Issue No. 17 | Sping 2013

For alumni and friends of the UNMC College of Dentistry’s Postgraduate Orthodontic Program

As you will see by the articles in this issue of Tightly Wired, it’s been an exciting and busy year since our last issue. It's been a year full of changes. Significantly, our department chair began her appointment on June 1, 2012! Jillian Wallen, BDS, MS, currently the

interim director of the post-graduate pediatric dentistry program while also serving as depart-ment chair, has begun to lead the entire depart-ment on a journey that has moved us toward more inclusiveness and communication – particularly between the specialties of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. We are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to work with Dr. Wallen.

A long-sought dream of an improvement became a reality in August/September this year when, through a series of “temporary spaces” and multiple personnel moves, our shared orthodon-tic/pediatric dentistry dispensary, appointment clerk’s workspace and new chair’s office were finally completed. In addition to greatly improving the use of the dispensary, the spaces now more closely match the sleek, modern look of the recently renovated College of Dentistry.

Sundaralingam Premaraj

From the director

In 2012, we received notification that congratula-tions are in order for Drs. Paul Gates (’99), Navin Hukmani (’02), Darrell Van Horn (’86) and Robert Walker (’00) for passing the American Board of Orthodontics clinical exam and earning their diplomate status. I highly recommend board certification to any of our alumni in any phase of their career. With more general dentists offering orthodontic treatment in their offices, it is especially important for potential patients to see the value of seeking treatment from a qualified orthodontic specialist. Being board certified shows that you went above and beyond orthodontic training and your skills are recognized by the American Board of Orthodontics.

Dr. Peter Spalding became chair of Challenge Team #9 to advise the ACPA Revitalization Task Force, which addresses ACPA global initiatives. He also served as a member of the AAO Focus Group to examine the issue of faculty shortages and the AAO Educational Initiatives Awards Program.

Please review the section in this issue covering research, grants and presentations to see the transformations taking place in these areas under the direction of Dr. T. Sheela Premaraj. Her Clear Aligner Research Award, through Align Technology Inc. has served as an introduction to clinical

All roads lead to the AAO Nebraska Alumni Reception Saturday, May 4, 2013, 4:00 – 5:45pm Philadelphia Marriott, 1201 Market Street, Room 309We look forward to seeing you there!

see pg 9PREM

In This Issue

2012 Grad BanquetPage 4

Meet the ChairPage 3

2012 AAO: HawaiiPage 8

Tightly WiredTightly WiredTightly Wired“The only thing that is constant

is change,” Heraclitus.

Spalding ReflectsPage 6-7

Pobanz ReturnsPage 7

Tightly Wired | 2

Tightly WiredSpring 2013| Issue No. 17

This newsletter is produced by the Orthodontic Section of the Department of Growth & Development of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry.

Program Director: Dr. Sundaralingam Premaraj

Co-editor: Ms. Beverly Simons

Design & Layout, Co-editor:Mr. Kim R. Theesen

Principal Photography: Ms. Peggy Cain

For additional printed copies, submissions, and ideas, contact:Beverly Simonsbjsimons@unmc.edu(402) 472-4919

UNMC College of Dentistry2436 DENT (0740)Lincoln NE 68583-0740

www.unmc.edu/dentistry

New Residents as of July 1, 2013

Khanh LuongLSU

Chris SchultzUNMC

Jason ScottUCLA

Born in Quang Tri, Viet Nam, but a citizen of the US, Khanh Luong has made a long journey physically and culturally to join us in Nebraska. He earned a B.S. in chemical engineering at the University of Louisiana – Lafayette in 2009 and will be graduating with a DDS from the LSUHSC School of Dentistry in May 2013 before moving to Nebraska.

A native of Sheridan, Wyoming, who earned a B.S. in chemical engineering at the University of Wyoming, Chris Schultz certainly has a bit of “Nebraska” in him by now. He's spent the last four years at UNMC and will earn his DDS in May this year. Dr. Schultz's interest in orthodontics has made him a “regular” in the Thursday morning clinics so all the current residents and staff know him well and look forward to working with him on a full-time basis.

While Jason Scott was born in Ridgcrest, California, his educational journey took him to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, for a BS in Exercise Science. Then, it was back to California to earn a DDS at UCLA. His contagious smile and positive attitude are going to make him another welcome addition to the UNMC program.

Recent Program Presentations

Spalding, PM: “Secondary alveolar bone grafts: Past, present, future.” Presented at the 112th American Association of Orthodontists Annual Session, Honolulu, HI, May 2012.

Premaraj, S: Oral Epithelial Cell Response to Orthodontic Plastic - Preliminary Report, C. Hopke, S. Premaraj, T. Premaraj, Poster presented at the Annual meeting of AAO, Honolulu, HI, May 2012.

Premaraj, S: “Mechanobiology of Orthodontic Tooth Movement,” UMKC School of Dentistry, Oral Biology seminar, June 2012.

Premaraj, S: “Mechanobiology of Orthodontic Tooth Movement,” Surgery Research Forum, NE Regenerative Medicine Project, University of Nebraska Medical Center, September 2012.

Spalding, PM: Met with Nebraska and Iowa federal legislators and/or their health aides in Washington D.C., January 2013, advocating for national oral and craniofacial orthodontic health care, as a part of American Association of Orthodontists Professional Advocacy Conference.

Recent Publications

Gonzalez SM, Spalding PM, Payne JB, Giannini PJ, 2011: A dentigerous cyst associated with bilaterally-impacted mandibular canines in a girl: A case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports 5:230.

Spalding PM, 2012: Craniofacial growth and development: Current understanding and clinical consider-ations. Chapter 53 in Peterson's Principles of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Third Edition), (ed) Michael Miloro, People's Medical Publishing House-USA, Shelton, CT.

Premaraj S, Moursi A., 2012, Delivery of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 3 Plasmid in a Collagen Gel Inhibits Cranial Suture Fusion in Rats, The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, published on-line.

Recently Published Abstracts

Meyer, S. Premaraj, M. Beatty and T. Premaraj, Oral Epithelial Cell Response to Orthodontic Plastic - Preliminary Report, J Dent Res., 91 (Spec Iss B): 366, 2012.

K. Russell, T. Premaraj, and S. Premaraj, Expression of Chemokines in Periodontal Tissues during Orth-odontic Tooth Movement, J Dent Res., 91 (Spec Iss B): 641, 2012.

S. Premaraj, F. Chau and T. Premaraj, Tooth Extraction/Hypofunction-Induced Changes in Alveolar Osteocyte Expression of SOST/Sclerostin, J Dent Res., 91 (Spec Iss B): 1617, 2012.

2012 Research Activity

Premaraj, S: July 2012 – AAOF Biomedical Research Award, Role of Parathyroid-Hormone-Related-Protein (PTHrP) in Orthodontic Tooth Movement.

Premaraj, T. Sheela: May 2012 – Clear Aligner Research Award, Align Technology Inc. Shift in Species Composition of Supragingival Microbiome as a Risk factor in Dental Caries – a comparative study with braces / Invisalign® treatment.

Spalding, PM: July 2012 – UNMC College of Dentistry Student Summer Research Fellowship – Jessica Poeschl, The role of transforming growth factor ß signaling in palatogenesis.

The department is excited to introduce our newest residents. These three terrific young men will fit in well with our current hard-working and amiable residents.

3 |

Introducing Dr. Jillian Wallen

Spring 2013

In June 2012, Dean Reinhardt hired a chair, Dr. Jillian Wallen, for our Department of Growth & Development (which includes the orthodontic and pediatric dentistry sections – both pre-doctoral and post-doctoral and the general practice residency program). All of our interim chairs were terrific in their own way, but it’s very nice to have a person in the position that will be here next year and the year after…

Dr. Wallen was born and educated in Scotland. She received her BDS (with distinction) from the University of Glasgow Dental Hospital and School. She earned a pediatric dentistry certificate and MS at The Ohio State University in 2002. She worked as an assistant clinical professor at the Children's Hospital Denver and University of Colorado Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry until moving to Maryland where she was a pediatric dental fellow at the University of Maryland Dental School from 2006-2007. She served as the director of the advanced specialty in pediatric dentistry there until we were lucky enough to hire her as our postgraduate pediatric program director in 2011.

It's possible that Dr. Wallen carries with her a bit of the magic of Scotland as she merges her experiences gained from each place she has worked with the natural talents and skills of a gifted pediatric dentist and leader. In a rather short time, she has managed changes – both big and small – that have improved the quality of care for patients and the quality of the educational experience for all residents within the department. Her easy way with people – patients, parents, students, alumni

Our program is proud to announce our 2013 AAO Young Leader, second-year resident Corwyn Hopke. Dr. Hopke, a former president of ASDA, has all the skills and qualifications of a leader and we are pleased to recognize him, as well as have him represent our program. He has been named a resident member of the AAO Council New and Younger members – a prestigious title for an impressive young man.

As a major part of the AAO Young Leader program, the AAO sent Dr. Hopke to Palm Desert, CA, in February to attend the Young Leader's Development Forum. At this meeting, young orthodontists

and peers – makes one look forward to every interaction with a smile.

What she likes about being a UNMC chair:

• The dedication and commitment of residents from each of the three specialties in the department. She has found that UNMC really does receive applications from the “cream of the crop” from which to select residents.

• Working with, and hiring, admirable faculty and staff who share a common desire to perform their jobs with pride and use their expertise to improve all that surrounds them.

• Working with Dr. S. Premaraj and Dr. David Mohs to set up a new clinic, in conjunction with Boys Town West Hospital, to help orthodontic residents gain more experience with mentally or physically disabled patients and craniofacial patients.

What she might like to change about being a UNMC chair:

• She, after nearly a year, is still serving as interim postgraduate pediatric dentistry program director while also being depart-ment chair. She would probably like to see a new and dynamic program director hired to lead the pediatric dentistry program so that she can more fully devote her time and energy to the overall picture of the department as a whole.

SO, CALLING ALL ALUMNI: If you know of a really talented board-certified pediatric dentist who would be someone you could see leading and advancing the program's mission, please ask them to apply online at https://jobs.unmc.edu or contact Dr. Wallen at jillian.wallen@unmc.edu for more information.

AAO Young Leaders: Shaping a Vision for the Professiongathered to discuss topics that may very well change the course of the AAO. This program takes young and enthusiastic members into consideration – along with how they will eventually lead the organization. A part of the meeting is intended to teach partici-pants how to be better leaders in their personal and professional lives in order to prepare them to lead the AAO in the future.

In addition, Dr. Hopke was able to attend the AAO/AAP Joint Winter Conference, held at the same location, where he had the following photos taken.

Sheela, Vivian Luong, Corwyn, and Prem

Lee Graber and Corwyn

Buzz Behrents, Corwyn, and James McNamara

Corwyn and Vince Kokich

Tightly Wired | 4

2012 Graduation Banquet

Dr. Fouy Kok Chau, May 2012, Molecular mechanisms of Tooth Extraction-Induced Alveolar Bone Resorption: Role of Sclerostin.

Dr. Vivian Luong, December 2012, Mechanisms of Bypassing the DNA Damage Response (DDR) in Oral Cancer.

Dr. Tram Nguyen, December 2012, Simvastatin Application

to Prevent Orthodontic Tooth Movement-Induced Alveolar Bone Dehiscense/Fenestration.

Dr. Elizabeth Katzberg, January 2013, Color Stability, Mechanical Properties and Antifungal Effects of Zro 2

Nanoparticle Additions to Pigmented Polydimethylsiloxane.

THESES ADDITIONS

Back row: L-R Nima Rohani, Nima Mirmoghtadaei, Jared Schoettger, Jeffrey Rector. Front row: L-R Callie Holwegner, Tram Nguyen, Vivian Luong, Lizel Katzberg & Corwyn Hopke. Three heartfelt speeches from Lizel, Tram, and Vivian

Tram, Prem, Vivian, and Lizel strike a pose for the camera

Bob Glenn and a hallelujah moment

Mark Beatty, Sheela Premaraj, Jill Wallen, and David G. Brown

Vivian poses with her proud parents

Sandy Frank , Vivian, Tram, Judy OlsenPeter Spalding

shares thoughts.

Spring 20135 |

It is hard to believe it has been a quarter century since I joined Robert Moore and Les Erickson in revitalizing the UNMC post-graduate orthodontic program. Jody and I had enjoyed our professional and family time in Ann Arbor, but we had not com-pletely set down roots there and the opportunity to raise our children (ages 8, 6, and 4) in Midwestern culture as well as the professional opportunities for both of us was sufficiently enticing to schedule the moving van.

Robert, Les and I worked well together from the start, compli-menting each other's strengths. We all enjoyed teaching and had strong diagnostic and treatment-planning background, with training connections to the University of Washing-ton and the University of North Carolina. Robert's gifts for team-building and adminis-tration, Les' talents in teaching orthodontic technical skills, and my passion for and background in orthognathic surgical and craniofacial care all combined to create a remarkable academic environment.

Less than four years later, Robert was recruited away as dean of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, leaving me, as acting department chair and program director, and Les to continue the work our “Three Amigos” had begun. I always will be grateful to the orthodontists who increased their presence at the school in order to help us through the transition, especially Kim Stafford who taught full-time for over a year.

During my 16 years as orthodontic program director and 13 years as chair of a department that combined pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, there were moments of the ridiculous and the sublime. On the “sublime” side, we graduated many great orthodontists, and, with generous financial support from our alumni, we com-pletely transformed our clinical, library/seminar, and office space. A special highlight was the celebration of Sam Weinstein and his legacy as our program’s architect.

The quality of the faculty, staff, and students helped us to flourish. The UNMC orth-odontic program always has been fortunate in the loyal teaching support it has received from community orthodontists, many of whom are program alumni. Anyone in orthodontic education will tell you that programs cannot survive without the contribu-tions of experienced clinicians from the private sector, and we are particularly blessed in this regard. We also have enjoyed the dedicated and stable support from our skilled staff, some of whom have been here as long as I have. Orthodontic alumni continue to remark on their good fortune as UNMC students to have had staff who contributed so positively to their clinical education.

Fast Forward 20+ Years…

Laura Iwasaki and Jeff Nickel have come and gone, enhancing our department’s research presence with the successful funding of an R01 prior to moving to Kansas City to lead UMKC's orthodontic program. Beyond their research legacy, this orthodontic alumni publication was their creative brain-child. Sundaralingam and Thyagaseely (Sheela) Premaraj are continuing the program's focus on research and quality orth-odontic education. As I leave, I am gratified to know that the commitment to providing strong evidence-based didactic and clinical training combined with a sound research experience continues.

My new opportunity came about through my work with the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). Richard Kirschner, an outstanding plastic surgeon focused on craniofacial care and also active in ACPA, recently was recruited from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) in Colum-bus, Ohio, with the mandate “to build the best craniofacial program in the world” at NCH. His visionary plan included a craniofacial orthodontist, who would create an orthodontic clinic focused on care for those affected by craniofacial anomalies. In addition to the clinic, his plan involved the development of an

Spalding Reflections: 1989-2013

see pg 6SPALDING

Cards and letters may be sent to Dr. Peter Spalding

7105 N. Hampton Rd., Lincoln, NE 68506-1614.

Photos & Memories for Peter Spalding

Tightly Wired | 6

accredited clinical fellowship training program in craniofacial and special care orthodontics. The concept of a 12-month post-orthodontic residency fellowship was approved in 2009 by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation.

As director of the NCH Craniofacial Orthodontic Treatment Center, I will be privileged to participate in direct service and care of those from the region affected by craniofacial anomalies and support of their families. I will be part of a team of specialists dedicated to coordinating and providing efficient, effective and optimal treatment. Despite an increased emphasis on direct patient care, I will not be leaving academics behind. While I was president of ACPA, I was pleased to encourage the organization's support of the ADA craniofacial orthodontic fellowship concept, and I look forward to creating an accredited fellowship which will allow me to share my passion for craniofacial care in a new way.

Creating something from scratch late in my career in an area that holds such keen interest for me is truly thrilling. As exciting as this new professional adventure is, it truly is bitter-sweet to leave Lincoln. Both Jody and I have enjoyed wonderful career opportunities, amazing friends, and a great community in which to raise our family. I am grateful to the terrific faculty, staff, and students at the UNMC College of Dentistry for the opportunity to collaborate with them over the last 24 years and I am proud of what we have accom-plished together. I look forward to our continued friendship in the future.

SPALDING continued from pg 5

Dental homecoming weekend brought back Dr. John Pobanz (’98) on September 14, 2012, to provide a well-attended contin-uing education event titled “Must See Success Pearls: Creative Practice Marketing, Clinical TAD Innovations and Progressive Practice Management.” He is a terrific speaker not only because he is knowledgeable, but because he makes learning an enter-taining experience. His willingness to share is a gift to everyone who knows him.

In addition to providing financial assistance to the program as one of the three “Class of 1998 Endowment” donors (Pobanz, Haack & Stormberg), he has agreed to help coordinate speakers for an annual orthodontic continuing education event during the college’s homecoming weekend. The next homecoming is set for Friday, October 4, 2013. Please watch for more information over the summer.

7 |

John Pobanz returns for College’s Continuing Ed

Spring 2013

The faculty, John Pobanz, and the residents.

Peter Spalding, John Pobanz, and the Prems.

The charismatic Dr. Pobanz.Mike Crosby (’07), Paul Robinson

(’07), & Tram Nguyen (’12)Mike LaFerla and Bob Schoettger

strike a pose.

Paula Harre (’95) makes a point.

Dean Reinhardt welcomes the group.

Continuing Education ReminderThe UNMC College of Dentistry’s orthodontic program will be providing a continuing education event on Friday, October 4, 2013, during the college’s homecoming weekend. Mark your calendars and watch for a registration flyer this summer!

SAVE THE DATE!

Who’s who from Honolulu:

1) Ben Thornton ('06), and Jeff ('06) & Sarah Chandler, 2) Peter Spalding & Anthony Cha ('01), 3) Girl Power: Jodi Spalding, Sheela, & Callie Holwegner, 4) Jackie Miller (’93) & Bret Mooso ('92), 5) Sheela, Callie, Corwyn Hopke, & Matt Holwegner tilt for the earthquake, 6) Nima Mirmoghtadaei & Kim Stafford ('93), 7) Paul ('07) & Melanie Robinson, 8) Jody Spalding enjoys Jackie Miller’s coyote imitation, 9) Prem, Sheela, & Ben Thornton ('06), 10) Mark Leiker ('03) visits with Kelara (Mrs. Allen Gandy '03), 11) Prem & Allen Gandy ('03), 12) John Pobanz ('98) & Prem, 13) Brets Cooper ('94) & Mooso ('92), & Peter Spalding.

Tightly Wired | 8

Alumni reception at 2012 AAO in Honolulu, Hawaii

GO GREEN!

This publication is also

available online!

When you’re ready to get

the latest Tightly Weird

news online, go here:

www.unmc.edu/dentistry

and get your e-copy – along with

other UNMC publications – and share

’em with friends and colleagues.

9 |

Odds and ends

Spring 2013

research for many of our first-year residents. And then there is one more significant change to announce: Dr. Peter Spalding has announced his retirement from UNMC COD effective June 4, 2013. We wish him much success in his new opportunity in Columbus, Ohio. (See article on pages 5 and 6.)

On a personal note, I was promoted to the level of associate professor at the start of this semester. Following that, I was inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists at its 83rd Annual Convocation in October.

One thing that, thankfully, doesn't change in our program is the dedication of faculty, residents, staff and alumni. I am so grateful for the alumni support that benefits this program in every way. I am proud of the progress we have made each year since I became program director and I know that it would have been impossible without the commitment of those individuals.

Prem

Sundaralingam Premaraj, BDS, MS, PhD, FRCD(C)Orthodontic Program Director

PREM continued from pg 1

Membership in the Society of Educators of the AAO became available in January 2013, to all orthodontic educators in the United States and Canada. The organization will provide a forum for educators to gather, share information and learn, as well as provide a grass-roots resource for the AAO.

All of the UNMC Orthodontic Program's full-time and part-time faculty became members of the newly formed SOE due, in part, to the financial assistance our alumni provide in the form of the Orthodontic Development Fund. We are excited about helping the following faculty receive the recognition and well-deserved

AAO forms Society of Educators (SOE) in January 2013respect for their many hours of education made available for the benefit of our program. New members are: (Full-time) Sundaralingam Premaraj, T. Sheela Premaraj and Peter Spalding. (Part-time) Brett Cascini, Robert Glenn, Paula Harre, Rebecca Hohl, Robert Schoettger and Kimberley Stafford.

Membership includes the opportunity to attend the annual meeting as well as other events that may be planned. The SOE’s May 3, 2013, program in Philadelphia promises to be stimulat-ing, including discussion of the issue of assuring excellence in orthodontic programs.

If you have any questions about charitable gifts, donation, options, pledges or bequests benefitting the orthodontic program, please contact: Susan Norby, Director of Development1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300Lincoln, NE 68508402-458-1183800-432-3216snorby@nufoundation.org.

After you’ve read about all the great things happening at the UNMC College of Dentistry... help make it even greater.

Contributions may be sent to the address above. To be properly credited to the program, please specify: “Orthodontic Development Fund #1032.”

Remember all of those bulky 4" notebooks full of articles for courses such as: Current & Classic Literature, Biophys-ical Principles and Craniofacial Growth & Development? They are a thing of the past as of July 1, 2013, when our new residents make the switch to iPad tablets instead. Residents will no longer have a chance to build their muscles by carrying their course notebooks to class. They have no idea what they’ll be missing!

Going Electronic

Department of Growth and DevelopmentOrthodontic SectionP.O. Box 830740Lincoln NE 68583-0740

COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

Tightly WiredTightly WiredTightly WiredFor Alumni and Friends of the Postgraduate Ortho ProgramFor Alumni and Friends of the Postgraduate Ortho ProgramFor Alumni and Friends of the Postgraduate Ortho Program

The UNMC Orthodontic Program is looking for orthodontists who would enjoy a “taste of teaching” by supervising a four-hour clinic once, twice, or more times per month.

Please contact Dr. Sundaralingam Premaraj if interested at (spremaraj@unmc.edu) or (402) 472-4919.

Help Wanted!