Fundraising Goal 40 – Fundraising Begins for New Endodontics Clinic 41 – New Gifts: Dr. and Mrs. Robert Aldrich, Drs. Richard Gardner, Allan

Jacobs, Jeffrey Halvorson, Sondra Gunn, Ludia Kim, Robert Sterken 45 – Homecoming Weekend 2006 46 – Drs. Craig and Striffler Inducted into Hall of Honor 50 – New Charitable IRA Offers Benefits only to December 31, 2007

53 Faculty News

58 Department Update: Periodontics and Oral Medicine

64 Dental Hygiene 64 – Dental Hygiene Student’s “Bold Move” Last summer, second-year dental hygiene student Meggan Aiuto-

Haselschwerdt took advantage of an educational buyout offer from an automotive supply company to pursue a life-long interest in oral health care. She’s glad she did.

73 Research News 73 – #1 in Research Grants 74 – Research Day 76 – Michigan Center for Oral Health Research Seeks to Benefit Patients Taking the knowledge discovered in research laboratories and applying

it to help patients in clinics has been the goal of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research since it opened in 2005.

87 Alumni News90 In Memoriam – Dr. Major Ash

64

54

71

34


44

DENTISTRY

“The students absorbed everything we said and were even more eager to participate,” Wickstra said. “I hope it’s the first of many opportunities to teach.” Wentzloff said it was gratifying to see the excitement and enthusiasm among all the students. “It was a rewarding experience and has inspired me to continue this in the community where I will practice,” he added. Husbye was impressed with the

curiosity of his students and the ability of the three dental students to connect with the youngsters. “The dental students surpassed all my expectations. They were personable and able to communicate with my students in ways they could understand,” he said. “Now some of my students are so interested that they’re talking about becoming dentists,” he said with a laugh.

Fifteen or twenty years from now, a former first-grade student in Milan, Michigan may be walking across the stage at Hill Auditorium to receive his or her dental degree, and it may be due to an appearance by U-M dental students. When time permits, U-M dental students will go almost anywhere to talk to interested individuals about the importance of good oral health and what it takes to become a dentist. In January, elementary school teacher Nicholas Husbye sent an e-mail to the School asking if someone would be interested in talking to his first-grade students. “I try to get students interested in different jobs they might want to consider, as well as their communities, how they can be helpers in so many different ways and how an education can prepare them for various careers,” Husbye said.

Dental Students in the (Elementary) ClassroomMilan School Teacher’s Initiative Sparks Curiosity of 1st Graders

Since February was Dental Health Month, he said, “I thought it would be interesting to have someone who is studying to become a dentist give my students an idea about what dentists do, what they study, and how they help people.” In February, dental students Ben Wickstra, Irene Haddock, and Tim Wentzloff traveled to the Paddock Elementary School to talk to about two dozen of Husbye’s first graders about the importance of good oral health and answered questions about becoming a dentist. The dental students brought several oversize toothbrushes and articulators to demonstrate the correct way to brush. Radiographs, stainless steel crowns, and floss were also taken to show the students what dentists use in their offices. The dental students also answered a range of questions about the dental profession.

Dental students Tim Wentzloff, Irene Haddock, and Ben Wickstra talk about good oral health care with first-grade students in Milan, Michigan.

Photo courtesy of Nicholas Husbye

Students look at radiographs dental student Ben Wickstra brought to the school.

Photo courtesy of Nicholas Husbye


55

DENTISTRY

Big Turnout for Give Kids a Smile Program

The turnout was better than expected. In February, 95 children from across southeast Michigan traveled with their parents or a relative to the U-M School of Dentistry to receive free oral health care as part of the American Dental Association’s annual Give Kids a Smile program. Students and clinical faculty provided cleanings, simple fillings, x-rays, and sealants. Although a student dentist didn’t see the first child until ten o’clock, parents began arriving with their children more than an hour before the program began. Assisting the 70 dental students and undergraduate volunteers were six faculty members, six pediatric residents, and five staff from the Office of Patient Services who worked at the information desk, dispensing, and central sterilization.

Dental Students Make Lasting Impression Before a student dentist saw them, many of the children enjoyed coloring a cartoon that emphasized the importance of oral health and overall health. As third-year dental student Macare Kelly walked in with her first patient, 6-year-old John, she told him what she was going to do. “I’m going to look in your mouth and count your teeth, and then I’m going to look for sugar bugs,” she told him. “Do you know what sugar bugs are?” she asked. After John moved his head left to right, Kelly told him, “They’re little things in your mouth that like to have parties with sugar, mess your teeth up, and give you cavities.” The rapport the student dentists

established with their young patients impressed many, including Barbara Vaillancourt who brought her 10-year-old nephew, Timmy Custer, in for an exam. “This is a great program. I’m really impressed,” she said. “The students have great rapport with the kids and explained things to them in such a way that it made it fun for them to learn about what was going to happen and why.”

Dental students enjoyed helping. “I did this last year and had so much fun that I wanted to come back again this year to participate,” said second-year dental student Scott Snyder. Amanda Bucklin, a third-year dental student, said “I really enjoying helping kids, especially the underserved and doing what I can to see to it that their

Eight-year-old Leteria Palmer-Yates watches the correct way to brush her teeth as second-year dental student Roua Al-Rawi demonstrates the procedure.

Jerry Mastey

Jerry Mastey

Third-year dental student Megan Hagerman examines 10-year-old Timmy Custer for possible caries.


66

DENTISTRY

oral health needs are taken care of.” Dental student Andrea Fraser, who organized the event, said, “Because of the generosity and enthusiasm o f s tudents , s ta f f , and facu l ty volunteers, along with the support of the Washtenaw District Dental Society and Kerr Dental, we were able to treat 95 children. This overwhelming turnout indicates the great need for events like this and other efforts to continue improving access to oral health care.” Representatives from the U-M Health Sciences Libraries were also present, distributing information about using the Internet as a resource to find health information.

Deborah Lauseng, a services coordinator, said one of the highlights was helping a f i fth grader who expressed an interest in starting a health club at her school. “She was so interested in the idea, that she came back a second time to talk to us,” Lauseng said. “She even gave us her principal’s name with the hope that someone will go to the school to talk about oral health.”

While they were waiting, youngsters spent their time coloring a sheet of paper that emphasized the importance of oral health and overall health.

Caroline Hong, a third-year dental student, asks Laneyla Robinson to help by holding the suction hose during her examination of the 7-year-old.

Jerry MasteyJerry Mastey

After the children were seen, first-year dental students Anthony Fasi and Natolya Thomas handed out “goody bags” with a toothbrush, floss, and information on how to maintain good oral health.


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DENTISTRY

Filling a Critical Need — Community OutreachMore than 21% Increase in Patients Seen & Procedures Performed

he University of Michigan S c h o o l o f D e n t i s t r y ’ s c o m m u n i t y o u t re a c h program continues to fill

a vital need of providing oral health care services throughout the state to those in need. New statistics show that between July 2005 and May 2006, the number of patients seen at eight sites across the state rose more than 21 percent. In addi t ion , the number o f procedures performed increased nearly 28 percent compared to a year earlier because of reinstatement of the state’s Medicaid benefits. [See chart.] The new statistics show that of the 7,694 patients seen, nearly 70 percent (5,232) had Medicaid coverage. M e a n w h i l e , o f t h e 1 5 , 7 2 4 procedures performed, 64 percent (about 10 ,100) were covered by Medicaid, a government-funded health insurance program for the poor and disabled. According to the Department of Community Health, Michigan now spends about $8 billion on the Medicaid program, about one-fourth of its budget, for medical, dental, and chiropractic services for about 1.5 million residents.

Program to Expand to Four Weeks During a meeting with the School’s community outreach partners at the Michigan League last fall, Dean Peter Polverini thanked them for working with the School and praised their

contributions. “You’re important to our students’ education, and I want to thank you for the value you add to that education,” he said. “Because they’re in your communities treating patients whose needs are often different than those they see in our clinics here in Ann Arbor, we hope that more of our students’ education will be community based in the future.” Dr. Bill Piskorowski, director of outreach and community affairs, said because of the collaboration between the School and outreach partners and the growing need for providing oral health care to those in need, the program will soon expand to four weeks from three weeks. Students will participate in two, two-week rotations that begin in June. Named outreach director by Polverini in February 2006, Piskorowski said that as he visited the sites (see page 10), “I was impressed with what I saw and the energy and the excitement that was present when students interacted with the patients and clinic administrators and staff.”

“Power of One” That excitement, he continued, was also apparent in “reflective papers” students wrote describing their experiences at the end of their rotations at the outreach sites. One essay Piskorowski read to the group was written by fourth-year dental student Rania Fetouh. [See pages 11 and 12.]

T

Dr. Bill Piskorowski, director of outreach and community affairs, talks about the importance of the School of Dentistry’s outreach program during a meeting with community clinic officials last fall.

Keary Campbell

School of DentistryFilling A Critical Need

Thousands

PatientsSeen

ProceduresPerformed

16

12

8

4

0

2004-

20052005

-2006

2005-

20062004

-2005

h21% h28%

6,345

7,694

12,312

15,724


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DENTISTRY

Piskorowski said her experiences

and those of other dental students

“demonstrates what I refer to as ‘The

Power of One,’ the difference one

person can make in another person’s

life.”

Dr. Marilyn Stolberg, director of

the Family Health Center in Baldwin,

agreed. “The students keep us on our

toes as providers,” she said. “Their

presence and energy challenge all of

us to do better.”

Kim Sibilsky, executive director of

the Michigan Primary Care Association,

praised the School of Dentistry for its

efforts. “Your program gives us great

hope that academic institutions

elsewhere can see the benefits of

having their students servae those

in underserved communities,” she

said.

Michigan Primary Care Association Executive Director Kim Sibilsky discussed the importance the School of Dentistry’s outreach program has in communities across the state.

Keary Campbell

A new Michigan law (PA 591) allows retired dentists to donate their expertise to care for and treat the needy and indigent, or individuals in medically underserved areas, by obtaining a special volunteer license. Previously, special volunteer licenses could only be obtained by retired physicians, doctors of optometry, and podiatrists. The Michigan Department of Community Health’s Licensing Board is expected to have a new system in place June 1, 2007, to accommodate retired dentists. Retired dentists interested in serving may apply if they meet these qualifications under the new law:

· The retired dentist must have a lapsed license.

· The retired dentist must seek to work specifically with the needy and be willing to sign an affidavit indicating he/she will work in an underserved area, receiving no compensation for services.

· If the dentist has not been practicing for three years or more, then he/she must document attending at least 2/3, or 40 hours of the 60 hours required, for continuing education courses.

Qualified retired dentists can apply for a special volunteer license online, after June 1, at: www.michigan.gov/healthlicense. Once they are at the site, they will select “Dentistry” in the list of options on the left, then “Volunteer Licensing.” For further information, please call the MDCH Licensing Board at (517) 335-0981.

New State Law BoostsVolunteer Dentistry


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DENTISTRY

Dr. Bill Piskorowski, who was in private practice for 27 years specializing in cosmetic and implant dentistry before being named director of outreach and community affairs, talked about the journey that led him to his new position. Mentioning an appointment he had when he was 17 years old to see his family’s dentist, Dr. Stanely Tulak, “I chickened out and didn’t go for three more years. When I did go, I paid the price, figuratively and literally,” Piskorowski said. “Dr. Tulak charged me one dollar to fill each of my seventeen cavities. He encouraged me to work off the debt by working in his lab. I think he did this to get me interested in this field.” When he finished working in the lab, Piskorowski said Tulak told him, “When you become a dentist, I would appreciate if you would return the favor I’ve given you and find a way to help someone else.” The remark remained with Piskorowski. “That experience and that remark changed my life,” he said. “As I look back, I realize that we in the oral health care profession have the ability to change people’s lives. It’s something I call ‘The Power of One’,” he said. Although he felt he was making a difference in people’s lives in private practice, Piskorowski said he began asking himself “What’s next?” when he was 50. That led him, about six years ago, to begin part-time teaching as a clinical instructor in the School’s 2 Blue Clinic. Three years ago, Piskorowski worked for about five months with Traverse City-based Dental Clinics North. The experience made a lasting impression. “It made me realize the great need there is for services to the underserved throughout our state,” he said. “I wanted to do something about it, so when the opportunity presented itself to become director of the outreach program, I applied and got the job.” Now that he’s been in charge for a little more than a year, Piskorowski said he’s thrilled to lead the School’s outreach program. “I want to enhance the experiences for our students and our outreach partners even more,” he said. “There is truth to the phrase, ‘The Power of One’. One person can make a difference,” he said. “It’s happened in my life, and now it’s happening in the lives of our students and their patients at the outreach sites. I’m thrilled to carry on Dr. Tulak’s legacy.”

“The Power of One”Keary Campbell

Dr. Bill Piskorowski


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DENTISTRY

MICHIGANCommunity Outreach Sites

Two New Outreach Sites to be Added

The School of Dentistry will soon be partnering with two new community health clinics in Michigan. Beginning in June, the

Ingham County Health Department in Lansing and Muskegon Family Health Center will be added to the list of outreach clinics

where fourth-year dental and dental hygiene students will provide oral health care under the supervision of clinic directors.

The new locations bring to 10, the number of outreach sites where dental students will provide oral health care during their

final year in the predoctoral program.

Muskegon

Oscoda

Ypsilanti

Lansing

Baldwin

Grand Rapids

Traverse City

Marquette

Saginaw

Baldwin Baldwin Family Health Center

Grand Rapids Cherry Street Health Services

Lansing Ingham Community Health Center

Marquette Bay Cliff Health Camp (summer)

Muskegon Hackley Community Care CenterFamily Health Center

Oscoda Alcona Health Center

Saginaw Health Delivery, Inc.

Traverse City Migrant Dental Clinic (summer)

YpsilantiWashtenaw Community CollegeHope Dental Clinic

OUTREACH SITES


1111

DENTISTRY

My rotations at the Wadsworth Dental Health Center in Saginaw, Michigan, made me realize how much help is needed in community outreach clinics. There, I worked on patients from different backgrounds and with various degrees of dental disease. I especially enjoyed treating patients who had very little access to dental care and needed professional help to relieve pain or restore function. These patients are often in extreme pain and have ignored their dental needs because of their f inancial situation. Often, clinics like Wadsworth are their only option. My second rotation at Wadsworth occurred the week before school started, so we saw many pediatric patients. One that I will always remember was a three-year-old boy needing teeth E and F extracted. I was shocked this child had such large carious lesions that would best be treated by extractions. It was a sad and humbling experience. I knew this child had suffered from extensive pain and was unable to do anything about it.

Questions ran through my mind. Why had the parents waited so long to seek dental treatment for their child? What was this little boy’s diet like? Did his parents know about early childhood caries and how it can affect their child’s permanent dentition? I felt sorry for him and felt an immediate obligation to help.

T h i s e x p e r i e n c e w a s b o t h emotionally difficult and challenging. It was his first time for dental treatment beyond a quick exam and screening. I could tell he was apprehensive by the way he tightly hugged his stuffed animal. So I took things slowly at first and applied the “tell, show, do” techniques we learned in our pediatric rotation during D2 and D3 years. But that worked for only the first few minutes. A f t e r a d m i n i s t e r i n g l o c a l anesthetic, it seemed as if all would fall apart. The boy screamed and squirmed as he clamped his mouth shut and refused to open. But with a little voice control and the help of my dental assistant we kept the child’s mouth open long enough to extract his teeth without causing any harm. After the teeth were removed the crying slowly stopped. To my surprise the young boy I treated didn’t hate me. He wasn’t mad or resentful. He wasn’t crying for his mommy. All he wanted from us was a hug.

Dental Student Describes Experiences in SaginawFor fourth-year dental student Rania Fetouh, providing oral health care at the Wadsworth Dental Health Center in Saginaw, Michigan, was probably the highlight of her dental education at the U-M School of Dentistry. In an essay she wrote following her work at the clinic, Fetouh said she may decide to practice dentistry at a community clinic after she graduates this spring. One experience she will always remember was helping a three-year-old who needed to have two of his front teeth extracted.

My Experience at Wadsworth Community Health ClinicBy Rania Fetouh

Rania Fetouh

Keary Campbell


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DENTISTRY

P a u l Ru s s e a u i s t h e n e w administrative specialist in the School of Dentistry’s Office of Outreach and Community Affairs. He succeeds Carole McNally who retired and moved last year. Russeau will work with Dr. Stephen Stefanac, associate dean for patient services, and Dr. Bill Piskorowski, director of outreach and community affairs. In his role, Russeau will assist in the day-to-day operations of the outreach program including housing, travel, and scheduling; processing appointments of on-site dentists; identifying possible new sites and monitoring current venues; and coordinating the annual retreat.

“We are looking forward to using Paul ’s excel lent communication skills to help us and our partners,” said Piskorowski, adding that the contributions of Jean Thompson, Sharon Petsch, Bethany Patterson, and Georgia Kasko have been important throughout the transition. Russeau has been with the School since 1991 serving in roles including supervisor, administrative assistant, and patient representative. “There are many good things happening with our School’s outreach programs,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with Drs. Stefanac and Piskorowski in continuing our efforts to enhance our external clinical education programs.”

Russeau New Outreach Specialist

Paul Russeau, new administrative specialist, will assist in the day-to-day operations of the School’s community outreach programs.

Keary Campbell I thanked h im for be ing so wonderful and asked him to visit us again. He showed his mother his prizes and left the operatory smiling. I felt contentment after this challenging experience and a new sense of self-confidence in treating pediatric patients. I kept this situation under control and completed the necessary treatment in a quick manner without traumatizing the child. I have always enjoyed seeing young children smile and laugh. But once tears flowed I would be weakened and be distracted by their pleas for me to stop. This time, however, I remained f o c u s e d a n d a c c o m p l i s h e d t h e necessary goal while communicating and reassuring the child that things were going well and would be over soon. Treating him and many others in the clinic was different than working at the dental school. I felt like a real dentist because I made my own decisions and remained in control. I especial ly enjoyed helping the underserved. Knowing I could make a difference in someone’s life is an unexplainable feeling. After my two weeks at Wadsworth I am seriously considering working in a community health clinic after graduation. I hope that wherever I go that it will be a place where I can help people who need dental care but are unable to seek it elsewhere.


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DENTISTRY

New Opportunities for Dental Education and ResearchGreater International Collaboration Emphasized

lready world-renowned for its contributions to oral health care during its 132-year history, the U-M School

of Dentistry has an opportunity to expand how dentistry is taught and practiced and, in the process, benefit millions not just here but around the world. Dur ing the School ’ s annual convocation ceremony last fall, Dean Peter Polverini said the School is uniquely positioned to seek new o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o e n h a n c e i t s international role in education, patient care, research, and outreach as a part of its strategy “to build the dental school of the future.” Addressing faculty, students, and staff, he said, “If we are to remain among ‘the leaders and best’ in dental education, research, and patient care, it is in our best interest that we seek to establish unique interdisciplinary collaborations, not only with other units at the University of Michigan, but with universities and dental schools throughout the world.”

Part of Globalization Trend Applying the theme of Thomas Friedman’s popular book, The World is Flat, that emphasizes how political, economic, and technological forces have converged to “level” or “flatten” the world so that millions worldwide now have instant access to the same knowledge and information, Polverini said faculty and students at the School of Dentistry are also a part of this trend.

Citing them as “caregivers to a global community,” he added, “our responsibil it ies do not end with educating our students. We must continue to contribute to developing a healthy global society with a particular emphasis on helping to build healthy communities in resource-strapped countries.” Pointing to the University of Michigan’s reputation as a “world class university that attracts the best students, faculty, and staff,” Polverini said there is a continuing need to discover new knowledge “that leads to advances in best practices at the global, as well as national and local levels.” Because of inequities in health care, Polverini said the University’s health profession schools, including d e n t i s t r y, “ h a v e a p a r t i c u l a r

responsibility to share their knowledge to aid in improving the quality of health and making it accessible to underserved communities throughout the world.”

International Health Issues Polverini proposed that all students learn more about international health issues as a central element of their education, including traveling abroad to participate in classroom education or research; that the School develop international fellowships and collaborative PhD programs; that faculty and administrators attend and participate in international conferences; and that partnerships be established with dentists and oral health care practitioners in other countries as a part of an on-going effort to establish healthy communities.

Dean Peter Polverini said the School is uniquely positioned to seek new opportunities to enhance its international role.

AKeary Campbell


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“We have much to ga in by embracing such opportunities,” he said. These and similar ventures would build upon both the University’s stature as a world-class university and the School’s reputation as a pioneer and would also “send a clear signal to international scholars of our desire to embrace research and discovery on a global scale.” A renewed international focus would also boost the School’s attractiveness to faculty and students in a global marketplace that is increasingly competitive.

ADEA Leader: Technology Accelerates Globalization Guest speaker at the convocation ceremony, Dr. Richard Valachovic, executive director of the American Dental Education Association and the International Federation of Dental Education Associations, agreed, saying

dental schools must prepare for a future that will be considerably different. Globalization, Valachovic said, has been underway for decades because of personal and professional relationships that faculty, administrators, and others have developed with their peers at other colleges, universities, and organizations around the world. But what’s different today is t h a t a d v a n c e s i n t e c h n o l o g y have acce lerated internat ional collaboration. Since many journals, research and marketing studies, and conference proceedings are now available on the Internet, he said, faculty or students or administrators can communicate with one another via e-mail without regard to time or distance, that dialogue is enhanced, new knowledge is gained, and new partnerships are developed.

That will only continue in the future, Valachovic said. It will become more important “because recent examples of avian flu, mad cow disease, and AIDS/HIV show there are no national boundaries. These and other diseases of the future affect all of us regardless of where we are in the world,” he said. “So there are opportunities for all of us to learn from each other.” Valachovic said the University of Michigan School of Dentistry is uniquely positioned to benefit from globalization. “This school has the talent here that doesn’t exist elsewhere. You’re in the driver’s seat. Others will be watching you,” he said.

Dr. Richard Valachovic, executive director of the American Dental Education Association, said the University of Michigan School of Dentistry is uniquely positioned to benefit from globalization.

Keary Campbell

“If we are to remain among ‘the leaders and

best’ in dental education, research, and patient care,

it is in our best interest that we seek to establish unique interdisciplinary collaborations, not only with other units at the University of Michigan,

but with universities and dental schools throughout

the world.”–

Dean Peter Polverini


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An oral examination by a U-M School of Dentistry periodontal alumnus saved Chuck Coté’s life. In early February Coté spoke to 100 dental students as part of a course for second-year dental students, Oral Pathology 624, taught by Drs. Nisha D’Silva and Kitrina Cordell. Coté held the students spellbound for an hour. He recounted his experiences, including describing an experimental clinical trial where he was treated with massive chemotherapy and intensive radiation, and answered more than two dozen questions. A professional speaker, author, and consultant from Midland, Michigan, Coté said in May 2000, “My life was on a roll, or so I thought.” However, that month he visited Dr. Michael Holden (DDS 1977, MS periodontics 1983) to tell him about a sore throat, throbbing earache, and jaw pressure.

“Absolutely Shocked” Coté said Holden referred him to an ear, nose, and throat specialist who examined him and ordered a CAT scan, blood tests, and a biopsy. “He said three words that forever changed my life, ‘You have cancer.’ I was absolutely shocked,” Coté continued because he thought he was in excellent health. The diagnosis — advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. The ENT specialist wanted to operate within two weeks. The procedure would involve removing part of Coté’s right jaw and a part of his face and neck. He was told the survival rate for this cancer was only 40 percent. Coté said Holden told him “he was 99 percent sure” of the oral cancer diagnosis when he saw him, but said, “‘I don’t think I should have been the first to tell you’.” Realizing he was in the fight for his

life, Coté said Holden advised him “to put everything on hold to beat the cancer.” Coté said “I felt agony, gloom, and despair” because his speaking career would end since he would lose his voice, and that eating would be difficult. However, his wife, Josie, sought a second opinion at the U-M Hospital. There, the two spoke to Dr. Gregory Wolf at the U-M Cancer Center.

Experimental Clinical Trial During the visit, Wolf said a new clinical trial was underway where cancers were being treated with massive doses of chemotherapy and intensive radiation. No surgery was involved unless absolutely necessary. Coté said Wolf told him, “ ‘My scalpel is only so sharp, and I’m only so good. What will determine your outlook is your positive attitude and determination’.” By now, Coté said his tumor “was the size of a baseball and cutting off my breathing and swallowing.” Coté was scheduled to begin the clinical trial in early July, but before it began, Dr. Samuel Zwetchkenbaum, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry, advised Coté that three tooth fillings could compromise the radiation treatment he would receive. The teeth were removed immediately. The first round of chemotherapy, which began in July, included treatment for 24 hours a day for five consecutive days. The size of his tumor had to shrink by 50 percent to continue the clinical trial.

“Grateful Patient” Tells Dental Students: Oral Exams VitalKeary Campbell

Oral cancer survivor Chuck Coté encouraged dental students to look at the big picture and realize their education can make a big difference in a patient’s life.


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However, he wouldn’t know the results for two weeks.

Success and Another Scare “Those two weeks were the longest I ever waited in my life,” Coté said. But the results were better than anyone expected. The tumor had shrunk by 90 percent. In August, a second round of treatments began. These included radiation five days a week for seven weeks and four more rounds of chemotherapy. In early November, Coté said there were no signs of the cancer to be found. “I officially became a survivor,” he said. Coté said he attributed his success to four factors: “my unwavering faith and belief in God, the love and support and prayers from family and friends, the outstanding care and treatment from my excellent medical team, and my positive attitude, outlook, and determination.” The euphoria was short lived.

In 2005, Coté had a second bout with cancer. A tumor the size of a walnut was removed from his nose. Cartilage from behind an ear and a skin graft were used to rebuild his nose. Today, Coté said he sees oral health care professionals every six months, including his dentist, Dr. Charles Hanna (DDS 1964), and his periodontist, Dr. Holden. “I’ve become more diligent about my dental care because I know what can happen if I’m not,” he told the dental students. Eating is one of his biggest challenges because radiation destroyed most of his salivary glands. “I’ll sip some water and take a small bite of food and repeat the process,” he said. In response to one student’s question, he said, “my taste buds are all messed up, but you’ll do a lot to stay alive.” Coté said he thinks “the cancer was a blessing because I can speak to others.” He recalled conversations with world renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong, who

is a survivor of testicular cancer, and speaking to Harvard Medical School’s Mind-Body Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Advice to Students Among the things Coté said he learned from his experiences was the value of a second, or even a third, opinion. “Always get a second opinion. And if there are two different opinions, get a third,” he said. But foremost in his mind as he spoke to the dental students was just how valuable oral cancer screenings are. “Oral cancer is deadly because often it’s not found soon enough,” Coté said. “A dentist may see that before anyone else…because they’re so close to a patient’s face. When you leave here, please be focused,” he continued. “Oral cancer is something you may be the first to detect and make a difference in saving a life.” Coté encouraged the students to look at the big picture. “A job is what we’re paid to do. A calling is what we’re made to do. You have a calling. You can make a difference.”

Instructors’ Perspectives Kordell said “It’s one thing for us, as instructors, to tell them about oral cancer, but it’s something totally different to hear about it from a patient who’s a survivor.” D’Silva agreed, adding, “We hope Chuck’s experiences will reinforce the importance of screening their patients for oral cancer and show that they, literally, can make a life or death difference in the lives of their patients.”

“Oral cancer is deadly because often it’s not found soon enough. A dentist may see

that before anyone else…because they’re so close to a patient’s face. …Oral cancer is

something you may be the first to detect and make a difference in saving a life.”

Drs. Kitrina Cordell (left) and Nisha D’Silva asked oral cancer survivor Chuck Coté to speak to second-year dental students as part of their oral pathology course.

Keary Campbell


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WWWNew Website Details Oral Cancer DangersPatient’s Story, Advice Described in Detail

“If my dentist had not diagnosed my cancer, I would likely be dead by now.” That powerful comment is in a new video on a Web site as part of a comprehensive continuing dental education course dealing with oral cancer screening and prevention that is now offered online by the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. In the 10-minute video that introduces the online course, David Damiani, a 32-year-old attorney from Alexandria, Virginia, tells his emotional story to the Detroit Oral Cancer Prevention Project. Launched in 2005, the Project is a citywide campaign designed to increase awareness and lower the oral cancer death rate in that city. It is led by Dr. Amid Ismail, a professor in the School of Dentistry’s Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics. Damiani, who played Division One soccer in college and was in good health, said he was puzzled when he noticed a lesion on his tongue in September 1999. But it wasn’t diagnosed as oral cancer until five months later. Ismail said oral cancer is a significant problem in Detroit.

A Prevalent Problem He said that according to statistics from the Michigan Department of Community Health, the oral cancer rate among African American males in Michigan was 24.3 per 100,000, one of the highest among American males. In Detroit, which has nine percent of the state’s population, the rate was 13.1

percent of all new oral cancer cases. Ismail noted that from 2000 to 2002, Detroit residents had the lowest percentage of cases detected at an early cancerous stage, 28.3 percent, in Michigan. In addition, he said, the five-year survival rate for African Americans with oral cancer in Michigan was 34.9 percent compared with an overall state average of 54.6 percent. “Our best hope for decreasing the rate of oral cancer is to get Detroiters, and others, to see their dentist or physician for a screening,” Ismail said. “If caught early, oral cancer has a 90 percent cure rate.” He said that in Wayne County, the Detroit Oral Cancer Prevention Project is engaged in an education program to bring attention to the problem. That effort includes educating members of the community about oral cancer, radio advertisements and billboards that advertise the message “Get Checked Before It’s Too Late,” a screening

clinic, a biopsy clinic, and a toll-free telephone number to call for more information (1-877-7-CHECKED). The online course offered by the U-M School of Dentistry helps dentists and other oral health care professionals identify what oral cancer looks like, identifies sites in the mouth where those cancers are likely to develop, provides information about oral cancer screenings and brush biopsies, and counsels patients on ways to prevent oral cancer. Although there is a modest $15 fee for oral health care professionals to take the online course and receive a continuing education credit letter from the School of Dentistry, there is no cost to view the entire program, including the 10-minute video.

“Video for Everyone” “ I would strongly encourage individuals who are not oral health care professionals to spend time watching the video online and listening to the patient’s remarks,” Ismail said. “This video is for everyone. His story is not uncommon and could provide a significant amount of useful information to patients that could save lives.” One needs a high-speed connection to the Internet to watch and hear Damiani’s story. To access the video, visit www.detroitoralcancer.org. On the homepage, click “Continuing Dental and Medical Education Online Course.” When the next page appears, click the link that reads, “Start the Course.”

Dr. Amid Ismail

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What’s Involved:Getting Accepted at the University of

“The two questions we hear most often from our alums are — ‘What is the admission process at the U-M School of Dentistry?’ and ‘What must one do to be a competitive applicant to gain admission’?” “The questions are short and direct, but the answers are often complex because the admissions process today is not the same as it was thirty, twenty, or even ten years ago,” said Richard Fetchiet, director of external relations and continuing dental education. “The questions can also be highly personal sometimes,” he added, “because many of our alums have a son or daughter who has expressed an interest in attending this great school to earn a dental degree.” The next 16 pages describe what’s involved in the admissions process at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, an application timeline, profiles of those who are involved in helping applicants and candidates, and other important information.

Preparing as an Undergraduate A student’s preparation needs to begin several years in advance. “Even be fore they cons ider applying to the School of Dentistry for possible admission, it’s important a person take steps as an undergraduate to prepare for an admissions process that is becoming increasingly rigorous

Application and Admissions Procedures Described…

and competitive,” said Dr. Marilyn Lantz, associate dean for academic affairs, whose unit is in charge of admissions. One step she strongly advised undergraduates to take is consulting with a pre-health advisor on campus to learn more about what they, as an undergraduate, need to do to enhance their chances for admission. Serious introspection and honest self-assessment are also advised. “Since one of our School’s primary missions is patient care and students will participate in outreach programs, we seriously consider how active a student is doing volunteer work in their communities,” she continued. “We look at who they were helping, where they were volunteering, and whether their volunteer work is long term in nature or something they just decided to do the semester before they apply.” The reason for this emphasis is straightforward according to Dr. Marilyn Woolfolk, assistant dean for student services, whose office processes applications received by the School of Dentistry. “One of the most compelling needs many citizens in our state and nation have is access to quality oral health care,” she said. “Today’s students will be challenged to reach out to meet the oral health needs of populations.”

In December, Jillian Yant, administrative associate, mailed the first letters to candidates offering them admission to the School of Dentistry for the academic year that begins this August.

Keary Campbell


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Michigan School of Dentistry

Major Advice: Apply Early With that foundation in place, individuals are strongly encouraged to apply early. For example, May 15, 2007 is the earliest date one can apply for admission to the entering Class of 2008. “ I want to emphasize early , and for us, that means receiving the application in June or July because that gives us time to review a person’s application and other information they must submit to be considered,” Lantz said. “That information enables us to determine if they will be invited for an interview.” U-M uses a rolling admissions process, which means the longer a student waits to apply, the fewer opportunities are available for one of approximately 105 open positions. As the chart shows, since 2003, the number of applications received by the U-M School of Dentistry has more than doubled. For the academic year that begins this August, more than 2,500 applications were received for 105 positions in the first-year class.

How to Begin The application process begins online (https://aadsas.adea.org/) with the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). AADSAS is a centralized application

service used by the nation’s 55 dental schools. It does not evaluate students or recommend which applicants should be admitted to any dental school. Instead, it collects the information from applicants and then standardizes how the information is presented to all the dental schools. This approach makes it easier for the dental school , Wool fo lk said, “because we receive uniform information about all applicants. Everyone is asked the same questions. In essence, we get an apples-to-apples comparison.” As assistant dean for student services, Woolfolk, who also chairs the admissions committee and has direct responsibility for application management and admissions policies, said, “AADSAS makes the application process easy for both the student and our dental school. Since a student

Interested Candidates Strongly Advised “Start Early”

U-M School of Dentistry Applications

BY THE NUMBERS

2,500+Number of applications

received for admission to thefirst-year of dental school at the University of Michigan

School of Dentistry.

470Candidates invited

for interviews.

288Number of studentsaccepting interview

invitations.

105Number of students

admitted as first-yeardental studentsfor classes that

begin in August.

Since 2003, applications to the U-M School of Dentistry have steadily increased. For the first-year class that begins in August, more that 2,500 applications were received for 105 positions.


2020

DENTISTRY

fills out only one form, he or she typically doesn’t have to complete multiple applications for different dental schools.” Citing statistics from the American Dental Education Association, Woolfolk said that, on average, most students apply to eight dental schools, including Michigan. However, the appl icat ion is offered online until December 1 for applicants interested in the U-M School of Dentistry. Other dental schools have different deadlines. When the student completes the application, a student then selects the schools where his or her application is to be sent.

Applicants Must Keep Track When completing the online application, individuals are required to send official academic transcripts to AADSAS. That’s important because without them, AADSAS will not process the application. Pa t t i e Ka t c h e r, a d m i s s i o n s associate director, emphasized, “that only after AADSAS receives a transcript and verifies the student’s self-reported information, do they forward an application to us here in Ann Arbor.” That process, she said, can take four to six weeks. However, that timeline could change in the future. “If a transcript is missing, AADSAS will not forward an application to the dental school,” she added. “So it’s the responsibility of each applicant to keep track of what they’re sending and, if they haven’t sent a critical item of information, to do so as quickly as possible.” A list of “must have” items is noted to the left. In recent years, Katcher said that by Labor Day weekend, the U-M School of Dentistry has usually received about 1,000 applications. By the end of October, the number often exceeds 2,000. As the applications are received, they are electronically loaded intoU-M’s database. Katcher reads all the applications. It’s quite a job since she spends about half an hour reading all the information from every applicant. “I have to make sure everyone has completed and sent al l the required information, such as grade point averages, DAT scores, and the

letters of recommendation, before our admissions review process can continue,” she said. The number of appl icat ions reinforces a point made earlier about the importance of applying early. “Because so many qual i f ied individuals are applying, it’s important for applicants to realize that their chances of being admitted are greatly reduced the longer they wait,” she said.

Campus Visits However, the t ime between applying in June or July and receiving an invitation for an interview, which begins in early October, can seem an eternity for an anxious applicant. Sometimes students call or e-mail Katcher to say they will be in the Ann Arbor area to visit family or friends and ask if they can stop by to visit the School. “We welcome them to stop by, ask questions, and get a look at our facilities,” Katcher said. “But I emphasize that they are not to consider their visit to be an interview because interviews are by personal invitation only.” Typically, Katcher sets aside Tuesday and Thursday afternoons throughout the year to talk to the prospective applicants. W h e n s t u d e n t s a r r i v e , s h e stresses the competitive nature of the admissions process and outlines steps applicants may need to take to help them increase their chances. “I tell them that for the new

To be considered for admission to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, all appli-cants must do the following:

• Electronically submit their application online to AADSAS.

• Sendthreelettersofrecommendation to the Office of Admissions at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Two letters must be from science instructors, the third can be from a non-science instructor such as a previous employer, dentist, clergy member, or other. Letters can also be sent to AADSAS for distribution.

• SubmittheirofficialDATscores.• Maila$60applicationfeedirectly

to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.

May 15, 2007 – Applications available online from the Associated American Dental Schools Application

Service (AADSAS).

June 1 – AADSAS begins processing

applications.

December 1 – The earliest date a candidate can be expected to be notified of their

acceptance. This is also the final day a student can apply to dental school through AADSAS.

October, November, December, January, February – Approximately 470 applicants receive personal invitations to visit the U-M

School of Dentistry for an interview.

TheAdmissionsTimeline


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first-year dental class that begins in August, we received more than 2,500 applications for 105 open positions, which is double the number of four years ago, and that this upward trend is likely to continue,” she said. “So I also encourage them to apply to other dental schools, not just Michigan.”

The Interview – by Invitation Only In early October, the next phase of the application process begins – interviewing. “The interview is as important to the student applicant as a job interview is to someone who has graduated and is looking for their first job,” Katcher said. “And it’s by invitation only.” During the on-campus interviews, she said, faculty members who are on the Admissions Committee evaluate the student not just in terms of their academic record, but also in terms of “non-cognitive factors” and fit. [See “Non-cognitive Factors,” this page.] Those invited for interviews are no longer “applicants,” they’re considered “candidates.” Eight interview sessions are held with candidates beginning in early October. About 36 students attend each session. [See story, pages 28 to 31.] Six sessions were held last fall and winter, all on Friday – October 6, 13, 27; November 3, 17; and December 1. Two Friday sessions were also held January 19 and February 2. During their visit, candidates learn more about the School from Lantz, Woolfolk, Katcher, other faculty

members, and administrators. Topics covered include the dental curriculum, c l in ica l programs, in format ion technology and learning resources, research programs, the dual degree DDS/PhD program, Dental Scholars program, and financial aid. Students are also required to write extemporaneously on a topic related to dental practice and health care policy. Afterwards, candidates are divided into two groups for a series of “multiple mini interviews” (MMIs). The interviews are designed to demonstrate not only what students know but also how well they can think on their feet. Each candidate is presented with background information that describes a situation or asks a specific question that the student then discusses with an interviewer. Interviewers include members of the Admissions Committee, faculty members who are not on the Admissions Committee, students, and staff who work with dental students. Several days after the campus visit and interviews end, faculty members

Third week of August – New first-year dental class arrives. All

dental students begin classes.

March 1 – New first-year dental class filled. Admissions Committee selects

alternates and ranks them.

January 15, 2008 – Date students who are notified December 1 of their acceptance must submit

nonrefundableenrollmentdepositof$1,500.Funds applied toward first-semester tuition.

Non-cognitive Factors

In addition to grade point averages and DAT scores, the U-M School of Dentistry also evaluates a student’s “non-cognitive” factors.

In general these include:• Careerexperiences• Researchexperiences• Studentorganizationactivity

participation• Documentedvolunteerwork

serving the underserved• Missionwork• Othersignificantlifeexperiences

or accomplishments• Leadership• Otheruniquecharacteristics

and attributes that would bring diverse perspectives to the class

• Interestinandpotentialtoaddress oral health disparities

• Personallifeexperienceservingthe underserved or disadvantaged

• Firstgenerationcollegestudent• Significantexposuretocareersin

dentistry• Overcomingunusualhardshipor

adversity

“Even before they consider applying to the School of Dentistry for possible admission, it’s important a

person take steps as an undergraduate to prepare for an admissions process that is becoming increasingly

rigorous and competitive.”

Dr. Marilyn LantzAssociate Dean for Academic Affairs


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evaluate each student, reviewing all the elements relevant to a student’s possible selection including their scholastic achievement, character, life experiences, extracurricular activities, dental experience, potential to address a wide range of complex patient needs, and commitment to improving access to care. [See “Selection Factors,” page 23.]

Dentistry follows a “rolling admissions” process, that is, admitting students until the entire first-year class, typically 105 positions, is filled. December 1 is also the last day an applicant can go online and use AADSAS to apply to the U-M School of Dentistry for admission. By then, however, chances are considerably reduced for being considered or accepted for the following year.

In-State, Out-of-State “We admit those who are well prepared to meet the challenges of a rigorous academic program and who are willing to accept the challenges of providing quality oral health care to a patient population with a wide range of unique oral health needs,” Woolfolk said. “But because the University of Michigan is a state-supported institution,” she continued, “we attempt to have Michigan residents comprise 55 to 60 percent of our first-year dental students with the balance coming from outside the state.” S o m e t i m e s , h o w e v e r, f i n a l percentages are determined by factors that are outside the control of the Admissions Committee. “There are times when candidates who have accepted our admissions offer change their mind and decide to attend another dental school for a variety of reasons,” Katcher said. “That could include financial considerations, but more often than not, it usually involves getting married or wanting

The Dental Admissions Test

• TheDATshouldbetakencloseto the time a student will apply. Scores are valid for five years. The test may be taken only three times.

• Thosewishingtoretakethetestmust wait 90 days.

• ApplicantswhodonotincludeDAT test scores are not considered for an interview.

• Wecannotdelayanyapplicationif an applicant decides to retake the DAT.

• IftheU-MSchoolofDentistryasks an applicant to retake the DAT, the School will hold the application until the new DAT scores are received.

Each applicant must provide the Admissions Committee with an official score for the DAT. To register for the DAT or to obtain preparation materials, go to this Web site: www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp.

Each member of the Admissions Committee rates each student and assigns them to one of three categories – Highly Recommend, Recommend, Do Not Recommend. “It must be emphasized that whether a candidate is ultimately offered admission to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry is a decision that is made by the faculty members on the Admissions Committee who evaluate the candidates,” Lantz said. “Their decision takes into account not only the numbers, such as the overall GPA, science GPA, and DAT scores, it also includes non-cognitive factors,” she added. [See “Non-cognitive Factors,” page 21.]

First Offers of Admission Mailed December 1 For those who applied during the summer and were invited for interviews in the fall, the wait is over in early December. On December 1 the School sends letters to candidates notifying them they have been accepted for admission to the first-year dental program that begins the following August. Students have six weeks, until January 15, to decide if they want to attend Michigan. If a candidate accepts the School’s offer of admission, he or she must then submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $1,500 to reserve their place in the class of first-year dental students. The deposit is later applied to their first-semester tuition. After December 1, the School of


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to be closer to family.” Beginning May 1, 2007, students accepted for admission to one dental school will no longer be able to simultaneously hold a seat at another dental school. However, this is not unique to Michigan, Woolfolk said. Other dental schools across the country have agreed to share information about those who are holding places at multiple schools.

Advice for Alumni Does the fact a parent, grandparent, or other family member graduated from the U-M School of Dentistry play a role in the admissions process? “It’s one of many factors we take into consideration,” Katcher said. “But, in the end, it’s up to each student to prove himself or herself, based on his or her academic record, some or all of the noncognitive factors, and the interviews. It’s incredibly competitive, so it’s the responsibility of the student to put their best foot forward.” That point, Fetchiet said, is one that he and others in the Office of Alumni Relations, including Jeff Freshcorn and Marty Bailey, repeatedly emphasize. “The School’s admissions process is fair to one and all,” Fetchiet said. “When any of us meet with our alums, we emphasize that with more than two thousand applicants competing each year for only 105 spots, that we do have a comprehensive admissions system in place and that we do get the best students.”

SELECTION FACTORS

Overall, each application is carefully reviewed. Special attention is focused on academic achievement, character, non-cognitive factors, and the categories below. Admissions criteria are applied to all applicants, regardless of race, sex, creed, age, or national origin. Applications are encouraged from women, veterans, and students with diverse backgrounds.

GradesThe cumulative grade point average (GPA) and the prerequisite science GPA are closely evaluated since they are strong indicators of academic success in dental school. The Admissions Committee examines grades for consistency, repeated or withdrawn courses, and requires a letter grade for all prerequisite courses. Currently, the average GPA of the School’s first-year dental class is 3.5, with a science GPA of 3.3.

Dental Admissions Test (DAT)This test, given by the American Dental Association, examines areas including perceptual ability, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and the survey of natural sciences (biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry). Scores range from 0 to 30. The average score (for the 2007 cycle) was approximately 20 in all areas of the test. More information is on the Web at: http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp.

Experience and ActivitiesCandidates are expected to exhibit a confirmed interest and motivation in a dental career by participating in career-related activities such as job shadowing, community service, and other volunteer opportunities. Candidates who demonstrate interest in addressing health disparities or commitment to service and care for underserved communities are considered desirable. A candidate’s professionalism and maturity, which are strongly considered, may be revealed by significant life experiences and accomplishments.

Additional InformationAs an application is reviewed, the Admissions Committee may request more information, such as current semester grades, new DAT scores, etc. A candidate will be promptly contacted if a request is made.


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Marilyn Woolfolk, DDS, MPHAssistant Dean for Student Services

“I’m very proud of everyone in our admissions office and the job they are doing. “Everyone is customer focused. That’s critical because, in this case, the customer is the prospective student. “The positive experiences applicants have with our office are designed to make them enthusiastic about the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. “In recent years, the challenge of providing great customer service has increased because of the number of applications we have received. “About ten years ago, we received approximately fourteen- or fifteen-hundred applications. Today, the number is well over 2,500. “While the number of applications we receive has increased, I’m also pleased to see that the caliber of the students has risen noticeably. “Their education levels are higher than ever and they bring interesting life experiences beyond their four years in college. So the bar is constantly being raised. That trend will continue. “Today’s students see dentistry as a greater part of health than was the case ten or twenty years ago, which adds to the appeal of a dental career. “Many of our alumni speak highly of this School and the education they received. That makes students want to apply and carry on that tradition of excellence once we offer them admission and they accept our offer. “The admissions process, however, is just the beginning. “By the time a student is accepted, completes the four-year dental program, and walks across the stage to receive their dental degree, he or she will undergo what I call a ‘moth to butterfly transformation.’ “I maintain contact with many of our graduates, and it’s always rewarding to see them and talk to them. It makes me proud to know that I and others played a role in helping them become successful professionals.”

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Pattie KatcherAdmissions Associate Director

“The best part of my job, by far, is interacting with the students. I enjoy being an advisor, a helper, and a teacher. “I have been a part of the Office of Academic Affairs for more than a dozen years, but during the last two or three years in this role, I have come to fully appreciate how my job is about more than admissions. It’s also about customer service. “So when I am on the phone or answering an e-mail or meeting with a prospective student or their parents, I try to do my best for every one of them because I know that I can be the deciding factor on whether or not they want to apply to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. “That approach has paid off. Frequently, a prospective student will send me a note or call to thank me for taking time to listen to them and answer their questions. It’s very satisfying when a student or parent tells me, ‘You and your office staff have been so friendly,’ or ‘you provided much more information than I expected.’ Remarks like that are what I like to call a ‘make my day’ comment. “Although I spend a large part of my time focusing on admissions to our dental program, I also am involved with graduate admissions and admissions to our international program. So my year-round schedule does get pretty busy. “I think my background in behavioral psychology, crisis counseling, and intervention is a perfect fit for this job. Strong problem solving skills are a necessity. I use them everyday! “Looking back, one of the greatest votes of confidence I received that helped me to move into this position was when Dr. Jed Jacobson (director of admissions from 1991-1997) had enough faith in me to allow me to speak to students at colleges and universities across Michigan about our dental program. “The help and support I receive from so many others here allows me to do my best for the students and the School.”

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Mary GaynorAssistant Director of Financial Aid

“There are funds available to help make your dream of becoming a dentist come true. And I will work with you to make that happen. “That’s what I tell prospective dental students, their parents and/or spouses when they’re trying to determine what money might be available to help them fund their education. “During any given academic year, I can be working with anywhere from 500 to 600 students. About 300 or 350 are current students. Another 200 or so are prospective students. “I tell them that depending on their financial situation, they may be eligible for aid from the federal government or private lenders to fund their education. “How much financial aid the student ultimately receives is based on the information they provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the University’s Estimated Needs Analysis worksheet. “When a student is invited to Ann Arbor for an interview, they are sent the Estimated Needs Analysis worksheet. If they return that form to me before their visit and interview, I can give them an idea, when they’re here, of how much financial aid they might be able to receive. “I try to assist prospective students by anticipating any roadblocks they might encounter in getting that financial aid. “Students are so focused on getting into dental school that, once they’re accepted, their attention abruptly shifts to asking, ‘How am I going to pay for all of this?’ “Because the annual cost for a dental education, including tuition, fees, housing, and other expenses, can be more than $49,000 for Michigan residents and more than $64,000 for non-residents, I look at all resources that can help a student. “I’m here to provide information about financing options for their dental education.”

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Jillian YantStudent Administrative Assistant Associate

“I’m often the first person, and sometimes the only person, an applicant will speak to when they apply for admission. So I know how important it is that I leave every one of them with a good impression about our School when I’m talking to them in person or on the telephone. “That can be a challenge at times because it does get very busy during the summer and fall when students are filling out their applications and calling me with questions. “At times, it seems the phone rings nonstop. Sometimes I receive between 100 and 150 telephone calls a day. Once I was sick for two days, and when I returned, I had sixty-eight messages waiting for my return call! “By July, I’m receiving boxes of applications I help process. During high volume times, each box can contain between 100 and 150 applications. Sometimes a box arrives every three days. “When the boxes arrive, it’s my responsibility to ‘put it all together’ – the application with a student’s transcripts, letters of recommendation, DAT scores, and a check – so that those who review the application have all the information they need to make a decision about whether to invite a candidate for an interview. “Then I work with others in the admissions office and the students themselves to schedule interviews. So it can be pretty hectic. “But I enjoy it. My experiences remind me a lot of when I worked part-time in student services for the biology department at LS&A. There was more paperwork there. But here, since the School of Dentistry is smaller by comparison, I have more interaction with the students. That’s the best part of this job, talking to them and learning more about them, their families, and their interests.”

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It’s a day they have been eagerly anticipating for weeks. After submitting academic and personal information to the School of Dentistry for consideration, nearly 470 students received a personal invitation to come to Ann Arbor for a campus visit and interview. About 300 accepted. Because of the number of students involved, eight visit and interview sessions are usually held between October and February. About 36 prospective first-year dental students attend the one-day program that begins at 9:30 and ends at 3:00 in the afternoon. Arriving in the Faculty Alumni Lounge, the neatly attired men and women are warmly greeted by Jillian Yant, student administrative assistant associate, who gives each student their name tag and a folder of information about the U-M School of Dentistry. Taking their seats around a long conference table, the students review the information and converse among themselves until the program begins with welcoming remarks from Dr. Marilyn Woolfolk, assistant dean for student services, and Pattie Katcher, admissions associate director.

A Special Day for the Students and the School They congratulate the students “for getting past the first hurdle” and being invited to the School for the visit and interview.

Prospective Students

Woolfolk and Katcher tell the prospective students the day is special, not just for them, but also for the School. “Just as this is your opportunity to learn more about us, it’s also an opportunity for us to get to know you better and learn more about you beyond what you have noted in your applications,” Katcher says. To help break the ice of being seated next to unfamiliar faces, students are then asked to pair up and take ten or fifteen minutes to learn more about the other person. Afterwards, each student stands and introduces their colleague and tells the group about the person with whom they spoke. During the ir two - or three -minute presentations, each student mentions their colleague’s hometown, where they went to school to earn an undergraduate degree, their major,

notable personal achievements, and plans for the future. Once the introductions end, it’s down to business. Prospective students then hear from School of Dentistry administrators and faculty members about the predoctoral clinical program, the outreach program, and how information technology is used at the School. When the presentations end, the students are split into two groups that alternate participating in two sets of activities. While one group tours classrooms, clinics, and research facilities, the other group participates in “multiple mini interviews.” These one-on-one interviews are designed to demonstrate both what a student knows and how well they can think on their feet. Each student receives a card

Invited for Campus Visits

About three dozen candidates pictured here received formal invitations to visit the School last December 1 to learn more about the School and participate in interviews. The December session was one of eight held between October and February.

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that asks a question or describes a situation. They spend about five minutes answering the question or discussing the situation with a faculty member before moving to a different location where they answer another topic or discuss another question with another faculty member. This 1:1:1 approach (one student, one faculty member, one question or topic) allows a faculty member or administrator to later compare and contrast each student’s response to the same question. Dr. Donald Heys, a member of the Admissions Committee who participated in the interviews, says he “was impressed with how incredibly talented and diverse these young people are.” From his conversations with students he says “it seems the one topic they want to know more about is our outreach program.”

Anoth e r p ar t i c i p ant i n t h e interviews was Gloria Sdao, patient services assistant in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry. “I was honored to be invited to participate for the first time in the interviews,” she said. “As a staff member, our interactions with students are different than what a faculty member might see in a classroom or clinic. So our interactions are a critical part of a student’s learning process in terms of communication, behavior, and developing good interpersonal skills and business savvy.” Another faculty member who participated, Dr. Bill Piskorowski, director of outreach and community af fa irs , sa id the mult ip le mini interviews are another important way of assessing a prospective student. “It’s not the sole criteria the School

uses to select a student, but it’s an important one, because these short interviews give you insights into how a student evaluates a situation and how they communicate,” he said. “The student’s responses tell you a lot about their knowledge and their interpersonal skills, both of which will be important during their studies here at Michigan and during their dental career,” he continued. “From my experiences, many of the problems that arise are more related to communications than anything else.”

Financial Aid In the a f ternoon , ass i s tant financial aid director Mary Gaynor tells students about the cost of the first year of their dental education (see page 30) and outlines some of the financial help that is available. She tel ls them that students entering the School of Dentistry must apply for financial aid by August 31, 2007. Gaynor also addresses two issues that nearly al l f irst-year dental students have on their minds. The first involves residency. “Because of the University’s policies, if you’re admitted as a non-Michigan resident, there’s virtually no chance of becoming a resident while you are a student here,” she says. The other is the amount of possible financial aid. She tells them that financial aid

and Interviews

Dr. Marilyn Woolfolk (left), assistant dean for student services, and Pattie Katcher, admissions associate director, welcome about three dozen prospective students invited to the School of Dentistry for interviews earlier this year.

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Michigan $24,378Resident Tuition

Non-Michigan $39,280Resident Tuition

Fees:Michigan and $3,600Non-Michigan Residents

Michigan $24,378Resident Tuition

Non-Michigan $39,280Resident Tuition

Fees:Michigan and $3,600Non-Michigan Residents

* 2006-2007 academic year. Fees and tuition may change annually.

cannot be increased for students with cars, credit cards, or other consumer debts. Likewise, monetary awards can’t be raised to reflect any additional expenses a student incurs because of marriage or the birth of a child. But she is emphatic about one point. “If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me,” she says. “I will help you as much as I possibly can.”

Research During the afternoon, Dr. Charlotte Mistretta, associate dean for research and PhD training, emphasizes the importance of research to the University of Michigan in general and the School of Dentistry in particular. As she does, she mentions a statistic that surprises many students. “Twenty-seven percent of the School’s faculty have both a dental degree and a PhD. This is a Michigan difference,” she tells them, borrowing the theme of the University’s current fundraising drive. Dr. William Giannobile, director of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research, follows. H e m e n t i o n s o p p o r t u n i t i e s students have to participate in an array of research programs and invites them to take advantage of those opportunities.

The Offer of Admission As the day-long program ends, Katcher gives students an overview of what’s next – a possible formal offer of admissions – and when.

But not every student will receive an offer, she says, while others may have to consider an offer from Michigan and another dental school. If the U-M School of Dentistry does make a formal offer of admissions to a student, Katcher reminds them that to be accepted they have a deadline they must respond to and must include a nonrefundable $1,500 enrollment deposit with their reply. “We are serious when we send an admissions offer to you. When you accept our offer, which includes enclosing that check for $1,500 with your acceptance, we will reserve a spot for you in the new first-year class that begins late next summer,” she says. “This is a great School and it’s why many of us have been here as long as we have been,” she says. “I’m confident that most, if not all of you, will also find that to be the case once you become a student here…that Michigan is THE place to be.”

Angela Ritchie (left) and Katrina Chang were among the prospective students who were invited to visit and interview at the School of Dentistry last December. They were later admitted to the class of first-year students who will begin their studies in August.

Annual Education Costs*1st Year Dental Student

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9:30 a.m. Welcome and Introductions Dr. Marilyn Woolfolk, Assistant Dean for Student Services Ms. Pattie Katcher, Admissions Associate Director

10:30 a.m. Curriculum Overview Dr. Marilyn Lantz, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Thomas Green, Director of Curriculum and Instructional Services

10:40 a.m. Break

10:50 a.m. Overview of Clinical Programs Dr. Donald Heys, Comprehensive Clinical Care Director Dr. Stephen Stefanac, Associate Dean for Patient Services

11:25 a.m. Information Technology and Learning Resources Dr. Lynn Johnson, Director of Dental Informatics and Information Technology

11:40 a.m. Introduction to Multiple Mini InterviewsNoon Group A – Multiple Mini Interviews Group B – Lunch and tour of dental school

1:00 p.m. Break1:10 p.m. Group A – Lunch and tour of dental school Group B – Multiple Mini Interviews

2:15 p.m. Financial Aid and Considerations Ms. Mary Gaynor, Assistant Director of Financial Aid

2:30 p.m. Research Program Overview Dr. Charlotte Mistretta, Associate Dean for Research and PhD Training Dr. William Giannobile, Director, Michigan Center for Oral Health Research

2:55 p.m. Wrap up and Final Questions

3:00 p.m. Dismissed

Campus Visit & Interview Schedule

University of Michigan School of DentistryOffice of Admissions1011 N. University Ave.RoomG226Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078

Telephone:(734)763-3316Fax:(734)647-6085E-mail address: [email protected]

Faculty and Staff:• Dr.MarilynWoolfolk,AssistantDean for Student Services• PattieKatcher,Admissions Associate Director• GaleJaynes,AdministrativeAssistant• JillianYant,StudentAdministrative Assistant Associate• MaryGaynor,AssistantDirectorof Financial Aid

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Take it from someone who’s been there. For those seeking admission to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry’s dental program, Patrick McGrath has four words of advice to offer. “Apply early.” “Be organized.” “When you’re working, taking the Dental Admissions Test, applying to dental school, and taking classes during spring term all at the same time, it can be difficult keeping things straight,” he said. “I’m organized, but looking back, I wish I had been a lot more organized.” June 1, 2006 was the first date students could apply online to AADSAS for admission to the first-year dental program that begins this August. June 2, McGrath took his DAT. On June 3, he went online to the AADSAS Web site and applied for admission. However, since a personal statement was a part of the application process, “I spent about a week writing, editing, and rewriting that because I knew it was going to be a part of my application,” he said. “Take your time, thoroughly review, and thoughtfully consider your answers,” he advised, “because once you submit your application, you can’t go back and change or edit anything.”

Waiting was “Nerve Wracking” Requesting academic transcripts to send to AADSAS are also a part of the process of applying to dental school. Although McGrath submitted his application online on June 3, it wouldn’t be until nearly two months later, in late July, that his application was then forwarded to the dental schools he was interested in attending. The reason? Until both U-M and a community college he attended in Illinois while playing semi-professional ice hockey forwarded his transcripts to AADSAS, the application process was at a standstill. But even after AADSAS received his academic transcripts from both institutions, because of the volume of applications submitted, it took AADSAS another three or

Advice from New Dental Studentto Future Applicants…

four weeks for his academic record to be reformatted so all the dental schools received his grades. “It was a waiting game at that stage,” he said. “I even called a few times to follow up, but was always told that ‘everything we have about you is what you see online’,” he said. “At first, I checked online every day,” he said. “But as June became July, it was about once a week.” Making the wait seem even longer was that, last summer, AADSAS received more applications than ever. In late July, McGrath’s application and academic records were received by AADSAS and ready to be sent to 11 dental schools, including U-M. However, five of the 11 dental schools also wanted him to fill out paper applications.

Apply early…

Be organized

Patrick McGrath, who becomes a first-year dental student later this summer, said applying early and being organized are important when applying for admission to dental school.

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Lucky Friday the 13th “There wasn’t much difference between what the five were looking for and what AADSAS wanted, with the exception of a couple of essay questions,” he said. “But since I didn’t know which dental school would ultimately be interested, I filled them out and returned them.” He mailed two of the five applications just before Thanksgiving. “Waiting weeks and weeks was nerve wracking. It’s one of the most frustrating parts of the admissions process because there’s nothing you can do,” McGrath said. That is, until Friday, October 13. That turned out to be a lucky day for McGrath. He and 35 other prospective students were invited to interview at the U-M School of Dentistry. He knew he would learn more about the dental program, the clinics, interview with faculty members, and take a tour of the School. But what he wasn’t prepared for was writing a short essay to a question about a situation that was presented when students gathered at the start of the day. “As I left the School, I was relieved,” he said. “I thought I did well in my short interviews and with my essay. But because of the nature of my personality,” he continued, “I was cautious about my chances of being offered admission.” October became November. November became December.

McGrath knew the University of Michigan School of Dentistry would not be sending letters offering admission to first-year students until December 1. So when he received paper applications from two dental schools, he completed them and mailed them just before Thanksgiving “to keep my options open.” Friday, December 1, 2006 was a date McGrath will always remember. Around four o’clock that afternoon, he received a call on his cell phone. “Congratulations, you’ve been accepted. We thought you would like to know today rather than waiting for the mail to get to you sometime next week,” was the message from the U-M School of Dentistry’s Office of Admissions. “I called my parents a few moments later to give them the good news.”

Final Words of Advice As he reflected on his experiences, McGrath said applying to dental school reminded him of playing ice hockey. “Initially, many are looking to get in, be it to play ice hockey professionally or get into dental school,” he said. “But it gets tougher as you try to move up, and you realize that having talent is one thing, but working hard will, many times, be the factor that determines whether you get in.” Asked about any final advice he wanted to pass along, McGrath again stressed organization and applying early. “Although you apply through AADSAS, other schools have different requirements, and at times it can be difficult keeping track of each school’s requirements and where you are in terms of meeting all the requirements for each school,” he said. “But, first and foremost, apply early,” he emphasized. “If you wait to apply until the end of July, your application may not get to the dental schools you’re interested in until sometime in October. By that time, your chances of being interviewed, much less being offered a spot for admission, will be reduced considerably.”

Applications received by all the nation’s dental schools have steadily increased in recent years.

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entistry has been more than a profession and a passion for Dr. Charles Kelly and his wife, Dee. It seems to be a

family tradition…one that goes back nearly 100 years…and will continue for the foreseeable future. Take a look at the list of members of the Kelly family who have earned dental degrees from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry: • Hisfather,DonaldCalvin Kelly, 1933. • CharlesKelly,1953. • Hisbrother,Terry,1965. Dee received her degree in dental hygiene in 1951.

Continuing the Tradition Two Kelly sons, Kevin and Patrick, earned their dental degrees from U-M in 1979 and 1980, respectively. Patrick’s wife, Mary, has an associate degree in dental assisting and was an

Dr. Charles and Mrs. Dee Kelly

assistant to Dr. James Hayward while Patrick attended U-M. Two Kelly grandchildren and a grandson-in-law are predoctoral students at U-M School of Dentistry: Macare Kelly, a third-year dental student, and Christina Dreves, a second-year dental student whose husband, Christopher, is also a D2. Another granddaughter, Megan (Christina’s sister), is considering dentistry as a career. Chuck isn’t sure why so many in the family have chosen dentistry as a career. In fact, he admits attempting to dissuade both Kevin and Patrick from entering the profession when they were younger. “I told them dentistry wasn’t an easy profession because it required long hours that included lab work, office management, and time with staff. It was also a high stress profession, treating people surgically who were

always awake and who would prefer not to be treated,” he continued. Chuck said he thought “they saw how much I enjoyed it, so they decided to become dentists anyway. Perhaps my suggestion that they find a vocation that allowed them to be their own boss was also a factor.” The Kellys are proud of their sons who are in dentistry and medicine and their grandchildren who are pursuing their dental studies at Michigan. But they’re also proud of their five other children who have distinguished themselves in other ways. Mike, a patent attorney in Grand Rapids, has a master’s degree from U-M in addition to a law degree. Dan, after owning and managing several restaurants in Traverse City, now runs a catering business and owns the Williamsburg Showcase Dinner Theater and Conference Center. Theresa is an accountant working with her husband, Rick Dreves , who owns and operates Northwest Orthodontic Laboratory. Tim, an ear, nose, and throat physician, has advised the Kelly grandchildren to enter dentistry, suggesting it as a better alternative to medicine. Colleen, who received her degree from U-M, is a registered nurse in North Barrington, Illinois.

Looking Back Although this year marks twenty years since he retired as a practicing dentist, Chuck said he visits his former office that is run by his sons Kevin and Patrick.

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“In a way, I miss not practicing,” he said. “But since they are running my former practice, I still stop by every now and then to talk to them, the staff, and some of my former patients. I’ll also cast jewelry in the lab.” Dee, who worked part-time in her husband’s office, said she enjoyed being able to apply her U-M education. “I spent a considerable amount of time raising our five sons and two daughters, so that didn’t give me a lot of time to get out of the house,” she said. “But when I was helping Chuck, I loved the opportunity to talk to the patients and staff and apply some of what I learned when I was a dental hygiene student. That made me feel like my Michigan degree was worth even more.” When she was in grade school, Dee said she wanted to be a physician. But her interest in medical technology eventually led her to pursue a career in dental hygiene. “A major influence in my decision to become a dental hygienist was working for Dr. Mark Gilson, who was in the School’s periodontal department when I was a sophomore in college,” she added. “I enjoyed it so much, and it was less time consuming than medical technology, so I decided to pursue a career in dental hygiene.” At the time, medical technology was a five-year program and dental hygiene a four-year program. Chuck and Dee met in Traverse City the summer before they both entered the School of Dentistry. They married about a year later, in September

1950, when Dee was about to begin her senior year in the dental hygiene program at U-M and Chuck was a second-year dental student. “Our first son, Michael, was born about ten days following my dental hygiene board exams,” she said with a laugh. Dee took a job in the private office of the chair of the Department of Orthodontics, Dr. George Moore. As a student, Chuck cleaned dental offices and did some carpentry work for the Ann Arbor public schools. In 1953, he graduated and was an associate in a dental practice in Plymouth, Michigan. Since he also was in a U.S. Navy program, he was sent to Morocco. Dee and their two children joined him in North Africa

a few months later, where Kevin was born. Upon returning to the U.S., he bought a practice in Kingsley, Michigan, in southern Grand Traverse County and moved it to Traverse City a year later. As Chuck and Dee raised a family and built the dental practice, they also found time to be involved in their community and with their church. Last spring, Chuck was inducted into the Traverse City Central High School Hall of Fame for his many professional and civic contributions. [See page 38.] “Even though we’ve been married for fifty-six years, I’m still amazed to read about all Chuck has done,” Dee said. “He’s very special, not just to me

Dentistry is a family tradition for Dr. Charles Kelly and his wife, Dee, a dental hygienist. Others family members in dentistry include (left to right): Mary, who was an assistant to Dr. James Hayward in oral surgery; Macare, a third-year dental student; Patrick (DDS 1980); Dee (DH 1951); Dr. Charles Kelly (DDS 1953); Christopher Mazzola, a second-year dental student married to Christina, also a second-year dental student; and Kevin (DDS 1979).

Photo courtesy of Dr. Charles Kelly


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and our children and grandchildren, but to the dental profession and the community.”

Two Major Changes Noted Asked what he thought some of the biggest changes in dentistry were during the 35 years he practiced (1953-1988), Chuck said there were two. The first he mentioned was high-speed equipment becoming standard in dental offices. “That had a profound change on how we practiced,” he said. “That equipment enabled us to treat patients

more efficiently and required us to use more staff and devote more time to the business, or practice management, side of dentistry.” The other major change, he said, occurred in 1969. “As I look back, it seemed that, at that time, dentistry became more of a behavioral science. We went from treating caries to preventing them. That had major

consequences for us as dentists and for our patients too.” That change, to what he described as “a wellness practice, was a profound one because it required a change in philosophy. We went from an emphasis on treatment to becoming a learning center for patients that required new thinking in nutrition, psycho-social stress management, and patient motivation,” he said. “But it was a wonderful time because having less disease to treat allowed time for cosmetic treatments, TMJ treatment, and nutritional counseling.”

Still Active Both Chuck and Dee continue to remain active in dentistry, their community, and their church. “Our family is science oriented, so we still occasionally attend seminars to learn more about new advances and discoveries and wind up talking about those with family and friends,” she said.

Chuck continues to play clarinet in a wind orchestra. Both continue to sing in their church’s choir and are active on various committees and boards. Their active lifestyle impresses their grandchildren. Macare, a third-year dental student, said her grandfather “still plays the clarinet in the U-M Alumni Marching Band during the Homecoming football game.” She said there was another side of their grandparents that has impressed her. “ M y g r a n d p a re n t s a l w a y s encouraged me to follow my interests and passions in life,” she said. She recalled how they would take her to museums and “always encouraged artistic talents. He would explain that much of dentistry revolves around the artist’s touch. Until going to dental school, I didn’t understand this, but now I can appreciate what he stressed to me throughout my childhood!” Another granddaughter, Christina Dreves, said that her grandfather “always stresses the ‘individual,’ the ‘human’ in the patient rather than the ‘teeth.’ He truly cares for each of his former patients. That’s a quality that the patient was well aware of and appreciated more than any treatment that he could provide,” she said. Both of my grandparents have demonstrated a love and generosity for dental education that will surely affect dental professionals and patients for generations,” she added.

Dr. Charles Kelly and his wife, Dee (right), were present when their granddaughter, Macare Kelly (third from left) received her white coat during a ceremony at the School of Dentistry in 2004. Also present was Macare’s mother, Mary (second from left).

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Macare Kelly (D3)

“My grandparents always encouraged me to follow my interests and passions in life. They’re incredibly artistic and also patrons of the arts. Grandpa still plays the clarinet in the U-M Alumni Marching Band during the Homecoming football game!

Macare Kelly (left) and Christina Kelly Dreves.

Photo courtesy of Macare Kelly

Their InfluenceDr. Charles Kelly and his wife, Dee, have had a profound impact on their

grandchildren who are now at the U-M School of Dentistry.

Macare Kelly, a third-year dental student, and Christina Dreves, a second-year

dental student, said their grandparents have instilled in them a zest for life and

how dentists can help so many. Below are their edited remarks.

“Growing up, they took me and my cousins to museums and always encouraged artistic talents. He would explain that much of dentistry revolves around the artist’s touch. Until going to dental school, I didn’t understand this, but now I can appreciate what he stressed to me throughout my childhood.

“My grandfather taught me how to wax up teeth, cast crowns, and make jewelry in my dad’s office the summer after my first year of dental school. I am so lucky to have a grandfather who was willing to spend his time with me. I realize how important it is for him to teach me what he knows, and for this I will always be grateful.

“My grandparents have shared so many special memories of dental and dental hygiene education from the fifties. I am amazed at how things have changed! One of my favorite stories is how a dental classmate’s necktie got caught in the arm of a casting machine after it was wound. Grandpa said he and his classmates learned very quickly to stay clear of the machine once they let go!”

Christina Dreves (D2)

“The biggest impact my grandparents have made on me would probably be their general love for life and the importance of health and nutrition. Although both are seventy-seven, they still play tennis, go downhill skiing, and travel the world…

“They have inspired me to strive for these same goals. Eventually, I hope to inspire my own patients to understand the importance of health and the great impact that it can have on their lives.

“Grandpa always stresses the ‘individual,’ the ‘human’ in the patient rather than the ‘teeth.’ He truly cares for each of his former patients. That’s a quality that the patient was well aware of and appreciated more than any treatment that he could provide.

“Both of my grandparents have demonstrated a love and generosity for dental education that will surely affect dental professionals and patients for generations.”


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Hall of Fame InductionDr. Charles Kelly, who graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1947, was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame last summer, along with four others. In its narrative, edited here, many of his achievements were cited.

• Juniorclasspresidentandgovernor(1946-1947).• Memberofthestudentcouncil,band,danceband,choir,andtennis

team; Eagle Scout; and attended Interlochen Arts Camp (1943-1946).• GraduatedfromU-MSchoolofDentistry(1953);wasamemberofthe

U-M marching and basketball bands.• ServedintheU.S.NavalDentalCorps(1954-1956).• Fellow,InternationalCollegeofDentistry.• President,ResortDistrictDentalSociety.• PracticeddentistryinTraverseCity(1956untilretiringin1988).• Presentedclinicsonnutritionandpreventivedentistry;published

articles in the Michigan Journal of General Dentistry.• ParticipatedinaculturalexchangewithdentistsinMoscowand

Leningrad (1976).• GroupleaderofU.S.dentiststoChina(1982).• MissionarydentistinorphanagesinBolivia(1994).• Pastpresident,GrandTraverseU-MAlumniClub.• Co-chairoffirstDennosMuseumbenefit(1992).• BoyScoutleaderinTraverseCity(1954-1972).• Chair,InterlochenPublicRadioStationBoard.• Pastsecretaryandpastpresident,InterlochenArtsCampAlumniBoard.

(Emeritus Trustee since 1996).• Pastmember,NorthernMichiganPlannedGivingCouncil.• Member,U-MDevelopmentTaskForce.• BoardofDirectors,TraverseCitySymphonyandTraverseCity Economics Club.

The article mentioning Kelly’s achievements also notes his 56-year marriage to Dee, their seven children and 22 grandchildren, and the occupations of their children.


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ess than two years remain in the School of Dentistry’s efforts to raise $35 million during the University’s “Michigan Difference” fundraising campaign. After beginning in May 2004, the public phase of the campaign is

scheduled to end December 31, 2008. In mid May, the School of Dentistry reported gifts and pledges totaling more than $32 million, or about 92 percent of its goal. The University has raised more than $2.4 billion, or 96 percent of its $2.5 billion goal.

“Stretch Goal” Richard Fetchiet, director of external relations and continuing dental education, said, “We set an extremely ambitious campaign goal for the School of Dentistry. In fact, during our campaign planning we had a feasibility study conducted by an independent fundraising consulting firm and they suggested a goal in the $25 million range. “However, the enthusiasm of our campaign committee, combined with the commitment demonstrated by our fundraising team, led us to the stretch goal of $35 million. We believe that goal is in sight and, with the continued generosity of our alumni and friends, we hope to surpass $35 million in gifts and pledges prior to the campaign close in December 2008.” Members of the School’s fundraising committee, chaired by Dr. Jay Werschky, met last fall to discuss ways to surpass the $35 million goal.

L

TheSchoolofDentistry’sfundraisingcommitteemetlastfalltoreviewprogressinraising$35millionduringthe“MichiganDifference”campaign. Seated around the table to discuss the effort are (left to right): Drs. Colin Mayers, Peter Kelly, Sondra Gunn, Jay Werschky, Eli Berger, Timothy Gietzen, and Bill Lawler, Jr. Joining later were two other committee members, Dr. Charles Kelly and his wife, Dee.

School at 92% of Fundraising GoalKeary Campbell


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What’s Also New Each operatory, he said, will have digital capabilities that will include being able to receive and transmit digital radiographs, videos, and patient records. Ceiling- and floor-mounted microscopes will also have digital capabilities. The operatories will be digitally linked so that it will be possible to view a procedure from a distance, including another part of the world, or televise a procedure as it’s taking place to a classroom. McDonald also said patient chairs would be positioned in each operatory to minimize disruptions and enhance teaching. “Instead of physically stepping into an operatory and disrupting the graduate student who is treating a patient, as we do now, instructors will be able to stop at the entrance to each operatory, see what’s taking place, and avoid those interruptions,” he said.

Curriculum Changes The new clinic is part of a larger effort to transform the endodontics curriculum. Dr. Stephen Bayne, chair of the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, said the transformation will include “both an

Fundraising Begins for New Endodontics ClinicThe School of Dentistry’s Office of Development is raising funds to help build a new endodontics clinic. When completed, the new 3,500 square foot facility will be about twice as large as the current facility. Tentative plans for the new facility call for 15 operatories, instead of the current nine, as well as a surgical operatory and an operatory for use by endodontists practicing in the Dental Faculty Associates office. There will also be waiting, patient consultation, and conference rooms and four nearby faculty offices. “The new clinic will be state of the art,” said Dr. Neville McDonald, director of the School’s graduate endodontics program.

intense research experience and an invigorated clinical training curriculum capable of meeting current and future demands of that specialty.” [DentalUM, Fall 2006, page 42.] Beginning July 1, the graduate endodontics program will become a “master’s degree only” program. Residents will graduate with a certificate of endodontics and a master’s degree. The current “certificate only” program will no longer be offered. There are two reasons for the change, according to McDonald. “We want the research component of the program to be self sustaining and contribute to the scientific database,” he said. “In addition, the longer program, 34 months, will enable us to more easily incorporate future changes in practice philosophies as they unfold.” McDonald said many of the ideas for the new clinic came from touring other University programs, private endodontic practices, and discussions with several U-M School of Dentistry endodontic alumni including Drs. Robert Coleman, Allan Jacobs, Richard Gardner, Jerry Dietz, Sr., Martin Tuck, and John Willoughby. “They all gave us good ideas on what we should do and not do in the new facility,” McDonald said. “But

we couldn’t do all of them because of costs.” Cost estimates for the new clinic are approximately $3 million. The School hopes to raise $1 million from endodontics graduates. Among those who have already pledged to help reach that goal include Gardner, Jacobs, and Dr. Jeffrey Halvorson. Their stories are on pages 41 to 42. Tuck and Willoughby are also among those supporting the project.

Naming Opportunitiesfor New Endodontic Clinic

In suppor t of the new graduate endodontics clinic, the U-M School of Dentistry offers several naming opportunities which are available in recognition of a one-time gift or upon completion of a five-year pledge.

Surgical Suite: $100,000Dental Faculty Suite: $100,000Graduate Operatory: $25,000 eachWaiting Room: $15,000Clinic Supervisor’s Office: $15,000Reception Area: $10,000Faculty Office: $10,000 each

For more information about these oppor-tunities please contact Jeff Freshcorn, director of development, at(734) 647-4394.


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Dr. Richard Gardner: “What We’re Doing Today is Totally Different”

Dr. Richard Gardner

Keary Campbell

“The opportunity to help provide the latest and best technology in a new state-of-the-art clinic is what motivated me to pledge $25,000,” said Dr. Richard Gardner. Gardner, who earned his dental degree from U-M in 1983 and a master’s degree in endodontics two years later, has been teaching endodontics part-time at the School for more than twenty years. “What we’re doing today is totally different, especially when it comes to using technology, compared to when I was an endodontics student,” he said. One of the major differences Gardner cited was the use of microscopes in the clinic. “It’s remarkable what we can do with that piece of equipment to help a patient,” he said. “You’re no longer guessing. You can see details you couldn’t years ago and that often makes a big difference.” Gardner cited another technological innovation, digital radiography. “Digital radiography gives us opportunities

to instantly see what’s wrong, what needs to be done, and where, compared to taking a radiograph, going to a dark room, processing the film, and waiting. The digital technology we’re using in the clinic is faster and more time efficient for both the practitioner and the patient,” he said. Noting that his career path to becoming a dentist and an endodontist “was not a straight line,” Gardner said he was a toxicologist for several years before entering the oral health care profession. “I think a brother-in-law who’s a dentist and a sister who’s a dental hygienist had something to do with that,” he said with a laugh. “I enjoy what I like to call ‘the inherent urgent nature’ that’s a part of being an endodontist,” he said. “For most patients, it’s fearful for them to come and see you, but yet they know they must because something has to be done. Their belief and confidence that you can help them motivates me,” he said. “To see them come in with pain and then leave pain free makes those years of study all worthwhile.” Making teaching worthwhile, Gardner added, are the students. “Their enthusiasm is contagious and makes my time here at the dental school and in my own private practice both interesting and rewarding.” Gardner added that his gift was also motivated, in part, by the naming opportunity. He encourages his colleagues to consider that as another reason to make a gift for the new endodontics clinic. [See page 42.]

Keary Campbell


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“I wanted to be a part of the effort to help fund the building of the new clinic. That’s why I made my pledge, because it was a unique way for me to make a difference,” said Dr. Jeffrey Halvorson (DDS 1983, MS endodontics 1992). Talking about his days as a student at the University of Michigan, which also included earning a bachelor’s degree in

zoology in 1979, Halvorson said the dental school is special to him. “I have many fond memories of the University and the dental school,” he said. “I am the professional I am today because of the education and experience I received in the dental and endodontics programs at Michigan. Halvorson cited three instructors who were instrumental in his success. “Drs. Richard Gardner, John Corcoran, and the late Robert Ellison were all top-notch instructors who helped me as a student, and I will always be grateful for that,” he said. “I hope my gift encourages other endodontic colleagues to reflect on their Michigan experiences and also make a gift to help fund the new clinic.”

Dr. Allan Jacobs Gifts $25,000 for New Endodontics Clinic

“I’m proud to be a part of the effort to help build the new endodontics clinic. It’s going to be a great facility and a lot different from when I was a student,” said Dr. Allan Jacobs (DDS 1974, MS endodontics 1978). As he talked about his days as a student thirty years ago, Jacobs recalled the facilities that were in the Kellogg Building. “I

remember our graduate endodontic department had just a single line of chairs with no partitions to give the patients, or us as providers, any privacy,” he said. “But once this new facility is completed, with state-of-the-art microscopes and digital radiography, the difference will be tremendous, almost like night and day.” Jacobs also teaches part-time at the School. “Teaching is one way I try to give back something to the School and the division of endodontics. My financial gift is another way of giving back, and I would encourage other alumni to pledge to the project if they haven’t already,” he said. “I believe my gift and teaching students some of the things I have learned during my career will help them and help the School continue the tradition of excellence at Michigan,” he added. Last May Jacobs was elected to a third one-year term as Speaker of the Michigan Dental Association’s House of Delegates. He is a past president of the Oakland County Dental Society, past president of the Michigan Association of Endodontists, and is a current member of its board. He is a member and former chairman of the Public and Professional Affairs Committee of the American Association of Endodontists.

Dr. Jeffrey Halvorson Pledges $25K to New Endo Clinic

Keary Campbell

Dr. Allan Jacobs Dr. Jeffrey Halvorson


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him. I don’t think that word, ‘devoted’, is too strong a word to use,” she said, “because if someone needed his help, be it a student, faculty member, or someone on his staff, he was always there for them.” Gunn said the gift will serve another purpose, continuing academic excellence in the department. “I remember when he was attempt-ing to raise funds for the department and the School, he would tell others, ‘People before you made it possible for you to be here at Michigan to get an education, now it’s your turn.’ I’m in a position now where I can make a difference and wanted to continue doing so,” she said.

on the orthodontic profession. “He’s been an inspiration to his students as a faculty member, as a mentor, and as a department chair,” Aldrich said. “To see the impact Lysle has had on orthodontics makes me very pleased to have played a part in his truly outstanding career.” Aldrich said he hopes his gift “will inspire others to contribute and to carry on Johnston’s legacy of excellence to continue the department’s ability to select the very best people who can teach orthodontics just as Lysle did for so many years.”

New Gifts for Lysle Johnston Collegiate ProfessorshipNew pledges have been made by many School of Dentistry orthodontics alumni to fund the Dr. Lysle Johnston Jr. Endowed Collegiate Professorship. Plans call for raising $500,000 for the endowment that will associate Johnston and the U-M orthodontics program in perpetuity. Among pledges recently received are those from Dr. and Mrs. Robert Aldrich, Dr. Sondra Gunn, and Dr. Ludia Kim.

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Aldrich Gift $250,000 “A leader and, without question, the best in orthodontics.” That’s how Dr. Robert Aldrich described Dr. Lysle Johnston as he talked about his former student and his $250,000 gift to help endow the Dr. Lysle Johnston Endowed Collegiate Professorship. Aldrich, who taught at the School of Dentistry for more than two decades, said that he “always has had the highest regards for him which began when Lysle was one of my students in the 1960s.” Johnston, Aldrich continued, “was an exciting student to teach and work with. His mind was very agile, his curiosity was

“My decision to gift $25,000 for the Dr. Lysle Johnston Professorship is to honor Lysle, both as an outstanding human being and an instructor, as well as to help ensure the Department of Orthodontics continues to attract high-caliber instructors like him in the future,”

Dr. Sondra Gunn: Honoring “an outstandinghuman being and instructor”

Bob and Katie Aldrich

Dr. Sondra Gunn

Per Kjeldsen

constant, and he kept all of us on our toes with his questions and observations.” Even then, Aldrich said he thought Johnston would have a great influence

said Dr. Sondra Gunn. She said her association with Johnston began when he arrived at U-M in 1991 and continued until his retirement in 2004. “My gift to the professorship bearing his name is my way of saying ‘thank you’ for all he’s done for me,” she said. Talking about that association, Gunn said, “Lysle has been a role model for all of us. He always expected us to do well and he never compromised in terms of demanding academic and clinical excellence from all of his students,” she said. “But what also impressed me about Lysle was how those who worked with him and for him were always devoted to


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Some of Johnston’s other traits also impressed Kim. “He dedicated his entire career to orthodontics. He was always there

for you. His integrity was, and still is, impeccable. And he had a great sense of humor,” she said. “There will never be another Lysle Johnston. He was one of a kind,” Kim said. “I hope my gift of $25,000 will encourage others who were in the orthodontics program to help fund the professorship that will bear his name.”

“I’m making a pledge to the Lysle Johnston Collegiate Professorship for one reason – to honor a great icon in orthodontics,” said Dr. Ludia Kim (MS

orthodontics 1997). “He has dedicated his entire life to orthodontics and I’m so fortunate to have had him as my professor.” However, Kim said she didn’t feel that way initially. “I remember how demanding he was on all of his students,” she said. “But with the benefit of hindsight, that was done for a reason – he expected great things from all of us. I respect him so much for that.”

Dr. Robert Sterken Pledges $25,000 to Pediatric Fund for

Excellence

“The University of Michigan School of Dentistry has had a huge impact on my life. In return, I would like to support the School’s efforts as it continues to educate students,” said Dr. Robert Sterken. “That’s why I’m pledging $25,000 to the Pediatric Fund for Excellence.” Sterken, who practices in Holland, Michigan, earned his dental degree from U-M in 1977 and a master’s degree in pediatric dentistry four years later.

Re f l e c t i n g on his years at the dental s c h o o l a n d talking about his education, Sterken said, “several fac-ulty members were especially

helpful to me, including Drs. Richard Corpron, Paul Loos, Bud Straffon, Arnold Morawa, David Weine, Tom Pink, and Jim Clark. “I admired their commitment to both the School and the profession. So this gift is my way of saying how much I valued what they did for me as well as a way of saying thank you.”

Dr. Ludia Kim: “To Honor a Great Iconin Orthodontics”

Dr. Ludia Kim

Keary Campbell

Dr. Robert Sterken

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Homecoming WeekendThe University of Michigan School of Dentistry welcomed graduates of the dental and dental hygiene programs to Homecoming Weekend during three days of activities last October.

Emeritus Alumni PresentMembers of the Class of 1956 who attended the Emeritus Pinning Ceremony included: Donald L. AmbroseJohn C. CameronJohn B. ClarkeWard H. ColeMilo L. DanzeisenCharles E. DixonRobert B. EvansRobert A. FluckeJames D. GreigJoseph P. KarkutGloria James KerryJohn E. LamanElmer C. LangHarold E. Maude, Sr.J. Michael McKennaHarry C. MighionTheodore A. MillerLawrence D. NewmanDick H. Nieusma, Jr.Robert A. PetersenDonald W. PetersonJames ShimokusuWalter H. Stewart, Jr.

Members of the DH Class of 1956 who were present included: Jeanne H. BertoldiPhyllis L. BillesChris M. GraneggenLaura Smith HuttemanValerie G. O’BrienSallie Reynolds PetersenHermine McLeran Weinert

Emeritus Alumni Honored

Events began Thursday, October 26, with a pinning ceremony honoring the emeritus alumni. Twenty-three members of the Dental Class of 1956 and seven members of the Dental Hygiene Class of 1956 received pins celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation. Before calling each to the podium to receive their gifts, Dr. Marilyn Lantz, associate dean for academic affairs, said all “are joining quite a select group of individuals.”

Keary CampbellJerry Mastey

Jerry Mastey

Dr. Gloria Kerry, who earned both a dental degree and a master’s in periodontics from U-M and taught at the School of Dentistry from 1974 to 1988, was among those at the emeritus reunion.

After receiving their emeritus pins, alumni toured the Dr. Roy Roberts Preclinical Laboratory. Dr. Mary Ellen McLean described how new technology is being used to teach and train dental students.

Thursday’s Homecoming Weekend activities included a luncheon in the Sindecuse Atrium prior to the Hall of Honor ceremony.

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Drs. Craig and Striffler Inducted intoHall of Honor

Two former faculty members were inducted into the U-M School of Dentistry Hall of Honor during Homecoming Weekend activities. Drs. Robert Craig and David Striffler were posthumously inducted during a ceremony held in the Sindecuse Museum. Established in 2003, the Hall of Honor recognizes those from the U-M School of Dentistry (administrators, faculty, and others) who have had a major impact on the oral health care profession. Plaques bearing the names, images, and a description of the achievements of the 34 men and women who have been inducted are on a wall in the Kellogg Building near the continuing dental education office.

Dr. Daniel Edwards, a member of the School’s Alumni Society Board of Governors, reads a letter from Dr. David Striffler’s daughter thanking the School for recognizing her father. “I am gratified to know that my father’s passion and achievements have found a place in the Hall of Honor,” Stephanie Striffler wrote. Noting her father’s efforts to prevent disease and make dental care widely available, she added that her father “would have been quite amazed to learn that one day his achievements would be honored in this way by the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.”

Family members of the late Dr. Robert Craig were among those present as he was posthumously inducted into the School of Dentistry’s Hall of Honor. They were (left to right): his niece, Linda Reed; his sister, Martha Wigglesworth; and daughters Kate Craig and Susan Craig. Another daughter, Barbara, was unable to attend. On the right, Dr. Gerald Charbeneau reads the plaque listing Dr. Craig’s achievements.

Keary Campbell

Keary Campbell

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I nominate

_________________________________________

for consideration to the University of Michigan

School of Dentistry Hall of Honor.

Please provide any professional information you may have about this individual that would help the Selection Committee. You may use additional pages if necessary.

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Your name ______________________________________________________________________________

Your address ____________________________________________________________________________

Your U-M School of Dentistry degree(s) & year(s) ________________________________________________

Your phone number ( _____ )_______________________ E-mail _________________________________

Please return this form to: University of Michigan School of Dentistry Office of Alumni Relations & CDE Attn: Debbie Montague 1011 N. University Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078

The envelope with your nomination must be postmarked by November 1, 2007.


School of Dentistry

Hall of HonorThe Hall of Honor posthumously honors

some of the legends of the dental

profession who have been associated

with the U-M School of Dentistry.

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Fanfare Band HighlightsHomecoming Dinner

More than 500 dental and dental hygiene graduates were at Friday’s Homecoming Celebration Dinner. Members of dental and dental hygiene classes who graduated in years ending in 1 and 6 were at the program that featured an appearance by the U-M Fanfare Band.

AmonggraduatesoftheClassof1976whowereatthedinnerincluded (left to right): Drs. Timothy Gietzen, James Lennan, Craig Hawker, and Jay Roahen.

Twenty-onemembersoftheDentalClassof1956gatheredintheKelloggBuildingforthisgrouppictureduringHomecomingWeekend.

Debbie Montague, manager in the Department of Continuing Dental Education and Alumni Relations, greets Dr. Robert Aldrich at the Homecoming Weekend dinner.

SevendentalhygienegraduatesfromtheClassof1956werealso present Homecoming Weekend.

Jerry Mastey

Keary Campbell

Jerry Mastey

Jerry Mastey

Keary Campbell

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The Office of Alumni Relations has a new meeting and special events planner, Mary Jo Grand. Grand, who has more than eight years of experience coordinating alumni and high profile academic and community events, began her new role at the School of Dentistry last October after working at the Rackham School of Graduate Studies where she served as an event liaison and facility coordinator. Prior to working at Rackham, Grand was a meeting and special events manager with the University’s Medical Development and Alumni Relations Office. Before that she served as an events coordinator for dean’s events at the U-M Dearborn campus. For the last two years, Grand has

been on the organizing committee for the Ann Arbor/Dexter run. She also co-chairs the annual UEP (University Event Planners) Vendors Showcase and Educational Retreat. “The Development and Alumni Relations team has done a wonderful job of building a strong sense of community at the School of Dentistry,” Grand said. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this team and I look forward to further engaging alumni, faculty, and staff through activities and special events.” Grand has a 21-year-old son, Travis, and a 24-year-old daughter, Amber. Grand can be reached by e-mail at: [email protected] or by telephone (734) 764-6856.

Mary Jo Grand New Meeting & Special Events Planner

More than 130 School of Dentistry alumni gathered at the U-M Golf Course in late September for the School’s ninth annual golf outing.

First Place winners, with a score of 13 below par, was the team of Steve Lawrence, Crayton Kidd, Chris Brown, and Brent Davidson (above).

Mary Jo Grand

130+ at AnnualGolf Outing

This year’s annual golf o u t i n g w i l l b e h e l d Thursday, September 20 at the U-M Golf Course. Additional details will be

provided later.

2007 GolfOuting

Jerry Mastey

Jerry Mastey

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A bill signed by President Bush last summer could be of interest…and benefit…to U-M School of Dentistry alumni. Under terms of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, individuals who are 70-1/2 and older can now make direct charitable contributions from their Individual Retirement Accounts or Roth IRAs to qualified charitable organizations. H o w e v e r, t h e t i m e l e f t t o take advantage of this significant opportunity is limited. Gifts can only be made through December 31, 2007.

Benefits Key elements of the new legislation include: • Beingabletodirectlytransfer up to $100,000 from an IRA or Roth IRA to a qualified charity. • Applyingthecontribution toward one’s required minimum distribution. • Beingabletomakethecontri- bution in addition to any other charitable giving a donor has planned. The new legis lat ion wi l l be particularly advantageous to Michigan residents because charitable deductions cannot be itemized on the Michigan state income tax return.

With the charitable IRA rollover, M i c h i g a n re s i d e n t s m a y m a ke charitable gifts of IRA assets in a tax-advantaged way. Even non-itemizers can benefit since the contribution is not recognized as taxable income, nor is it recognized as a tax deduction. The legislation will be helpful to donors who do not itemize deductions on their federal return and to donors who have already maxed out their federa l char i tab le contr ibut ion deduction by contributing 50 percent or more of their adjusted gross income to charities.

Some Restrictions H o w e v e r, t h e r e a r e s o m e limitations. One is that although distributions may be made only from an IRA or Roth IRA, they may not be made from qualified retirement plans such as a 401(k) or 403(b). In addition, qualified charitable contributions may not be used to fund charitable remainder trusts or charitable gift annuities. To qualify, gifts must be made directly to qualified charities…such as the University of Michigan School of Dentistr y…and not to donor advised funds, private foundations,

or supporting organizations. The new legislation and gift giving benefits could be a great opportunity for you to start a scholarship, add to an existing endowment, or make your first major gift to the U-M Michigan Difference campaign.

For More Information If you would like to learn more about the legislation and discuss your options or make a gift, be sure to call or e-mail either Jeff Freshcorn or Marty Bailey in the School of Dentistry’s Office of Development.

Jeff Freshcorn Director of Development (734) 647-4394 [email protected] Martin BaileyAssistant Major Gifts Officer(734) [email protected]

New Charitable IRA Rollover Offers Benefits to School of Dentistry Alums Available only to December 31, 2007

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Please take a moment to vote for the candidates who will serve on the School of Dentistry’s Alumni Society Board of Governors. On the ballot on this page, choose four dentists and one dental hygienist who will serve a three-year term beginning in September. Then clip and mail your ballot to the School of Dentistry at the address on the ballot. Ballots must be postmarked by August 1, 2007.

Dr. Samuel T. Bander, * a 1981 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, has practiced general dentistry in Grand Rapids for 25 years. He served the Western Michigan District Dental Society for three years as a director in the 1980s, and has served on the organization’s Peer Review and Public Relations committees. Active in the community as president of the Grand Rapids Jaycees from 1989-1990, and president of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in 2001, he is a member of the Vedder Crown and Bridge Study Club, the Bunting Periodontal Study Club and a member of the Kois Center for continuing education.

Dr. Jerry B. Booth earned his DDS from U-M in 1961, completed the oral and maxillofacial surgery training program at the U-M Hospital three years later, and received his master’s degree in 1964. A resident of Jackson, Michigan, with a full-service oral and maxillofacial practice in that community, Dr. Booth has been active in numerous professional organizations, including serving as president of the Michigan Society of Oral Surgeons and the Dental Society. He also served as treasurer for Delta Dental. In addition to being elected to a three-year term as chief of surgery for Foote Hospital in Jackson, he chaired their finance committee and serves on the finance committee of the Jackson Community Foundation.

Dr. Kerry Kaysserian is a 1981 graduate of the U-M School of Dentistry and a 1976 graduate of the Michigan Business School. He has been in private practice in Traverse City since 1981. He serves on the Board of Governors of the Dental PAC for the Michigan Dental Association and is president-elect of the Resort District Dental Society. He is a corporate member of the Delta Dental Plan of Michigan and the Delta Dental Foundation and a director of the Delta Dental Plan of Ohio.

Dr. Josephine Weeden * earned her dental degree from U-M in 1996 and completed her master’s in orthodontics in 1999. An active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, she is currently president of the Michigan Association of Orthodontists. A board certified orthodontist with private practice offices in Adrian and Ann Arbor, Dr. Weeden is also an adjunct clinical instructor in the graduate orthodontic clinic at the U-M School of Dentistry.

Kathleen Early-Burk, RDH, earned her BS in dental hygiene from U-M in 1977. After working two years in Switzerland, she returned to Michigan. Currently she’s in private practice in Brighton, and a U-M adjunct clinical instructor. She served six years on the U-M Dental Hygiene Alumni Association Executive Board and is a member of MDHA and WDDHS.

BALLOT

Vote for 4 dentists:

Dr. Samuel T. Bander *

Dr. Jerry B. Booth

Dr. Kerry Kaysserian

Dr. Josephine Weeden *

Vote for 1 hygienist:

Kathleen Early-Burk

* Incumbent

Envelope with ballot must be postmarked by August 1, 2007.

Please mail your ballot to:


School of Dentistry

540 E. Liberty, Suite 204


Alumni Society Board of Governors

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5252

More than one thousand oral health care professionals were in Ann Arbor in January to hear Dr. Charles Goodacre talk about a contemporary approach to fixed prosthodontics. Goodacre spoke at the 26th annual Kenneth J. Ryan, DDS Memorial Seminar presented by the School of Dentistry and sponsored by the Delta Dental Foundation. During the six-hour program at Rackham Auditorum, Goodacre provided a comprehensive review of today’s philosophies and clinical procedures associated with fixed partial dentures. He spoke on a range of clinical procedures from diagnosis and treatment planning to clinical adjustment and cementation. Factors leading to the success, failure, and clinical complications associated with treatments were illustrated and discussed. Next year’s seminar will return to Rackham Auditorium and will feature Dr. Stanley Malamed. A professor of surgical, therapeutic, and bioengineering sciences at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Malamed has written several books including the Handbook of Local Anesthesia, Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office, and Sedation: A Guide to Patient Management.

Annual Seminar Focus:Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics

In his remarks to dentists and other oral health care providers, Dr. Charles Goodacre said that knowledge of complications associated with diagnosis and treatment planning in fixed prosthodontics “improves our ability to diagnose patients and to provide them with realistic expectations about what may happen following treatment.”

Keary Campbell

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CONTINUING EDUCATION

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Wang to Receive Educator’s Award

Dr. Hom-Lay Wang, d i re c t o r o f t h e School’s graduate p e r i o d o n t i c s p r o g r a m , w i l l receive the Perel Educator’s Award.Es tab l i shed two

years ago by Dr. Morton Perel, editor of Implant Dentistr y , the award acknowledges the contributions of an educator in academia who initiates, perpetuates, advances, encourages, teaches, and/or motivates students and practitioners in oral implantology/implant dentistry.

Taichman ASH Annual Meeting Speaker

Dr. Russell Taichman, a professor of dentistry in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, was a featured speaker at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in December. Taichman, who also is the director of the School of Dentistry’s Dental Scholars program, talked about blood stem cells and their role in bone development. He presented data suggesting the blood stem cells can regulate the development of bone, and that altered blood stem cell function may result in the loss of bone during aging and osteoporosis.

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Faculty News

A recently published book by Dr. Stephen Stefanac, associate dean for patient services, will interest oral health care professionals. The second edition of Treatment Planning in Dentistry offers general practitioners information they need to create treatment plans for adolescents and adults patients. Included in the 490-page publication are contributions from 11 new authors and three new chapters. S t e f a n a c a n d c o a u t h o r D r . Samuel Nesbit offer practitioners strategies for devising treatment strategies that blend the best of both worlds, “ideal” and “practical.” But they’re emphatic about one point. “We continue to emphasize the central role of the patient, whose needs and informed choices should drive the treatment planning process,” they write.

The book’s first section offers an overview of the treatment planning process. The second section details the five phases of all treatment plans. The third section includes information about devising treatment plans for special needs patients including those with physical and mental handicaps, those who have sustained head trauma, those with hemophilia, and patients with

special needs before, during, or after major surgery.

Accompanying the publication is a CD-ROM that gives readers

opportunities to practice applying what they read. The

exercises get more complex and, at the end, users learn

whether the authors agree or disagree and why.

“My coauthor, Sam Nesbit, and I are pleased that our book is being used by over two-thirds of the dental schools in the U.S.,” Stefanac said. Priced at $69.95, the book can be ordered on amazon.com.

Tedesco Receives ADEA Award

Dr. Lisa Tedesco, who was at the School of Dentistry as associate dean for academic affairs from 1992 to 1998 and served as U-M vice president and secretary from 1998 to 2005, received the ADEA’s Distinguished Service Award this spring. Given by the American Dental Education Association’s Board of Directors, the award recognizes significant contributions to education, research, and the ADEA. As a member of the ADEA Commission on Change and Innovation in Dental Education, Tedesco was recognized for being “instrumental in redirecting the Association’s activities to address national academic issues, professional testing, evaluation, and accreditation and policy matters.” Now Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School at Emory University, Tedesco was also ADEA president from 1995 to 1996.

Stefanac Authors Book


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Faculty Profile

How’s this for taking a chance? When he was a teenager, Will Giannobile’s father decided the family would move from the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows. But, to where? That was the question he, his three siblings, and mother asked. “Dad put up a map of the United States on one of the walls in the house and, literally, threw a dart at it. It landed on St. James, Missouri, a town of about three thousand, in the middle of nowhere and an hour and a half from St. Louis,” Giannobile said. “We didn’t know anyone there. We didn’t have family there. Dad, a carpenter, didn’t even have a job lined up. We just packed and moved,” he said. The toss of the dart was a roll of the dice. But with the benefit of hindsight, that one moment set in motion a host of events that, over time, set the stage for Giannobile’s scientific and academic career.

Learning and Adapting After the family moved, it bought a 100-acre dairy farm. “My father developed a new set of skills, in farming, while also working for people in the area as a carpenter,” Giannobile said. Taking a chance. Learning new skills. Applying previously-learned skills in a new environment.

Dr. William

GiannobileResearcher Periodontist Achiever

Dr. William Giannobile, director of clinical research at the U-M School of Dentistry and director of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research.

Keary Campbell


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Those would be three lessons young Will Giannobile learned from his father almost in an osmosis-like fashion that would, over time, become a part of his psyche. I n h i g h s c h o o l , G i a n n o b i l e developed an interest in science and took First Place in regional science competitions as a junior and senior. “I always enjoyed research, even when I was in high school,” he said. Besides his studies, Giannobile helped raise rabbits on the new family farm. He also shadowed a dentist in town, Dr. Steven Atkinson, and worked on the dentist’s farm. Giannobile’s interest in dentistry grew as he watched Atkinson help his patients. “It was fascinating to see him interacting with his patients and the way he seemed able to solve their problems on the spot.” But there was another dimension the dent ist possessed that a lso fascinated Giannobile – a degree in biochemistry. “That fueled my interest which led to my earning a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Missouri in Rolla, just ten miles away,” Giannobile said.

A Career-Changing Experience When he entered dental school at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, Giannobile thought he would eventually become a private practitioner. But during his first year at dental school, he received a fellowship to study at the National Institute of

Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda, Maryland. The exper iences G iannobi l e had at NIDCR gave him a chance to connect what was b e i n g d i s c o v e r e d i n a laboratory with how it could be applied in a dental clinic. “ I s a w and talked to people who work-ed in labs and treated p a t i e n t s , and I knew t h a t t h i s i s what I wanted to do – be both a dentist and a research scientist – and take what was discovered in a laboratory and use those discoveries to help people not just in my own private practice, but also in clinics anywhere in the world,” he said. Giannobile said he returned to Missouri with so much enthusiasm that his mentor at the dental school suggested pursuing both a dental degree and a master’s degree simultaneously. “I was their guinea pig for the dual-degree program,” he said with a smile. Beginning in the early 1990s, Giannobile was conducting research and teaching at three legendary institutions in Massachusetts, Harvard, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Forsyth Institute.

U-M “A Perfect Fit” But after seven years, he was looking for an opportunity to return to the Midwest. “Someone suggested I check out the University of Michigan School of

Dentistry because of its history, a c a d e m i c e xc e l l e n c e ,

tissue engineering, and periodontal

p r o g r a m s , ” G i a n n o b i l e said. “So I did and the f i t was perfect for me.”In eight years,

G i a n n o b i l e has advanced

from assistant p r o f e s s o r t o a

professor of dentistry. He is also the William K. and

Mary Anne Najjar Endowed Professor of Dentistry, director of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research, and a visiting professor with ancillary appointments to the University of Genoa, Milan, and the University of Naples, Italy. I n a d d i t i o n t o t e a c h i n g i n classrooms and clinics, Giannobile is an advisor to undergraduates, graduates, master’s students, and postdoctoral fellows; has authored or coauthored nearly 100 articles for research and scientific publications, more than a dozen textbook chapters, and nearly 60 abstracts; holds three patents; serves as an advisor and consultant to several corporations; and has made more than


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120 presentations at scientific and research forums around the world. His research is also prolific. He’s the principal investigator of four grants that, among other things, are investigating the use of gene therapy to reconstruct periodontal tissues and gene transfer for treating patients with periodontitis. Much of that research is taking place at the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research. [See pages 76 to 79.] Established in January 2005, MCOHR takes the knowledge discovered in research laboratories and applies it to help dental patients in clinics. It builds on the School of Dentistry’s major strengths – a long history of clinical trial research, national

prominence in basic science research, and balancing government-funded and corporate-supported research. [DentalUM, Fall 2004, pages 12-14.] Admitting his schedule “requires a lot of juggling,” Giannobile said “I’m very fortunate to be able to do so much because of our School’s commitment to excellence and the support of outstanding staff. I find that being in all of these activities – teaching, research, and clinics – that knowledge from one area is transferable to the other areas which, in the end, is better for students and patients.” Looking back on his career, Giannobile said that when he was growing up on that dairy farm in Missouri, “never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine I would be a faculty member and a researcher at one of the world’s major universities, the University of Michigan.” Asked what he does with whatever spare time he has, Giannobile said he tries to spend as much of that time as he can with his wife, Angela, who’s an optometrist, and son, Anthony. He also works out several times a week at an Ann Arbor health club.

But there’s something else about Giannobile that gives him a chance to unwind…something many probably don’t know. He’s a magician. His interest began on that dairy farm in Missouri. “I put on magic shows for friends at their birthday parties when I was in high school,” he said. “Now, on occasion, I’ll pull rabbits out of a hat during parties for my son and his friends. I don’t do it often, but when I do, it’s fun for me and to see the reaction on my son’s face.” Taking a chance. Learning new skills. Applying previously-learned skills in a new environment. Dr. William Giannobile has taken the lessons his father taught him years ago and has applied them well in his own life. “That move to Missouri was a wonderful experience. I am who I am today because of that,” he said. In retrospect, his father’s toss of the dart was not a roll of the dice for Dr. William Giannobile. It was a bullseye.

During a presentation in the Life Sciences building three years ago, Dr. William Giannobile discussed some of the research being conducted at the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research.

“Never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine I would be a faculty member and a researcher at one of the world’s major universities, the

University of Michigan.”–

Dr. William Giannobile

Keary Campbell


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Education• PostdoctoralFellowship,molecularbiology,DanaFarberCancerInstitute

and Harvard Medical School (1996-1998)• ResearchFellow,ForsythInstitute(1996-1998)• DMedSc,oralbiology,HarvardUniversity(1996)• Certificate,periodontology,HarvardUniversity(1996)• DDS,UniversityofMissouri(1991)• MS,oralbiology,UniversityofMissouri(1991)• BS,biochemistry,UniversityofMissouri(1987)

Academic Appointments• ProfessorofDentistry,Dept.ofPeriodonticsandOralMedicine,U-M

School of Dentistry (2004 to present)• AssociateProfessor,U-MSchoolofDentistry,Dept.ofBiomedical

Engineering and College of Engineering, U-M (2004 to present)• Director,MichiganCenterforOralHealthResearch,U-MSchoolof

Dentistry (2003 to present)• VisitingProfessor,BiotechnologyInstituteforRegenerativeMedicine,

University of Genoa, Italy (2006 to present)*• VisitingProfessor,DepartmentofMaxillofacialSurgery,Universityof

Milan, Italy and University of Naples (2006-2007)*• AssociateProfessor,U-MSchoolofDentistry,DepartmentofPeriodontics,

Prevention, and Geriatrics (2002-2004)• AssistantProfessor,U-MSchoolofDentistry,DepartmentofPeriodontics,

Prevention, and Geriatrics (1998-2002) * concurrent supplemental appointment

Memberships and Leadership: Professional & Research Societies• MidwestSocietyofPeriodontology - Vice President (2006-2007) - Secretary (2004-2006) - Executive Council (2001-2004) - Chair, Program Committee (2001-2002)• AmericanPeriodontologyFoundation - Board of Directors (2nd term – 2006 to 2009; 1st term – 2003 to 2006) - Member, Tarrson Regeneration Scholarship Committee and Fellowships

Committee (2005 to present)• InternationalAssociationforDentalResearch - Secretary, Periodontal Research Group (2006 to present) - Program Chair, Periodontal Therapy Section (2004 to 2006) - Session Chair, Periodontal Regeneration (2002) - Member, Fellowships Committee (2000-2003)• AmericanAcademyofPeriodontology - Chair, Research, Science, and Therapy Committee (2006 to present) - Member, AAP-European Federation of Periodontology, Task Force (2006-present) - Member, Organizing Committee on Evidence-Based Periodontology (2001-2003)• AmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementofScience - Officer, Electorate Nominating Committee (2004-2007)

Dr. William GiannobileSelected Highlights

Committees (U-M and/or School of Dentistry)• ExecutiveCommittee,U-MClinicalResearchInstitutionalTrainingGrant

Committee (2005 to present)• Chair,U-MClinicalResearchInstitutionalCommitmentWorkingGroup

(2005 to present)• CoordinatingCouncilSubcommittee,U-MClinicalResearchInfrastructure

Task Force (2003 to present)• FacultyMentoringCommittee,Dept.ofPeriodonticsandOralMedicine

(2001 to present)• RamfjordSymposiumOrganizingCommittee(2000topresent)• Chair,SearchCommitteeforChairofDepartmentofBiologicand

Materials Sciences (2003-2005)• OperatingCommittee,SchoolofDentistryTissueEngineeringand

Regeneration Training Grant Committee (2002 to present)• DeanSearchCommittee,SchoolofDentistry(2002-2003)

Editorial Board Memberships and Peer Review• Consultant,DentalProductsPanel,MedicalDevicesAdvisoryCommittee,

Food and Drug Administration (2006 to present)• EditorialBoard,Journal of Periodontal Research (2005 to present);

Grand Rounds in Oral-Systemic Disease (2005 to present); Journal of Clinical Periodontology (2004 to present); International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants (2002 to present); International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2001 to present); Journal of Periodontology (1998 to present).

• AdvisoryBoard,AssociateEditor,Journal of Periodontology (2000 to present)

• AssociateEditor, Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology (e-textbook) (2004 to present)

Other Professional Affiliations• ClinicalScientificAdvisoryBoard,OraPharma,Inc.(2006topresent)• ClinicalScientificAdvisoryBoard,ColgateOralPharmaceuticals(2005to

present)• ScientificAdvisoryBoard,BioMimeticTherapeutics,Inc.(1999topresent)• Privatepractice,periodonticsandimplantology(1998topresent)

Honors and Awards• R. Earl Robinson Regeneration Award, American Academy of

Periodontology (2002, 2003, 2006)• Fellow,AmericanCollegeofDentists(2004)• Clinical Research Award, American Academy of Periodontology (2003)• Anthony Rizzo Periodontal Research Award, International Association of

Dental Research (2002)• Henry Russel, Jr. Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and Teaching,

University of Michigan (2003)• Roger Hill Friend of the Profession Award, Michigan Dental Hygienists

Association (2001)• Bud & Linda Tarrson Career Development Award, American Periodontology

Foundation (1998)• James Shaw Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research, Harvard School

of Dental Medicine (1997)


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Periodontics and Oral Medicine

Dr. Laurie McCauley, Chair

t’s an exciting time for our Department. On September 1, 2005, the Department of Periodontics,

Prevention, and Geriatrics merged with the Department of Oral Medicine, Pathology, and Oncology to become the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine (POM). We now have 28 full-time faculty, 24 part-time faculty, 17 Dean’s faculty, 45 full-time staff members, and more than 20 graduate students. We have a noted reputation in research for periodontal regeneration and oral medicine. These scientific accomplishments will lead to evidence-based therapeutics that will change how our patients are treated and shape the future Michigan tradition. O u r p e d a g o g i c a l p ro g r a m s are constantly being reevaluated. Traditional educational methods are being challenged. New methodologies are emerging that identify the most e f fect ive means for students to learn. A critical tenet of POM is excellent patient care. Active and aggressive recruiting of the most able and interested students continues as we seek to increase the number of graduates entering academic careers while also developing outstanding clinicians to meet private practice needs. Another emphasis is fostering more involvement among our Department’s

broad, diverse community. As we have grown, it’s imperative to maintain communications that foster a sense of connection among these groups. We are fortunate to have the very top talented individuals dedicated to advancing oral health research, teaching per iodont ics and ora l medicine, and promoting excellence in patient care. The leaders of our various units offer their insights in this report.

Periodontics ClinicsRobert Eber, Associate Chair

T h e y a l l c o n t r i b u t e t o o u rsuccess – 60 instructors that include full-time tenure track and clinical track professors, adjunct clinical lecturers, graduate periodontics residents, Dean’s faculty, and hygiene faculty, 14 American Board of Periodontology diplomats, and six DDS/PhDs. W h e re w i l l y o u f i n d t h e s e individuals? In our four Vertically Integrated Clinics and our graduate periodontics clinic. All are dedicated to fulfilling one of our School’s major missions – training future dentists and periodontists. It is exciting to teach…to give back to the profession…and to pass on the knowledge gained by years of schooling, continuing education, research, and clinical practice to the next generation of dental health care providers.

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I

Keary Campbell


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But it’s challenging to maintain full staffing of our teaching clinics. We are always looking for enthusiastic teachers and master clinicians who are willing to help us for a half-day or more to enrich our clinical teaching programs. Consider this your invitation to join us! Part-time instructors travel here from Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Flint, Bay City, Toledo, Grosse Pointe, Cleveland, and Port Huron to make a difference in a student’s training. The pay, though generous compared to most schools, cannot compete with private practice. But there are significant intangibles – “thank you” from a student or grateful patient, collaborating in the clinic, and the motivation for self-improvement that comes from being back at school. With its tradition of excellence, the U-M School of Dentistry has been fortunate to attract and retain some of the best and brightest research and clinical faculty. Our Department is no exception. All of our full-time faculty who are dentists teach in clinics; adjunct faculty work up to two full days; graduate students no more than one-half day. On any given day, one periodontal faculty member is assigned to each of the four Vertically Integrated Clinics (undergraduate); two others float between clinics (one per floor); and two faculty members are assigned to the graduate periodontics clinic. R e c e n t a d d i t i o n s t o o u r

undergraduate periodontics teaching staff include Drs. Veronica Ng and Susan Friedman. We continue to recr uit new teachers to take the place of those who leave or retire. If you are interested in teaching and mentoring, please call our Department at (734) 763-2105.

Graduate Periodontics Hom-Lay Wang, Director; Rodrigo Neiva, Acting Director

Because o f the outstanding leadership of Dr. Hom-Lay Wang for the past 11 years, our graduate periodontics program continues to excel. Some of our former residents who trained with him said of Dr. Wang:

•“Dr. Wang is a leader by example.”

•“… his influence continuesto compel me to go beyond what I believe I am capable of achieving and to refuse to settle for mediocrity in any aspect of my life.”

•“Hiscombinationofenthusiasm,wisdom, and dedication to this profession and to his students is unmatched.”

Praise for his work is evident from current students who have said:

•“I have never met someone more dedicated to this profession.”

•“Heisextremelyinsightfulintothe type of motivation and critiques that will bring out the best in each of us.”

•“…hemanagestobethemostdependable person I’ve ever

met.”

Support for Professorships

We have received more than $500,000 from our friends and alumni for the Collegiate Professorship in Periodontics that has been established. Dr. Hom-Lay Wang has been named to the post. In addition, more than $300,000 for the Major M. Ash Collegiate Professorship has also been committed. Because of this suppor t, we can establish endowed collegiate professorships to honor our faculty and provide support for faculty retention since they are continually sought by other institutions.

Since January 1, Hom-Lay has been on sabbatical at Hiroshima University’s School of Dentistry. He will return August 31. Rodrigo Neiva, clinical assistant professor, is interim director. Our graduate periodontics program accepts four or five students each year. We now have 16 residents, including five PhDs. We also accept three to five one-year postdoctoral scholars. This year, we have five scholars. One challenge for our program is the amount of experience that students need in order to become competent clinicians. We are planning to open an offsite clinic that will be a part of the U-M Health System and provide more opportunities for patient care. We hope your support will help us to embark on such ventures to sustain our educational mission.


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Those in our program consistently win AAP awards in research and clinical emphasis areas. For the last five years, 100% of our graduates have become Diplomates of the American Board of Periodontology. Since 2002, the program has received more than nine AAP awards, one ITI Research Foundation Fellowship, and two NIH Clinical Research Training Grantees. Graduates of our program have also won four of six Midwest research competitions.

Darnell Kaigler won the 2006 AAP Abram and Sylvia Chasens Teaching and Research Fellowship.

Brandon Sang-Hoon Park won First Prize at the Midwest Society of Periodontology Graduate Student Forum in 2006 and was the recipient of the Richard J. Lazzara Fellowship in Advanced Implant Surgery.

Lakshmi Boyapati was awarded a 2006 ITI Research Foundation Fellowship recipient.

Jill Rogers won the 2006 AAP Balint Orban Memorial Research Competition in basic science.

Jill Bashutski was one of two 2005 American Academy of Periodontology Foundation Tarrson Regenerative Scholarship recipients.

Hector Rios and Darnell Kaigler both received NIH Clinical Research Training Grant positions in 2006. Last year, Flavia Q. Pirih received the Rackham Master’s Award from U-M.

These awards clearly indicate the quality of our students as well as the impressive training they receive here. We a lso provide cont inuing education to advance general dentists and specialists in periodontics and implantology. These are often taught by faculty in association with the graduate program. Please check our continuing dental education catalog for a list of courses. Or visit our Web site, www.dent.umich.edu.

Research and ScholarshipRussell Taichman, POM Director of Research

Our research is distinctive and wide-ranging. Recent faculty consensus indicates there are several areas where we are mostly likely to have a notable and broad impact — predictable bone regeneration, diagnostic indicators of periodontal disease, predictors of effective therapy, methods to control inflammation, and basic mechanisms of cell growth and differentiation. Pages 61 and 62 highlight some of the research by our faculty. In addition to conducting research, our faculty members are also federal grant reviewers, editorial board members of the top journals, and program chairs for our major national meetings. On average, each faculty member is the principal investigator for 1.2 major grants with grant monies for the Department exceeding $5 million, an increase of more than 125% during the past five years. The

research productivity of our faculty is also reflected by the high rates of publication in top level journals. In the past two years our faculty h a v e a u t h o re d a n a v e r a g e 3 . 3 publications per person annually. Our research productivity is impressive, but in the current environment of the National Institutes of Health, it will be difficult to continue at this level. POM faculty and their students use cell biological, biochemical, molecular and genetic approaches to address fundamental questions in development and issues directly relevant to disease progression. Preclinical and clinical trials for a number of therapies are also a Department specialty, as are those whose interests are in education and health disparities. Several faculty are def ining the mechanisms of gene regulation and the function of genes during i n f l a m m a t i o n . O t h e r f a c u l t y members study the molecular basis of cancer metastasis which has led to a greater understanding of normal and pathologic bone formation and turnover. Outcomes from these will clearly impact our ability to regenerate tissues lost to disease processes and are aiding in developing novel therapeutics aimed at cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Education-Focused Research

T h o m a s G re e n : C u r r i c u l u m innovation and assessment including Web-based patient simulations to teach genetics and research skills in a dental

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Christine Klausner: Peer-assisted learning as a teaching strategy with dental hygiene students. Also, using technology for case-based instruction.

Marilyn Lantz: Investigating the use of virtual simulations for dental education.

Clinical and Epidemiology Research

Rodrigo Neiva: Investigating new technologies and techniques for bone and soft tissue augmentation for implant site development.

Tae-Ju Oh: Dental implants (immediate implant loading, flapless implant surgery, guided bone regeneration) and periodontology (local antimicrobial agents).

Hom-Lay Wang : Invest igat ing periodontal/implant related clinical t h e r a p e u t i c s – u s i n g b a r r i e r membranes, grafting materials and techniques or growth factors in guided tissue/bone regeneration or tissue engineering in attempts to repair and/or regenerate periodontal and implant-related defects.

P h i l i p R i c h a r d s : C l i n i c a l decision-making, patient provider communication, and developing and evaluating new educational methodologies.

Stephen J. Stefanac: Oral medicine, treatment planning and developing patient case simulations.

Barbara Smith : Explor ing the perceptions of oral health adequacy and access in long-term care and dental utilization by nursing home residents.

Susan Taichman: Women’s oral health research and health disparities.

Robert Bagramian: Epidemiology related to quality of life issues in oral health.

Marita R. Inglehart: Gaining a better understanding of how to educate pat ient -centered and cultural ly sensitive providers, children, parents, and teachers.

Basic and Preclinical Research

Russell Taichman: Role of osteoblasts in regulating the blood or hematopoietic stem cel l niche. Also, studying mechanisms used by tumor cells to metastasize to the bone marrow.

Laurie McCauley: Hormonal controls of bone remodeling. Also, investigating the role of PTHrP in skeletal specific processes such as bone metastasis and the bone resorptive activity necessary for tooth eruption and pathologic for root resorption.

Yvonne Kapila : Understanding cell-matrix interactions that govern disease progression and mechanisms by which matrix metalloproteinases enhance osteoblast activity and diminish osteoblast differentiation in inflammation diseases such as periodontal disease.

context, online student assessment, and competency assessment of students using patient simulations.

Lynn Johnson: Designing, producing, and evaluating innovative and effective methods of communication and education, such as podcasting, interactive patient simulations, digital asset management systems, and educational World Wide Web products.

Wendy Kerschbaum : Impact of innovative programs on student learning and satisfaction and the effect of continuing education on dental hygiene practice.

Dean’s FacultyAll our faculty members are incredibly dedicated and supportive of our teaching mission. We are fortunate to have a devoted group of Dean’s Faculty.

They include Drs. William Beck, Suheil Boutros, William Carroll, Phillip Doyle, Nicholas Gersch, Roger Hill, Salah Huwais, Jeffery Johnston, Christopher Kazor, William Mason, Steve Meraw, Allan Padbury, Luis Perez, Mark Setter, Anthony Spagnuolo, Jennifer Steigenga, Diego Velasquez and Mark Zahn.

Part-time faculty include Drs. Carl Misch and Stephen Soehren.


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Erika Benavides: Structure and property characterization of the temporomandibular joint disc, TMJ imaging modalities, diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging, advanced imaging modalities, radiation biology and oncology.

Keith Kirkwood : Understanding cell signaling pathways that affect inflammatory gene products and their stability. Also, significance of cytokine mRNA stability in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bone loss that occurs in periodontitis.

Renny Franceschi: Investigating signals regulating the formation and functioning of osteoblasts, cells that produce and mineralize the extracellular matrix of bone, and applying this knowledge to regenerate mineralized tissues for eventual clinical use.

Nisha D’S i lva : Trans la t iona l studies in oral cancer, the role of ras-like proteins in development and progression, serum-based biomarkers for early detection, and the role of ras-like proteins in nuclear transport of proteins that regulate transcription of genes that promote cell proliferation and migration.

William Giannobile: Exploring the potential of novel methods of growth factor delivery such as gene therapy to stimulate periodontal tissue repair. Also, clinical research to develop predictive markers of periodontal and peri-implant bone loss.

Oral Medicine Pathology and Oncology Sharon Brooks, Director

John P. Gobetti officially retired December 31, 2006, following a one-year retirement furlough. Jack provided outstanding, dedicated service to the University of Michigan for more than 30 years [DentalUM, Fall 2006, pages 27-28]. However, he has not given up his professional life completely. You can still join him for continuing education courses.

C. Thomas Hanks, professor emeritus of oral pathology, passed away last September [DentalUM, Fall 2006, pages 90-91]. Through the generous gifts from colleagues, family and friends, a student scholarship is being established in his honor.

Erika Benavides joined us as a lecturer last September. A native of Colombia, Erika completed her residency in oral and maxillofacial radiology and a PhD at the University of Missouri Kansas City. She is a board certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist and has already made an impact on the radiology teaching programs.

Oral pathologist Paul Edwards joins us May 1 as a clinical associate professor. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, a master’s in clinical biochemistry, and a dental degree from the University of Toronto. He was in private practice prior to returning to school to complete his oral

pathology residency in New York. Paul was an assistant professor and director of the surgical oral pathology biopsy service at the School of Dentistry at Creighton University Medical Center. Following in the footsteps of their predecessors, including Drs. Jonathan Ship and Jed Jacobson, Sharon Brooks and Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch participated in the “Oral Derm Clinic,” with the U-M Department of Dermatology. U-M has the nation’s only program where dermatology residents work with oral medicine specialists to diagnose and manage oral/dermatological lesions. Dermatology residents appreciate the knowledge and skills that dentists bring to patient care.

Dental HygieneProfessor Wendy Kershbaum, Director

Several new educational initiatives that use advanced technology have begun. A course in dental implants, which included faculty from periodontics and prosthodontics, was added to the final year of the DH program beginning in the fall of 2005. A new rotation to the implant clinic also began. Students provide dental hygiene care to patients with various dental implant needs while being supervised by a dental hygienist. The senior student rotation for graduate periodontics was also modified

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in 2005. Students are assigned for a full week to participate in all aspects of patient care including administering local anesthesia, observing surgery (including implants), removing sutures, scaling and root planning as well as assisting the residents in all phases of periodontal care. Another s ign i f i cant change began last fall with a new rotation to graduate pediatrics. Dental hygiene students have always rotated to the children’s clinic, but the new experience pairs senior hygiene students with pediatric residents to work as though they are in private practice. New approaches to learning are also being incorporated into the curriculum. A Standardized Patient Instruction program began in the fall of 2005. This is a simulated patient trained to portray the medical, dental, and social characteristics consistent with actual dental patients. Characteristics are standardized to provide an educational challenge that matches the skill level of each dental hygiene student.

New Technology “Enhanced podcast ing” and blogging were recently introduced. Enhanced podcasting synchronizes audio recordings of classroom lectures with visual information. These are then uploaded to iTunes so students can then download both to their iPod or computer. Last fall, first-year DH students enthusiastically used this technology in two courses. Blog use began with work by Christine Klausner and Anne Gwozdek to teach treatment planning with first-year students. Students log-on to individual case sites and post questions to their assigned “patient.” Faculty, serving as the virtual patient, respond using the “comments” feature. Electronic d ia logue s imulates the pat ient interviewing process and discussion. All case team members access their patient’s blog to improve distribution and continuity of shared information. Case blog sites and chat rooms are used for collaboration among team members dur ing the treatment planning process.

O n a n o t h e r n o t e , D a w n Mannarino (DH4) presented at the National Hemophilia Meeting in Philadelphia. Her “Caries Risk Assessment in Children Ages 6-13 at Hemophilia Camp,” summarized her experiences at a summer camp for children with bleeding disorders. In response, the CDC and National Hemophilia Foundation are expanding their prevention program to include oral care.

The Future: E-Learning Degree Completion Program We are excited to announce the availability of a degree completion option via an online format. This new program is for dental hygienists with a cert i f icate or associate degree in dental hygiene who wish to pursue additional education to obtain a baccalaureate degree. The new online format will begin next January. For more details, visit the School of Dentistry Website at www.dent.umich.edu/hygiene or call the dental hygiene program at (734) 763-3392.

“We are fortunate to have the very top talented individuals

dedicated to advancing oral health research, teaching periodontics

and oral medicine, and promoting excellence in patient care.”


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It’s happened so quickly.” When she accepted a buyout offer from Ford Motor Company, second-year dental hygiene student Meggan Aiuto-Haselschwerdt never imagined what would happen just weeks after entering the U-M School of Dentistry. In addition to her studies and caring for an 18-month-old daughter, Aiuto-Haselschwerdt became somewhat of a celebrity around the School last fall. She was interviewed for stories that appeared in newspapers, including the Ann Arbor News. Her story was also featured on Ford’s Web site, fordboldmoves.com (Episode 20, “Moving On”). The reason? A i u t o - H a s e l s c h w e rd t t o o k advantage of an educational buyout offer from Ford last summer to pursue a life-long interest in oral health care. Ford offered all 75,000 of its hourly workers in the U.S. buyout packages as part of its plan to reduce its workforce to try to return to profitability in 2009. Last December, the company said about 38,000 workers accepted buyouts. Workers could choose one of eight different packages that offered between $35,000 and $140,000 depending on how long they were employed, age, and how close they were to retirement.

Taking the Educational Buyout For six years, Aiuto-Haselschwerdt was an assembly line worker at Ford’s Visteon plant in Saline, Michigan making instrument panels for the

Dental Hygiene Student’s “Bold Move”Takes Auto Company Buyout to Launch New Career

Mustang and the Explorer. Her father also worked at the same plant, but died unexpectedly at age 42. But Aiuto-Haselschwerdt’s dream of pursuing a dental hygiene career was put on hold after giving birth to her daughter, Emily, in January 2005. After taking a one-year leave of personal absence to care for her d a u g h t e r, A i u t o - H a s e l s c h w e rd t returned to the assembly line but was troubled with what she was hearing from colleagues about buyouts being offered to hourly workers. “But when Ford came out with the details of the buyout, it had my name on it, for sure. It was mine. I was going to do it,” she said as she discussed her story for the video on the Ford Web site. In addition to receiving $15,000 annually from the company for four years for tuition and insurance

coverage, she also receives an annual stipend worth about half of her salary.

“Will Always be Grateful” Aiuto-Haselschwerdt said she considers herself fortunate. “Ford gave me something I never expected when I began working for them, an opportunity to better myself with an education here at the University of Michigan. And for that, I will always be grateful to them,” she said. “Ford didn’t want to let go of me, or anyone else. They wanted to make money from the vehicles they sold so they could keep employing us. But now that I have this opportunity, I will take advantage of it,” she added. Prof. Wendy Kerschbaum, director of the dental hygiene program, said Meggan’s temperament was one of the

Keary Campbell

Dental hygiene student Meggan Aiuto-Haselschwerdt is filmed for a Ford Motor Company video about how her life has changed since she accepted a buyout from the company to pursue her education. With her in the Dr. Roy Roberts Preclinical Laboratory is dental hygiene instructor Christine Klausner.


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major reasons she was accepted into the program. “In addition to having successfully completed all of her prerequisite courses, it was clear to us that Meggan would be a doer. Her persistence, attention to detail, and follow-up are qualities that are important in an environment where a lot is demanded,” she said. Kerschbaum said the dental hygiene program at Michigan offers students “the best of both worlds. It’s small in size so that one gets personal attention, but yet it’s offered by one of the best-known universities anywhere, the University of Michigan,” she added. Aiuto-Haselschwerdt agreed saying the small class size and structure “are ideal. In addition, I have found people here are caring, which is helpful for me as a new student.”

An Example to Others Kerschbaum added U-M dental hygiene graduates “are ahead of the game when they graduate because each receives a bachelor’s degree which will give them more career options and flexibility.” Although she’s not sure what precisely she would like to do once she earns her bachelor’s degree, Aiuto-Haselschwerdt spoke about her hopes for her young daughter. “I want Emily to be the kind of person that I, myself, hope to be – one who gets an education and isn’t afraid to take a chance, even if it’s scary at times,” she said.

SADHA Members Reach Out

to the Community

By Anne Gwozdek (DH 1973)

Focusing on education, service, and leadership, the U-M Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) participated in two community service events last fall. Working in collaboration with the Washtenaw District Dental Hygienists’ Society, the two organizations worked the booth at the second annual Head-to-Toe Women’s Expo last September. Sharon Libich, WDDHS president and event coordinator, invited students to participate by teaming up with WDDHS members to give both an opportunity to interact with the public in a nonclinical setting. More than 2000 attended, including many who brought infants and young children. Not only were educational materials distributed at the booth, but it also was a site for professionals and students to engage those who stopped by in conversation about an array of oral health care issues. Commenting about those interactions, Libich said, “Mentoring future professionals and sharing oral health education with the public is what dental hygiene is all about.”

Health Walk About six weeks later, SADHA members participated in the annual March of Dimes/U-M Health Walk at Mott Children’s Hospital in November.

Among those participating in last fall’s Health Walk were (left to right): Rachel Knorr, Wendy Geiger, Mary Layher (SADHA advisor), and Sarah Gebarowski.

Photo courtesy of Anne Gwozdek


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More than 500 faculty and staff from the U-M Health System and University community visited booths that focused on the March of Dimes mission of improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature births, and infant mortality. Paralleling that message was the message conveyed by SADHA members. Topics emphasized included the importance of a mother’s oral health during pregnancy, including taking steps to prevent periodontal disease that may be one factor contributing to preterm low birth weight babies. An educational display board also addressed the need for folic acid in a mother’s diet to help prevent cleft lip and cleft palate. As a part of this event, our own tooth fairy, Crystal Vernier (Class of 2008), along with other SADHA members talked with those who attended to discuss a range of oral health care topics.

Student Reaction Three of our dental hygiene students, all members of the Class of 2009, were enthusiastic about their participation in the events. Stacy Velmer said, “It was wonderful to be a part of such an educational booth and team. I don’t think many people realize how much oral health can affect a person’s quality of life. I’m glad I was in a position to help educate and influence people.” Jaclyn Tinsley said she was surprised with some of the comments she heard. “Many people said they had never heard of the adverse effects periodontal disease can have on a developing baby, and were very interested in learning more. …I think many were also surprised to learn that sugarless gum containing xylitol can improve oral health,” she said. Linnea Tyler, who decided at the last minute to participate, said she was glad she did. She said that moments after arriving “there was no time for nervousness. Upon greeting the rush of people, I immediately engaged them in oral health conversations, passed out tooth brushes, tooth paste, and chewing gum with xylitol,” she said. Tyler’s comments nicely summarized everyone’s feelings. “Attending the March of Dimes Health Walk made me feel important,” she said. “It made me recognize the significance of my position as an oral health care professional. …This is one event I will always remember.”

Gilson Layher Receives Shook Award

T h e M i c h i g a n D e n t a l H y g i e n i s t s ’ Association presented its Frances Shook Award to Mary Gilson Layher during a meeting of the group’s House of Delegates last fall. Presented annually, the award honors a Michigan dental hygienist who has made significant contributions that advance the dental hygiene profession. Gilson Layher’s achievements include: serving as president of the Washtenaw District Dental Hygiene Society, MDHA president, membership on the Board of Trustees, and Clinical Research Professional certification. A senior research lab specialist in the School’s Department of Prevention and Oral Medicine, Gilson Layher has been a staff dental hygienist with the School’s Dental Faculty Associates since 1990. Nine years later, she accepted a position at the School of Dentistry that incorporates clinical dental hygiene, research, and education. Gilson Layher earned a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from U-M in 1981.

MDHA President Lisa Darrow (left) congratulates Mary Gilson Layher after receiving the organization’s Frances Shook Award.


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Dental Hygiene Students Participate in Research Day

Dental hygiene students also participated in this year’s Research Day activities. [See story, pages 74 to 75.] Winners, the titles of their projects, and faculty advisors are listed below.

1st Place: Jessica Betson, Courtnay Green, Carissa Cleary Depo-Provera and Gingivitis in the United States: Women Ages 15-44 Mentors: Mary Layher, Susan Taichman

2nd Place: Aisha Akpabio, Marina Hernandez Oral Bacteria and Ventilator Acquired Pneumonia in ICU Populations Mentor: Dr. Christopher Fenno

3rd Place: Audrey Light, Kelly Wagner, Michelle Zmudka Methods of Disinfecting Dental Unit Waterlines Mentor: Dr. Christopher Fenno

DH Students Active at Dental Health Day

Dental hygiene students were among the 80 students and faculty members who participated in the School of Dentistry’s annual Dental Health Day last fall. From nine o’clock in the morning until one o’clock in the afternoon, they provided free oral examinations, oral cancer screenings, x-rays, and offered tips on proper oral health care. Among students participating was third-year dental hygiene student Carrie Emmendorfer. “As vice president of the hygiene section with the Jonathan Taft Society and representative for my class, I thought it was important I participate in Dental Health Day,” she said. “I enjoy volunteering and wanted to help others.”

Fourth-year dental hygiene students Jessica Betson, Courtnay Green, and Carissa Cleary, were first-place winners among DH students who participated in this year’s Research Day.

Keary Campbell

Jerry Mastey

Third-year dental hygiene student Carrie Emmendorfer takes a blood pressure reading of Elisabeth Ganger who came to the School of Dentistry last November for Dental Health Day.


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A U-M School of Dentistry chapter of the Student National Dental Hygiene Association was recently formed. According to Juana Gissendanner, faculty liaison, the local chapter was established in 2005 to create and enact programs designed to encourage minority youth to enter into health care professions and distribute information pertaining to minority issues in dental hygiene education. The group is also active in efforts to enhance access to oral health care for the underserved in metropolitan Detroit, including the Ann Arbor area. Founding members pictured in the above photo include (left to right): Ericka Smith, Chamessia Rhine, Aisha Akpabio, Juana Gissendanner (group advisor), Renee Brooks, and Terri Johnson. Not pictured are Nikia Taylor and Anita Vinson.

Johnson Receives MDHA’s

Springboard Award

Terry Johnson (DH 2006) became the second person to receive the Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association’s Springboard Award last fall. The award honors a new dental hygiene graduate for their participation and leadership activities when they were students. As a student in the School’s dental hygiene program, Johnson was active in the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association, served as a student delegate to the MDHA House of Delegates in 2005, and participated in MDHA leadership workshops. She was also involved in community o u t re a c h a c t i v i t i e s , p a r t i c i p a t e d i nU-M SADHA-sponsored Boys and Girls Club Children’s Dental Health Month projects, the U-M Health System’s March of Dimes Walk, and the U-M MedStart Children’s Health Fair. Johnson received the honor during a luncheon hosted by the MDHA’s House of Delegates.

Terri Johnson (left) received the MDHA’s Springboard Award from the organization’s president Lisa Darrow.

Photo courtesy of Juana Gissendanner

SNDHA Chapter Formed

Photo courtesy of Anne Gwozdek


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U-M Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Teresa Sullivan, visited the School of Dentistry last October. It was her first visit to the School since becoming provost last June and was among more than a dozen similar “get acquainted” sessions held at the University’s schools and colleges. As provost, Sullivan is the University’s chief academic officer responsible for academic and budget af fairs . She collaborates with U-M President Mary Sue Coleman in setting overall academic priorities for the University and allocates funds to carry out those priorities. Dean Peter Polverini welcomed Sullivan. During a morning meeting attended by the School’s department

chairs, he presented an overview of the School, including its major missions of classroom and clinical education, patient care, research, and outreach. Afterwards, Sullivan learned more about the School’s dental, dental hygiene, and graduate programs; its research initiatives; heard about the School’s community outreach efforts; visited the high-tech Dr. Roy Roberts Preclinical Laboratory; and also had lunch with a group of students. Following her visit, Sullivan said, “I was impressed by the wide array of faculty research. The number and range of RO1s demonstrates the breadth and depth of their research.” RO1s are individual research project grants that fund a particular project in a specific area. She also enjoyed talking to the students. “I found them to be engaged with their studies and dedicated to service,” Sullivan added. Polverini said Sullivan’s visit had two important outcomes. “First, she saw, first hand, the quality, depth, and breadth of our scholarship and educational programs brought about by the enormous value and vitality the dental school adds to the University,” he said. “She also saw how vital our patient care mission is to the overall health of the state’s citizens.”

Provost Visits Dental School

Dean Peter Polverini welcomed U-M Provost Teresa Sullivan to the School last fall.

Jerry Mastey


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Glowacki said that when he left Ann Arbor, “I had no idea our School would be receiving an award. In fact, when the award was announced, I was in another room and rushed to the main stage to receive it,” he said. After the awards ceremony ended, Glowacki said he answered questions from educators who also were at the conference and explained the history, development, and growth of the School of Dentistry’s project. Glowacki attended last year’s conference and said that participating in several lectures and workshops

“enabled me to apply what I learned and build upon what we were doing here. To the vast majority of students, the process of recording the lectures and making them available for listening is one that’s largely invisible,” he said. “It’s comparable to putting your car key in the ignition and turning the key to start the car. You don’t necessarily know every step of what happens and when, all you know is that you want it to work.” Dr. Lynn Johnson, the School’s director of Dental Informatics, said, “This award is a highly coveted one that’s presented for truly innovative uses of Apple products. But our efforts were just a part of a much larger effort that involved many others, including the University’s Information Technology Central Services as well as Apple.” Johnson continues to emphasize that listening to the lectures does not replace the need for being in class. “Listening to lectures on an iPod is a safety net,” she said. Students can listen to the lectures on their portable listening devices as frequently as necessary to build on what they have learned in the lectures. The iPod gives dental students the option to slow down portions of a lecture they need to hear again or to quickly bypass those sections they already understand.

Trek Glowacki, a programmer in the School of Dentistry’s Department of Dental Informatics, holds an award he received from Apple Computer that recognizes his work that made it easy for dental students to listen to classroom lectures on iPods or other portable listening devices.

The U-M School of Dentistry has won a prestigious award from Apple Inc. for its innovative project that allows dental students to listen to classroom lectures on iPods or other portable listening devices. The School received a runner-up award in the “Best Mac OS X Automator Workflow” category during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco last summer. Trek Glowacki, a programmer in the School’s Department of Dental Informatics, accepted the award during the annual program which attracts thousands from around the world and also gives them an opportunity to learn more about Apple’s various Mac OS X technologies as well as hear company executives discuss future initiatives. Since it was officially launched in September 2005, U-M dental students with valid passwords have been able to download classroom lectures onto an iPod or an MP3 player. Glowacki uses Apple’s software to automate the process of recording the lectures, processing them, and making them available for students to retrieve from Apple’s iTunes Web site less than five minutes after a lecture ends. Al though he put together a considerable amount of information about the School’s initiative for conference organizers to consider,

School of Dentistry Wins Major Award from AppleiPod Classroom Lecture Init iat ive Lauded

Keary Campbell

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71

At the time, it seemed to be a simple question. In retrospect, it was anything but. O n J u n e 2 6 , 2 0 0 6 , Pa t r i c i a Anderson, senior associate librarian with University Libraries and liaison to the U-M School of Dentistry, received an e-mail that sparked her curiosity. It began: “The ‘Let’s Face It ’ consumer health Web site needs a new home. Would you be interested in posting it on your School’s Web site as your own pages?” “Little did we know,” Anderson said, “what a whirlwind of activity would be initiated by this simple question.” The e-mail was sent by Betsy Wilson

Facial Disfigurements Web Site Transferred to U-M“Let ’s Face I t ” Leader Speaks at Dental School

The Web site was original ly scheduled to vanish last August. But Dr. Samuel Zwetchkenbaum, director of the School’s hospital dentistry program [DentalUM, Fall 2006, pages 34-38], knew Wilson, having met her at several professional meetings. “He was particularly passionate about why we should get involved, so we did,” Anderson said. Wilson chose the University of Michigan, according to Anderson, “because our vision of what the site could do to help others blends with what she has been trying to achieve throughout her life.” The expertise of those on the U-M campus who are involved in clinical practice, research, and classroom instr uct ion also made a strong impression on Wilson. In early August, talks began in earnest to bring the site to Michigan. A steering committee was formed that included members from the School of Dentistry, the U-M Medical Health System’s Craniofacial Team, Mott Children’s Hospital, and the University Libraries. By the end of August, files for the Web site were transferred to the School of Dentistry’s server. Two months later, on Oct. 27, the Web site www.dent.umich.edu/faceit was transferred to U-M. A new look

An e-mail from Betsy Wilson (left) to Patricia Anderson, senior associate librarian at the U-M School of Dentistry, ultimately resulted in Wilson’s “Let’s Face It” Web site being transferred to U-M. The site was redesigned and unveiled during an appearance by Wilson at the School of Dentistry last fall. Wilson lost part of her face and jaw to cancer in 1972.

who founded “Let’s Face It” in 1987 to help adults, teenagers, and children cope with facial disfigurements.

Impressed with U-M Wilson had more than a passing interest in the subject. She lost part of her face and jaw to cancer in 1972. She also is the parent of a child born with craniosynostosis, a premature fusion of the skull, a relatively common malady that affects about one in 3,000 children. The condition has been associated with a myriad of problems and can be a significant biomedical and financial burden for affected children and their parents.

Keary Campbell

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was also unveiled when Wilson spoke at the School of Dentistry as a part of the University’s “Investing in Abilities Week.” Speaking to more than 100 who attended, Wilson said, “Patricia Anderson is our hero and I’d like to personally thank her for what she has done and what you are now doing.”

Wilson also spoke about her condition and how she has responded to others.

Audiences and How U-M is Helping The s i te ser ves as a major clearinghouse for information on craniofacial abnormalities provided not only from the University of Michigan, but other groups and organizations around the world. Audiences inc lude not on ly individuals with facial differences, their family and friends, but also medical, dental, and mental health care providers; teachers; employers; and those interested in learning more about facial differences. Various U-M schools and colleges are updating content and adding new information to the site across fields including dentistry, audiology, genetics, maxillofacial surgery, nursing, orthodontics, plastic surgery, psychology, social work, speech-language pathology, and other fields. Previously, the site supplied information including news about conferences and research studies; information about specific conditions such as Crouzon Syndrome, Moebius Syndrome, cancer, etc.; and names, addresses, and Web sites of dozens of organizations and resources that parents or guardians, teenagers, educators, dentists, physicians, and others can contact to learn more. The Web site is also being enriched with other helpful data including information about a greater variety

of conditions, resources for patients about the members of their craniofacial health care team, how to effectively communicate with their team, and resources for health professionals working with patients with facial differences.

Site Fills a Vacuum Dr. Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch, one of 11 members of the group that worked on the Web site transfer and who has worked extensively with patients with craniofacial defects, said that a major strength of the ‘Let’s Face It’ Web site is that “it fills a vacuum. It appeals to a broad audience that speaks to the needs and concerns of individuals of different ages. Children with craniofacial anomalies grow up to become teenagers and adults. As they do,” she continued, “they need information and resources that can help them cope with their conditions and challenges they face, not just as children or teenagers, but as adults. This site does that.” Murdoch-Kinch, a dentist who has worked with children with craniofacial anomalies and is trained in clinical genetics, added, “the multidisciplinary expertise of the many different health professionals here at Michigan, will help us to add new content to the Web site that will benefit those who most need it.” Dentists will also want to visit the Web site she said. “It will give them a wealth of information and links about various conditions, the resources that are available to help them, and how to treat patients with specific problems.”

“Recognize the PersonBehind the Face”

Betsy Wilson offered many words of advice during her appearance last fall at the School of Dentistry. Talking about people who see her for the first time, Wilson said a person’s natural instinct “is to stare at a face that’s different and then look away.” But the primar y focus of her organization, “Let’s Face It,” she said, “is to teach people to recognize the person behind the face.” Mentioning how she responds to the reactions that many children have when they see her for the first time, Wilson said she praises them and tries to engage them in conversation. She said she will say, “I see you have noticed my face. It’s a little different, isn’t it?,” but then adds, “I was sick a long time ago, but now I’m well.” Wilson mentioned several books to help parents and teachers help children, teenagers, and adults cope with facial disfigurements. She was emphatic about another point. “We are not victims,” she said, “we are survivors.”

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ew figures from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research show the School is now ranked

first among the nation’s dental schools in the dollar amount of research grants awarded by NIDCR. Grants totaling more than $10.6 million were awarded during the federal government’s fiscal year 2006 that began October 1, 2005 and ended September 30, 2006. In the two previous federal fiscal years, the School ranked second in research grants from NIDCR with awards of $11 million in 2005 and $11.4 million in 2004. “It’s gratifying to be ranked at the top and speaks volumes about this School,” said Dr. Peter Polverini, dean of the School of Dentistry. “It demonstrates what many of us have been proud to say for a long time, namely, that throughout our history the University of Michigan School of Dentistry continues to be one of the nation’s premier research institutions.” For over a decade, Polverini noted, the U-M School of Dentistry has consistently been among the top five or six dental schools in terms of the dollar amount of research grants received from NIDCR. Polverini said the School’s research is designed to achieve two objectives

– developing new knowledge in oral health sciences and applying that knowledge to improve the health and well being of patients. Faculty with NIDCR funding focus research in areas that include development of oral mucosal grafts, genetics of enamel and dentin, oral cancer prevention in underserved communit ies , gene therapy for reconstructing oral t issues, cel l death pathways in oral tissues and oral cancer, molecular regulation of mineralized tissue regeneration, scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, molecular regulation of dental stem cells, oral health disparities, and interactions between oral health and systemic health. Dr. Charlotte Mistretta, associate dean for research, notes that faculty research strength in the School a l so garners support f rom the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Deafness and other communication disorders, the National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This funding, in addition to NIDCR grants, brings the School of Dentistry’s total NIH research expenditures to over $14 million for fiscal year 2006.

Research expenditures by the University of Michigan reached $797 million in fiscal year 2006, a 2.4 percent increase, Stephen Forrest, vice president for research, told the Board of Regents during their January meeting. The greatest portion of research is sponsored by the federal government, a total of $585 million, which accounts for 73.4 percent of the total. Additional funding sources include the University, industry, state and local governments, and foundations. Forrest said his priority in the current year would be increasing engagement of the University’s research enterprise with industrial partners, and more robust tech transfer activity. A faculty advisory committee has been established and staff has been assigned to formulate specific plans, metrics and strategy to make the goal a reality, he said. “Increasing tech transfer will require us to engage our faculty in bringing ideas to market, and make long term strategic investments in fostering an entrepreneurial spirit,” Forrest said. “We need to be creative and we need to be willing to take long term risks. I am confident that we have all the ingredients necessary to become a leader in industry partnerships, and will make significant positive contributions to reinvigorating the Michigan economy.”

School of Dentistry #1 in NIDCR Research Grants

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U-M Research$797 Million


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Research Day

Dr. Christian Stohler, dean of the University of

Maryland Dental School, returned to Ann Arbor

to deliver this year’s keynote remarks at the

annual Research Day.

Pain…It’s not Just in Your HeadDr. Christian Stohler Returns to Michigan

“It’s great to be back. …There are few places in the world where you see the enthusiasm that you see here at Michigan,” said Dr. Christian Stohler as he began his keynote address to a standing-room only crowd during this year’s Research Day. A member of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry faculty for more than 20 years, including chairing the Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, Stohler has been dean of the University of Maryland Dental School since 2003. He was invited back to the annual Research Day program in February to speak on a subject he has been investigating virtually his entire life – pain. One of the world’s leading experts in the field, Stohler outlined the topic, beginning with the observations of French mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes, who first theorized that pain was a sensation experienced by the brain. As he continued with observations of Sigmund Freud, Aldous Huxley, and Harvard physiologist Walter Cannon, Stohler traced how advances in science and technology, including mapping the human genome, CAT and MRI scans, have led to the discovery of new knowledge that show because of differences in how the brain is “wired” in men and women, that women are twice as sensitive to pain as men. Those differences, which are genetic based, present challenges to those in dentistry and medicine trying to treat those experiencing pain. Science and technology, Stohler said, have enabled scientists to determine what genes, hormones, and signaling processes influence pain. That knowledge, he continued, may one day enable scientists to develop what he called “a new tool box” that will lead to customized treatments that will have “a molecular fingerprint” allowing dentists and physicians to treat pain based on whether the patient is male or female and the types of pain being experienced. Looking back, Stohler said that Descartes was on the right track. “We can’t consider the future of the investigation of pain without considering the role of the brain because the brain is critical.”

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Clinical Applications

Grand Prize: Esther Lee (D2)pAMß1 Transfers from Enterococcus Faecalis to Streptococcus Gordonii in TeethMentor: Dr. Christine Sedgley

1st Place: Elizabeth Christopherson (MS certification)Incidence of Malocclusion in Pre-Adolescents - Objective Indicators and Self Perceptions Mentor: Dr. Marita Inglehart

2nd Place: Nejay Ananaba (D2)Infant Oral Health Evaluations: General Dentists’ Attitudes and Professional BehaviorMentor: Dr. Marita Inglehart

3rd Place: Ruchir Patel (D3)Adult Patients’ Smiling Patterns - A Function of Periodontal Health?

Basic Sciences

1st Place: Jessica Lee (D2)Responses of Rat Chorda Tympani Nerve to Lingual Thermal StimulationMentor: Dr. Robert Bradley

2nd Place: Steven Obreiter (D3)Effects of Age and Exercise on Bone Tissue QualityMentor: Dr. David Kohn

2007AWARD WINNERS

3rd Place: Johnson Miin (D4)Physical Isolation of Progenitor/Stem Cells from Oral MucosaMentor: Dr. Steven Feinberg

Graduate & Post Doc

1st Place: Erica Scheller (PhD Post Doc)Canonical Wnt Signaling in Dental Pulp Stem Cells Inhibits MineralizationMentor: Dr. Cun-Yu Wang

2nd Place: Olivia May (PhD Post Doc)Survival and Differentiation of Embryonic Geniculate and Trigeminal Ganglia Exposed at Two Stages to BMP4 and Noggin In VitroMentor: Dr. Charlotte Mistretta

3rd Place: Chan Ho Park (PhD Post Doc)Local Delivery of Osteoprotegerin for Orthodontic AnchorageMentor: Dr. William Giannobile

Audience Choice

Joseph Son (MS certification)Dental Pulp Cells Express VEGF Induced by Porphyromonas Endodontalis LipopolysaccharideMentor: Dr. Tatiana Botero

Second-year dental student Esther Lee, Grand Prize winner at this year’s Research Day, stands in front of her poster presentation along with her mentor, Dr. Christine Sedgley.

Dr. Renny Franceschi, one of 44 faculty members who were judges, evaluates a student’s research poster.

More than 70 posters were displayed at this year’s Research Day in the Grand Ballroom at the Michigan League. The posters showcased an array of research by dental and dental hygiene students as well those in doctoral and postdoctoral programs.

Keary Campbell

Keary Campbell

Photo courtesy of Dr. Christine Sedgley


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“Taking the knowledge that is discovered in research laboratories and applying it to help patients in clinics” has been the mantra of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research since it opened in January 2005. The facility at Domino’s Farms, near U-S 23 and Plymouth Road, is a service unit of the School of Dentistry. “It’s in a great environment that is fostering multidisciplinary research and partnerships with others active in research and clinical care,” said Dr. William Giannobile, the director of the Center and director of clinical research at the U-M School of Dentistry. As Fig. 1 below illustrates, clinical activity growth has increased noticeably. In addition, the Center has provided extensive consultation to the dental school’s five departments as well as to organizations outside the School (Fig. 2).

Pages 77 to 79 describe several clinical research projects now underway. Giannobile said these research projects “are just a sample of some of the initiatives underway at the Center that could affect oral health care providers and how they treat their patients in the future.”

Dr. William Giannobile is the director of the Michigan Center

for Oral Health Research. The Center’s mission is to take

knowledge discovered in research laboratories and apply

it to help patients in clinics.

MCOHR Research. . .

Keary Campbell

MCOHR CLINIC ACTIVITY GROWTH MCOHR DEPT. CONSULTATION ACTIVITY

Figure 1 Figure 2

Periodontics & Oral Medicine29%

Biologic & Mtls. Sciences

14%Oral Max. Surgery

& Hospital Dentistry30%

External4%

Ortho/Pedo5%

Cariology, Rest. Science & Endodontics

18%

S e e k i n g t o B e n e f i t Pa t i e n t s


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Title: A Nine Month, Three Arm Multicenter Clinical Trial of Treatment with 2% minocycycline HCL gel for Adjunctive Use to Scaling and Root Planing in Adults with Periodontal Disease: Multicenter Randomized Trial Using Third Party Outcome Evaluations

Lead Clinical Investigator: Dr. Tae-ju Oh

What the Project’s About: To determine if Periocline™ Gel (2% minocycline HCl) added to scaling and root planing procedures helps to reduce pocket depths in teeth with periodontal disease. Periocline™ Gel is investigational, i.e., it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The gel is applied to the gingivae where active disease progression is seen clinically. Periocline Gel’s active ingredient is minocycline, an antibiotic.

Possible Long-Term Impact: Results from this study will help determine the effectiveness of antibacterial treatment of periodontal disease.

Title: Multicenter, Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Study of the Anesthetic Reversal Agent, NV-101, for Efficacy, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety in Dental Patients Undergoing Dental Procedures

Lead Clinical Investigator: Dr. Mark Snyder

What the Project’s About: Determining if the investigational drug NV-101 reduces the time it takes for normal sensation to return after completing a simple dental procedure, and if it reduces the effects of lingering numbness from local anesthetics. NV-101 is an investigational drug, that is, it is being tested in clinical trials but has not been approved for sale in the U.S. or elsewhere. The active ingredient in NV-101 is phentolamine mesylate, which is contained at much higher doses in Regitine®, a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for other uses.

Possible Long-Term Impact: If found to be effective, this anesthetic reversal agent may benefit others by limiting the duration of numbness after dental procedures.

Title: Impact of Parathyroid Hormone (1-34) on Osseous Regeneration in the Oral Cavity

Principal Investigator: Dr. Laurie McCauley

What the Project’s About: Periodontitis is known to cause breakdown of bone over time. Research in animals and humans has shown that a drug, Forteo, can increase bone build-up and bone strength over time. Forteo has been approved by the FDA for use in patients with another condition where bone is broken down and weakened (osteoporosis). It is not known, however, whether Forteo is effective for use in humans for breakdown of bone related to periodontal disease, or if it will have the same bone-building and bone-strengthening effects for patients with gum disease. This research study will seek to learn what effect six weeks of treatment with Forteo will have on bone build-up and strengthening of bone for patients with gum disease. Possible benefits of the research for society, or for future patients with this disease, include the impact on gum disease treatments.

Possible Long-Term Impact: The results of this study may contribute to a change in the way millions of periodontal patients are treated resulting in a significant improvement in their quality of life.


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Title: Intraoral Grafting of Tissue Engineered Human Oral Mucosa

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephen Feinberg

What the Project’s About: When the mouth is injured or damaged, surgery may be needed to reconstruct gum tissue. Usually, a large piece of soft tissue is taken from the palate or another part of the body and transferred to the damaged area (grafting). The purpose of this study is to test a new type of grafting that may be less painful than traditional autograft procedures. Instead of taking a large piece of gum tissue from the palate, a very small piece will be taken. The mucosal tissue will be grown in a laboratory for several weeks until it is large enough to be grafted back into the mouth. This new procedure has been tested in animals and in humans in Japan, but this study will be the first time it is tested in humans in the U.S. Because this new technique is expected to need a much smaller piece of tissue than usual to make grafts, patients may experience less pain and discomfort than they would with regular surgery.

Potential Long-Term Impact: The results of this study will allow the development of an oral mucosa tissue substitute that would provide future patients who need soft tissue mouth grafts so there is less pain and discomfort.

Title: Apoptotic Biomarkers of Periodontal Disease

Principal Investigator: Dr. Yvonne Kapila

What the Project’s About: Early detection of the progression of periodontitis is difficult because it typically relies on comparisons of clinical measurements made with a probe and nonstandardized radiographs over time. Both methods detect periodontal breakdown only after it has occurred. Therefore, considerable emphasis has been placed on identifying more specific and sensitive methods to diagnose and detect periodontal disease progression. The overall goal of this project is to determine whether specific cell death (apoptosis)-associated proteins, specifically fibronectin (FN) fragments, caspase-3, soluble Fas, and soluble Fas ligand, sampled from gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) can be used as markers for periodontal disease progression.

Potential Long-Term Impact: These biomarkers could contribute to early diagnosis of possible bone and tissue loss which, in turn, could provide overall improvements in a patient’s oral and systemic health, and ultimately savings in health care costs.

Title: Cold Sore Feasibility Study

Principal Investigator: Dr. Mathilde Peters

What the Project’s About: Testing laboratory methods to quantify and identify virus types and evaluate patient education materials and clinical study flow. Participants will be enrolled with an active cold sore lesion and during the first clinic visit a short history, a photograph of the lesion, and a specimen will be obtained. Forty patients participate for this visit only. Twenty will return for daily visits (maximum, 12 visits) until the lesion is healed. They will also participate in evaluation of educational materials and the calibration of study personnel.

Potential Long-Term Impact: Developing this method to determine the outbreak of cold sore lesions will serve as a basis for testing novel therapeutics to treat oral viral lesions.


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Title: Integrated Microfluidic System for Oral Diagnostics (IMPOD)

Principal Investigator: Dr. William Giannobile

What the Project’s About: Evaluating a prototype chairside point-of-care diagnostic test for periodontal disease identification. The investigation involves measuring an array of protein biomarkers using protein arrays of putative biomarkers of periodontal inflammation and bone loss. The prototype device can analyze proteins from saliva in approximately five minutes using the IMPOD which contains “microfluidic” channels that can handle very small volumes of biological fluids. These proteins can be found in fluids in the mouth, such as saliva, and may help predict bone loss around the teeth before being detected by a dental x-ray.

Potential Long-Term Impact: With this newly developed assay method, clinicians may be able to diagnose and intercept bone disease in its early stages as well as identify other biomarkers of systemic disease in conditions like heart disease or osteoporosis.

Researchers from the U-M School of Dentistry have received a grant of more than $96,000 to investigate linkages involving oral health, diabetes, and medical costs. The study, funded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation,will investigate if there is an association between the use of periodontal services and the cost of medical care for diabetes. Dr. George Taylor, an associate p ro f e s s o r o f d e n t i s t r y i n t h e Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, is leading the investigation. Citing data from the American Diabetes Association, Taylor pointed out that direct and indirect medical costs (disability, work loss, premature mortality) due to diabetes totaled approximately $132 billion in 2002. “Some prel iminar y evidence suggests that treating periodontal disease may have a positive effect on controlling diabetes,” he said. “But there are very few reports of studies of the relationship between treating gum disease and how it affects medical costs of diabetics.” Taylor added, “if a relationship can be shown, it could provide additional

Dental School Partners with BCBS Foundation in Oral Health Research Study

evidence of successfully treating or preventing periodontal disease in improving diabetes outcomes. It could also lead to new standards of care for diabetic patients that could lower their risk of complications, reduce medical care costs, and improve their overall health.” BCBSM is uniquely positioned to help with the research because it has one of the largest health care databases in the U.S. that combines both medical and dental data. Taylor and other U-M researchers involved in the project will analyze BCBSM medical and dental claims from 2001 to 2005 to determine if results provide evidence of a relationship between receiving periodontal services and reduced medical care costs for diabetics. Personal information will be removed from each claim before data analysis. Taylor said that he and members of his research team have been studying interrelationships between periodontal infection, diabetes control, and complications. The new study will take about a year, he said. Seven other individuals from the School of Dentistry and the School of Public Health will assist with the study.


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Cell Signaling Factor Research Offers Insights into Cancers and Craniofacial Development

A School of Dentistry faculty member’s research offers some new insights that may provide important information to physicians and dentists who are treating patients for various cancers. Dr. Hongjiao Ouyang, an assistant professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, and two researchers from U-M’s Life Sciences Institute, published the results of a study last fall that indicates a signaling factor involved in cell growth may also be responsible for turning normal cells into tumors. According to the research team, two factors, Wnt and mTOR, play a role in cell growth. Both mTOR and Wnt signaling encourage cell growth. However, when becoming hyperactivated, both factors exert oncogenic effects that are implicated in the formation of cancers, including breast and colon cancers. “These hyperactivities,” Ouyang said, “could also contribute to pathogenesis of osteosclerotic bone dysplasia, a bone genetic disorder that’s accompanied by craniofacial symptoms that include nasal congestion, displacement of orbit and proptosis, facial nerve palsy, and, more severely, progressively rising intracranial pressure due to changes in mineralized tissues in the craniofacial area.” One of the important research discoveries the team found was that Wnt signaling promotes cell growth by

activating mTOR signaling. Because of the interaction between the two signaling factors, it may be possible to regulate mTOR’s activity with rapamycin, a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an anti-fungal drug and immune suppressant, to treat cancers and certain genetic bone disorders caused by Wnt hyperactivity. “Our findings implicate rapamycin for treating cancers as wel l as osteosclerotic bone disorders caused by hyperactive Wnt signaling,” Ouyang said. “In addition, promoting the functions of both mTOR and Wnt signaling could encourage bone and tooth forming cells, such as osteoblasts, cementoblasts, and odontoblasts,” she added. One possible outcome of Ouyang’s research is that it “will attempt to provide a basis to target the Wnt signaling pathway for treating osteoporosis and improving the quality and quantity of craniofacial bones for dental implants,” she noted. Others involved in the research revealing the interactions between mTOR and Wnt signaling include LSI research professor Kun-Liang Guan and LSI research scientist Ken Inoki. “I have always been interested in understanding the signaling transduction pathways involved in development and regeneration, as well as genetic diseases of mineralized tissues such as bone and teeth,” Ouyang said. “Kun-Liang’s lab

is one of the best laboratories in the field of signaling transduction. With collaboration with Guan’s group, my laboratory is looking at how pathways are involved in genetic, cancerous, and metabolic diseases of bone and teeth.” The results of the research, regarded as one of the top twenty, were published in the September 8, 2006 issue of Cell magazine.

Wang Research Makes Cover of Journal

Recent work in the laboratory of Dr. Cun-Yu Wang has been highlighted with a lead article and cover story in the January issue of the prestigious journal, Nature Medicine. The research provides insight into the mechanisms governing bone metastasis in breast cancer. Advanced breast cancers frequently metastasize to bone, resulting in osteolytic lesions. The Wang lab reports that nuclear factor–kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays a crucial role in the osteolytic bone metastasis of breast cancer by stimulating osteoclastogenesis. These results uncover a new and specific role of NF-B in osteolytic bone metastasis through GM-CSF induction, suggesting that NF-kappaB is a potential target for the treatment of breast cancer and the prevention of skeletal metastasis. That issue is online at http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v13/n1/index.html. Scroll to “Articles” to find the Wang article (pages 62-69).


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Dr. Matt Dunn (DDS 2001, MS orthodontics 2006) has been selected to receive the American Association of Orthodontics’ Thomas Graber Award of Special Merit. The award recognizes one of the top orthodontic related master’s and doctoral research projects conducted at universities in the U.S. and Canada. Dunn will receive the award for his master’s thesis, “Local Delivery of Osteoprotegerin for Orthodontic Anchorage.” In his studies, Dunn injected a biomolecule, osteoprotegerin, which prevents the activation and differentiation of osteoclasts, near the molars in a rat orthodontic tooth movement model. He observed that the anterior movement of the molars was significantly inhibited by osteoprotegerin. According to Dr. Sunil Kapila, chair of the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, the findings have implications for the maintenance of anchorage during orthodontics. “The long-term clinical implications of these findings are that orthodontists may be able to use locally administered osteoprotegerin to prevent molar movement and, in the process, negate the need to use headgears or other anchorage devices,” Kapila said. Dunn’s work was conducted under the mentorship of Kapila and Dr. William Giannobile.

Graber Award Presented to Dr. Matt Dunn

Jerry Mastey

They came from Ann Arbor, Y p s i l a n t i , S a l i n e , J a c k s o n a n d surrounding communities for the annual Dental Health Day at the School of Dentistry on Nov. 11. Between 9 :00 a .m. and 1 :00 p.m., a group of about 80 dental and dental hygiene students and faculty members, provided free tooth decay examinations, oral cancer screenings, x-rays, and oral health care tips. One patient, Ibrahim Carillo of Saline, told third-year dental student Lincy George that he heard about Dental Health Day from a friend. “I decided to come because I had pain in one of my teeth, so I thought it would be helpful to have it checked.” Among the students participating was third-year dental student Michael Hoffman. “I wanted to help out and to try to give something back to the community,” he said.

Students, Faculty Help During Dental Health Day

J i l l Bashutski, a periodontics resident, said she enjoyed participating in the event. “It was for a good cause,” she said. “I know that I, and many others who participated, got a great sense of satisfaction from being able to help those in need.” Clark Downey, a third-year dental student who organized the event, thanked students and faculty for their participation. “It was rewarding to see so many dental and dental hygiene students and faculty participate in the program,” he said. “I’m sure all of us who helped the patients who came here left with a tremendous amount of satisfaction being able to help them in some way.”

Ibrahim Carrillo describes his oral health condition to third-year dental student Lincy George during Dental Health Day last November.

Among several staff members who also participated in the event was Jane McDougall, central supply supervisor, who made sure that everyone had the supplies they needed.

Jerry Mastey


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Three individuals who have promoted multiculturalism throughout the School of Dentistry received the Ida Gray Award during the School’s celebration in January honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Gray was the first black woman to graduate from the School of Dentistry and was the first black female to practice dentistry in Chicago. S p o n s o re d b y t h e S c h o o l ’ s Multicultural Affairs Committee, the award is presented annually to three individuals – a faculty member, a student, and a staff member. After presenting the awards, Polverini thanked each “for making our School a better place to work and learn.”

Woolfolk, Frye, Anderson Receive Ida Gray Award

Dr. Marilyn Woolfolk, assistant dean for student services, “has gone above and beyond the call of duty in reaching out to those who are underrepresented,” said Dean Peter Polverini. “She has worked to help create a learning environment that allows all members to realize their full potential, and continues to be committed to the virtues of inclusion and fostering equity and diversity in the workplace.”

Third-year dental student Brent Frey was recognized for his work in the Detroit area as a community and political activist. He has also been a tutor for the HOPE program as an undergraduate.

“She is consistently supportive of and has abundant knowledge of diversity issues, especially of patients with special needs,” Polverini said as he presented the award to School librarian Patricia Anderson.

Keary Campbell

Keary Campbell

Keary Campbell


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He was originally scheduled to graduate this spring. However, Philip Estes, who will be a third-year dental student later this summer, had to temporarily postpone his dental school education to serve with the Michigan Army National Guard in Iraq. Called to active duty in September 2004 during the second year of his predoctoral studies, Estes arrived in Iraq less than a week before Christmas following two weeks of training in Kuwait. He was not released from active duty until December 2005. During those twelve months in Iraq, Estes did not do any dental work. Instead, as an Army Major he led a 20-soldier staff that planned missions for more than 1,400 soldiers in northern Iraq.

100 Million Gallons of Fuel “My miss ion was to supply anything the Army needed, move it to wherever it was needed, and keep all equipment working,” he said. It was no small task. “I had a much bigger role and a considerably bigger job than I thought I would,” he told students, faculty, and staff as he described his experiences and answered questions.

Among his responsibilities was making sure that about 100 million gallons of fuel reached soldiers in the northern part of the country and parts of western and central Iraq. “It was a huge mission, especially for a National Guard unit,” he said. “But it was just one of many things we did, including transportation, maintenance, vehicle recovery, and more.” During a presentation to students, faculty, and staff, Estes showed more than 100 photos he had taken while describing the country’s history, geography, culture, and weather. “We think the weather can get hot here sometimes, but both in Iraq and Kuwait summer temperatures often reached 140 degrees. By comparison,

Dental Student Describes Iraq ExperiencesPhilip Estes’ Graduation Postponed for Two Years

Phil Estes stands alongside a five-ton fuel tanker truck in northwestern Iraq en route to the Syrian border.

during winter it can drop to 30 or 40,” he said. While serving, Estes said “it meant a lot to me to feel the support of my family, friends, fellow classmates, professors, and colleagues. I continue to be grateful for their support and feel very fortunate in being able to continue my dental studies.” Estes will complete the final year of his dental education in the spring of 2009. “After leading a staff of twenty with significant responsibilities, I’m confident those management skills will be successfully applied in a dental office setting,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Phil Estes

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Members of the Class of 2010 received their white coats welcoming them into the dental profession during a ceremony at the Power Center last fall. The 106 students, 68 men and 38 women, represent less than five percent of more than 2,160 who applied for admission. Welcoming the students and their families to the fifth annual ceremony, Dean Peter Polverini congratulated them on their admission to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and for reaching “this important milestone in your lives.” In his keynote address, Dr. Edwin Secord, president of the Michigan Dental Association, told the students that they were now “part of a select group” and reminded them that the white coat “is a symbol of honesty and integrity.”

Obligations to Patients, the Profession, the Community As oral health care providers, Secord reminded them of their obligations to their patients, the profession, and to the communities where they will practice after they graduate. “You have a responsibility to provide ethical care to your patients, that’s your top priority and your moral obligation as a professional,” he said. Also saying that “integrity is the foundation of our profession,” Secord reminded students of the importance

of self-regulation. “This is what distinguishes us from other professions,” he said. “By putting on the white coat, you’re making a commitment to uphold your profession’s high standards.” He also challenged students to become involved in their communities a n d w i t h p ro f e s s i o n a l d e n t a l organizations at local, state, and national levels. Secord also cautioned the students against complacency. “It’s absolutely not an option,” he said. “We have an obligation to become life-long learners.”

Oral-Systemic Health Link Dr. Kyle Pullen, an adjunct lecturer at the School of Dentistry, told students that they were entering the profession at an exciting time. “Few physicians understand how

much of an impact oral health can have on a person’s systemic health,” he said. “Frequently, serious systemic problems are discovered by dentists who then advise the patient to talk to their physician.” Pullen told the students, “make sure you talk to your patients, not at them, and try to see things from their perspective.” The best way to get that perspective, he continued, is, on occasion, “to be a patient yourself.” Advising students that they would not be the same person in four years that they are now, Pullen said “that what you get from this outstanding dental school will be directly related to what you put into it in terms of your time and efforts.” “Your training and learning will be continuous,” he said. “It will only end when you retire.”

First-year dental student Daniel Fischer receives his white coat from fourth-year dental student Jessica Chen during the School’s annual ceremony last fall. Calling each first-year student to receive his or her white coat was Benjamin Wickstra (left) Dental Class of 2007 president.

First-Year Dental Students Receive White Coats

Keary Campbell

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STUDENTS


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Dental Students Cook for 30 atRonald McDonald House

Dental students who cooked meals for about 30 residents and staff of the Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor were (left to right): Jessica Hong Chen, Angie Matthews, Salam Salman, Tom Simon, Matthew Martin, Brandon Schultz, and Carolyn Hong.

Dental students have busy lives. In many cases, there isn’t a lot of time to prepare a good meal at the end of a long day. Kelly Ladd (left) and Jennifer Stolz were determined to do something about that and, in the process, involve others. “Many of my classmates are good cooks and have good recipes to share,” said Stolz, a third-year dental student. “But there are some, like me, who don’t cook at all, but who want to get started with a few good recipes.” With help from other students, faculty, and staff, the Class of 2008 published a cookbook featuring 160 recipes in six categories. Most of the recipes, 49, were entrees. Desserts were a close second with 47 recipes. Others included: appetizers, 19; soups and salads, 17; bed and breakfast, 15; and vegetables, 13. Dozens of photographs of students are also included showing them in various academic, social, recreational, and athletic activities. Copies of the $12 cookbook are available by e-mailing Stolz at [email protected] or Kelly Ladd at [email protected].

Dental Class of ’08 Compiles Cookbook

Nearly four times as many dental students volunteered to help than there were spots available. Earlier this year, seven members of the Xi Psi Phi dental fraternity cooked and served dinner to about 30 residents and staff of the Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor. Since 1974, the Ronald McDonald House has offered families a home away from home while their seriously ill children are treated for various illnesses at nearby hospitals. Matthew Martin, president of the dental fraternity, said the organization began exploring a number of possible volunteer activities in the Ann Arbor area several years ago, including helping at the Ronald McDonald House.

The fraternity has been helping there for the past three years. “Unfortunate ly, we couldn’ t accommodate all twenty-five dental students who volunteered,” Martin said. “Because of the size of the kitchen, volunteers were chosen on a first to reply basis.” The group prepared foods that included salad, pasta noodles with meat and marinara sauce, dinner rolls, and hummus. Jessica Hong Chen, who led this year’s efforts, said, “It was a rewarding experience to be able to serve the community beyond the dental school. I would encourage all students to take time to seek volunteer opportunities which will enrich their experiences while in dental school.”

Photo courtesy of Matthew Martin

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Jerr

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DentalUM a Hit in China

Twice annually, the School of Dentistry’s alumni magazine, DentalUM, is mailed to thousands of alumni, both in the U.S. and around the world. Last fall, several copies of the magazine were delivered to parts of China by a staff member. Rui-Feng Wang, a lab research specialist whose story about his decision to build a pagoda near Beijing was featured in the Spring & Summer 2006 issue, returned to his homeland to show the story and photos to family and friends. The trip was planned months in advance. During the visit Wang took the photos showing his wife Chu-Chiang Ling Wang pointing out the story to family and friends at a teahouse prior to visiting the pagoda. In the top photo, the Table of Contents pages are clearly visible. In the middle photo, she points to the story. In the bottom photo, you can see the illustration on the cover that is above her left arm. Wang said family and friends were surprised and enjoyed reading the feature. Smiling, he added there was no truth to the rumor that he was asked to autograph copies of the magazine for family and friends.

Rui-Feng Wang


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News

When Dr. Arthur Van Victor earned his dental degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1929, Herbert Hoover was president of the United States, and the annual cost to attend the U-M School of Dentistry was $1,376. The “annual fee” (tuition) was $208 for Michigan residents. Instruments, and electric engine, books and suppliies, and room, board, and laundry were $1,168. On Feb. 14 , 2007, Dr. Victor celebrated his 100th birthday with friends in Southfield. According to the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association, and the American College of Prosthodontists, Dr. Victor is the oldest practicing dentist in the U.S. A licensed practicing dentist since 1929, Dr. Victor has been a prosthodontist since the beginning of the specialty practice and is a

Dr. Arthur Van Victor, who celebrated his 100th birthday in February, is seen here with Dr. Kenneth May, during last fall’s meeting of the Kingery Study Club in Ann Arbor.

Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists. Long before cosmetic dentistry became popular, Dr. Victor was concerned with the esthetics of teeth. His work, dealing with techniques of fabricating custom-made denture teeth to develop natural looking replacement teeth for patients, has been published in the Journal of Prosthodontic Dentistry. Dean Peter Polverini offered his congratulations to Dr. Victor “on a distinguished career of service to the public and to our profession.”

Josephine Weeden ( D D S 1 9 9 6 , M S orthodontics 1999), of Saline, Michigan, is the new president o f t h e M i c h i g a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f

Orthodontists. Her one-year term as president of the 265-member organization expires this summer. A member of the organization’s Board of Directors for the past five years, Weeden is also a member of the School of Dentistry’s Alumni Society Board of Governors.

John Hall (DDS 1995, MS periodontics 1998) of Traverse City, Michigan, recently opened an office in Gaylord, Michigan. In 2005, he was awarded Diplomate status by the American Board of Periodontology.

E t h e l ( G r e e n ) Burns (DDS 1986) of Ypsilanti, Michigan, is retiring from the State of Michigan D e p a r t m e n t o f Corrections after a

19-year career. Her work included amalgams, composites, complete and partial dentures, endodontics, and also “became very efficient with oral surgery,” she wrote. As a supervisor, “I was fortunate to chair the Infection Control Committee of the Duane Waters Hospital, direct dental assistants and a hygienist and, during the absence of the director, served in an acting capacity as regional dental director where I was responsible for as many as five dental clinics.” Burns said she will begin a new career as a realtor. “My interest in this area has grown over the years. I want to help and educate others about how to become homeowners and manage property. I’m looking forward to a new adventure.”

Lynne Moseley (DDS 1985) of Beverly Hills, Michigan, was named director of oral oncology at the Karmanos Cancer Center in the Detroit Medical Center. She also opened a private practice in Southfield, Michigan.

Dr. Arthur Van Victor Celebrates 100th Birthday!

Photo courtesy of Dr. Ken May


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Craig Misch (DDS 1985) of Sarasota, F lor ida, has been e l e c t e d t o t h e Board of Directors of the Academy of Osseointegration. He

was also recently appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants. Misch recently moved to a new facility in Sarasota where he specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery and prosthodontics with an emphasis on implant treatment.

David Feick (DDS 1983) of Franklin, Tennessee, has been named a senior instructor with the International A s s o c i a t i o n f o r O r t h o d o n t i c s . Established in the U.S. in 1961, IAO is the oldest and largest of the national and international nonspecial ity orthodontic organizat ions with programs in education, professional support, and clinical experience. “I enjoy helping dentists learn more about orthodontics or teaching them how to begin to include orthodontic care in their practices,” he wrote.

Jane Grover (DDS 1979), dental director of the Center for Family Health in Jackson, Michigan, was recently elected vice president of the American Dental Association. A member of the organization’s House of Delegates since 1992, she recently has chaired the group’s political action committee.

James Myers (DDS 1966) of Olympia, Washington, now owns and operates a small winery in Olympia. It’s name? “Medicine Creek Winery.”

Dolores Malvitz (DH certificate 1961) of Decatur, Georgia, received the Special Merit Award from the American Association of Public Health Dentistry. She is branch chief at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the CDC in Atlanta.

Dick Shick (DDS 1954, MS 1960) of F l i n t , M i c h i g a n , was recently elected Vice President of the International College of Dentists. In 2009,

he will become the first University of Michigan School of Dentistr y alumnus to serve as president of the organization. He served as president of the group’s USA section in 2001. Formed to advance the science and art of dentistry for the public’s health and welfare, ICD awards fellowships to dental professionals for their service to the dental profession and encourages maintaining and elevating the profession through the highest standards of conduct and practice.

Arnold Sarya (DDS 1958) of Traverse City, Michigan, received the 2006 Distinguished Service Award from that city’s Chamber of Commerce earlier

this year. The award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the community over an extended period of time. Sarya’s son, John, nominated his father for the award saying, “He has done in his life what most could only imagine would take two or more lifetimes. His commitment to the area has been far above what most ever think possible.” Sarya’s achievements included building and operating the city’s first indoor ice rink, Glacier Dome; funding and building facilities as well as purchasing equipment for cross country skiing in the Traverse City area; serving as a past Governor of Michigan for Kiwanis; and serving on numerous boards designed to assist the community in health, religion, and healthy family lifestyles.

Arnold Hartz (DDS 1957) of Boynton Beach, Florida, was featured in a recent publication of the West Palm Beach Veterans Medical Center Hospital. The feature noted his four years of volunteer work helping medically-compromised veterans. In a note accompanying the write-up, Hartz wrote, “I’m looking forward to our 50-year reunion (at the dental school) in the fall.”

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In Memoriam

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’53 Dr. Robert C. Cording Ormond Beach, Florida October 21, 2006

’54 Dr. Robert L. Haag Ann Arbor, Michigan February 13, 2007

’70 Dr. Robert Tisch Plainwell, Michigan October 1, 2006 Known throughout the Kalamazoo area

for his efforts to get kindergarten and elementary school children to brush their teeth and reduce their sugar intake, Dr. Tisch died about seven weeks after a street in Plainwell was named for him. As a board member of the Pipp Foundation, he helped acquire land for use by a Kalamazoo hospital and other medical groups. “Having the street named for him meant the world to him,” said his wife of 37 years, Judy. He retired as a practicing dentist in 2000.

’71 Dr. Wayne Young American Fork, Utah

Dr. Young, who practiced in Utah and had 11 dentists working in his three offices, died October 19, 2006. Last summer, he traveled on a Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker to the North Pole.

’78 Dr. Thomas Slade Ypsilanti, Michigan

Dr. Slade, who was University of Michigan quarterback in the 1972 Rose Bowl against Stanford, died November 12. He was 54. Slade, who earned his dental degree in 1978, was a clinical instructor for several years at the School of Dentistry prior to opening a private practice in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. He practiced full time until early 2006 after he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Ryan Turner

Ryan Turner, a fourth-year dental student, passed away unexpectedly January 17. He was 27. Turner, from Eugene, Oregon, was running on a treadmill at the Central Campus Recreational Building when he collapsed. He was taken to the U-M Medical Center and died a

short time later. A memorial service was held at the dental school. “Ryan was well known to many students, liked, and respected by all,” Dean Peter Polverini said.

Bo Remembered

The death of former University of Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler last November shocked many, including those at the School of Dentistry. The School has had a relationship with the U-M football program’s coaches and players that began more fifty years ago. Dentists from the School have made customized mouth guards for players. That was something Schembechler remembered. As head coach from 1969 to 1989, Schembechler often expressed his appreciation in letters to Dr. William Godwin, considered by many to be the father of the customized mouth guard, and Dr. Leroy Pratt. Below is one of the letters they received.


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Dr. Major McKinley Ash, a world leader and icon in dentistry, died March 21, 2007 in Scottsdale, Arizona after a courageous battle with metastatic bone cancer. He was 85. Born in Bellaire, Michigan, on April 7, 1921, to Major McKinley and Marguerite (Early) Ash, he grew up in Miami, Florida. He received a degree in electrical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1942 and a certification in physics a year later from the University of Chicago. During World War II he became certified in radar technology from the U.S. Army Institute repairing radar that was damaged on the war fronts. He was seriously wounded during the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and the Croix de Guerre. Returning from rehabilitation in Georgia and Florida, he resumed his education at Michigan State University. There he met Fayola Foltz whom he married on September 2, 1947. After graduating from Emory University Dental School, they moved to Ann Arbor where he resided for the rest of his life. In 1947 Dr. Ash received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from MSU. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1951 from Emory University in Georgia and extended his education at the University of Michigan and earned a master’s degree in periodontics in 1954. While working for that degree,

he was an instructor in periodontics and oral pathology. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1956, associate professor in 1959, and full professor in 1962. During his distinguished 53-year career with the U-M School of Dentistry that began in 1953 and continued after he retired in 1989, Dr. Ash established a global reputation as a clinical researcher, prolific writer, mentor, and professor extraordinaire. Active throughout his career with numerous local, state, national, and international dental and periodontal associations, Dr. Ash was a Fellow with the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists; a consultant to the Northeast Regional Dental Boards; the Federation International Dentaire; the Commission o n O r a l H e a l t h , Re s e a rc h a n d Epidemiology; the ADA Council on Dental Therapeutics; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; a member of numerous honorary societies; President of the Michigan State Basic Science Board; and an examiner in pathology for medical, osteopathic and chiropractic applicants who wished to practice in Michigan. He also has been listed for many years in the Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Science, and Who’s Who in the World. As part of his international reputation, he received an honorary Doctorate of Medicine from the University Of Bern, Switzerland in 1976.

Dr. Major McKinley Ash

In Memoriam

Per Kjeldsen


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At the University of Michigan, Dr. Ash founded and chaired the first occlusion department in the United States from 1969-1987, directed the TMJ/Oral Facial Pain Clinic and Stomatognathic Physiology Laboratory from 1969-1987 and was a member of many School of Dentistry committees, including several appointments to the Executive Committee. He received the U-M School of Dentistry’s Distinguished Service Award in 1992. Dr. Ash was named the Marcus L. Ward Professor of Dentistry in 1984. When he retired he was named Marcus L. Ward Professor of Dentistry Emeritus, Professor Emeritus, and Research Scientist Emeritus in 1989. Dr. Ash published more than 200 articles in scientific journals and was well known for his 70 textbooks, some of which have been published in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Polish. During his career Dr. Ash also did field research with the Nubians in Southern Egypt, developed the first miniaturized electronic tooth, and was mentor to over 100 graduate students which forged friendships that lasted over the years As an educator, Dr. Ash developed and nurtured a passion for writing. “Writing wasn’t a big part of my life until I began reviewing graduate students’ research and reading the theses they wrote,” he said in a feature that appeared in the School of Dentistry’s alumni magazine, DentalUM in 2002. He said that before personal computers and word processing software, “I would read

a paper and, if I thought it didn’t flow smoothly, I would cut it up, reorganize it, paste the strips of paper together with tape, and then ask my secretary to retype it. When my sons and daughter were younger, they got a big kick out of watching me.” The last fifteen winters were enjoyed in Scottsdale, Arizona. He continued to be active as an author, editor, reviewer, and mentor from both locations. He was a long time member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. Dr. Ash’s four chi ldren and five grandchildren have carried on his tradition of excellence in their professional lives, dedication to their spiritual and intellectual undertakings, and are proud to be a part of an individual that was in every way a gentleman, a scholar, and role model. A memorial service was held April 21, after the Ramfjord Symposium, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor. The family requests donations be made to The Dr. Major Ash Collegiate Professorship, care of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Office of Alumni Relations and Development, 540 E. Liberty Street, Suite 204, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2210. Please make checks payable to the U-M School of Dentistry. Gifts may also be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. An extensive feature about Dr. Ash’s career, and the influence he had on his children, appeared in the Spring & Summer 2002 issue of the School of Dentistry’s alumni magazine, DentalUM.

We used to joke that Dr. Ash had found Centric Relation and didn’t want to lose it, and he did have a reputation for being a tough prof, but I wouldn’t have missed his classes for anything.

- Jo Ann Snider, RDH, BS 1972

I use the knowledge he taught me about occlusion on a daily basis in my practive. I will always value his comments about titrating certain patients out of ones practice when I realize I can not help them.

- Steven C. Olsen, DDS 1977

The very best!

-J.T.Stevens,MSRestorative1976

While attending dental school in South America, I studied dental morphology and occlusion from one of his textbooks translated into Spanish. That book is now with me, 35 miles north of where Dr. Ash used to teach at. Dr. Ash’s legacy is one that transcends borders and cultures. God bless him and bring peace and joy to his family. Hail to a true Victor!

- D.V.P.

I owe Dr. Ash my entire knowledge of tooth morphology and occlusion. His death is an irreplaceable loss for the world of dentistry.

- Dr. Subrata Mukherjee, BDS

Dr. Ash was a great teacher! His course on occlusion has been very valuable to me as a practicing general dentist. His teaching has had a profound effect on my skills as a dentist. To the family:please accept my deepest sympathy at your loss.

- Dr. Norm Katzman, DDS 1973

From Our Web SiteBelow are some of the comments

received about Dr. Major Ash


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Homecoming Weekend 2007

Thursday, October 11Emeritus Pinning Ceremony Time: 11:30 a.m. Location: Room G390

Emeritus Class Picture Time: Noon Location: Foyer staircase outside the Sindecuse Museum

Emeritus Reunion and Hall of Honor Luncheon Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: Sindecuse Atrium

Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: Sindecuse Atrium

Friday, October 12 Morawa Lecture Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Location: Kensington Court Hotel, 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor Speaker: Bruce J. Crispin (DDS 1972, MS 1975), founder and director, Esthetic Professionals Dental Education Center, Tarzana, CA

Homecoming Dinner Celebration Honoring Dental and Dental Hygiene classes with graduation years

ending in 2 and 7. Doors open and registration begins: 6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception: 6:00 p.m. Dinner: 7:00 p.m. Location: Kensington Court Hotel, 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor

Saturday, October 13Alumni Association Go Blue! Tailgate Time: 3 hours before kickoff Location: Indoor Track Building

Football Game – University of Michigan vs. Purdue Time: Noon Location: The Big House

Upcoming Continuing Dental Education Courses

August 3, 2007 (Friday) and August 4, 2007 (Saturday)Clinical Update in Pediatric Dentistry

Speaker: Dr. Michael Ignelzi

This entertaining and informative course will provide timely and practical information for those in any practice who treat children. Subjects to be discussed include pulp therapy for primary and younger permanent teeth, caries risk assessment, the infant and toddler visit, and the most commonly found developmental anomalies and pathology in children.

Location: August 3, Crowne Plaza, 5700 28th St., S.E., Grand Rapids August 4, U-M School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor

October 5, 2007 (Friday)Bruised, Broken, and Bedeviled Teeth: Managing Traumatic Injuries

Speaker: Dr. Anthony DiAngelisProfessor, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and Chief of Dentistry, Hennepin County Medical Center

Learn the most current techniques for treating all manner of traumatic dental injuries as well as the medical and legal implications of dental implant surgery.


October 18, 2007 (Thursday)Esthetics in Orthodontics: State of the Art

Speaker: Dr. Bjorn ZachrissonDepartment of Orthodontics, University of Oslo (Norway)

Learn more about new concepts and guidelines for achieving a beautiful display of teeth, desirable crown torque variations of canines and posterior teeth in different facial types, and more.


dentalum spring/summer 2007

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