DentalUM Spring/Summer 2008

DentalUM
Homecoming Weekend
2008
Spring & Summer 2008 Volume 24, Number 1
From the Laboratory DentalUM magazine is published twice a year by the
to the Dental Office… University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Office of
Alumni Relations and Continuing Dental Education.
Mail letters and updates to: Jerry Mastey, Editor, School Thursday, October 2
September 12-13, 2008 of Dentistry, Room G532, 1011 N. University Ave., Ann
Arbor, MI 48109-1078. Or you may send your letters and
Emeritus Medallion Ceremony
Time: 11:30 a.m.
New Dental Symposium updates via email to: jmastey@umich.edu.
Location: Room G390
Dean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Polverini
to Highlight Cutting-Edge Director of External Relations and
Continuing Dental Education . . . . . . Richard Fetchiet Emeritus Class Picture
Research Writer & Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Mastey
Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Jung
Time: Noon
Contributing Photographers . . . . . . . . . Jerry Mastey, Location: Foyer staircase outside the Sindecuse
Per Kjeldsen, Karel Barton, Anne Gwozdek Museum
Research is underway in laboratories
that may soon affect dentists and their Member publication of the American
Emeritus Reunion and Hall of Honor Luncheon
patients. Association of Dental Editors Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Sindecuse Atrium
The Regents of the University:
For more information
If you’re a dentist or dental educator or Julia Donovan Darlow, Laurence B. Deitch, Olivia P.
Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony
about this and other Maynard, Rebecca McGowan, Andrea Fischer Newman,
continuing dental researcher, you will want to attend this Andrew C. Richner, S. Martin Taylor, Katherine E. White, Time: 2:00 p.m.
Mary Sue Coleman, ex officio.
education courses contact: inaugural symposium September 12 and Location: Sindecuse Atrium
University of Michigan 13 on the University of Michigan Central University of Michigan School of Dentistry
School of Dentistry Campus. Symposium speakers will Alumni Society Board of Governors
Friday, October 3
Terms Expire 2008:
Office of Continuing address issues and answer questions on William E. Brownscombe, ‘74, St. Clair Shores, MI
Morawa Lecture: Hot Topics in Restorative Dentistry
Dental Education Time: Registration - 7:30 a.m.
subjects that include: John R. McMahon, ‘82, Grand Rapids, MI
1011 N. University George M. Yellich, ‘72, Los Gatos, CA Course - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Avenue Room G508 Harold Zald, ‘79, West Bloomfield, MI
Location: Kensington Court Hotel,
Ann Arbor, MI • What are some of the cutting-edge Jemma Allor, ‘00, Dental Hygiene, Mt. Clemens, MI
Terms Expire 2009: 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor
48109-1078 innovations in dentistry? Charles Caldwell, ‘77, Grand Rapids, MI Speakers and Topics: See page at left
www.dent.umich.edu • How might they benefit patients, Daniel Edwards, ‘97 DH, Ann Arbor, MI (Chair)
Gary Hubbard, ‘78, Okemos, MI
dentists, and other oral health care Metodi Pogoncheff, ‘76, Lansing, MI
Homecoming Gala Celebration Honoring
providers? Janet Souder Wilson, ‘73, Dental Hygiene, Northville, MI Dental and Dental Hygiene classes with
• Are there any breakthroughs that may Terms Expire 2010:
graduation years ending in 3 and 8
occur that will affect how dentistry is Samuel Bander, ’81, Grand Rapids, MI Doors open and registration begins: 6:00 p.m.
Kerry Kaysserian, ’81, Traverse City, MI Cocktail Reception: 6:00 p.m.
practiced? Jerry Booth, ’61 DDS, ’64 MS, Jackson, MI
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
• How will discoveries in the laboratory Josephine Weeden, ’96 DDS, ’MS, Saline, MI (Vice Chair)
Kathleen Early Burk, ’77 DH, Lakeland, MI Location: Kensington Court Hotel,
lead to innovations in clinical research Student Representative: Jamie Luria (D3) 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor
and in dental practice? Ex Officio Members:
• What will these innovations mean to Peter Polverini, Dean
Saturday, October 4
Janet Souder Wilson, ‘73, DH, Northville, MI
practicing clinicians and the future of Alumni Association Liaison Alumni Association Go Blue! Tailgate
dentistry? Steve C. Grafton , Executive Director, Alumni Assoc.
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Richard R. Fetchiet, Director of External Relations and
Continuing Dental Education Location: Track and Tennis Building
More details about the program, The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action
including a list of speakers and topics, employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding Football Game - University of Michigan vs. Illinois
nondiscrimination and affirmative action, including Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Time: 3:30 p.m.
are available on pages 72 and 73. Act of 1973. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of
nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless Location: The Big House
of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age,
marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression,
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 of Institutional Equity, 2072
Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432,
(734) 763-0235, TTY (734) 647-1388. For other University of Michigan
information call (734) 764-1817.
DentalUM
DentalUM magazine is published twice a year by the

University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Office of
Leading the Way in
Mail letters and updates to: Jerry Mastey, Editor, School Community-Based
of Dentistry, Room G532, 1011 N. University Ave., Ann
updates via email to: jmastey@umich.edu.
Research
Director of External Relations and For nearly seven years, the University of Michigan School
Continuing Dental Education . . . . . . Richard Fetchiet
Writer & Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Mastey of Dentistry has been leading an effort that could have
Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Jung significant implications for the dental profession.
Contributing Photographers . . . . . . . . . Jerry Mastey,
Per Kjeldsen, Karel Barton
Under the direction of Dr. Amid Ismail, the Detroit Dental
Health Project has been investigating reasons for oral health
disparities.
Member publication of the American
Association of Dental Editors His group is trying to determine why some African-
American children, who are six years old and younger, and
Julia Donovan Darlow, Laurence B. Deitch, Olivia P. their primary caregivers, have much better oral health than
Maynard, Rebecca McGowan, Andrea Fischer Newman, others who live in the same neighborhoods and possess similar
Andrew C. Richner, S. Martin Taylor, Katherine E. White,
Mary Sue Coleman, ex officio. social, economic, and cultural traits.
The scope of that community-based research and
University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Alumni Society Board of Governors
some of the major findings are the subjects of this issue of
Terms Expire 2008:
DentalUM.
William E. Brownscombe, ‘74, St. Clair Shores, MI In addition to the work that has already been conducted,
John R. McMahon, ‘82, Grand Rapids, MI the research is worth mentioning for another reason.
George M. Yellich, ‘72, Los Gatos, CA
Harold Zald, ‘79, West Bloomfield, MI It’s a superb example of the major collaboration that
Jemma Allor, ‘00, Dental Hygiene, Mt. Clemens, MI is taking place among various U-M schools and colleges,
Terms Expire 2009: other institutions of higher learning in Michigan, the
Charles Caldwell, ‘77, Grand Rapids, MI
Daniel Edwards, ‘97 DH, Ann Arbor, MI (Chair) Detroit Department of Health, and numerous community
Gary Hubbard, ‘78, Okemos, MI organizations who are all working as a team to reach a
Metodi Pogoncheff, ‘76, Lansing, MI
Janet Souder Wilson, ‘73, Dental Hygiene, Northville, MI common goal.
DDHP is trying to understand the reasons for the oral
Terms Expire 2010:
Samuel Bander, ’81, Grand Rapids, MI
health disparities and then design programs that are
Kerry Kaysserian, ’81, Traverse City, MI tailored to the needs of the community to try to reduce those
Jerry Booth, ’61 DDS, ’64 MS, Jackson, MI disparities.
Josephine Weeden, ’96 DDS, ’MS, Saline, MI (Vice Chair)
Kathleen Early Burk, ’77 DH, Lakeland, MI It’s a huge undertaking. But, as Dr. Ismail notes, “we’re
Student Representative: Jamie Luria (D3) also trying to empower families and give them important
Ex Officio Members: information they need about oral health that will allow them
Peter Polverini, Dean to make a major difference in the lives of their children.”
Alumni Association Liaison The results of this work, I believe, will give the State of
Steve C. Grafton , Executive Director, Alumni Assoc. Michigan an opportunity to lead the nation in addressing
Continuing Dental Education issues of access to care and reducing oral health disparities
The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action
that so many of our children and their caregivers face
employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding today.
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 Sincerely,
Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432, Peter J. Polverini, Dean
DentalUM Spring & Summer 2008

1
In This Issue ...
COVER STORY
6 Community Research, Community Service…the Detroit Dental
Health Project & the U-M School of Dentistry
This 3-year-old is representative of thousands of youngsters his age who
were seen by community researchers investigating the reasons for oral
health disparities in Detroit. For the past seven years, the University of
Michigan School of Dentistry’s Detroit Dental Health Project has been
investigating the reasons for oral health disparities in the Motor City.

13 – Screening for Oral Cancer
15 – Video Emphasizes, Illustrates Good Oral Health Care Habits
16 – Significant Findings

Design by Chris Jung. Photos by Jerry Mastey.
FEATURES
4 Dean Polverini: Next 5 Years Crucial for School.
18 Dental Scholar Begins Work to Establish 1st Dental School in Liberia

Third-year dental student and Dental Scholar Nejay Ananaba has taken the
26
first steps to realize a lifelong dream of establishing the first dental school in
her native country of Liberia.
21 Students, Residents, Faculty, Staff “Give Kids a Smile”
26 From Football to Dentistry

Dental students Ross Ryan and David Schoonover hope to join a list of
former U-M football players who have earned a dental degree or specialty
degree.
28 Helping Around the World

In recent months, students and faculty from the School of Dentistry have
used their expertise to help in other countries. Read about dental students
David Lipton and Katrina Baeverstad who were in Honduras as a part of
U-M’s Honduras Medical Relief program, and Dr. Sam Zwetchkenbaum who
28 39
traveled to Kenya and Uganda as a part of Operation Smile.
Faculty Profile — Dennis Lopatin, Senior Associate Dean

Growing up in the Chicago area, he initially planned to go into industrial
research and work for a pharmaceutical company. But when fog cancelled
a flight that was to take him to a job interview, Dennis Lopatin was later
offered a postdoctoral fellowship and began pursuing a new career path
that eventually led to Ann Arbor.
53 Turning “Stuff” into Art

In recent years, Dr. Eugene Buatti has been applying the skills he used as a
dentist to create sculptures from an eclectic list of objects that include pliers,
chains, hooks, wood, and even baseball bats.
53
2
Spring & Summer 2008

60 Alumna Profile — Dr. Joanne Dawley
A phone call from one dentist and comments from another led to a
career that Dr. Joanne Dawley didn’t imagine when she was studying
for her dental degree at U-M. This spring, she became the first African
American woman to serve as president of the Michigan Dental
Association.
DEPARTMENTS
32 XX – Faculty News
60
43
Alumni Relations
44 – Remarks of Dental School Leaders Lauded by Board of Governors
Led by Dean Peter Polverini, top School of Dentistry administrators
and program directors talked to members of the School’s Alumni
Society Board of Governors about a range of topics and answered
questions during a Board meeting last fall.
48 – Emeritus Alumni Honored, Tour Preclinic
49 – Jarabak, Gibbons Inducted into Hall of Honor
55 Development
55 – Dental School Reaches $35 Million Fundraising Goal
63 Dental Hygiene
65
63 – E-Learning Online Program Begins
Offered for the first time in January, the online degree completion
e-learning program is attracting interest.
64 – Class of 1957 Reunites
65 – Dental Hygiene “Still in Its Infancy” in Poland and Russia
Christine Klausner and 51 other dental hygienists from the U.S.
where surprised with what they learned saw and heard during
conversations with colleagues in the two counties.
68 – Balancing Studies and Swimming
In addition to her studies, third-year dental hygiene student
Michelle Uhlig is busy as a member of the U-M swim team.
70

Research News
72 – 1st Dental Symposium to Highlight Cutting-Edge Research 68
x
Dentistry is experiencing some major changes that will affect
dentists, their patients, dental education, and researchers. Those
will be discussed by renowned experts at a new symposium to be
held in September.
76 – Understanding & Detecting Diseases or Cancers Before
They’re Apparent
82 Alumni News
83 In Memoriam
76
x
3
DENTISTRY
Dean Polverini:
Next 5 Years Crucial for School
Transformation, innovation, leadership all vital
“W
hat we do in the next five years will in research and academic leadership,
define our future. We will either and is exemplary in providing access
continue as a leader among dental to the highest quality of oral health
schools nationally and internationally, care for the local, regional, and global
or we will lose our relevance and run communities.”
the risk of becoming pedestrian.” Reaching those goals, Polverini
Dean Peter Polverini delivered said, would require taking “bold steps”
that frank assessment to faculty, staff, that include:
and students at a town hall meeting • Transforming dental education and
March 24 as he unveiled his vision for dental practice.
the School’s future and presented a list • Innovations in research that advance
of strategic imperatives to help reach science, dentistry, and the public’s
that vision. [See Strategic Imperatives health.
at right.] • Educating students and dentists
“I am determined that this School whose practice in oral health care
remains a leader among dental schools is based on science who aspire to be
and continues to provide much needed leaders in academic dentistry.
Visit the Web for
leadership for our profession,” he said. • Educating students to become
More Information
Saying the dental school has both dentists who will continue to make
an opportunity and an obligation a difference in local, regional, and
To see Dean
to further its reputation and that of global communities.
Peter Polverini’s
the University of Michigan, Polverini • Working to eliminate barriers to
complete
said “major changes must take place quality health care and oral health
presentation and
without further delay. It is imperative disparities.
to read his remarks,
we act now.” • Positioning graduates and the dental
visit the School of
profession to lead in creating a better
Dentistry’s Web
“Bold Steps” Needed and more patient-centered integrated
site: www.dent.
“Our vision is clear,” he said. “The health care system.
umich.edu.
School of Dentistry will transform
itself in a way that ensures that it “What we do will be bold and
continues to be recognized as a leader in risky,” Polverini said. “But this is
interdisciplinary health care, continues precisely what visionary organizations
to be acknowledged as a center of do, they lead.”
excellence in interdisciplinary learning The benefit of taking bold action,
and teaching, leads as an innovator he said, would be that the School of

4
DENTISTRY
Strategic Imperatives
The Core of Our Strategic Plan
of Dentistry 1. To engage our predoctoral educational program more fully and invest
deeply in its quality and success we will:
to continued success • Develop, test and implement new models of dental education and oral health care.
• Use the most up-to-date evidence based on outcomes from research on learning
and teaching to advance our educational programs.
Dentistry “will be more fully integrated • Support our DDS students in accessing substantive research opportunities.
into the future of the University of
Michigan community and will play 2. To develop the premier, patient-centered clinical education program
a central role in the University’s we will:
decisions, discoveries, and contributions • Make decisions on clinical education that support and advance patient-centered
to academe and society.” oral health care that addresses the needs of underserved patients.
• Establish a fully integrated relationship with other academic units in the University
A Three-step Process of Michigan in education, research, patient care and service.
The new vision statement and list • Develop our predoctoral educational program to enable all health care professional
of imperatives are the latest steps in the students to become fully integrated into collaborative health care teams.
three-part strategic assessment process • Employ the most advanced technology to enhance the quality and efficiency of our
that began in March 2005. patient care programs.
At that time, a 21-member Strategic 3. To expand our collaborative research and discovery mission, both within
Assessment Facilitating Committee the SOD, across the campus, nationally and internationally we will:
began conducting a self-assessment. • Organize and support our research in thematic groups.
That involved taking a critical look at • Make research resource and space decisions that acknowledge and support
the School and soliciting opinions and thematic research groups.
ideas from faculty, staff, students, and • Insure that faculty recruitment decisions incorporate thematic research
alumni and then developing a list of group needs.
ideas about what the School’s future
4. To deepen our School’s commitment to live and thrive in a multicultural
could be.
community we will.
Afterwards, the report was
• Foster a culture where everyone is valued and supported for his or her contribution
submitted to U-M Provost Teresa Sullivan
to the whole.
and was also evaluated and discussed
• Devote resources to programs that prepare students from underserved and
by a team of internal and external
educationally, socially, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds to enter
reviewers. The self-assessment process
and succeed in the oral health care professions.
was completed in late 2007.
The second step was the vision 5. To implement new models for enriched and highly relevant collaborations
statement and set of strategic within the School and with the University we will:
imperatives that Polverini just • Make decisions about faculty development that capitalize on the strengths and
presented. needs of individual faculty as well as the needs and priorities of the School.
The third step will involve developing • Support and enable all faculty members in their scholarly pursuits.
a set of “action steps” to make the vision • Foster the development of interdisciplinary learning communities that prepare our
a reality. Polverini invited everyone to faculty and students to more fully participate in research and discovery at
submit his or her ideas. the University of Michigan.

5
Detroit Dental Health Project
Addressing Oral Health

Disparities...
How the School of Dentistry’s Detroit
Making a Difference in the Lives of
Per Kjeldsen
T
he problem is even bigger health, to conduct the disparities
and much deeper than we study. [See page 6.]
envisioned when we began Initially known as the Detroit
our work.” Center for Research on Oral Health
That’s the assessment of Dr. Amid Disparities, Ismail said the name was
Ismail as he discussed the results changed to the Detroit Dental Health
of an ambitious Detroit oral health Project “because our mission is more
community research program he heads than research. We’re also trying to
that began in the fall of 2001. empower families and give them
Funded with a $9.25 million grant important information they need
from the National Institute of Dental about oral health that will allow them
and Craniofacial Research, Ismail’s to make a major difference in the lives
team is documenting the extent of of their children.”
Dr. Amid Ismail oral health disparities among low- DDHP is a collaborate effort that
A professor in the Department
income African-Americans in Detroit includes various U-M schools and
of Cariology, Restorative and is using the findings to develop colleges, other academic institutions
Sciences, and Endodontics, approaches designed to eliminate in Michigan, the Detroit Department
Dr. Amid Ismail has been active those differences. of Health, and numerous community
in researching caries, Those efforts are a follow-up to organizations. [See list on next
the epidemiology of fluorosis, a major finding of the U.S. Surgeon page.]
and other oral conditions. General’s report on oral health, issued
in May 2000, which identified “a silent Major Findings
In 2001, he received the
epidemic” of dental and oral diseases “We know there are oral health
H. Trendly Dean Memorial
Award from the International
that disproportionately affect the disparities,” said William Ridella,
Association for Dental Research nation’s poor, especially children. deputy director of the Detroit Health
for distinguished achievements A professor at the School of Department. “But Dr. Ismail and the
in behavioral science, Dentistry and the School of Public Detroit Dental Health Project made
epidemiology, and public Health, Ismail is the director of the all of us even more aware of just
health. In 2004, he received Detroit Dental Health Project. how extensive the problem is in this
the University’s Distinguished The Detroit Dental Health Project community because they quantified
Public Service Award from U-M is one of five research centers in the their findings.”
Regents for his work. U.S. to receive funding from NIDCR, the Some of the major ones, according
nation’s leading supporter of research to Ismail, include:
on oral, dental, and craniofacial • Caries is a major problem and

6
DDHP
Dental Health Project is CARIES PREVALENCE

Children and their Caregivers 60%
IN DETROIT
50%
children get them much earlier than among children, there has to be
40%
thought. More than one-third of active engagement among community
children in the city have significant organizations and city departments, 30%
caries by age 3. The figure rises to parents or caregivers, health providers, 20%
more than 50 percent by age 5. and others.”
• Many parents or caregivers consider A more detailed list of other major 10%
caries an “inevitable” part of findings appears on page 13.

childhood that they can do little or Birth Age 1 Age 2 Age 3 Age 4 Age 5
nothing about. Initial Meetings with City and According to DDHP statistics, caries among
children in Detroit is a major problem. By
• Much of a child’s diet consists of Community Groups age 3, one-third of the city’s children have
eating too many processed foods Before attempting to learn more significant caries.
and drinking too many sugary about the extent of the oral health
beverages. An abundance of disparity problem, Ismail and others
convenience stores and lack of with DDHP reached out to city and Participating
traditional food stores that sell community organizations ask for their Organizations
highly nutritious foods with fiber support and ideas. Among the dozens of groups and
and vitamins amplify the caries “Amid approached us at the Detroit organizations that have worked with
problem. Health Department in 2000 to talk the Detroit Dental Health Project
to assess the extent of oral health
• Many children whose parents or to us about an idea he had to try to disparities in Detroit include:
caregivers receive Medicaid do not determine the extent of the oral health University of Michigan schools
visit a dentist on a routine basis disparities among children in Detroit,” and colleges:
(every six months). Ridella said. “We have worked with • School of Dentistry
• School of Public Health
• A broad-based approach is needed many organizations in the past, • Medical School
to solve the oral health disparities including the University of Michigan, • Institute for Social Research
Detroit Community Advisory
problem. and saw this as an opportunity to Committee:
“ O u r re s e a rc h s h o w s t h a t be a major participant in addressing • Voices of Detroit Initiative
solving these problems will require an issue that is important to the • Advantage Health Center
• Detroit Community Health
a comprehensive approach and that community.” Connection
these efforts must be conducted at a Ridella, who has been with the • Westside Mothers
• Detroit Department of Health
grass roots level in Detroit involving Detroit Health Department for 27 and Wellness Promotion
just about everyone,” Ismail said. years, said the project “was intriguing • Michigan Department of
“This can’t be done piecemeal. And it because of what DDHP was trying to Community Health
University of Detroit-Mercy
can’t be done from Ann Arbor. If we measure, that trained community Wayne State University
want to resolve oral health disparities survey specialists would be going Michigan State University

7
includes about 25 percent men and a

few grandmothers too,” she said, has
been helping families for more than
four decades.
When she publicized the news of
DDHP’s plans for a door-to-door oral
health survey in the organization’s
monthly newsletter, “the response was
so overwhelming that I’m sure they
were busy for a long time,” she said
with a laugh.
However, before others went to
homes to talk to residents, Goode said
she spent “a lot of time” reviewing the
questionnaire and suggested wording
changes.
“I was amazed at how open Dr.
Dr. William Ridella, deputy director of the Detroit door to door, and that they would Ismail and his group were in listening
Health Department. assess family dental needs and make to us and hearing so many different
appropriate referrals.” ideas from people in the community,”
One of Five Centers Another organization that was she said. “I never met a professional
Nationwide approached was the Voices of Detroit person in the last forty years who
Initiative (VODI), a community-based really heard us and really understood
Stepping up efforts to address oral coalition of health care providers what we were really saying.”
health disparities, NIDCR awarded grant whose mission is to address the needs By comparison, Goode said,
money to five universities to establish of the uninsured and the underinsured. “we previously worked with other
research centers in the fall of 2001. Lucille Smith, VODI executive director professionals and had to tell them how
Communities are partnering with who has worked for more than 10 to listen to us and how to treat us, as
academic health centers, state and local years to help improve access to health I would tell them, ‘as million dollar
health agencies, and other institutions care in Detroit, was enthused from the clients.’ Dr. Ismail and his team did
that serve targeted patient populations. start. that with us.”
Detroit was selected as one of “We were ver y pleased that
five cities for the study. Four other DDHP was going to talk to parents or 10,000 Homes and 3,000
university-led centers are conducting caregivers of the children, so we helped Examinations
similar research in their respective tailor some of their approaches so they Using data from the 2000 census,
parts of the country: Boston University, could obtain the information they were DDHP conducted door-to-door surveys
New York University, the University looking for as well as identify the needs of children and parents or caregivers
of California at San Francisco, and the in the households,” she said. (aunts, uncles, grandparents) in 39
University of Washington. Selma Goode, coordinator of census tracts in Detroit with the
Westside Mothers, a 500-member largest proportions of households
organization “whose membership with African-American children where

8
DDHP
annual incomes were less than $29,025 from newborn to five years old.”
for a family of two and less than Hicks said she thought the project
$44,125 for a family of four. These was exciting “because it offered an
amounts, 2000 figures, are 250% opportunity to talk to families and Waves I, II, III
above the federal government’s official caregivers and be proactive.”
poverty levels. However, most families Research assistant Nikia Banks
community research was conducted
in the DDHP studied reported income agreed, saying, “I liked the way in three phases or “waves.” An
of less than $10,000 annually. community research could help outline of what happened and
An individual extensively families.” when is below.
involved in gathering data in Detroit “I was one of those who went door
Wave I (September 2002 to August 2003)
neighborhoods of the 2000 census to door,” said Charles Jackson, treasurer
• Parents or caregivers interviewed
played a major role in helping DDHP with the Krainzwood Neighborhood
about their oral health care
gather its data. Organization, a community group of
habits, knowledge, and beliefs.
Charity Hicks, project coordinator about 1,500 families on the northeast
• Gather information and
and clinical research associate, was side of Detroit. The group researched
document needs.
extensively involved as leader of an area on the southeast side of the
• 9,781 occupied housing units
the “Wave One,” or recruiting phase city bounded by Gratiot, Cadieux, E.
contacted and screened.
effort. Responsible for reaching out to Jefferson, and Grosse Pointe.
• 3,000 children examined.
community organizations, organizing “We probably went to fifty or
• 1,021 children selected to receive
focus groups, sample recruitment, one hundred homes, and we were
follow-up care.
and tracking, she also supervised and welcomed with open arms,” he said.
coordinated the efforts of researchers “But I found that, in many cases, Wave II (October 2004 to August 2005)
who went door to door to learn more parents or caregivers didn’t know • Wave I data used to create
about the oral health of children from what they could do to improve their informational DVD that targeted
birth to age five. They also assessed the children’s oral health.” beliefs and behaviors and
oral health knowledge and attitudes of Jackson said he and members illustrated proper oral health care
parents or caregivers. of the organization “got a lot of techniques.
“Because of the work I did with satisfaction being able to help because • Conduct follow-up interviews
the 2000 census in Detroit, where I it’s just as disturbing for a child to go and examinations of children and
canvassed many households in many to school with a toothache as it is to caregivers in 791 families.
neighborhoods, I got to know the city go to school hungry.”
Wave III (March 2007 to September 2007)
like the back of my hand,” she said During the one-on-one interviews,
• After viewing video, parents/
with a smile. “I was able to use that which sometimes lasted three hours,
caregivers now in control. They
knowledge and experience with this information was gathered about an
decide what to do to enhance the
project.” adult’s oral health care knowledge and
oral health of their child(ren).
Between September 2002 and beliefs, dietary habits, access to health
• Tailor oral health care education
August 2003, Hicks said she and care, and more.
for families to improve the
other trained interviewers “probably Later, children whose parents
quality of life.
knocked on the doors of about 10,000 participated in the initial survey were
homes and apartments and examined examined at a nearby health center
about 3,000 children ranging in age or clinic. The examination included

9
a detailed oral health assessment, important and useful information that

screenings for diabetes, plaque would make a difference in a child’s
bacteria, and caries treatment. life.”
During those 12 months, individuals That was especially true, she said,
in 9,781 occupied housing units were talking to parents with very young
contacted and screened. A total of 1,021 children, usually four, five, and six
children and caregivers completed months old.
interviews and examinations. “We alerted parents about when
“I have to compliment Dr. Ismail baby teeth might erupt and what to
and his team because going door to expect when they do, how to avoid
door isn’t exactly the easiest thing to baby bottle decay, the importance of
do,” Ridella said. “But that was one rinsing and wiping an infant’s mouth,
reason the Detroit Health Department and other important oral health
wanted to get involved, because those concerns,” she said.
asking the questions were properly The information gathered during
trained and were gathering critical Wave I was a stepping stone that
community data.” led to the creation of a DVD that
“We’re trying to Ismail said that one of the “good demonstrated good oral health care
news findings” from the door-to-door habits and practices. [See story, page
empower families surveys “was that we found about 11.]
and give them 20 percent of families in the same
neighborhood were totally healthy. Motivational Interviewing
important inform- But what’s frustrating,” he continued, But before a script was written and
ation they need “is that it seems that percentage isn’t
increasing.”
filming began, more questions were
asked of those participating in the oral
about oral health health survey. The technique involved
Educating Parents and Caregivers “motivational interviewing.”
that will allow The information gathered at homes In essence, the motivational
them to make a and apartments helped researchers interviews were designed to put
document the magnitude of the oral parents in direct control of a child’s
major difference health problem in Detroit as well as oral health by asking them about a
in the lives of their learn more about the oral health habits particular problem or concern and
of children, parents, and caregivers. then learning what to do about it.
children.” B u t t h e v i s i t s a l s o o f f e re d “We asked the adults, point blank,
something more – an opportunity to ‘what do you need to know, or what
Dr. Amid Ismail educate. would it take, to get you to provide
“We talked to adults about the better oral health care for your child’?”
direct role they have in making sure said Lucille Smith of the Voices of
their child gets the best oral health Detroit Initiative.
care possible,” Hicks said. “We wanted “It was extremely important for
to empower them by giving them parents and caregivers to buy-in to

10
DDHP
the idea that they have a major role in “We’re hopeful that the parents and Smith, of VODI, said that attitudes are
the oral health of their children,” she caregivers of these children have been often passed down from generation
said. “We showed them some simple actively seeking out dental care.” to generation that have a detrimental
things they should do, including how [Editor’s note: As this article was being effect on the oral health of children
to care for baby teeth, how to check written, the results of the third wave and, ultimately, their offspring.
an infant’s mouth every day, showing of studies were still being reviewed.] Another notable discovery was a
their children how to brush their factor Hicks refers to as “religiosity.”
teeth, or watching their children to Other Notable Findings “People who go to church or have
make sure they brushed properly, and In addition to some of the major strong faith seem more likely to have
praising them for a job well done.” findings noted earlier, there were some better oral health than those who
Those efforts paid off. other discoveries about other reasons don’t,” she said. That was clear when
Information from these encounters Photo courtesy of Lucille Smith
a group of men were encouraged by
was then used to write a script for a one church’s educator to get an oral
video about why proper oral health cancer screening at the DDHP clinic on
care is so important. After filming and West Grand Blvd. [See story, page xx.]
editing, more than 1,000 DVDs were Hicks said social support networks
produced and given to adults. among church members may help to
In follow-up interviews, Ismail reinforce good behavior while rejecting
and those involved in the research bad ones.
learned something interesting. Smith, of VODI, said the role of
Parents and caregivers who faith-based organizations in oral
participated in the motivational health “may seem to be relatively new,
interviews and who also watched the but is probably an outgrowth of other
video were almost twice as likely to things they do such as providing day
follow through and apply what they care services or offering free blood
saw than those who did not. pressure screenings.”

Parents in Control What’s Next?
During the third wave of studies Lucille Smith Hicks said she hopes some of the
(March 2007 to September 2007), parents findings will encourage more oral
and caregivers used the information for oral health disparities. health care providers in Detroit to help
from the video to take greater control Sometimes they exist within a children.
of their child’s oral health. neighborhood, according to Hicks, “The issue is one of access, access,
That included closely monitoring because of the beliefs, behaviors, and access,” she said. “There’s a need
a child’s consumption of food and diets of parents or caregivers. Included for more providers and more clinics,
sugary drinks, supervising their teeth in that category is a fatalistic view especially those that can treat patients
brushing and regularly visiting a of oral health some adults expressed during the evening or on weekends
dentist. that “cavities in baby teeth don’t because we found many parents can’t
“The children we saw initially matter since they fall out anyway.” take off from work to take a child to
back in 2002 are now between five [DentalUM, Fall 2007, pages 68-69.] a dentist while, for other parents,
and eleven years old,” Hicks said. Dental phobia may also play a role. keeping a child in school to learn and

11
Jerry Mastey
be something of an abstract concept

to many. But because of the group’s
work, we now have numbers, hard
data if you will, that state exactly
what the problems are. From there,
we can try to address them.”
VODI’s Lucille Smith said “DDHP
has been a catalyst that brought the
community and many organizations
together around the need for better
oral health. My hope is that what’s
been learned can be used to develop
more comprehensive approaches to
addressing the problem.”
Ridella agrees.
“Because of the Detroit Dental
Health Project, we have seen just
Among those involved with the Detroit Dental Health get an education takes precedence how important the issue of oral
Project are (left to right): Dr. James Betz; Nikia Banks, over oral health.” health disparities is, and if we are to
research assistant; Charity Hicks, project coordinator;
and Patricia Piechowski, research associate.
Ismail hopes to learn by this fall effectively address this problem, it
whether NIDCR will renew DDHP’s must be as a partnership that involves
funding to conduct additional universities, the city, community
studies. organizations, dental providers and
Those involved with the Detroit others.”
D e n t a l H e a l t h P ro j e c t s a y t h e He also cited “a critical need” to
contributions of the group to the city develop more facilities that provide
and its residents are important. access to care along with more
“DDHP has brought an awareness providers to make sure the needs of
of the oral health care gaps we have in children are addressed.
this community,” Ridella said. “But it Ismail admits the challenge is
has also offered an opportunity to try formidable. But he’s optimistic.
to alleviate them with access to care “The children of Detroit are very
and education.” energetic and very intelligent,” he
Dr. Lorelei Claiborne, a dentist said. “We may not be able to solve all
at the Community Health and Social the problems, but I think we should
Services dental clinic who talked at least make an effort to try to solve
about oral health in the DVD, agrees. some of them, not only for their
“Before the Detroit Dental Health sake, but also for the sake of their
Project began its work, the phrase children.”
‘oral health disparities’ seemed to

12
DDHP
Significant Findings...Detroit Dental Health Project
3Children 3Dental Insurance 3Other Important

• To o t h d e c a y i s h i g h l y • Children whose caregiver Findings
prevalent. By age 2, 20% visited a dentist for • Three-quarters of caregivers
o f c h i l d re n h a d e a r l y preventive care were five were either overweight or
childhood tooth decay. times more likely to have obese.
• C o n s u m p t i o n o f s o d a visited a dentist for the • Fifty-nine percent of men
beverages was associated same kind of care compared (5% of the caregivers)
with developing severe to children whose caregiver and 41% of women were
early childhood tooth did not have such visits. smokers.
decay. • Mother’s oral hygiene
3Foods and Drinks knowledge was signif-
3Caregivers • Among adults, the frequency icantly and positively
• Over 90% of adults (ages of soft drink consumption associated with frequent
14-70) had at least one early and the presence of gingival brushing.
tooth decay (precavity) p l a q u e d e p o s i t s w e re • From 2000 to 2006, 77.6% of
lesion, and 82% had at least significantly associated Medicaid enrolled children
one cavity. with tooth decay. in the DDHP project visited
• Cavities presence was • Adults obtained 47% of a dentist at least once.
directly associated with age, their total calories from • O f 1 2 , 0 0 0 p ro c e d u re s
poorer oral hygiene status, carbohydrates. Fifteen performed, the most fre-
being worried about teeth, percent of their caloric quently provided services
a recent visit to the dentist, intake came from added to children were diagnostic
and the number of grocery sugars. (47.6%), preventive (36.1%),
stores in neighborhoods. • Only 7.4% of adults reported and restorative (13.1%).
• The number of cavities was eating two or more servings
inversely associated with of vegetables daily and only
preventive health care, 7.8% of adults reported
positive ratings of oral eating two or more servings
health, and the number of of fruit per day.
dentists in a community. • A m o n g a d u l t s , p o t a t o
chips were the third most
commonly consumed item
after tap water and sugared
soda.

13
Making it Easy to Educate...and Empower
Jerry Mastey
“I was a bit nervous initially when

Dr. Ismail asked me to appear in the
video. But after reading the script,
my anxiety disappeared because I
felt very strongly about the message
of empowerment this video conveys
to parents and caregivers in Detroit,”
said Dr. Lorelei Claiborne as she
discussed making the video. “We
also wanted to offer some simple, yet
effective, things they can do to help
their children achieve better oral
health.”
Claiborne, who appears in the video
and whose voice is heard off-camera
offering tips and suggestions, was
an undergraduate at U-M. Following
her junior year, she enrolled in dental
school at Georgetown University and Dr. Lorelei Claiborne at the Community Health and Social Service dental clinic in Detroit.
earned her DDS in 1990. Since 1992, she
has been practicing at the Community assessment program. “So participating know there’s a lot of behind the scenes
Health and Social Service (CHASS) in the video was an extension of those work that’s involved,” she said with a
dental clinic in Detroit. efforts,” she said. laugh.
“My parents always emphasized “Parents, caregivers, and children Discussing the video, Claiborne
the importance of getting a good can better relate to me both as an talked about a popular genre of
education,” she said. “I enjoyed math African-American woman and as a programs on television today – extreme
and science in school, but our family health care professional,” Claiborne makeovers.
dentist in Detroit, Dr. Jeffrey McMillian, said. “That makes it easier to get the “We seem to be so focused on
sparked my interest in dentistry. He message out that they can make a extreme makeovers, for whatever
was an incredibly nice person who difference and that there are things reason, that we have forgotten that
enjoyed what he was doing because they can do to improve the oral health there are a lot of basic things we can do
he was helping others.” of their children.” to improve oral health, be it watching
It took two Saturdays to film the the foods we eat or the sugary drinks
Making it Easier 17-minute video. we consume or how to care for teeth,”
“to get the message out” “Now that I’ve had some experience she said. “When we do those basic
Claiborne was among those who on what’s involved in producing a things on a regular basis for children,
screened children during the wave 1 movie or television program, I don’t they benefit because they can live
of the Detroit Dental Health Project’s watch them the same way because I better lives,” she said.

14
DDHP
Video Emphasizes, Illustrates

Good Oral Health Habits
“You can keep your child free from
tooth decay.”
That is both the title and central message of
a video produced for the Detroit Dental Health
Project given to more than 1,000 parents and
caregivers of Detroit children.
During the 17 minutes, parents and
caregivers are told they play a major role and can
make a significant difference in the oral health of
their children.
“As a parent or caregiver, you have the
most important role in stopping tooth decay in
Video’s Key Oral
children,” Dr. Lorelei Claiborne says.
A dentist and children’s oral health specialist
Health Care Messages
in Detroit for 16 years, Claiborne gives important • Parents or caregivers can make
tips…and repeats them several times...on simple, a difference in a child’s oral
yet effective steps that can be taken at any age health.
to minimize the risk of decay and improve oral • Cavities can be prevented.
health. • Caring for baby teeth is
She emphasizes that caring for a child’s teeth
important.
begins shortly after birth.
• Develop good brushing habits
Subjects covered include how to avoid baby
early.
bottle decay; how to brush a baby’s teeth, and
• Brush twice daily, including
later, a toddler’s teeth; the role of good nutrition
in a child’s diet; minimizing sugary soft drink once before bedtime.
consumption, and more. Some of the most • Monitor a child’s consumption
important points are summarized on the right. of sugary drinks and foods.
• Visit a dentist regularly.

15
Screening for Oral Cancer

Jerry Mastey
Screening for oral cancer is another

important mission of the Detroit
Dental Health Project. Although
these screenings are not a part of
the disparities project, the School of
Dentistry has received a five-year
grant from NIDCR to conduct a five-
year study in Detroit.
Oral cancer is a major health issue
in southeast Michigan, according to the
Michigan Department of Community
Health.
Scope of Problem
After completing a questionnaire about his oral health history, that included frequency of tobacco use, a patient discusses his oral
Between 1990 and 1998, according
health habits with Dr. James Betz (DDS 1976) at the DDHP Clinic.
to the state health department, nearly
4,500 new cases of oral cancer were Detroit church traveled to the DDHP acquired this bad habit (smoking)
reported in the tri-county area of clinic on West Grand Boulevard and when I was fifteen and have been
Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. were screened by Dr. James Betz trying to quit for a couple of months,
That number was 48 percent of all new (DDS 1976), a clinical instructor at but without much success.” He said
oral cancer cases reported throughout University of Detroit-Mercy. he tried to quit several months earlier,
Michigan. “but I succeeded for about thirty days.
In Wayne County alone, the Trying to Quit When I quit, I found I was constantly
number of new oral cancer cases The men learned of the free eating, so I resumed smoking.”
diagnosed during the same time period screening from the church’s health Johnson said he wanted to learn if
was about 2,600 and the number of education coordinator, Toni McIlwain, he had early signs of oral cancer. He
deaths attributed to oral cancer was who is also a member of the DDHP was encouraged with the good news
about 700. The death rate from oral community advisory committee. he heard that he did not have any sign
cancer among African-Americans in “People don’t know a lot about oral of oral cancer. “But I also wanted to
Detroit was one of the highest in the cancer, but it is a problem,” she said. learn what I could do to quit smoking
nation, 4.1 deaths per 100,000. “I told them that the oral screening for a longer period of time,” he said.
Bill Ridella, deputy director was painless and free, and that they Betz said that it’s not unusual for
of health with the Detroit Health owed it to themselves and those close individuals wanting to turn their lives
Department, said, “The Detroit Dental to them to get checked before it’s too around to begin by focusing on health
Health Project has made the community late.” issues, such as smoking. Long-term
aware of just how significant the oral Among those responding was smokers, he said, often try several
health cancer problem is in the city David Johnson, who works for the times to quit before they eventually
because of the community outreach church as a self-described “jack of all succeed. “I keep advising patients not
and other education they have done.” trades.” to give up, to keep trying,” he said.
Last fall, a group of men from a “I’m glad I went,” he said. “I Betz said the group of men that

16
DDHP
Jerry Mastey
came in for screening “made a great

start by deciding to come here. They’re
certainly more health conscious,
and the desire to quit smoking can
be a powerful motivator,” he said.
“Fortunately, I didn’t see signs of oral
cancer in any of them. I didn’t even
need to do a brush biopsy, which is
something that is fairly common.”
Walking out of the clinic following
his appointment, Johnson thanked Betz
and clinic staff. “You’re helping to save
a lot of people’s lives doing this,” he
said.
Following an oral cancer screening, a patient listens to Charity Hicks and takes notes as she describes some of the things he can do
after leaving the DDHP Clinic to improve his oral health.
Billboards, Ads, Web Video

Focus on Oral Cancer Dangers
Billboards and advertisements throughout Detroit urge residents to
“Get Checked Before It’s Too Late.” A toll-free telephone number
is also available to call for more information about oral cancer:
1-877-7-CHECKED.
Online, a course offered by the U-M School of Dentistry helps dentists
and other oral health care professionals to recognize oral cancer, identifies sites in the mouth where
those cancers are likely to develop, provides information about oral cancer screenings and brush biopsies, and advises
patients on what they can do.
Oral health care professionals who want to take the course and receive a continuing education credit letter from the School
of Dentistry will pay a $15 fee to take the online course at www.detroitoralcancer.org. However, there is no cost to
view the entire program, including the 10-minute video. Click the link labeled “Continuing Dental and Medical Education
Online Course.” Then click the link that reads, “Start the Course.”

17
DENTISTRY
Dental Scholar Begins Work to Establish 1st Dental School in Liberia
Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood…

Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a
noble, logical idea once recorded will not die, but long after we are “What I especially remember
gone be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistence.
was when I was in classrooms
Daniel Burnham, visionary Chicago architect, 1910
talking to students, most of
A
U-M School of Dentistry Dental Scholar has taken the first steps toward
realizing her lifelong dream and professional goal of establishing the
them weren’t aware of what
first dental school in her native country of Liberia. dentistry is. They had no idea
Last summer, third-year dental student Nejay Ananaba returned
to her homeland to spend two weeks conducting oral health research, talk to
of what a dentist is or what a
junior and senior high school students and their teachers about dentistry, and dentist does. And they knew
meet with officials in academia and government to discuss her dream.
“I was well received and my idea was enthusiastically embraced by those
very little about how to take
I talked to, especially Dr. Tabeh Freeman, the dean of the medical school at the care of their teeth.”
University of Liberia,” Ananaba said.
Photo courtesy of Nejay Ananaba
She also talked to an official from

the Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare, Dr. Moses Pewu, about her
plans.
A hoped-for meeting with Liberian
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf did not
occur. However, Ananaba later met
the president’s son, a banker, told him
about her dream, and asked that he
share her dream with his mother.
Work on the summer trip began
months earlier, in December 2006,
when Ananaba briefly returned to
Liberia during the University’s winter
break.
While there, she enlisted the help
of her father, Charles, an insurance
executive, and met with teachers and
administrators at several schools in
and around Monrovia, the nation’s
capital.
Only 13 Dentists
About the size of Tennessee,

18
DENTISTRY
Photo courtesy of Nejay Ananaba
students, most of them weren’t aware

of what dentistry is. They had no idea
of what a dentist is or what a dentist
does. And they knew very little about
how to take care of their teeth,” she
said.
During her visits to nine elementary
and junior high schools in and around
Monrovia during the summer, Ananaba
asked about 3,000 students about their
oral health habits.
Among the 31 questions she
asked included: Have you ever been
to a dentist? Do you feel your teeth
and gums are healthy? How often do
you brush your teeth? Do you own a
toothbrush and toothpaste? How do
During visits to classrooms in Liberia, Nejay Ananaba demonstrated flossing to students. In this photo, students hold up several you clean your teeth?
fingers on one of their hands and use crocheting yarn as a surrogate for dental floss. Ananaba said that when she asked
the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders
Liberia, which means “land of the years. how they cleaned their teeth, most said
free,” was founded by free slaves who Currently, the country of 3.3 they used chewing sticks. “But others
emigrated from the U.S. in 1822. Until million has only 13 dentists, according said they used baking soda, and some
the 1980s, the country was noted for its to the World Health Organization. even wrote ‘salt’ and ‘charcoal’,” she
academic institutions and iron mining Ananaba saw the effect of that said.
and rubber industries. scarcity everywhere she went. When they had problems, especially
However, a coup in the 1980s During one of two nationwide chronic toothaches, Ananaba said that
and a 14-year civil war (1989-2003) radio interviews in August, she said most went to see a medical doctor who
devastated Liberia’s economy and led that when she returned in December extracted the teeth but knew little else
to a sharp decline in living standards. 2006, “As I looked at people’s mouths about oral health.
Ananaba and her family fled the and their teeth when I was talking to Others with similar problems who
country for a year in 1990 and then them, I noticed a lot of gum disease,” were more affluent, she added, “went
returned, only to flee again in 1996 and she said. to Ghana or another nearby country
return the following year. to receive dental care.”
Since January 2006, a “No Idea What a Dentist Is or With that information in hand,
democratically elected government led What a Dentist Does” Ananaba used every classroom visit
by Liberia’s and Africa’s first female The country’s lack of dentists as an opportunity to tell students and
president has been trying to rebuild was noticeable when Ananaba visited teachers about simple things they
the nation’s economy where annual classrooms. could do to develop and maintain good
per capita income is approximately “What I especially remember was oral health. She repeated those tips in
$120 and life expectancy is about 40 when I was in classrooms talking to radio interviews.

19
DENTISTRY
In the classrooms, she also handed As she left the schools, Ananaba and don’t return. Ananaba wants that
out toothbrushes and toothpaste and told students, “Someday, I hope to see to change.
then demonstrated proper brushing you studying dentistry at a dental During one of two nationwide radio
techniques. school here in Liberia.” interviews, Ananaba explained why
Flossing was another story. They responded. she thinks it’s important to establish
“None of the students knew what “When I arrived at the schools, most a dental school in her country.
flossing was,” Ananaba said. “But said they wanted to become medical “We cannot always rely on other
I came prepared and brought some doctors, nurses, or lawyers. Not one countries, or other people, to do things
crocheting yarn with me. When I mentioned dentistry,” she said. “But by for us. We have to make things happen
got to each school, I had the students the time I was leaving, four or five said for ourselves,” she said. “I see it as my
hold up several fingers on one of their they wanted to become dentists.” duty to give something back to my
hands and then demonstrated how to She also encouraged the youngsters country and my society.”
floss by moving the yarn between their to become ambassadors of dentistry. In April, Ananaba spoke to the
fingers.” “I told them, ‘go home and tell Liberial Medical Association in Albama
Ananaba talked to the students your mothers, fathers, and friends about her desire to establish a dental
about dentistry and answered their about dentistry and how to care of school. This summer she plans to
questions about how she became your teeth. Have your own Show and return to Liberia. “My dental studies
interested in the profession. She said Tell program and demonstrate the here at Michigan and the Dental
they were amused to hear her interest correct way to brush your teeth and Scholars program are keeping me
in the profession began following to floss’,” she said. busy,” she said. “But I would like
a roller skating accident where she to, and build on the success of the
chipped several teeth and that, as she “A Duty to Give Back to My meetings that I had,” she added.
was leaving the dentist’s office, she Country, My Society” As she discussed her experiences,
told the dentist that she wanted to Ananaba’s preliminary research Ananaba said, “I don’t think any of
become his dental helper. at the schools was well received by this would have happened had I not
However, as she talked to the academic and government officials. been here at the University of Michigan
students, Ananaba was surprised to She said Freeman, the dean of School of Dentistry or been accepted
learn something else. the medical school at the University into the Dental Scholars program.
None of them had heard about the of Liberia, liked her idea about What I have learned about dentistry
Internet or how it could be used to find establishing a dental school in Liberia. and the dental profession by being
information about dentistry or oral “He added that a pharmacy school at this School, and talking to others
health care. was recently established and that it’s across campus, including those at the
“As I was describing what the expanding the knowledge base of those Business School, the School of Public
Internet is and the information that’s in the medical profession,” she said. Health, and the School of Public Policy,
available, I thought if I answered their “He thought a dental school could do has helped me tremendously.”
questions as best I could and showed the same and encouraged me to pursue
enthusiasm about dentistry and how my idea.”
dentists help people, then maybe some Currently, Liberians studying to
of them might begin thinking about it become a dentist do so at a college or
seriously as a career,” she said. university in a neighboring country

20
DENTISTRY
Students, Residents, Faculty,

Staff Team Up to Give Kids a Smile
A
Jerry Mastey
bout 90 dental and dental “This is my third year helping out,
hygiene students, pediatric and I’ve enjoyed it every time,” said
residents, faculty, and staff dental student Phyllis Odoom who
from the University of added “this year’s program was very
Michigan School of Dentistry teamed well organized.”
up the first Saturday of February to Give First-time participants shared those
Kids a Smile. sentiments.
The annual event, a cornerstone of “I thought this would be a great
national Children’s Dental Health Month experience and a great chance to give
since 2002, involves members of the oral something back to the community and
health community working together to interact with the kids,” said second-
provide dental care and education to year dental student Brittany Mailloux.
children from families who do not have Another second-year dental student,
access to care or who are unable to pay Katie Knauf, echoed those sentiments.
for treatment. “I wanted to help in any way I could.
Sixty dental students, 15 dental This was a great way to give back to
hygiene students, 6 pediatric residents, those who are in need,” she said.
a pediatric resident, and 26 predental Fraser said several youngsters
Second-year dental student Michael Thomas pauses during
students participated, according to who were patients last year returned his treatment of 6-year-old patient.
Andrea Fraser, a third-year dental this year to receive the follow-up care
student who organized the dental or treatment that was recommended a being on it as it moved up and down’,”
school’s efforts. Dental and dental year earlier. “Fortunately, their needs she said with a laugh.
hygiene faculty were also involved as were not urgent, so we were able to help Besides the care, Fraser said
were staff who helped with registration, them when they returned,” she said. education was another important
dispensing, and records. Some parents and guardians began mission for students. “Hopefully, both
arriving an hour before the students the kids and the parents or guardians,
“The Amount of Work… began their work. When it ended, they left with a higher level of understanding
Our Most Ever” expressed their appreciation. about the importance of good oral
Fifty-seven children received oral “This is a great thing the dental health and the ways to achieve it,” she
exams, Fraser said. Most needed school is doing, and we appreciate said.
additional care which included 23 everything that’s being done to help According to the American Dental
fluoride treatments, 19 fillings, 9 those in need,” said Jaami Muhammad Association, more than 758,000 children
extractions, 9 stainless steel crowns, whose two daughters were among have been treated nationally at more
and 7 sealants. “The amount of work those present. than 2,250 locations since the Give Kids
we did was, by far, our most ever,” she Another parent, Amanda Edwards, a Smile program began. This year’s
said. said this was the first time her 6-year- program at the School of Dentistry was
Whether they participated old son, Tie’von Johnson, had been to made possible with gifts from Colgate,
in previous years, or for the first a dentist. “When I asked him what he the Michigan Dental Association,
time, students said they enjoyed liked most, he told me, ‘the coolest part and the Washtenaw District Dental
themselves. was the ride on the dental chair and Society.

21
DENTISTRY
Pre-dents Lend a Hand

For 26 U-M undergraduates, the Give Kids a Smile
Jerry Mastey program was an opportunity to work with dental
and dental hygiene students and faculty and to
learn more about the profession before applying
to dental school.
Zach Miller, double major in biochemistry and
anthropology/zoology, said he’s been thinking
about dentistry for some time and hopes to be
admitted after he graduates. “I have been working in
the laboratory of Dr. Elliott Hill and my experiences
there and being able to help the dental students
here, have been great,” he said.
Renee O’Brien, a junior majoring in
Brittany Mailloux, a second-year dental student, gives 7-year-old Medina Muhammad a
mirror to hold and instructs her on the correct way to brush her teeth. biopsychology, helped at the checkout desk. “I’d
Jerry Mastey
like to get into the profession,” she said. “I enjoy
working with my hands and think dentistry would
give me a great opportunity to do that and, more
importantly, make a difference in the lives of kids
by doing work that makes them smile again.”
Puneet Rangi, a sophomore majoring in
neuroscience, and a member of the pre-dental club,
said she has been considering dentistry for some
time. “My cousin in New Jersey is a dentist and I
shadowed a dentist in Owosso, Michigan, when I
was in high school. I enjoyed it. Being at the Give
“She’s curious about everything, so I’m not surprised she asked if she could see her x-rays,”
Kids a Smile program gives me an opportunity to
Lori Peterson said of her daughter, Morgan, who is looking at the x-rays and listening see students in action and see the results of their
to explanations from dental student Nicole Beadle (left) and Christine Klausner, clinical work,” she said.
assistant professor of dental hygiene.
Jerry Mastey
Jerry Mastey
“He was a great patient,” dental student Phyllis Odoom tells Amanda Evans, the mother of Puneet Rangi (left) and Renee O’Brien were among several U-M undergraduates,
6-year-old Tie’von Johnson following his dental examination. who are considering dentistry as a career, who participated in the Give Kids a
Smile program.

22
DENTISTRY
“Superbly Organized” – Preparing a Year in Advance

“This program was superbly organized. It’s That included requesting supplies from the
amazing,” said Dr. Stephen Stefanac, associate dean ADA Web site; meeting with Stefanac and others
for Patient Services, during the Give Kids a Smile in the office of patient services – Jean Thompson,
program. Georgia Kasko, and Jane McDougall – to review
Andrea Fraser, a third-year dental student who details of the event and discuss the support that
directed the School’s efforts, said she started working would be needed; coordinating advertising with the
on this year’s program “the day after last year’s event. I Washtenaw District Dental Society (which donated
went over things that worked and things that needed $1,000 to cover costs); and advising students and
to be different. I also compiled suggestions given to faculty to “save the date,” Feb. 2, for the program.
me by those who participated last year.” In early January, she sent out letters and flyers
Fraser said preparation for Give Kids a Smile to elementary schools in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
received a boost when she and another third-year Two first-year dental students, members of the Taft
dental student, Lauren Johnson, went to the ADA’s Society, displayed flyers at local businesses.
Give Kids a Smile symposium in Chicago. Simultaneously, Fraser worked with three of
“This gave us a chance to learn more about how her classmates – Lauren Johnson, Piper Huber, and
other events across the country, as well as those at Christian Groth – to determine the best way to
other dental schools, were organized,” she said. prepare everyone (patients, parents, and volunteers)
to efficiently handle up to 100 children.
Series of Small Steps Over Time Two days before the event, Fraser met with
Instead of trying to do everything all at once a students and other volunteers to make sure they
week or even a month before the February event, understood what would occur. She also distributed
Fraser took a series of small steps over an extended a clinic flow chart that was displayed in all of the
period of time. cubicles and distributed to all faculty and pediatric
residents.
Jerry Mastey
Dental and dental hygiene students and the

pediatric residents were all given a 15-step “to do”
list. The first step was setting up the cubicle. The
final step was resetting it.
The day of the event, students arrived early
to place direction signs in hallways and next to
elevator doors. Inside elevators, were hand-made
signs that noted where activities were occurring.
“Listening to suggestions from the registration
and dispensing staff was critical to the organization
and success of this year’s event,” Fraser said.
Third-year dental student Andrea Fraser began preparing for this year’s
Give Kids a Smile program at the School of Dentistry the day after last
year’s program ended.

23
DENTISTRY
Dental Scholars Return to Perry Nursery School

Photo courtesy of Dental Scholar Erica Scheller
Eight members of the School of

Dentistry’s Scholars Program in Dental
Leadership returned to the Perry
Nursery School in Ann Arbor during
mid-winter break in late February to
talk about oral health care to a group
of about 100 youngsters between the
ages of 2 and 5.
Last summer, more than a dozen
of the Dental Scholars participated in a
community service initiative at Perry
that included painting classrooms,
cleaning facilities, and scrubbing cots.
[DentalUM, Fall 2007, pages 9-11.]
Helping to Ease Fears

“We went in pairs into each
classroom and gave the kids some
useful information about how and
when to brush,” said Erica Scheller.
“We also gave them an opportunity
to try brushing the teeth of our dog,
Chompers, or try to brushing using a
With an oversized cardboard typodont on a tabletop, Dental Scholars Stephanie Munz (left) and Darlene Guttridge watch a
large typodont.” youngster at the Perry Nursery School practice her brushing technique on a stuffed animal, Chompers.
Heavenly Jackson, development
director, and other administrators hesitant later volunteered to come and associate professor of dentistry.
told the Dental Scholars that many up after watching their classmates,” Inglehart has also developed a Web
children that age have varying degrees Scheller said. site that helps kindergarten and
of dental phobia. To help lessen the The youngsters were also taught elementary school teachers educate
problem, Dental Scholars took turns a song about brushing their teeth and their students about oral health care.
being patients while another student had their questions answered by the For more information, visit www.
wore dental attire and performed an Dental Scholars. When the program dent.umich.edu/teachoralhealth.
oral exam. ended, each child received a bag with “Our goal is to reach more
Afterwards, several children a toothbrush, dental coloring book, underserved populations in Ann
volunteered to sit in an improvised crayons, and a small toy to take Arbor and Ypsilanti,” Scheller
dental chair. A dental bib was placed home. said. “Any help we could receive
on their chest and the dental students One of the reasons the visit by the from interested sponsors would be
asked the children to open their Dental Scholars succeeded, she said, appreciated.” For more information,
mouths and stick out their tongues. was the help the group received from e-mail SPDLkidsdentistry@umich.
“Amazingly, even the kids who were Dr. Marita Inglehart, a psychologist edu.

24
DENTISTRY
White Coat “Must Fit Your Soul” D1s Told

Photo by Call Photography
One hundred five men and women similarities and a major difference.
were welcomed into the dental “Hairdressers have years of
profession last fall during the School training, use potentially dangerous
of Dentistry’s annual White Coat instruments to amputate human
ceremony. tissue, have the power to make people
In welcoming remarks at the feel good about themselves, and bad
Michigan Union, Dean Peter Polverini results can be devastating for everyone
spoke of “the great responsibility and involved. So what separates your new
high expectations that go along with white coat from the white coat my
wearing this coat.” wife’s hairdresser wears?,” he asked
Keynote speaker, Dr. Steven Dater rhetorically.
(DDS 1984), president of the Michigan “In a word, it’s ‘science.’ That’s
Dental Association, told students, “the what sets you apart, your scientific
white coat is a symbol of integrity training,” he continued.
and ethics in our profession. It’s up to “With comprehensive
each of you to maintain a high level of understanding of science and research,
integrity.” Douglas Cabell receives his white coat during the annual you have powers to heal, to take away
ceremony welcoming first-year dental students into the pain, to take away suffering, and to
dental profession.
Why the Dental White make people smile,” he added.
Coat is Different “This white coat must not just
However, Dr. James Boynton (DDS told students individuals in other fit your shoulders. It must fit your
2002, MS 2004), clinical assistant professions wear similar coats. soul. When your white coat becomes
professor of dentistry in the Department Noting that his wife’s hairdresser a part of your soul, you earn the title
of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, wears a white coat, Boynton described of ‘doctor’,” he said.
Photo by Call Photography
Dr. Jack Gobetti, representing the International College of Dentists, U.S.A. section, congratulates
first-year dental students and reminds them of the importance of life-long learning.

25
DENTISTRY
From Football to Dentistry…

Ross Ryan, David Schoonover Making the Transition
N
orm Betts. Tom Slade. Bryan Williams. Gary Weber. Rodney Feaster. These NFL Draft or Dentistry?
are a few School of Dentistry alumni who once played football for U-M “Last spring, when I had to make a
and later earned a dental degree or specialty degree from U-M. History decision whether to pursue the NFL as a
appears to be repeating itself. Currently, two former U-M football players are in free agent, or officially accept my spot in
the School’s predoctoral program – Ross Ryan and David Schoonover. the 2011 dental class, my decision was
Per Kjeldsen
an easy one,” he said. “Even though
football had been my passion since I
was a child, I had matured enough to
see that I would make a much larger
impact in peoples lives as a dentist and
that a dental career is more secure than
that of a professional football player.”
Ryan said his interest in oral health
care was sparked by his family dentist,
Dr. Doug Thompson (DDS 1996), of
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
“During one of my visits he
answered my questions about dentistry
and told me that possibilities the
profession offered,” Ryan said. As an
Ross Ryan was a punter for the U-M football team from 2002-2006. undergraduate, he worked one summer
in Thompson’s lab and also shadowed
Ross Ryan several other dentists.
Ryan, a first-year dental student, first time, surrounded by more than After taking his DAT exam and
was on the Michigan football team from 100,000 fans, Ryan said, “I really got an being accepted as a member of the Class
2002 to 2006. As an undergraduate adrenaline rush. I didn’t realize, until of 2011, Ryan said two important lessons
who majored in biopsychology and then, just how big the Big House is.” he learned playing football apply to his
cognitive science, he was twice-named Ryan did get to play during his dental studies.
to the Academic All-Big Ten (2005, 2006) senior year and as a fifth-year senior. “You must have a ‘work hard’
and five times a U-M Athletic Academic As a punter, he was on the team ethic and be a good time manager
Achievement recipient. that played in five bowl games, because both football and dentistry are
“I didn’t get to play during my first including three Rose Bowls, played so demanding, each in their different
three years, but I wasn’t disappointed,” in 25 games, and averaged 37 yards ways,” he said.
he said. “Just being around guys a kick. A two-year letterman, Ryan Although he attended U-M football
like Braylon Edwards, Chris Perry, was voted by the coaching staff as games last fall, Ryan admitted that being
John Navarre, and so many others, Michigan’s special teams Most Valuable in the stands, in the student section, for
including the coaching staff, was quite Player in 2005. the first time after being on the playing
a thrill.” Although he was officially entered field, “was a bit strange. I miss playing
Asked to describe what it was like in the 2007 NFL draft as a punter, Ryan the game and the camaraderie. But I’m
on game day to come out of the tunnel was not drafted. Only three punters finding I’m just about as busy now with
onto the playing field for the very were. my dental studies as I was back then.”

26
DENTISTRY
Per Kjeldsen Per Kjeldsen
David Schoonover
A freshman walk-on in 2001, David
Schoonover did not see game-day action
until his junior year when he made his
debut as an offensive lineman. He played
in five games as a guard and center
during his five years on the team.
Growing up, Schoonover said he
wanted to not only play football but also
get a good education. He succeeded on
both counts.
As an undergraduate who earned a
bachelor’s degree in biology, Schoonover
David Schoonover did not see game-day action with the U-M This tongue-in-cheek photo of dental student David Schoonover
received the U-M Athletic Academic football team until his junior year when he made his career debut shows him preparing to work on a mannequin head surrounded
Achievement Award five times, was as an offensive lineman. During his five years on the team, he by a Florida Gators football helmet following U-M’s 41-35
a member of the Academic All-Big Ten played in five games as a guard and center. victory over ninth-ranked Florida in the Capital One Bowl on
New Year’s Day.
Conference (2005), and shared the Dr.
Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award games Schoonover said he was not We’re one big family that shares a
as the top student-athlete on the football disappointed seeing limited action. common bond, playing for the Maize
team (2005). “Participating in practices everyday and Blue.”
Dentistry is a tradition in the was a privilege and an honor,” he said. One common bond was the
Schoonover family. “I had an important role to play. team’s weekly visits to Mott Children’s
His father, William, earned his My job was to give it everything I had, Hospital.
dental degree from the U-M School of so that the starting players were in top “Those visits helped me realize what
Dentistry in 1977. A brother, Andrew, condition to play the opposing team,” he life is really all about,” he said. “To see
earned his DDS in 2005. added. “It takes an entire team to make so many children who don’t have what
Now a second-year dental student, it to a championship game, including I have puts life in perspective. It helped
Schoonover said his decision to pursue bowl games. And if you love the game, me to realize even more why I want to
a dental career was inspired by his you practice and play with all your become a dentist – to help people and
father. heart.” to give back.”
“He’s been such a big influence Recalling the first time he emerged Asked what lessons he learned on
because of the way he lives his life,” with his teammates from the tunnel the practice field and playing field that
he said. “Twice he took me to Central at the Big House onto the playing field, have helped him during his predoctoral
America, Honduras in 2006 and Schoonover said “it was one of the most studies, Schoonover said “hard work,
Nicaragua in 2001, to watch him help amazing experiences of my life. I was perseverance, and time management.”
those in need. His demeanor and the way flying high when I heard 110,000 people “As a walk-on, I had to work harder
he helped the truly needy made lasting cheering for us as we ran onto the field. to prove myself to my teammates and
impressions on me.” It’s something I’ll never forget.” my coaches. But I realized that if I
Although he didn’t play much, persevered, worked hard, and managed
Football Lessons and Dental Studies Schoonover said he made friendships my time, I could do anything,” he
Although he played in just five with players “that will last a lifetime. said.

27
DENTISTRY
Dentistry in Honduras . . .
Two Dental Students Volunteer to
Photo courtesy of David Lipton
“It seemed that everywhere we

went, people were lined up waiting
for dental care,” Baeverstad said.
“Sometimes there were one hundred
or two hundred people, ranging in age
from three or four to seventy or eighty,
waiting as the bus with all the health
care professionals arrived.”
Challenging Conditions
Lipton agreed, adding that since
the villages were in the jungle, “it
often took between one to three hours
to get to some of the sites. So, after
a long day of providing care, part of
our evening was spent preparing for
the next day.” Each workday began
Making a balloon with a face from a dental glove brought a smile to at least one young girl’s face after fourth-year dental student around six o’clock in the morning
David Lipton checked them for caries at a makeshift dental clinic last summer in Honduras. Photo courtesy of Katrina Baeverstad
Fourth-year dental student David Lipton will always remember the mariachi
bands that greeted him and other health care providers last summer as they
arrived at several remote villages in Honduras.
“It was practically a holiday when we came to town,” he said. “Since people
in remote parts of the country don’t have access to care, a visit by dentists,
physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals was a rare experience
and a reason to celebrate.”
Lipton and third-year dental student Katrina Baeverstad were the only School
of Dentistry students who provided oral health care as a part of the University
of Michigan’s Honduras Medical Relief program.
Working in collaboration with a Honduran charity organization, U-M
HMR is a group of about 40 physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and
undergraduates who volunteer to provide services in villages where care is
unavailable or people lack funds to take a bus to a clinic in a city. Last year
was the third year the U-M group took the trip.
Both Lipton and Baeverstad participated in one-week programs in the Dental student Katrina Baeverstad checks an adolescent during
her visit to a clinic at a village in Honduras. In the background
country of 7-1/2 million. Honduran residents are among the poorest in the you can see youngsters holding onto the ironwork in the window
Western Hemisphere with an annual per capita income of approximately while she works.
$2,800.

28
DENTISTRY
Help in Central American Country

and didn’t end until eleven o’clock at In addition to the heat and “It was a tiring trip, but
night. humidity, conditions were challenging worthwhile,” Lipton said. “I enhanced
D e n t a l c a re w a s l i m i t e d t o for other reasons, Lipton said. “We my dental skills, especially in oral
extractions. No restorative work was had no electricity, so we had to use surgery.” When he graduates this
performed. flashlights and sometimes sunshine, spring, Lipton plans to participate in
Care was provided at public to see inside a person’s mouth.” either an AEGD or GPR program.
sites, such as schools or village halls. Baeverstad said about 3,000 people Baeverstad said her technical and
However, in one instance, Baverstad were seen in the four villages during organizational skills improved. “I was
said, the mayor of one village allowed her one-week trip. That number able to make the most of challenging
his home to serve as a temporary included between 30 and 40 patients situations as they arose because there
clinic. who received oral health care daily. were a lot of those,” she said with a
“When we arrived, it was apparent One day, a record number of patients, smile. “All of us made a difference
many were in pain,” Baeverstad said. 60, received dental care. in the lives of these people, and they
“I usually had to ask them to point Lipton said about 3,300 patients were so grateful. That was the most
to the area of their mouth that was were treated in the villages during rewarding part of the trip,” she said.
hurting. When I looked, I could tell his trip. Of those, about 265 patients
which tooth was probably causing the received oral health care that included
pain.” more than 340 tooth extractions.
Photo courtesy of David Lipton
Children, adolescents, and adults waited in line for hours to have a chance to receive dental care at a makeshift clinic in Honduras.

29
DENTISTRY
U-M Dentist Helps in Kenya and Uganda

Photo courtesy of Dr. Sam Zwetchkenbaum
At a hospital in
Kenya, Dr. Sam
Zwetchkenbaum
(right) listens to
an interpreter who
relays information
conveyed to him
about a familiy’s
oral health needs.
Although it was his first trip to ranging in age from six months to 30 surgery. “I didn’t have to make as
Africa to provide oral health care, years. many as I thought I might have to,” he
Dr. Sam Zwetchkenbaum says his said. However, when Zwetchkenbaum
experiences helping children and young 138 Patient Surgeries in 5 Days returned to the U.S., he finished making
adults in villages in Kenya and Uganda “They came from near and far in a nasal prosthesis for a young girl
were different in both countries. hopes of having life-changing surgery that he sent to Dr. Ben Omondi, a
Last November, he traveled with a because they heard doctors from the U.S. prosthodontist he worked with who
group of 40 other health care providers were available,” he said. teaches at the dental school in Nairobi,
from North America and Kenya on a “I imagined things would be to deliver to the patient.
mission to Kisumu, Kenya marking the rudimentary compared to the U.S., Photo courtesy of Dr. Sam Zwetchkenbaum
25th anniversary of Operation Smile, but was surprised by the lack of basic
an international organization of dental equipment and basic supplies, even in
and medical professionals who travel established clinics. I also saw significant
around the world to treat children with pathology, with some cases much more
facial deformities, typically cleft lip and involved than what I recalled seeing in
palate. Afterwards, he went to a rural our oral pathology textbooks.”
village in Uganda that has poor access During the five days in Kenya,
to dental care. Zwetchkenbaum was part of a team that
A clinical assistant professor in the spent full days performing surgeries on
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial 138 patients at a local hospital. He
Surger y and Hospital Dentistr y performed extractions of decayed and
and director of the General Practice nonrestorable teeth, particularly when
Residency in the Hospital Dentistry they were in the area of the cleft or could
program, Zwetchkenbaum said during be a potential source of infection.
During the 10 days he was at a hospital in Kenya to help Operation
his first two days in Kisumu, on the He manufactured several obturators Smile, Dr. Sam Zwetchkenbaum worked to improve the lives of
shores of Lake Victoria, he provided and other prostheses for those with children with facial deformities. Here, he makes a dental cast
dental screenings for about 250 people cleft palate who were not selected for that will be used to fabricate an obturator.

30
DENTISTRY
1st “Turner’s Trot” Raises

$2K for Scholarships
More than 250 dental and dental hygiene students,

faculty, and staff turned out last September to honor
the memory of a classmate and raise money for a
scholarship in Ryan Turner’s name. Turner, a dental
student, died unexpectedly in January 2007.
Fourth-year dental student Jessica Groth who
participated in the Turner’s Trot event, said, “We
thought a 5K run and walk would be a fun and active
way to show our support and remember Ryan. The
wonderful turnout was truly a testament to how much
Ryan meant to so many.”
Turner’s mother, Kim Humble, traveled from
Oregon to attend. “When we told her that we were
Dental Clinic in planning to make this an annual event, she said she’d
Ugandan Community be sure to attend every year,” Groth said.
Following his work in Kenya, The event, which was sponsored by the Michigan
Zwetchkenbaum traveled to a small Chapter of ASDA, raised more than $2,000 for the Ryan
village in eastern Uganda to visit a Turner Scholarship. The run/walk began at Ingalls Mall
small Jewish community called the outside the Michigan League and continued through
Abayudaya. There he performed the Arboretum, and ended at Ingalls Mall.
extractions for two days for community Photo courtesy of Jessica Groth
members and their neighbors, and

talked with community leaders about
the possibility of including a dental
clinic in a planned health center.
“I learned about this community
while attending services at my local
synagogue,” he said. “I sent an e-mail
to a leader there who informed me that
there is only one dentist in a region of
about 250,000 and he only performs
extractions.”
Zwetchkenbaum said he would like
to see preventive and restorative care
provided in this community and plans
to work with others who are interested
in developing a sustainable program. Dental and dental hygiene students signed a photo of Ryan Turner and presented it to his mother,
He hopes to return to Africa in a few Kim Humble (center), following the 5K run/walk. Presenting the framed picture were Jessica
Groth (left) and Nitin Raju (right).
years.

31
DENTISTRY
FA C U LT Y NEWS
Keary Campbell
Lynn Johnson Interest Across Campus and

Around the World
1 of 10 Nationwide In a story about the initiative that
To Receive New Award appeared in the spring and summer
2006 issue of the School of Dentistry’s
alumni magazine, DentalUM, Johnson
Dr. Lynn Johnson, director of said the School’s collaboration with
Dental Informatics and Information Apple has led to many benefits. “In
Technology and professor at the technology, we have more visibility,
University of Michigan School of not just across the University, but also
Dentistr y, is among ten persons
in the field of dental education,” she
nationwide who recently received a
said. “The University is now launching
new award from Apple.
a campus-wide application of what
The Apple Award for Innovation
we are doing with the iPods in dental
in Science recognizes a very select and
education. …It’s gratifying to know
distinguished group of individuals in
U-M intends to share the campus-wide
academia who have developed new
iPod application with over 45 other
ways to use technology that enhance
colleges and universities across the
education and research. The award
country.”
also offers opportunities for recipients
Apple said that each year it
to publicly promote their ideas and
will select 10 academics for their
insights about those novel uses of
innovative use of Apple technology
technologies. Dr. Lynn Johnson was one of 10 individuals nationwide to receive in science, research, and education.
a new award from Apple Computer for her work that allows
Recipients of the award will receive
A Major Shift in How students at the dental school to listen to classroom lectures on
their iPods or other portable listening devices. The initiative has
benefits that include a pass to
Technology is Used Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers
been featured in publications worldwide.
Johnson received the award for her Conference; up to eight one-on-one
pioneering efforts that led to the U-M development support consultations
School of Dentistry and Apple entering of Dentistry use their valid U-M names
with Apple engineers, without charge;
into a partnership in September 2005 and passwords to log on to a special
participating in the annual meeting
that allows students at the dental Web site, “Learning via iTunes U,”
of Apple’s Science Innovators; and the
school to listen to classroom lectures on to locate and download the lectures.
ability to participate in the annual
their iPods or other portable listening They can then listen to them in
“Communities” meeting at the Apple
devices virtually anywhere and at their apartments, automobiles, while
campus in Cupertino, California.
any time. The venture, the first of its walking on campus, or even working
Johnson, who arrived at the U-M
kind with any professional school in out, at their convenience. Since
School of Dentistry in June 2002,
the U.S., marked a major shift in how course lectures have been available
earned a PhD in instructional design
technology is used to support and for downloading, School of Dentistry
and technology from the University of
enhance learning. students have been to the Web
Iowa in 1993.
Dental, dental hygiene, and site approximately 30,000 times to
graduate students at the U-M School download and listen to lectures.

32
DENTISTRY
Jerry Mastey
Clarkson New
AADR President
The first abstract he submitted

was rejected.
Now, 40 years later, Dr. Brian
Clarkson is the president of the
organization that rejected his research
summary, the American Association
for Dental Research.
“How’s that for irony?” he asked
rhetorically.
Dr. Brian Clarkson, now president of the American Association for Dental Research, stands by the Alumnus of the Year Award for 2007
In April, Clarkson became president
he received from his alma mater, the University of Rochester (New York). Clarkson was honorred for his cariology research.
of the 4,000-member organization
whose goal is to advance research presented at our meetings,” he said. said. “I would like for us to use the
that improves oral health in the U.S. “However, I believe we need to find momentum and enthusiasm that’s
AADR is the largest component of the ways to have all the best science generated during these sessions to
International Association for Dental presented at our sessions.” ultimately develop a continuous
Research. Because dental research is such a flow of information that can be used,
Now serving a one-year term as vast field, in recent years, news about for example, at regional or local
president, Clarkson said he’s been research in many “niche” areas has conferences or seminars.”
preparing for the role for the past two been missing. He also hopes to increase interaction
years, first as vice president, and then “Findings in these niche areas among organization members.
as president-elect. “However, when I need to be brought to the attention of “AADR offers students many
become past president next spring, I a larger group of scientists,” Clarkson opportunities to talk to their colleagues
will still have an opportunity to serve said. “For example, discoveries in from around the country about what
in a leadership role and try to influence microbiology not only appeal to they’re doing as well as opportunities
the direction of the organization,” he microbiologists, but I believe, could be to talk to senior investigators who are
said. of interest to a larger group of dental engaged in novel dental and craniofacial
researchers which, in turn, could research,” he said. “I also think that
Presenting “the best science” ultimately help patients.” when you put these two items together,
As president, Clarkson said one you can enhance your own career.”
of the primary issues he wants to Continuity and Student Participation Discussing his career, Clarkson
address is expanding how information Clarkson said one issue he wants said the encouragement he received
is conveyed about new research to address as president is continuity. from his mentor following the
discoveries that are taking place across “I hope we can establish better rejection of his research abstract was
the country. links between our plenary sessions important to his professional growth
“Ver y good science is being and symposia that follow,” Clarkson and development.

33
DENTISTRY
FA C U LT Y NEWS
As a student at the Eastman Dental award recognizes researchers who have and then I earned my dental degree here
Center in Rochester, New York, Clarkson substantially contributed to restorative in 1953 and a master’s degree thirty
said “I was quite nervous about breaking dentistry in areas from fundamental to years later,” Gregory said. “I’m proud
the rejection news to my mentor, Dr. Basil applied, prevention of dental disease, to be a part of this great School.”
Bibby, the director of the dental center and developing improved materials and Per Kjeldsen
and the father of modern cariology.” techniques. Mathilde

“But after I told Dr. Bibby, he told me Jerry Mastey
Peters
not to worry because his first abstract William Dr. Tilly Peters,
was also refused. He then advised me to Gregory a professor of
keep trying because, ultimately, I would Gregory earned dentistry in the
succeed. His calm demeanor and advice his DDS from Department
made a big difference, and I hope that’s the U-M School o f C a r i o l o g y,
something I can do when I have to tell of Dentistry in Restorative
students that their abstracts won’t be 1953 and an Sciences, and
used at one of our sessions,” Clarkson advanced degree Endodontics, has been at the U-M School
said. in restorative of Dentistry since 1997.
dentistry in 1983. I n p re s e n t i n g h e r w i t h t h e
Gregory, Peters After earning his dental degree, Hollenback P rize, the Academy
Gregory practiced with the U.S. Navy said she “is at the forefront of new
Honored by Academy during the Korean War and then innovations and concepts in operative
of Operative Dentistry returned to private practice with his dentistry.” The Academy noted that
father, Robert, who earned his dental “in addition to being an international
degree from Michigan in 1923. authority on biomechanical aspects
Drs. William Gregory and Mathilde After running a private practice of restorations, restored teeth, and
Peters were honored earlier this year until 1981, Gregory retrained at U-M operative procedures,” she also has
by the Academy of Operative Dentistry and remained with the School after been “a champion of minimally
during the organization’s 37th annual graduation to mentor dental students. interventive techniques in operative
meeting in Chicago. In addition, he has traveled to Central dentistry.”
Gregory was presented with the and South America to provide oral Peters, who chairs the Academy’s
Award of Excellence. Established health care, lectured on operative Research Committee, has lectured
i n 1 9 8 6 , t h e a w a rd re c o g n i z e s dentistry and dental caries in the U.S. extensively in Europe, Asia, and South
outstanding contributions to operative and Europe, published many peer- America.
dentistry in areas that include service reviewed articles, and contributed to Four years ago, she was one of
to AOD, teaching at academic and two books. 10 U-M women researchers to receive
continuing education levels, and In presenting the award, the a Crosby Research Award from the
promotion of excellence nationally or Academy said that Gregory “has National Science Foundation. The award
internationally. established a legacy of clinical service is designed to foster collaboration,
Peters received the Hollenback and excellence.” advance the careers of women faculty
Memorial Prize. Established in 1975 as a “The U-M School of Dentistry members in the sciences, and introduce
memorial to the late George Hollenback affected me very early in my life graduate female students to research.
for his research and leadership, this because my father was trained here, [DentalUM, Fall 2004, page 72]

34
DENTISTRY
A “Michigan Moment” McNamara Receives developmental biology with the U-M

Medical school and research scientist
ABO’s Highest Honor with the Center for Human Growth
and Development, McNamara has
Photo courtesy of Dr. James McNamara published over 225 scientific articles
D r. J a m e s in refereed journals; has written,
McNamara edited, or contributed to 63 books; and
re c e i v e d t h e has presented courses and lectures in
prestigious 34 countries. He is also the author
K e t c h a m of Orthodontics and Dentofacial
Dr. Preetha Kanjireth Award from the Orthopedics.
I was fortunate to attend the American Board
AOD program in Chicago where of Orthodontics
I displayed and discussed my during its
poster presentation about annual session in Denver in May. AAP Honors to
minimally invasive dentistry. Named for Dr. Albert Ketcham, Oh and Pirih
During a conversation about one of the pioneers in orthodontics,
the subject with a group of the award is presented annually to an
distinguished delegates from individual who has made a notable Two faculty members in the
around the world, I heard hands contribution to the art and science of Department of Periodontics and Oral
clapping and a voice behind orthodontics. Medicine recently received major
me exclaiming, “Michigan!” Previous U-M School of Dentistry awards from the American Academy
“Michigan!” recipients of the Ketcham Award of Periodontics Foundation.
When I turned around, I include Drs. Lysle Johnston (2001), T.J. Oh was awarded the Bud and
saw a woman who said she Robert E. Moyers (1988), and Joseph R. Linda Tarrson Fellowship, and Flavia
was a U-M graduate and was Jarabak (1983). Pirih was awarded the AAP’s Educator
excited for our School and our During his career, McNamara, the Scholarship.
University. Thomas M. and Doris Graber endowed
Being at the conference professor of dentistry, has received T.J. Oh
where Drs. Peters and Gregory several prestigious awards including Oh, clinical associate professor,
were publicly recognized for the Milo Hellman Research Award re c e i v e d t h e $ 3 0 , 0 0 0 B u d a n d
their work, knowing that others given by the American Association Linda Tarrson Fellowship, a career
from around the world were of Orthodontists (1973), the Research development award for academic
also present, and hearing this Recognition Award of the American periodontologists. The fellowship
excited alum was an experience Association of Oral and Maxillofacial was established to encourage gifted
unlike any other. For me, it truly Surgeons (1983), the Jacob Salzman periodontal clinicians who have
was “a Michigan moment.” The Award from AAO (1994), and the James demonstrated teaching excellence to
way these events happened E. Brophy Distinguished Ser vice pursue an academic career.
all at once made me better Award, the highest award given by Oh, who has been at the School
understand why so many are so AAO (2001). of Dentistry since 1996, codirects the
proud of this great university. A professor of cell and predoctoral implant program and

35
DENTISTRY
FA C U LT Y NEWS
Jerry Mastey
are considered scientifically or socially

distinguished.
Chosen by their peers, Polverini and
McCauley were honored in February at
a Fellows Forum during the 2008 AAAS
annual meeting in Boston.
Polverini, also a professor of
dentistry and a professor of pathology,
was recognized for his contributions to
the field of vascular biology and the
role of angiogenesis in tumorigenesis,
and for his efforts to incorporate
science into dental education.
McCauley, the William K. and Mary
Drs. T.J. Oh and Flavia Pirih Anne Najjar Professor of Periodontics,
directs the periodontal surgical therapy After completing her graduate professor of pathology, and chair of
course. At the end of the course, training, Pirih said she plans to pursue a the Department of Periodontics and
he takes 8 to 10 third-year dental full-time academic career as a professor Oral Medicine, was recognized for her
students, interested in specializing in at a dental school. “I want to combine a contributions to the field of skeletal
periodontics, to an annual periodontal research career with clinical teaching at physiology, particularly delineating the
conference. both the pre- and post-doctoral levels,” mechanisms of parathyroid hormone
Previous recipients of the award she said. action during bone regeneration
from the School of Dentistry include Pirih earned a dental degree at and the pathophysiology of skeletal
Dr. William Giannobile and Dr. Keith Universidade Federal do Parana (Brazil) metastases.
Kirkwood. and later a PhD in oral biology at UCLA The American Association for
where she studied the role of primary the Advancement of Science is an
Flavia Pirih response genes inducted by parathyroid international, nonprofit organization
Pirih, a second-year resident, hormones. dedicated to advancing science around
re c e i v e d t h e $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 E d u c a t o r the world by serving as an educator,
Scholarship that is awarded to a leader, and professional association.
periodontal resident who wishes to
Polverini, McCauley Founded in 1848, AAAS serves 262
pursue a full-time academic career in New AAAS Fellows affiliated societies and academies of
the U.S. science serving 10 million individuals.
“Since the beginning of my dental In addition to organizing membership
education, I have enjoyed the biological Dean Peter Polverini and Dr. Laurie activities, AAAS publishes the journal
aspects of dentistry, especially trying to McCauley have been elected Fellows Science as well as scientific newsletters,
understand the molecular mechanisms of the American Association for the books, and reports, and leads programs
of oral and periodontal diseases, and Advancement of Science. They were that raise the bar of understanding of
then trying to use that information among 471 scientists nationwide to be science worldwide.
in devising treatment strategies for awarded the distinction for their efforts
patients,” she said. to advance scientific applications that

36
DENTISTRY
McCauley Receives Burt Receives Award Students Thank

Two Major Honors for Dental Public Health Clarkson
Per Kjeldsen
Dr. Laurie McCauley recently became Dr. Brian Burt,

only the second dentist in the 30-year professor emeritus
history of the American Society for at both the School
Bone and Mineral Research to be of Dentistry and
elected to the organization’s Council. the School of
The nine-member Council, also Public Health,
referred to as the Board of Directors, is w a s re c e n t l y
responsible for managing the property honored for his
and business of the group as well distinguished
as determining its policies. Three career in dental public health.
Every year for the past 13 years,
members of the group are elected During the American Public Health
Dr. Brian Clarkson has volunteered
annually for a three-year term. Association’s annual meeting last
to mentor a group of dental students
In January, McCauley also became November, Burt received the John
during their four years of study in the
the only dentist to serve as associate Knutson Distinguished Service Award.
School’s predoctoral program. This
editor of the Journal of Bone and The award has been presented annually
past summer, a group of students came
Mineral Research. since 1982 to honor an individual who
to Ann Arbor and thanked him for his
Established in 1986, the publication has made an outstanding contribution
time and mentoring with a reception
is the official journal of the Society to improve oral health in the U.S.
at an Ann Arbor restaurant and a
and is the largest and most cited of The APHA award noted, “Throughout
celebration at his home the following
specialized journals devoted to bone his illustrious career, Dr. Burt has
evening.
and mineral research. It’s the primary worked actively to improve the quality
A scholarship fund was also
source for news in all areas of bone of life through improved oral health for
established in his name that will allow
biology and physiology, hormones millions of people around the world.”
students to travel to learn at other
that regulate bone and mineral Burt is the lead author of The
universities. To make a gift to the
metabolism, and the pathophysiology Dentist, Dental Practice, and the
scholarship fund, please contact Jeff
and treatment of disorders of bone Community, a textbook used by
Freshcorn at (734) 647-4394 or Marty
and mineral metabolism, such as students, educators, and practitioners
Bailey at (734) 615-2870.
osteoporosis. in dentistry, medicine, and public
health. He drafted the original section
of the Surgeon General’s pioneering
report, Oral Health in America, in
2000. Since 1997, he has been editor
of Community Dentistry and Oral
Epidemiology. He also was president
of the American Board of Dental Public
Health.

37
DENTISTRY
FA C U LT Y NEWS
New Web Site Offers Teachers Help about Good Dental Health
Useful Information, Lesson Plans, and Activities Featured
A n e w We b s i t e t h a t h e l p s Institute of Dental and Craniofacial were in the classroom.

kindergarten and elementary school Research funded the study. “We used that information to help
teachers educate their students about Assisted by Dr. Daniel Briskie, teachers recognize how children’s oral
ways to prevent dental problems such head of pediatric dentistry at Mott health problems can affect learning in
as caries (cavities) and achieve better Children’s Health Center in Flint, the the classroom,” she said. “During the
oral health has been unveiled by the study revealed that many children have past year, we conducted focus groups
U-M School of Dentistry. major oral health problems that affect with teachers to learn more about ways
Led by Dr. Marita Inglehart, a their quality of life and their ability to they could teach their students about
psychologist and associate professor learn in the classroom. Briskie is also the importance of good oral health. The
of dentistry, a team of researchers and an adjunct professor in the Department Web site is the result of those efforts.”
clinicians collected Web-based resources of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry Dental school librarian Patricia
focusing on oral health designed to at the dental school. Anderson, who worked with Inglehart,
support teachers’ efforts to educate their The results of the study surprised assisted in collecting the Web-based
students. Resources are organized into many teachers, Inglehart said, “because resources. Others at the dental school
groups of lesson plans and activities, many of them thought that if a child were involved in developing the site,
such as class demonstrations, word doesn’t complain or say something in including Chris Jung, who designed the
puzzles, coloring pages, and games. the classroom, then nothing is wrong. Web pages and Emily Springfield who,
Information is presented in an easy-to- But we learned that’s not always as Webmaster, worked on the behind-
understand manner that is both useful true.” the-scenes coding that makes the site
and entertaining. One of the major findings was operational.
The Web site, www.dent.umich. that nearly half of the students had Inglehart encourages teachers
edu/teachoralhealth, was developed untreated caries and that about 12 to visit the Web site and see which
following an extensive two-year percent had painful dental abscesses lesson plans, activities, and other
investigation (2004-2006) into the oral and very deep and painful cavities. In information they can use. “If they have
health of more than 8,000 students addition, about 13 percent of students any questions or an idea about a lesson
from socio-economically disadvantaged reported a toothache sometimes keeps plan or topic, they can always send me
backgrounds at 35 kindergarten and them home from school, while another an e-mail,” she said. Inglehart can be
elementary schools in Genesee County, 26 percent of children reported having reached by e-mail at: mri@umich.
Michigan, including Flint. The National a toothache that hurt them when they edu.
w w w.dent.umich.edu/teacoralhealth.edu

38
DENTISTRY
FA C U LT Y P R O F I L E
Jerry Mastey
Dennis
Lopatin, MS, PhD
Senior Associate Dean
As Senior Associate Dean, Dennis Lopatin works closely rowing up in the Chicago area, he initially planned to go into
with Dean Peter Polverini in areas that include faculty
affairs, dental informatics, budgeting and finance, facilities,
human resources, and strategic planning.
G industrial research and work for a pharmaceutical company.
One day, however, as fog in Chicago led to the cancellation of a flight
that would have taken him to a job interview at a pharmaceutical
company, Dennis Lopatin’s career path changed.
A short time later, he was offered a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern
University Medical Center in Chicago and instead chose to pursue a career in
transplantation and cancer research that would eventually bring him to Ann
“I enjoy Arbor.
“Having earned a PhD in both microbiology and immunochemistry at the
University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, I wound up working as a post-doc
making at Northwestern, first in the Department of Surgery, and then in microbiology,”
Lopatin said.
things “I was happy with my research focus and had no intentions of changing.
Then, one day, Don Clewell, who was chairing the search for an immunologist
at the School of Dentistry, called to ask if I would be interested in coming to Ann
happen.” Arbor to interview for a position in the School’s Dental Research Institute.”
“When I asked him where he got my name, Don said he was a classmate of
my research advisor at Illinois who recommended me.”
Lopatin turned Clewell down saying he wasn’t interested in dental
research.
But Clewell called back a week later.

39
DENTISTRY
FA C U LT Y P R O F I L E
Dorothy Smith-Fesl, School of Dentistry facilities manager, and Dennis Lopatin discuss a new fire alarm system that was recently installed.
“This time he asked me to at least During his thirty-plus years help him meet the new challenges he
come to Ann Arbor and take a look at at Mi c h iga n , L o pa t in h a s b e e n was facing.”
the School. So I did.” involved in research, teaching, and During the past five years, the
Walking across the Diag from the administration. scope of Lopatin’s job responsibilities
Michigan Union where he was staying, as senior associate dean has evolved.
to the dental school on the first day of Doing the Most Good Originally, he focused on faculty
his visit, Lopatin said, “I knew I was “I thrive on serving the School affairs, dental informatics, and the
home and that this is where I wanted in almost any capacity,” he said. “It School’s facilities. “But now it includes
to be.” doesn’t matter if it’s in a classroom budget and finance, human resources,
Having lived near the University where I’m teaching, or in a lab doing and strategic planning. We want to
of Illinois for more than eight research, advising a student, serving maintain the excellence that has been
years, Lopatin enjoyed the setting the dean, or representing the School. a part of this School for more than
and lifestyle. “The University of I love being here.” one hundred years, while also being
Michigan was a breath of fresh air As senior associate dean since flexible enough to meet current and
after commuting to downtown Chicago 2004, Lopatin works closely with Dean future challenges.”
during my two-year postdoc,” he Peter Polverini in numerous aspects of Lopatin also manages the School’s
said. the School’s missions. All Hazards Planning Group which is
After his interview, he was offered “The position was one that was responsible for preparing for an array
a position as an assistant research created years ago by Bernie Machen of potential hazards and has devoted
scientist at DRI. “I started working when he was dean of the School,” considerable time to ensuring oral
there, no fooling, April 1, April Fool’s Lopatin said. “But when Pete returned health care professionals are uppermost
Day, in 1976.” as dean, he reactivated the position to in the minds of local, state, and

40
DENTISTRY
national officials should a widespread taking care of running their businesses Now very popular at the School
health disaster or emergency occur in that, for the most part, they don’t take of Dentistry, podcasting involves
southeast Michigan or another part time to anticipate risks that could recording classroom lectures and then
of the state. [DentalUM, Spring & affect them,” he said. transmitting them to an Apple’s iTunes
Summer 2004, pages 48-49.] He cited other reasons. “Sometimes U Web site where students, using their
it’s the cost, but more often than not, U-M password, can later download the
Being Prepared they usually don’t know what to do, lectures to their iPods or other portable
He has lectured and delivered how to do it, or who to contact. In my listening devices. Students listen to the
continuing education courses on view, preparedness is a critical part of lectures any time and anywhere. Last
preparedness planning for the oral any dental business plan.” year, the number of dental and dental
health profession. That includes hygiene classroom lectures recorded
emphasizing to those in private Early Adaptor: Technology and available as podcasts surpassed
practice that they must be prepared Lopatin enjoys dabbling in new 1,000. [DentalUM, Fall 2007, page 75.]
for emergencies that occur in their technology and looking for ways to use
practices and they must serve in a it in a research laboratory, classroom, The Science of Bowling
leadership role in emergencies that or office. When he has time, Lopatin enjoys
may affect their community, the state, “I’ve always been involved in new bowling with his wife of 25 years,
or beyond. technology in one way or another,” Connie. Between them, they share
“Preparedness is a hot topic, not he said. That started by learning to about two dozen bowling balls.
just in terms of what it means for the program computers using FORTRAN “I used to belong to three or four
country, the state, or the county, but and BASIC in the 1970s to analyze leagues,” he said. “But in recent years,
also in terms of what it means for the data. I haven’t had much time.”
individual dentist,” Lopatin said. “I was an early adopter of Apple Although he has never rolled
It’s more than knowing what to computers and wrote mountains of a perfect score, he has played in a
do during a biological or chemical software to analyze laboratory data,” number of state tournaments and a
threat. “It has to do with preparing for he said. few pro/am tournaments, and is a
events that could affect every dental However, Lopatin said he “got member of the Ann Arbor 700 Club.
office. That could include anything hooked even more” when the School’s For Lopatin, bowling is not just a
from a tornado to a widespread and graphic artist, Chris Jung, introduced sport. It’s science and research.
prolonged power outage,” he said. him to the Macintosh computer. The As he talks about the sport, he
“That includes knowing what to do in year was 1984. “It wasn’t long before waxes eloquently about the different
terms of maintaining and backing up I purchased several for my laboratory,” cover stocks on bowling balls, how
patient records, recovering lost data, Lopatin said with a laugh. weights inside a bowling ball make it
and a host of other issues.” Given that background and interest rotate to travel down a lane, and even
Oral health care professionals, in technology and how it could be used, the viscosity of oil that’s applied to a
he said, need to devote more time it came as no surprise when Lopatin lane.
to preparing for those kinds of was approached by Dr. Lynn Johnson, “Yes, my calendar is full from
emergencies. director of Dental Informatics, in 2004 morning until night, so there’s always
“Probably fewer than fifty percent and asked if he would be willing to be something going on. But I enjoy that
of dentists are prepared for many a “guinea pig” for a student-suggested because I’m a part of making things
common disasters. They’re so busy innovation – podcasting. happen.”

41
DENTISTRY
Dennis Lopatin, MS, PhD

Professional Achievements
Selected Highlights
Education
• PhD, Microbiology, University of Illinois (1974)
• MS, Microbiology, University of Illinois (1972)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Northwestern University and Veteran’s Administration Research Hospital,
Lakeside, Chicago (1974-1976)
Academic Appointments
• Senior Associate Dean, U-M School of Dentistry (2004 to present)
• Interim Chair, Department of Periodontics, Prevention, and Geriatrics, U-M School of Dentistry
(2001-2002)
• Vice Chair, Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, U-M School of Dentistry (1998-2001)
• Professor, Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, U-M School of Dentistry (1990 to present)
• Research Scientist, Dental Research Institute, University of Michigan (1986-1990)
Professional Memberships
• American Association for Immunologists (1975 to present)
• American Society for Microbiology (1977 to present)
• International Association for Dental Research (1977 to present); President,
Microbiology and Immunology Group (2002-2004)
• Periodontal Research Group, International Association for Dental Research (1977 to present)
• Charter member, American Association of Oral Biologists (1989 to present)
• Charter member, Oral Immunology and Microbiology Research Group (1991 to present)
• American Dental Education Association (2003 to present)
• National Dental Association
Editorial Board Memberships & Peer Review

• Associate editor, Odontology (2000 to present)
• Member, editorial board, Journal of Periodontology (2000 to present)
• Member, editorial board, Journal of Dental Research (1998-2001)
• Member, editorial board, International Journal of Oral Biology (1996 to present)
• Member, editorial board, Journal of Periodontal Research (1992-1996)
Regional Preparedness Committees

• Advisory committee, Region 2 Medical Biodefense Network (2003 to present)
• Campus-Wide Epidemic Health Response Planning Team, University of Michigan (2003 to present)
• Advisory board, Bioterrorism Preparedness Initiative, University of Michigan (2003 to present)

42
A LU M N I R E L AT I O N S
Making Sure the School of Dentistry

Continues to be One of the World’s Best
Dear Alumni,
As Chair of the School of Dentistry’s Alumni Society Board of

Governors, I’m starting something new…a letter from me to you.
Many of you may have served, or know someone who has served
on this Board which consists of 15 alumni from the dental and dental
hygiene programs. We also have a U-M Alumni Association liaison, a
dental student representative, and staff.
We meet twice annually, in the spring and fall, typically in the
afternoon, and discuss various issues and concerns that are of interest
to you. Those are then presented in the following issue of our School’s
alumni magazine, DentalUM. Some of our discussions are fairly
vibrant.
The issue that generated the most interest among our board last
Dr. Daniel Edwards November was the appearance of School of Dentistry leaders. [See
Chair, Alumni Society story pages xx to xx.]
Board of Governors Our bylaws state that one purpose of the Board is “to furnish an
avenue through which its membership may become familiar with the
progress of the School of Dentistry and thus be better able to assist
in advancing the program of dental education.” We couldn’t think
of a better way than to have our questions on a range of subjects
answered by the administration, faculty, and staff.
I wish to personally thank the Board of Governors, Dean
Polverini, the associate deans, and other faculty and panel members
for participating, giving us an outline of what is taking place, and
answering our questions. We learned a lot from each other and, in
the process, reaffirmed our commitment to keeping the University of
Michigan School of Dentistry one of the world’s top dental schools.
If you are interested in serving on the Board or would like to share
ideas with us, please contact me by e-mail (dedwards@umich.edu)
or Rich Fetchiet (plateman@umich.edu).
GO BLUE!
Sincerely,
Dr. Dan Edwards, ’97 DDS

43
Board of Governors Laud Appearance and Remarks

Jerry Mastey
and our community outreach program

is an important part of our mission
to provide care and have a presence
in communities across Michigan,” he
said.
Patient Care
Dr. Stephen Stefanac, associate
dean for patient care, who is also on an
ADA committee that visits other dental
schools around the country, told Board
members that “patient populations
are an issue at the other dental schools
I’ve visited. Here at Michigan, we’re
screening about thirty percent more
patients than we were just a year and
Among the administrators and program directors participating or the first time in a long a half ago.”
were (left to right): Dr. Marilyn Woolfolk, assistant dean for
student services; Dr. Stephen Stefanac, associate dean for
patient care; Dean Peter Polverini; Dr. Marilyn Lantz, associate
dean for academic affairs; Dr. Charlotte Mistretta, associate
dean for Research and PhD Training; Dr. Lynn Johnson, director
F time, or perhaps the first time
ever, top School of Dentistry
administrators and program
directors appeared before the School’s
He said that since the School is
an educational institution that also
provides oral health care, “we are
looking at what we can do” in terms of
of dental informatics and information technology; and Ms.
Jayne Nyman, director of budget and finance. Also present,
Alumni Society Board of Governors treating more patients, but that may be
but not in the photo were Dr. Ronald Heys, associate professor during their meeting last fall. a problem given the number of patients
of dentistry, and Dr. Bill Piskorowski, Director of Outreach Led by Dean Peter Polverini, who currently seen, the state of the local
Programs. has previously appeared before the economy, and the distance patients
group, nine top officials (see page xx) travel to receive care at the School.
“This has been the best gave the 15-member Board an update “What we’re doing and what we
board meeting of all the on developments in their departments hope to do in the future is a continual
ones I have attended.” and answered a range of questions. work in progress,” he said.
Dr. George Yellich In his opening remarks, Polverini
(DDS 1972, MS 1977)
said the dialogue with Board members Staying in Michigan after
was appreciated “because we want to Graduating
“I really enjoyed this make sure that we continue to remain In response to a question from one
meeting and think it one of the most competitive dental Board member, Dr. Marilyn Woolfolk,
should be done on a schools in the country. We need your assistant dean for Student Services,
regular basis, perhaps input to do that,” he said. noted that approximately 105 dental
every third or fourth “Our graduate programs are strong, students graduate each year.
meeting we have.” our clinical research program is getting “However, of that number, roughly
Dr. William Brownscombe stronger, our oral health disparities one-third remain in Michigan,” she said.
(DDS 1974) program with partners in Detroit is one “That’s what we’ve been seeing for the
of the premier programs in the country, last five or so years.”

44
of Dental School Leaders

Woolfolk said that students Rankings NIH Funding to the School of Dentistry
14
consider a number of factors before In response to a question about Millions of Dollars
2 2 2
12
they make a final decision. She dental schools participating in annual 3 5
10
pointed out that sometimes students rankings by U.S. News & World Report, 4
6
8 6
return to communities where they Polverini said Michigan and other 4
4
5
6
grew up, but in many other instances, dental school across the country have
4
they relocate to be with a spouse who not been doing it for some time. 2
may have an opportunity outside the The last time dental schools were 0
state. ranked by the magazine was in 1993. ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06
[DentalUM, Spring & Summer 2000, Figure 1
“Highly Regarded” Research page 40.]
NDCR Funding to the School of Dentistry
“We are highly regarded for our “None of the dental schools 12 2 2
Millions of Dollars 1
research,” said Dr. Charlotte Mistretta, participate because not all dental schools 10
5
associate dean for Research and PhD have a similar mission,” Polverini said. 8 6
Training. Pointing to some schools that focus 6
6 5 6
5
6
Citing research awards to the mostly on clinical education while
4
School since 1996, she said the School others focus on both clinical education
2
“consistently ranks in the top five or and research, he said “in these cases,
0
six in the nation” in research funds it’s an apples and oranges situation. … ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06
from the National Institutes of Health There is no objective criteria to evaluate Figure 2
and the National Institute for Dental schools that are different with their
and Craniofacial Research. [See Figure approach.” Today it is different.
1 and Figure 2 at right.] The small The NERB examination has been
numbers at top of each bar chart in both NERB Results divided into three sections.
illustrations notes where U-M School In response to a question about D r. Ro n a l d H e y s , a s s o c i a t e
of Dentistry ranked vs. other dental the percentage of students successfully professor of dentistry and director of
schools each year. completing the NERB examinations in the 2 Green Clinic, said students sit
“These dollars for research are a their first attempt, Dr. Marilyn Lantz, take mannequin portion of the exam in
measure of our School’s excellence,” associate dean for academic affairs, September of their final year in dental
Mistretta said. “That brings a sense of said the number “has varied between school. The clinical portion occurs in
pride because our research and teaching 90 and 95 percent during the past five March. A written exam may be taken
programs reinforce and reinvigorate years. However, by the time a student anytime between September and April
each other.” graduates, the number is about 97 or at a local testing center. “To prepare
Board member Dr. George Yellich 98 percent.” them for their examinations, we give
agreed. In the past, according to Stefanac, them mock simulations that will give
“Although I graduated from dental dental student graduation and the NERB them an idea of what to expect,” he
school in 1972, I recall that when I was examination for licensure occurred said.
here many in clinical dentistry were simultaneously. Students often waited Students know their results from
involved in research. That’s one of the three to four weeks for their test results the examination before graduation
great things about this University and and then had to apply for a state license and are also able to apply for a dental
this School, its research,” he said. before being able to practice. license in advance. As a result, they

45
Jerry Mastey
During a break, Board of Governors student representative,

Jamie Luria (D3), discussed his clinical and classroom
experiences with Board member, Dr. George Yellich.
“But the mix at this School is better

than those numbers because about 60
percent of our students are Michigan
residents,” she said.
Dr. Lynn Johnson, director of
dental informatics and information
technology, said advances in technology
is a factor that’s fueling the rise in the
can begin to practice immediately Code violation, we need to look at the cost of dental education. She mentioned
after graduation, Stefanac said. whole picture of the dental profession some of the improvements taking place,
and not just what may have taken place including electronic simulations in
Dental Ethics in school,” she said. education and a transition from paper
The subject of dental ethics drew records to electronic records.
a significant amount of interest from The Cost of Dental Education
participants. Director of Budget and Finance, Community Outreach
Lantz, who is president-elect of Jayne Nyman, spent some time talking “We have a very solid program,”
the American Society for Dental Ethics, about the cost of dental education said Dr. Bill Piskorowski, director of
told Board members that she teaches today and how it’s closely tied to what Community and Outreach Programs.
a course to first-year dental students happens at the state level when it comes “The foundation of our outreach
and that content from that course “is to educational appropriations for the program is very strong. In fact, we’re
of interest to other dental schools.” University of Michigan. looking to expand the program in the
Pointing out that the School has “We have had to increase tuition future,” he added. “But if we do, we
an Honor Code, Lantz mentioned that in recent years because of declines in want to do so in such a way that we
there have been cases where students funding from the state during the past maintain the quality of the program.”
were dismissed for violations. “It’s only five or six years,” she said.
a small number, and it doesn’t happen Noting that there are some indirect Dental Student Perspectives
a lot,” she said. costs recovered from NIH and NIDCR Third-year dental student Jamie
Lantz mentioned that ethics is funding, as well as an increase in clinical Luria, student representative on the
of concern to the dental profession in revenues, “we’ve been fortunate, but Board, delivered an enthusiastic
general and cited differences in the way we’re walking a tightrope currently,” report.
violations are handled. she said. “I’m proud to be a part of this
“There’s a big difference, which In response to a question from a School and I’m sure there are many
we try to take into account, between Board member, Nyman said the School other members of my class who feel the
a dentist who is suspended by a state of Dentistry is doing better in terms same way I do,” he said.
board for an infraction and later of its mix of in-state and out-of-state “To be a success, you have to be self-
reinstated, and a dental student who students. motivated which means you have to
violates the Honor Code,” she said. “If you look at the Ann Arbor pursue opportunities to become strong
“When a student violates the Honor campus, about 35 percent of the students in areas where you are weak and even
Code, that’s it for them, but that’s not are from out of state,” she said “while stronger in areas where you are strong.
necessarily the case in the profession. the professional schools have a 50/50 or That’s part of what being a professional
So when we’re faced with an Honor 40/60 in-state versus out-of-state mix.” is all about,” Luria said.

46
Alumni Society Board of Governors
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. BALLOT
Ballots must be postmarked by August 1, 2008.
Dr. Michael Cerminaro is a 1986 graduate of the School of Dentistry. Serving Muskegon as a general dentist
for 22 years, “Dr. Mike” also serves his community as a volunteer dentist at the Hackley Community Care Center Vote for 4 dentists:
and chairs several local boards, including the Muskegon Sport Fishing Association and Muskegon Lake Research
Foundation. Dr. Mike is past president of the Muskegon District Dental Society, a Fellow of the American and Dr. Michael Cerminaro
International Colleges of Dentists, and a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Dr. Dave Cramer is a 1978 graduate of the School of Dentistry and completed a MS in orthodontics in 1980 at Dr. Dave Cramer
the University of Minnesota. Dr. Cramer is a board certified orthodontist with practices in Grandville and Allegan.
He has been a board member and president of the Kent County Dental Society, member of the West Michigan Dr. Sondra Gunn
Dental Society Ethics Committee, and is currently treasurer of the Michigan Association of Orthodontists and an
adjunct professor in graduate orthodontics at Michigan.
Dr. John McMahon *
Dr. Sondra Gunn is a 1978 graduate of the School of Dentistry and completed a MS in orthodontics at Michigan
in 1980. Dr. Gunn was a member of the School of Dentistry faculty from 1979 through 2001 while practicing Dr. Ray Sanai
orthodontics part time. Now retired from U-M, she continues to practice in southeastern Michigan. Dr. Gunn
is an active member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists. She is
also serving on the School’s Michigan Difference Campaign Committee. Dr. George Yellich*

Dr. John McMahon* is a 1982 graduate of the School of Dentistry and practices general dentistry in Jenison,
southwest of Grand Rapids. He has been involved with the West Michigan District Dental Society, including
serving on the Insurance Committee. He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and an alumni Vote for 1 hygienist:
member of the Pride Institute.
Ms. Jemma Allor*
Dr. Ray Sanai is a 1991 graduate of the School of Dentistry. His experience includes an OMFS internship, private
practice, and teaching at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry. He attained his periodontics
certification at UIC and is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Ms. Alita Marlowe
Bluford
Dr. George Yellich* is a 1972 graduate of the School of Dentistry. After serving two years as a general dentist in
the U.S. Navy, he entered U-M Medical School and in 1977 received his MS and certificate in oral and maxillofacial
surgery. He currently practices in Santa Cruz and San Jose, California, specializing in dental implants and corrective * Incumbent
jaw surgery. Dr. Yellich is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the California Association of
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is a past president of the Northern California Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Envelope with ballot
Surgeons, is a Diplomate of the American Board of OMS, and has lectured on various health care topics. must be postmarked by
August 1, 2008.
Ms. Jemma Allor* graduated from the dental hygiene program in 2000. As a student, she was an Angell
Scholar and inducted into Sigma Phi Alpha. A past-president of the U-M Dental Hygiene Alumni Association,
Please mail your ballot to:
she is currently working in private practice, is an ADHA member, and participates in the ADA’s annual Give Kids
University of Michigan
a Smile program.
School of Dentistry
Ms. Alita Marlowe Bluford graduated from the dental hygiene program in 1981. After working in clinical 540 E. Liberty, Suite 204
and non-clinical dental hygiene positions for several years, she founded Marlowe & Associates, Inc., Efficiency Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2210
Consultants. Her business specializes in helping businesses with time and data management. She teaches
clients to understand their learning style and how to apply it to develop skills needed to maintain an organized,
effective and efficient office.
* Incumbent

47
Homecoming Weekend 2007

Emeritus Alumni Honored, Tour Preclinic Commenting about the
demonstration a short time later, Dr.
Charles McGary, another emeritus
Call Photography
and into the University of Michigan alumus who toured the preclinic, said,
Emeritus Club on Thursday, October “When I was a student, we used 5,000
11. rpm belt-driven hand pieces, didn’t
“As graduates of this distinguished have mannequin heads, and were
School, you mean a great deal to us. using carbon-steel burs.”
We’re glad you could be here today,” McGary, who said he ranked first
he said. in his dental class during his years
As part of the emeritus recognition at U-M, also talked about a major
ceremony, each alumnus received a advantage today’s dental students
special medallion. have that he didn’t.
Each was called by name and “With the television cameras,
walked to a stage to receive a gold students get to see, close-up, what an
medallion that was placed around instructor is doing. But in the fifties,
their neck by Jeff Freshcorn, the we had ninety-four guys who would
School’s director of development. As crowd around an instructor, which
they walked off stage, each received made it difficult for those in back to see
Dean Peter Polverini welcomes and congratulates emeritus
alumnus Fred Gerhardt. a box with an emeritus pin and a what was going on,” he said. “Some
stand for their medallion from Marty of the guys in front would observe,
“We were treated like royalty.” Bailey, development officer. Dean Peter and then turn around to classmates
“Everyone made us feel so Polverini congratulated each alumnus in the back and describe what he was
welcome.” before they returned to their seat. doing.”
Those were some of the comments
heard from School of Dentistry alumni Touring the “High Tech” Preclinic
who returned to Ann Arbor last October “Is this a little different than when
for three days of Homecoming Weekend you were in dental school?” Dr. Merle
activities. Jaarda rhetorically asked emeritus
Among the honored guests were 24 alumni as they toured the Roy Roberts
graduates from the Dental Class of 1957 Preclinical Laboratory and talked to
who received emeritus medallions, had dental students.
their class pictures taken, toured the “Sure is. We didn’t even have
Roy Roberts Preclinical Laboratory, electricity then,” replied Dr. Marshall
participated in the Hall of Honor Hershon.
Luncheon, and attended the Hall of After the laughter from the
Honor Induction Ceremony. emeritus alumni and their spouses
Marking the start of three days of subsided, Jaarda demonstrated and
events, Dean Peter Polverini welcomed talked about how technology is being
dental and dental hygiene alumni and used to educate dental students
their spouses to the School of Dentistry today.

48
Dental Class
of 1957
Emeritus Alumni
Gary Baker
Eli Berger
Morris Brown
Jarabak, Gibbons Inducted into Hall of Honor
Eugene Buatti
Chee Chan
Robert Cotner
Loren Daniels Drs. Joseph Jarabak and Paul Gibbons were inducted into the School
M. Kenneth Dickstein of Dentistr y’s Hall of Honor, bringing to 36 the number of men and
Stuart Falk
Radford Fisher women who have been inducted into the Hall of Honor since it was
Irving Friedman established in 2003. The Hall of Honor posthumously honors some
Frederick Gerhardt
Arnold Hartz of the legends of the dental and dental hygiene professions who have
Roy Hawkinson
Marshall Hershon been associated with the U-M School of Dentistr y.
John Heyde
Charles McGary
Blair Munns Joseph R. Jarabak
Robert Newman
William Rahn Describing Jarabak “as one of the true giants in orthodontics,” Dr. Lysle
Ronald Shaffer Johnston said Jarabak was “a tough guy who grew up near Chicago (Valparaiso,
Raymond Shegos
Ralph Smith
Indiana). Although he was considered by some to be a ‘forceful’ person by today’s
Horace Ward standards,” Johnston added, “he had a soft spot in his heart for Michigan.”
He recalled in 1968, when the dental school building that was constructed
in 1919 was being razed, Jarabak asked for permission to take the numbered
(below) Second-year dental student Jane Stieber answers
questions from emeritus alumus Dr. Charles McGary about how seat where he sat when he was a dental student.
she is using technology in dental education. Next to McGary is Evidence of Jarabak’s generosity, Johnston continued, included gifts to the
his wife, Jan. School of Dentistry that established the Jarabak Library, the annual Jarabak
(right) Drs. Lysle Johnston, Gerald Charbeneau, and William Lecture, and the Jarabak Award for research.
Brown reminisce prior to Hall of Honor induction ceremonies in
the Sindecuse Atrium.
Jerry Mastey Jerry Mastey

49
Hall of Honor
University of Michigan
School of Dentistry
Paul Gibbons
Drs. Gerald Charbeneau and The Hall of Honor posthumously honors some of
William Brown recalled their I nominate the legends of the dental profession who have been
friendship with Gibbons. associated with the U-M School of Dentistry.
“Paul was a classmate of
mine and had a personality that __________________________________________________________
attracted people,” Charbeneau
for consideration to the University of Michigan
School of Dentistry Hall of Honor.

said. “He was also the best
man when my wife and I were
married.”
Brown said he knew Gibbons Please provide any professional information you may have about this
as a student, a teacher, and a individual that would help the Selection Committee. You may use
friend. additional pages if necessary.
“He was a remarkable person,
cheery, who was very good to his ___________________________________________________________
students and motivated them
___________________________________________________________
well,” Brown said. “Paul never
talked down to a student, and I ___________________________________________________________
learned a lot from him about how
to be a teacher. …I haven’t seen ___________________________________________________________
a teacher with the skills he had.
He deserves to be in the Hall of ___________________________________________________________
Honor.”
___________________________________________________________
Six months before his death
in November 1964, at the age of Your name __________________________________________________
44, Gibbons was presented with
the Senior Class Faculty Award. Your address ________________________________________________
The following year, the award was
Your U-M School of Dentistry degree(s) & year(s) ____________________
renamed in his honor.
Although the name of Your phone number ( _____ )_______________________
the award changed, its focus
remains – annual recognition by E-mail _________________________________________
graduating dental students of
a faculty member who, in their
Please return this form to: University of Michigan School of Dentistry
opinion, contributed the most to Office of Alumni Relations & CDE
their learning. Attn: Debbie Montague
1011 N. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078
The envelope with your nomination must be postmarked

by November 1, 2008.

50
Reunions at Homecoming Gala Celebration
More than 420 dental and dental hygiene alumni and their guests were at the Homecoming
Gala Celebration. In addition to emeritus alumni (members of the Class of 1957), and
their spouses, other alumni whose graduation years end in 2 and 7 also attended.
All photos Call Photography

51
120 Enjoy Annual Alumni Golf Classic

All photos Karel Barton
“It was great. We had a lot of fun,”

said Dr. Arnie Winchell (DDS 1955)
following the School of Dentistry’s annual
golf classic last September.
It wasn’t hard to see why.
“It couldn’t have been a better day,”
said Richard Fetchiet, director of alumni
relations. “The weather was perfect – a
cloudless day, temperatures in the low
eighties, and our 120 alumni thoroughly
enjoyed the opportunity to not only get out
on the course, but reconnect with many of
their former classmates.”
The winning team, at 15 under, included (left to right): Tom Pinnavaia, Paul Elder, and Mike Marderosian. Not pictured is
the fourth member of the team, Dave Heinderich.
Although he didn’t bring his clubs, Dr. Dean Millard stopped The second-place winning team, at 14 under, included (left to right): Scott Hodges (DDS 1986), Jeff Dwan (endodontics 1994),
by to say hello to colleagues. and Jeff Dulude (DDS 1986). Not pictured is the fourth member of the team, Terry Dobbs.
2008 Golf Outing:

September 18
SEPTEMBER
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
Location: U-M Golf Course

Registration: 9:30 a.m.
Shotgun start: 10:30 a.m. The winning team, at 15 under, included (left to right): Tom Pinnavaia, Paul Elder, and Mike Marderosian. Not pictured is
Reception immediately the fourth member of the team, Dave Heinderich.
following outing.

52
Turning “Stuff ” into Ar t

Dr. Eugene Buatti Applying Earlier-Learned Skills in a New Way
Some of his creations are in his
home. Others are outdoors.
Creation for 50-Year Reunion

About a year ago, his classmates
suggested he put something together
that could be displayed during
Homecoming Weekend to commemorate
the 50th year of graduation from the
U-M School of Dentistry.
After thinking about it for a
while, Buatti, who is 76 years old,
put his creation together. During
Homecoming Weekend activities,
he became somewhat of a celebrity
among his classmates.
During last fall’s emeritus reunion luncheon in the t’s happened to all of us. Using general dentistr y and
Sindecuse Atrium, Dr. Eugene Buatti poses in front
of the sculpture he created.
A closer look shows the sculpture was created from

I A collection of “stuff ” in a
garage or basement has been
gathering dust for months or,
in some cases, years.
orthodontic instr uments, Buatti
conceived and created a sculpture
that has been arranged to resemble
a human head with eyes, ears, and a
dental instruments Dr. Buatti used as a dentist. Eventually, there comes a time quirky smile. He gifted his creation to
when you ask yourself, “What do I do the School which is on display in the
with it?” Sindecuse Atrium.
Sometimes it’s saved. Or it’s sold After treating patients at his Ann
at a garage sale. Other times, it’s Arbor practice for 40 years, Buatti
thrown away. retired in 2001. Now an adjunct
But Dr. Eugene Buatti (DDS 1957, professor in the Department of
MS 1961) knows what to do with Orthodontics, he teaches at the School
“stuff ” when he sees it. one half-day a week. “But I began
He turns it into art. thinking about other things I might
For the past seven years, Buatti be able to do about seven years ago
has made somewhere between 40 and because I needed something else to do
50 sculptures from an eclectic list of with my spare time,” he said.
“stuff ” – pliers, chains, hooks, wood, At first, Buatti took a painting
and even baseball bats. class, “but I didn’t like it. I couldn’t
He also works with a variety of get the hang of coordinating colors so
media including steel and exotic woods they caught your attention.”
to make wall hangings, copper to make So he tried his hand (yes, the
flower arrangements, and clay that pun is intentional), at sculpting. He
is made into models and then cast in discovered his niche.
bronze.

53
A LU M N I
Applying Earlier-Learned Skills so sculpting is a logical extension of

in a New Way that,” he said.
“I was working on projects Unlike artists who sketch their
for sculpting classes I was taking plans and then begin their work, Buatti
at Eastern Michigan University, takes a different approach.
sometimes five or six hours at a time “I like to have all the pieces in front
without taking a break, that’s how of me. Then I arrange and rearrange
much I enjoyed myself,” Buatti said. them before I finally come up with
“Time goes fast when you’re enjoying something that’s both fun to create and
what you’re doing. So I stuck with interesting to look at,” he said.
sculpting.” “My fingers continue to function
Many of the skills he learned very well and I enjoy using my hands
and used as a student and later as a as much now as when I was a student,”
practitioner are now being used in Buatti said.
much the same way. Nearby are photographs of some of
“As a dental student I learned the his creations. His comments about his
lost wax casting technique and as an work are italicized. More information is
orthodontic student, I learned to weld at: www.dent.umich.edu/museum/
and solder. I also enjoyed fixing things, buatti.html.
Self Portrait: Look closely and you’ll see the nose is Ropeskipper: This piece was first sculpted in clay and
a J-hook, the eyes are hex wrenches, and the hair is a then cast in bonze. I like the elongated form. She looks
chain. quite athletic, doesn’t she? Circulator y System:
I had two aortic aneur ysms
about eleven years ago and
spent about three weeks in
intensive care, so this was my
way of turning those negatives
into a positive. The angled
pieces at the top represent
what my aorta probably looked
like after I had the aneur ysms.
Instead of being a gradual
cur ve, it was probably distorted.
The egg-shaped object on
the left represents a healthy
heart. I also had a collapsed
lung, which is the long, elliptical
object on the right. The small
piece of metal at the bottom
on the right sags because it
represents the kidney failure I
also had. The piece was made
from sheet steel and square
steel tubing welded together.

54
D E V E LO PM E N T
School Reaches Alumni Pledge for Dental

$35 Million Scholarships
Fundraising Goal!
R
aising $10 million for scholarships for U-M dental students
is one of the major priorities of the School’s efforts to raise
$35 million during the Michigan Difference fundraising
campaign.
As the chart below illustrates, costs of tuition, fees, instruments,
materials, books, and supplies now surpasses $26,400 annually for
In mid-Febr uar y, our School in-state students and exceeds $41,300 for out-of-state students. Those
surpassed its ambitious goal to raise figures are about double what they were for the 1995-1996 academic
$35 million during the University’s year.
Michigan Difference campaign. In the past, financial aid packages typically consisted of 70 percent
By mid-February, we had received grants and scholarships. The remaining 30 percent were loans.
$35,133,108 in gifts and confirmed Today, those figures are reversed and students continue to
pledges. graduate from dental school with staggering debt loads.
When our fundraising efforts began The average debt load for graduates from the Class of 2006 was
in the spring of 2004, we announced more than $143,200, according to Dr. Marilyn Woolfolk, assistant dean
the funds would be used in four for student services.
areas: merit- and need-based student
scholarships, endowed professorships
to recruit and retain outstanding
Annual Dental Education Costs
faculty, improved facilities, and $42
Thousands $
program support. $38
$34
$30
Non-
$26 Residents
$22
$18
$14
Michigan
$10 Residents
$6
1990- 1992- 1994- 1996- 1998- 2000- 2002- 2004- 2006-
1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

55
D E V E LO PM E N T
$70,000 for Grad Perio Scholarships from Dr. Samuel &

Drs. Hom-Lay Wang & Holly M. Lin Mrs. Penny Nagel
Gift $75,000 for
Photo courtesy of Dr. Hom-Lay Wang
“It’s sad to see many

Scholarships
of them struggle To Honor Memory of His
because of the cost of Parents, Ben & Ethel Nagel
an education. But it’s
even sadder to know
that many students “We lived above my parents’
who are qualified to grocery store in Detroit when I was
be here don’t come to growing up during the Depression,
Michigan because they and the experiences I had working
are offered free tuition in that store had a big impact on my
or some stipend support life, including my decision to get a
Drs. Hom-Lay Wang and Holly M. Lin elsewhere,” he said. good education and, ultimately, this
The cost of the decision to gift funds for scholarships
“I wanted to set a good example. graduate periodontics for dental students,” said Dr. Samuel
It’s that simple,” said Dr. Hom-Lay program at Michigan, according to Nagel (DDS 1954).
Wang as he talked about why he Wang, is about $20,000 annually for “They worked from seven o’clock in
and his wife are gifting $70,000 for in-state students and $38,000 annually the morning until midnight, seven days
scholarships for residents in the School for out-of-state students. “That’s a week so I could get a good education,”
of Dentistry’s graduate periodontics double compared to about ten years he said. “They also taught me about
program. ago and costs are continuing to rise,” treating people kindly and gave me
“I also want to do everything I he said. some important lessons about life.”
can to maintain a good program and The gift for scholarships from the The gift from the Nagels, who
attract top-quality students here to Wangs will be matched with a gift of have been married for 50 years,
Michigan,” he added. “This is a step $35,000 in matching funds from U-M will be bolstered with matching
in that direction.” President Mary Sue Coleman’s Donor funds from U-M President Mary Sue
Wang, director of the School’s Challenge program, bringing the total Coleman’s Donor Challenge program.
graduate periodontics program, said value of their gift to $105,000. The The program leverages gifts of up to $1
that both he and his wife, Holly, who program leverages gifts of up to $1 million with a contribution of 50 cents
earned her dental degree from U-M in million with a contribution of 50 cents for every dollar gifted. Pledges must
1994, hope their gift will ultimately for every dollar gifted. Pledges must be made before December 31, 2008.
result in a scholarship for every be made before December 31, 2008. The Nagels’ $75,000 gift will
student who enters the graduate In addition to encouraging alumni be matched with $37,500 in Donor
periodontics program at U-M. Four from the periodontics program to gift for Challenge funds, bringing the total gift
or five students are admitted to the scholarships, Wang also said he’s trying value to $112,500.
three-year program each year. to generate corporate support. As he talked about his dental

56
D E V E LO PM E N T
Photo courtesy of Dr. Samuel Nagel
Dr. Robert & Mrs. Bellva Abraham Pledge

$50,000 Estate Gift for Orthodontics
Scholarships
“I have a soft spot in my heart from other members of his family.

for students today because I can still The Abrahams are making a
remember how important financial $50,000 gift from their estate that will
assistance was during the four years be used for scholarships for residents
I was studying at Michigan for my in the orthodontics program.
dental degree and the two years I was “I have always wanted to give
in the orthodontics program there,” something back to Michigan and
said Dr. Robert Abraham (DDS 1964, the School of Dentistry, especially to
Dr. Samuel and Mrs. Penny Nagel MS 1966). residents in the orthodontics program,
“It was a tight time, financially, because the cost of an education today
education, Nagel said, “the cost back for me and my wife, Bellva, who was is so much higher than when I was
then was nothing compared to what a third-grade teacher at the time,” he there,” he said. “Now it seems most
the costs are today. I want our gift said. “But the financial aid I received graduates have so much more debt
to make a difference.” He said he had from Michigan allowed me to complete than I had after I graduated.”
been considering gifting and “wanted my studies and enjoy the career I As he talked about his two years
to give back to an organization that had.” in the orthodontics program, Abraham
was especially good to me.” A private practitioner in Lansing for spoke highly of Dr. Robert Moyers and
His 50-year reunion with his 35 years, Abraham retired in 2001 and Dr. James Harris. “Both were very fine
School of Dentistry classmates in the lives in Naples, Florida during the winter people. I respected them a lot and
fall of 2004 spurred him along. and in Oregon the rest of the year not far learned much from them.”
“As I toured the preclinic with Photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Abraham
some of my former classmates, I was

impressed with how technology is
being used today and the caliber of the
dental students I had a chance to talk
to,” he said.
Nagel said the School of Dentistry
“was a good environment. It was
competitive, stimulating, and kept
me focused. Dentistry gave me the
opportunity to make a living and meet
many different people, in much the
same way I did when I worked for my
parents in their grocery store.” Dr. Robert and Mrs. Bellva Abraham

57
D E V E LO PM E N T
Abraham worked in Moyers’

craniofacial growth and development
$35,000 for Scholarships from
research laboratory to help pay for Dr. Metodi Pogoncheff
some of his expenses. But he also met
a colleague who would later become
chair of the orthodontics department, Photo courtesy of Dr. Metodi Pogoncheff
Dr. Metodi Pogoncheff (DDS 1976)

Dr. Lysle Johnston.
says he didn’t have to think very long
“During the time we were students
about gifting $35,000 for scholarships
and worked in that lab, I got to
for U-M dental students.
appreciate Lysle’s sharp sense of
“My wife, Marcia, and I made
humor and his great brain,” Abraham
a gift for the preclinical laboratory
said. “He had quite an impact on me,
renovations a few years ago, and
even as a student.”
with two sons now in dental school
Abr aham , who was a pa rt-
at Michigan and a daughter hoping
time instructor in the orthodontics
to be admitted next year, we’re very
department for about two years, said
familiar with how much it costs to
he doesn’t return to Ann Arbor as often
educate dental students today,” he
as he did when he ran his private
said.
practice in Lansing.
One son, Carl, is now a third-
“I frequently returned for some
year dental student at Michigan.
wonderful continuing education Dr. Metodi and Marcia Pogoncheff
Another, John, is finishing up the first
courses and monthly meetings of the
year of his dental education at U-M. “Marcia is a librarian in the Grand
Ann Arbor Orthodontic Study Club,”
Daughter Anna Marie is completing Ledge public school system and both of
he said. “Hopefully, one of these days
her undergraduate education at U-M us realize the importance of education
I will get back to campus.”
and hopes to apply next year. in today’s world,” he said.
“My parents brought us up to “I was fortunate to receive grants
School of Dentistry value education, so I have always and scholarships when I was in dental
Office of Development given something back to schools I school, so I didn’t have to worry
540 E. Liberty, Suite 204
attended, both Michigan and Albion about repaying a lot of debt after I
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2210
College,” he said. Pogoncheff earned a graduated,” he added. “But for dental
Richard Fetchiet, Director bachelor’s degree from Albion College students today, it’s a much different
(734) 647-4016 and has been a general practice dentist situation.”
Jeff Freshcorn, Director of Devel.
since earning his dental degree from Pogoncheff said he hopes other
(734) 647-4394 U-M more than 30 years ago. dentists will reflect on how much
they have benefited from their U-M
Martin Bailey, Major Gift Officer School of Dentistry education and help
(734) 615-2870
today’s dental students with gifts for
Thalia Jaimez, Annual Gift Officer scholarships.
(734) 615-2870

58
D E V E LO PM E N T
Dentists Told to Expect Medical

Emergencies in Their Offices Detecting Oral
Cancer Vital
Photo courtesy of Dr. Stanley Malamed
“Despite advances in dentistry, the
of Dentistry. The author of three
mortality rate for oral cancer has not
widely used textbooks, Malamed has
changed in the past forty years. We
also written more than 135 scientific
need to do something about that, and
papers and 17 chapters for medical
we can,” Dr. Jed Jacobson told dentists.
and dental journals and textbooks and
Jacobson, Delta Dental’s senior
has produced two popular interactive
vice president and chief science officer
DVDs.
and former School of Dentistry assistant
The lecture began with a riveting
dean, said that approximately 31,000
8-minute video that showed what
Americans will get oral cancer this year.
could go wrong in a dental office.
About 9,000 of them will die.
As an elderly gentleman waited
“The mortality rate has not
in the lobby for his grandson to be
improved since we were students in
treated by a dentist, the man suffered a
dental school,” he said. However, if oral
fatal heart attack despite the efforts of
cancer is detected early, he said, the
office staff and an emergency medical
Dr. Stanley Malamed survival rate is high, about 81 percent.
services crew.
“As students, you probably recall
“M
edical emergencies can and In the background, a voice is
being taught that oral cancer was
do happen in the practice heard saying, “It didn’t have to be like
an old man’s disease,” Jacobson said.
of dentistry. You need to be this.”
Young individuals and women are the
prepared.” During his presentation, Malamed
two groups that are seeing growing
That was the message given to said that 75 percent of medical
risks for developing oral cancer, he
more than 1,120 dentists from across emergencies in a dental office are due
advised. “In fact, 25 percent of all oral
Michigan who packed the auditorium to stress and anxiety.
cancer patients are nonsmokers and
at the Rackham School of Graduate He told dentists it was vital that
nondrinkers, the two groups who have
Studies on the U-M campus in early they, and everyone on their staff, be
been at the highest risk,” he said.
January for the annual day-long trained in CPR and know what to do
Jacobson encouraged dentists to
Kenneth J. Ryan, DDS Memorial should an emergency arise.
use the brush biopsy as a front-line tool
Seminar. In addition to basic CPR training,
to diagnose potential malignant lesions.
Dr. Stanley Malamed, professor he also advised dentists to purchase
“The brush biopsy allows us
and chair of the Department of an AED or Automated External
to change our behavior in our office
Anesthesia and Medicine at the USC Defibrillator, as well as make sure
because we can not only notice
School of Dentistry, was the speaker they had other equipment, such as an
something when a patient is in the
at the event cosponsored by the Delta oxygen tank, and emergency drugs
chair, but we can also do something
Dental Foundation and the U-M School available.
about it,” he said.

59
A LU M N I
Alumna Profile
Joanne Dawley, DDS 1980 Photo courtesy of the Michigan Dental Association
“I offered several reasons,” she

continued, “but he would have none
of it. He didn’t accept any excuse. In
retrospect, it was probably the best thing
that happened to me professionally
because I then began to participate in
organized dentistry.”
Later, another dentist, Dr. Edward
Hirsch, a retired U.S. Army colonel and
former Detroit District Dental Society
president, offered his encouragement
and suggested Dawley seek leadership
positions in organized dentistry.
She also listened to Hirsch’s
advice.
Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Michigan Dental Association in 2005, Dr. Joanne Dawley, who was chair of the Michigan “I’m glad I listened to both Dr. Harris
section of the American College of Dentists at the time, presented a plaque to Dr. Josef Kolling who was then MDA. Kolling is an
and Dr. Hirsch because, as it turned out,
adjunct associate professor at the U-M School of Dentistry.
they had a major impact on my career
She didn’t realize it at the time. But not the profession I thought it would and my decision to become involved
a telephone call that Dr. Joanne Dawley be nine years after graduating from with organized dentistry,” she said.
received in 1989 from the chair of the Michigan.” In addition to the leadership roles
Membership Committee of the Detroit She said she felt professionally noted earlier, Dawley has served on the
District Dental Society reinvigorated isolated because she didn’t have any MDA’s executive committee, chaired its
her career and opened new doors of close colleagues she could talk to about public relations and communications
opportunity. In May, she became the dental matters or where she could go to committees. She has been past president
first black woman to serve as president learn more about the profession. of the Detroit District Dental Society, a
of the Michigan Dental Association. delegate to the ADA’s House of Delegates,
Dawley, a member of the MDA since “Probably the Best Thing That and chaired the American College of
1987, has served in other leadership Happened to Me Professionally” Dentists Michigan section.
roles with the MDA. Last summer “But Dr. Joseph B. Harris changed Born in Detroit, Dawley lived with
she was elected president-elect of the that,” she said. Harris, a former State her parents in Grand Rapids for four
5,800-member organization. In 2001, Board of Dentistry member, was calling years before they returned to southeast
she was elected to the organization’s nonmembers to encourage them to join Michigan.
Board of Trustees. She has also served organized dentistry. “There were no dentists in our
a one-year term as vice president and “He asked me why, as a practicing family, but one of my cousins was a
three years as secretary. dentist, I wasn’t involved in organized physician,” she said. “I knew, since I
Talking about that 1987 phone dentistry,” she said. Dawley said she was about fourteen, that I wanted to
call, Dawley recalled sitting in an office let her ASDA (American Student Dental be in health care and help people. But
in the Wayne County dental clinic, Association) membership lapse shortly after listening to him, I decided being a
where she was working at the time, after receiving her DDS from U-M in physician was not for me.”
“thinking to myself that dentistry was 1980. Dawley said her mother liked the

60
A LU M N I
idea. “My dad was just very happy to Snyder “who was especially tough. But geography or finances or anything else,
have me going to college,” she said. I learned a lot from him because he was then we’re not doing our job.”
so demanding.” Another issue is how oral health
Rejection and Motivation After graduation, Dawley practiced care may fit any potential national
“I offered to work for nothing at with another dentist for about three health care program. “Do dentists in
a dental laboratory just to get some years before she began working for the Michigan want to be a part of a national
experience, but that didn’t pan out,” Wayne County Health Department for health care program if there is one?,”
she said. “I didn’t perceive the rejection nine years. While practicing public she asks. “Should we be involved? If
to be race-related. Rather, it was just health dentistry, Dawley returned to so, how?”
that female dentists were practically private practice dentistry, this time on a Finally, Dawley said, “dentists today
unheard of at the time, which I think is part-time basis, before opening her own need to be able to speak and interact
another reason I think I didn’t receive a practice in 1987. with legislators, not just through the
lot of encouragement from others when “When I opened my practice, I MDA, but one-on-one because it’s those
I told them about my plans.” didn’t have any patients,” she said. personal relationships that make a
Asked what kept her motivated, “Fortunately, I had family and friends difference.”
Dawley said that she “didn’t want to who referred patients to me.” Dawley
disappoint my mother, and I wanted to said she hopes to continue practicing at “Incredibly Rewarding”
do something positive with my life.” her Southfield, Michigan, office at least Citing her personal experiences,
Arriving at U-M to pursue her another ten years before considering Dawley emphasizes to dental students
undergraduate studies, Dawley said retirement. the importance of being involved in
one of the first things she did was talk organized dentistry both in college and
to Dr. Lee Jones (DDS 1961), a member Issues of Concern once they receive their dental degree.
of the School of Dentistry’s faculty as Her practice and serving as MDA “When you’re a part of organized
an adjunct lecturer and director of the president will keep her busy. dentistry, you belong to a group of
Office of Minority Affairs for 25 years. During her one-year term, Dawley professionals with similar interests
“Dr. Jones gave me some great advice said she would like MDA members to and concerns. But you also have
about courses I needed to take while I focus on issues and concerns they want opportunities to mentor others and
was working for my bachelor’s degree her and other MDA leaders to address. receive advice on so many issues that
in English, and what I had to do to gain Admitting there are countless issues affect you, your patients, your staff, and
admission to the dental school,” she said. to address, Dawley thinks she can be your community. Some you may not
“He was probably the biggest influence effective focusing on two or three issues have even considered,” she said. “Being
on me as an undergraduate student.” in particular. involved is incredibly rewarding, and I
Once in dental school, Dawley said One is access to care. encourage all dental students to become
the curriculum “was a very intense “Whether you live in the city or in involved and stay involved.”
experience and also very regimented. I the country, access to oral health care Reflecting on her decision to get
think all of us kept a low profile and did is a major concern. It’s a geographic involved and participate in organized
what we needed to do to succeed.” issue because it affects those in cities dentistry, including the MDA, Dawley
Dawley said she “looked up to every and small towns, and it’s also a financial said, “It’s an honor to become president
instructor because I found each one to issue. We’re in a profession that’s of the Michigan Dental Association. But
be an incredible source of information.” perceived as caring and if we’re not it’s not my organization. It’s theirs, the
In particular, she mentioned Dr. Daniel helping our patients, regardless of members.”

61
A LU M N I
Dr. Joanne Dawley

Professional Achievements
Selected Highlights
Education
• DDS, University of Michigan (1976-1980) (professional organization leadership continued)
• BA, University of Michigan (1971-1975) • Detroit District Dental Society
- President (1999-2000)
Professional - President-elect (1998-1999)
• Private practice, Southfield, Michigan - Vice President (1997-1998)
(1987 to present) - Executive Board (1995-2000)
• Wayne County Health Department, general dentist - Secretary (1995-1997)
(1981-1989) - Executive Council (1993-1995)
• Associate dentist (1980-1983) • Central Branch, Detroit District Dental Society
• Preclinical instructor, University of Detroit-Mercy - President (1994-1995)
(1980-1981) - President-elect (1993-1994)
- Treasurer (1991-1993)
Professional Organization Leadership Memberships
• Michigan Dental Association • American Dental Association (1987 to present)
- President (2008-2009) • Michigan Dental Association (1987 to present)
- President-elect (2007-2008) • Detroit District Dental Society (1987 to present)
- Executive Director Search Committee chair • Academy of General Dentistry (1990 to present)
(2006-2007) • Wolverine District Dental Society (1994-1995,
- American College of Dentists, Michigan section, 2002 to present)
chair (2004-2006) • Pierre Fauchard Academy (1995 to present)
- Secretary, Board of Trustees (2003-2005) • Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics (1999 to present)
- Board Liaison to Peer Review Dental Care Committee • National Dental Association (2007 to present)
(2002-2003)
- Finance Committee (2002-2003) Civic and Community Memberships
- Board of Trustees (2001 to present) • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (1972 to present)
- Committee on Public Relations, chair (2000-2001) • Delta Dental Board of Directors (1997-2001)
- House Communications Committee, chair • Delta Dental Corporate Board (2001-2004)
(1996-1997) • St. Mary Mercy Hospital Quality Committee
- Legislative Contact Dentist (1994-1997) (2006 to present)
- House of Delegates: Delegate (1994-2001),
Alternate Delegate (1992-1993) Honors and Awards
• American Dental Association • Academy of Dentistry International (1996 to present)
- Delegate (2003 to present) • American College of Dentistry (1997 to present)
- Alternate Delegate (2000-2002) • International College of Dentists (2004 to present)
- Action Team Leader (2001 to present) • Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry (1997)

62
D E N TA L H YG I E N E
DH E-Learning Program Begins

Drawing Interest from University and Others
Per Kjeldsen
computers and giving them several

functional artifacts, including U-M
protective covers for their computers,”
she added.
Still in its infancy, the online
degree completion program has already
attracted attention.
Gwozdek said U-M administrators,
and those from other U-M schools
and colleges, have called seeking
more information. “I think it’s fair
to say that, once again, the School of
Dentistry is again exemplifying that
phrase ‘leaders and best’,” she said.
For more information about the
The first class of U-M dental hygiene students who will complete online courses leading to a Bachelor of Science degree met at the program, visit the School of Dentistry
School of Dentistry late last year for orientation, met with dental hygiene faculty members, and received their laptop computers they Web site: www.dent.umich.edu/
are using. The members of the first class who will receive their degrees in December 2009 are, left to right (top row): Jenny Dennings,
depts/pom/hygiene/dconline.html.
Kelly Jackson, Veronika Stiles, and Natalie Thomas. Bottom row: Jennifer Stanley, Nicole Kulas, Kathleen Yee, and Sarah Thornley.
Jerry Mastey
he School of Dentistry’s December to meet each other and
T d e n t a l h y g i e n e d e g re e
completion e-learning
program is underway and
is attracting interest across the U-M
dental hygiene faculty and learn more
about the University and the School of
Dentistry.
“To build their relationships
campus and from other colleges and with each other and instructors
universities across the country. here at Michigan, we thought it was
The new program, which leads to important that all eight of them met
a Bachelor of Science degree in dental not just with each other, since they will
hygiene, was offered for the first time be collaborating on projects, but also
in January. [DentalUM, Fall 2007, the faculty members they would be
pages 51-52.] interacting with during the two years
The program is the only online they are a part of this new program,”
program offered by the University of said Anne Gwozdek one of the course
Michigan that leads to a bachelor’s instructors who was extensively Anne Gwozdek (left) Carrie Ghaname, a member of the
E-Learning faculty, discuss one of the online courses
degree. involved in developing the online Ghaname is teaching.
curriculum.
Meeting Each Other, Faculty “Before leaving the School at the
Members end of their two-day orientation, we
Before the course began, the made it a point to try and build their
eight women enrolled in the program ties and appreciation for the University
came to the School of Dentistry last of Michigan by delivering their laptop

63
DH Students, Faculty
Help Give Kids a Smile Class of 1957 Reunites
“This was the first time I Emeritus Ceremony

participated in the Give Kids a Smile Eight members of the dental hygiene
program, and I’m glad I did,” said DH3 class of 1957 returned to Ann Arbor last
Jaclyn Tinsley. “I’m thinking about fall to take part in the School’s annual
working in a pediatric dental office Homecoming Weekend activities.
after graduating, so this gave me some During ceremonies marking the
idea about what I might expect.” 50-year anniversary of their graduation,
Tinsley said another reason she each alumna was called to a stage
participated was to help youngsters to receive a gold medallion that was
avoid some of the oral health problems placed around their neck by Jeff
she had when she was growing up. Freshcorn, director of development. As
“I had plenty of cavities when I they walked off stage, each received
was growing up,” she said. “My hope is a box with an emeritus pin and a
that with my dental hygiene education stand for their medallion from Marty
and experiences like this one, that I can Bailey, development officer. Dean Peter
teach kids to avoid the mistakes I made Polverini congratulated each dental
so they have healthier teeth and fewer hygiene alumnus before she returned Emeritus alumnae of the Dental Hygiene Class of 1957 gathered in the lobby of
problems,” she added. to her seat. activities at the School of Dentistry.
Jerry Mastey Call Photography Jerry Mastey
Following a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of their graduation,

dental hygiene alumnae toured the School’s Roy Roberts Preclinical
Susan Pritzel, assistant professor of dental hygiene, checks a Sally Gustke receives congratulations from Dean Peter Polverini Laboratory. Emeritus alumna Ann Sterling Fusco (center) asked second-
patient to verify a student’s treatment plan during the Give Kids during the School’s emeritus ceremony during Homecoming year dental student Eric Skulsky how students are using technology in
a Smile program at the School of Dentistry in early February. Weekend. their preclinical education.

64
DH Class of ’57 Emeritus

Alumni Honored
Dianne Cowall
Ann Sterling Fusco
Benita Greenspan
Sally Gustke
Barbara Johnstone
Dental Hygiene “Still in Its Infancy” in Poland
Joann Meinberg and Russia DH Instructor Says
Rita Stegehuis
Jeanette Bednarsh
Call Photography
“I saw some major differences in ministries, colleges and universities,

how the professions of dental hygiene public clinics, and private clinics.
in particular and dentistry in general The exchange provided
are practiced in Poland and Russia opportunities in St. Petersburg, Russia
when I was there, compared to this and Warsaw, Poland to talk about the
country,” said Christine Klausner, Russian, Polish, and American health
clinical assistant professor of dental care systems; how the educational
hygiene. systems are designed to prepare
“In those two countries, it seems and train oral health professionals,
to me that dental hygiene is still in including dental hygienists; and public
its infancy, in terms of the role and health measures for disease prevention
responsibilities of the dental hygienist and health promotion.
and how dental hygiene is practiced. They also shared knowledge of
So it was an exciting opportunity for successful techniques and strategies
me and others to share our knowledge a b o u t p ro f e s s i o n a l e d u c a t i o n ,
with oral health care professionals regulation, standards of dental hygiene
the Kellogg Building for a group photo during Homecoming Weekend from that part of the world,” she practice, and the integration of oral
added. health services with the general health
Call Photography Klausner was one of 52 licensed of targeted populations.
dental hygienists from the U.S. invited
by the American Dental Hygienists’ Major Differences
Association and the People to People In both Warsaw and St. Petersburg,
Citizens Ambassador Program to travel Klausner said the facilities she and the
to Russia and Poland as a member of the others visited “appeared to be more
professional delegation. Established by advanced and state-of-the-art than
President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956, what we often see in similar facilities
the program is a private citizen effort to in the U.S. It seemed just about every
enhance international understanding clinic was using the latest technology
and friendship through educational, and digitizing their information,
cultural, and humanitarian activities including radiographs.”
among people in different countries. However, Klausner said she was
surprised to see that dental hygienists
The Homecoming Dinner Celebration welcomed dental hygiene and Oral Health Information Exchanged in the two countries have roles that are
dental classes whose graduation years ended in 2 and 7. Seen here with During their 10-day trip to the two more similar to dental assistants in
dental hygiene program director Wendy Kerschbaum (second from left)
were members of the Dental Hygiene Class of 1982 (left to right): Marie
countries last summer, Klausner and this U.S. “Although dental hygienists
Vela, Kerschbaum, Shelly Sperling, Julie Fattore, and Leslie Menzies. other ADHA members visited health there provided occasional teeth

65
Photo courtesy of Christine Klausner
Stratz, Taylor Launch

By Anne Gwozdek
Dental hygiene students Audrey

Stratz and Nikia Taylor recently
launched their Capstone Project for the
Dental Scholars program.
Established in 2006, the Scholars
Program in Dental Leadership, as
it’s formally known, is a leadership
program that brings together a select
number of exceptional dental and
dental hygiene students with diverse
Dental hygiene instructor Christine Klausner shows a girl at an orphanage in Warsaw, Poland, the proper way to hold a
toothbrush to get the best results when cleaning her teeth. backgrounds to help them develop
a leadership mindset and skills they
cleaning in the clinics we visited, by follow in given situations. can use to foster change in dentistry,
and large they don’t get the clinical The visit also included an dental hygiene, education, research, or
experiences and practice opportunities exchange of professional textbooks academia.
to provide comprehensive preventive and electronic materials, including The Capstone Project, where
and therapeutic care typically provided CD-ROMs. The delegates also presented students investigate a major issue
by licensed dental hygienists in the helpful information about oral cancer and then develop a program that
U.S.,” she said. “Most of the time, they detection and tobacco cessation that attempts to address that issue, is a
do what they are directed to do by a could be given to patients. concluding effort that encompasses
dentist.” Members of the group also conducted everything students learned while
Klausner added that with Poland limited oral health screenings during they were involved in the Dental
becoming a member of the European visits to two orphanages in Poland. Scholars program.
Union four years ago, education They also held one-on-one instructional
requirements have changed, and a sessions with children on tooth brushing, Communication, Networking Vital
baccalaureate degree is the minimum flossing, and general nutrition and Last spring, Stratz and Taylor
requirement to become a dental distributed toothbrushes, toothpaste, learned from a survey of their dental
hygienist. and floss to about 75 children. However, hygiene classmates that they wanted
Dentistry in Poland and Russia, Klausner said orphanages in Poland are communication and networking
Klausner added, tends to be more re- typically for children whose parents among the three classes enhanced. The
active than pro-active, “so many oral are unable to care for them. “The Student American Dental Hygienists’
health concerns aren’t immediately experience was a unique opportunity Association (SADHA) was identified
addressed until they become a bigger for a professional exchange in a part as the professional association that
problem for a patient,” she said. of the world that is advancing the offered the framework for addressing
Making matters worse, she continued, profession of dental hygiene as well as those issues.
is that practice standards are lacking encouraging ways to share information To make that wish a reality, Stratz
for oral health care professionals to and technologies,” she said. and Taylor, who are also SADHA and

66
Anne Gwozdek
Capstone Project
senior class officers, began a “Building

Our Community” program.
“The most difficult part was
trying to get everyone to understand
what we were trying to do and why,”
Stratz said.
During a kickoff program last
fall, Taylor said, “We are a community
within the dental school and we want
Anne Gwozdek
Leaders of dental hygiene team building activities were, in the front row (L to R): Jessica Novak, Mallory Sherwood, Rachel Knorr,
and Audrey Stratz; and in the back row (L to R): Courtney Fisette, Cheryl Hewison, Aferdita Dauti, Lindsey Sullivan, Crystal Vernier,
Chelsie Stromski, Michelle Comber, and Nikia Taylor.
With Bob the Builder as the mascot, of SADHA, professional resources, and
student teams were identified by tools feel better connected with members of
such as a shovel, saw, hammers, etc. all three classes.”
They were led by the SADHA reps and The following day, leaders had
class officers who donned hard hats. an opportunity to attend a SADHA
Several ice breaking and team building Leadership Workshop hosted by
activities took place in the Sindecuse Furgeson. She engaged students
Nikia Taylor and Audrey Stratz developed a communication Atrium. in exploring their roles as change
and networking program for dental hygiene students for their agents, focusing on topics that
Dental Scholars “Capstone Project.”
“Better Connected” included negotiations, advocacy, fiscal
to foster a greater sense of community Linking the students to the responsibility, public speaking, and
among all of you in the three dental professional dental hygiene professional writing.
hygiene classes. We want this to be community, Danie Furgeson, manager Both Taylor and Stratz were pleased
the start of greater interaction, not of student relations with the American with the outcome of the program.
just among your fellow classmates, but Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), “This was a wonderful opportunity for
with others in the other dental hygiene commended students for their my fellow classmates to demonstrate
classes.” enthusiasm and assuming leadership they are change agents, as students,”
She emphasized it was important roles and described some of the ways Taylor said. “We can take this energy
“that we begin building a sense ADHA supports students. and what we learned and apply it in
of community, including building Following Friday’s events, Michelle our personal lives and professional
personal and professional relationships Comber, president of the Dental Hygiene careers.” Both are confident that other
among each other because these will Class of 2008, said, “I wish we had this dental hygiene students will assume
be important with our careers after we event several years ago when I began. leadership of the program after they
graduate.” Now, I have a greater understanding graduate this spring.

67
- Michelle Uhlig - my race is going to be – the mechanics

Balancing Dental Hygiene and Swimming of my strokes, how I will perform, and
Photo courtesy of Michelle Uhlig
things like that,” she said.
Asked about crowd noise, Uhlig
said she is aware of it, but focuses her
concentration and efforts on her coaches
and competitors. “Occasionally I hear
the noise,” she added, “but generally
that’s only for a brief moment as
I get to the end of the lane, rolling
over, and making a transition from
one stroke to another. Sometimes the
excitement from the crowd really gets
your adrenaline going!”
Lessons Learned
Uhlig said competitive swimming
has taught her the importance of being
Third-year dental hygiene student Michelle Uhlig, a member of the U-M swim team, swims the 200-yard individual medley.
a good time manager and being well
organized.
Besides her classroom studies and kinesiology. “I thought I’d enjoy dental “I know that I can’t do everything
clinical activities, third-year dental hygiene more, and I have,” she said. all at once. So it’s important that I pace
hygiene student Michele Uhlig has myself, both in the water and with my
plenty to keep her busy. Training Schedule studies,” she said.
She’s also a member of the U-M An early riser, Uhlig is typically Time management and
swim team. in the pool from 6:00 o’clock in the organization also involves looking
Uhlig, who hails from Boalsburg, morning until 7:30 every Monday, ahead. Uhlig said she tries to finish her
Pennsylvania, Penn State territory, was Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. studies and complete her assignments
a member of her high school’s varsity Between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. ahead of time, especially when she
swim team. she is in class or clinic at the dental knows she has to travel to a swim meet
Then, and now, she swims the school before returning to the pool for or if other team obligations arise.
200-yard individual medley that more practice from 2:30 until 5:00. “Everyone in dental hygiene has
consists of the 50-yard butterfly, “If we don’t have a weekend been very helpful trying to schedule
backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. swimming meet, I’m usually back my rotations around my practices
“I like to swim the four different strokes in the pool at seven o’clock Saturday and meets,” she said. “Although my
because I like the variety in the race morning,” she added. schedule can be hectic at times, I would
and in the training needed to compete Describing herself as a “middle not want to change my field of study.
in the individual medley,” she said. of the pack finisher,” Uhlig said she I enjoy the dental hygiene program so
Arriving on the U-M campus in the prepares for competition by stretching much, and my interest in what we are
fall of 2002, Uhlig enrolled in the dental and visualizing. studying keeps me focused and striving
hygiene program after two years in “I imagine everything about what to do my best.”

68
Ruppert, Clisham Honored by MDHA U-M SADHA Honored

by March of Dimes
The House of Delegates of the Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association
Photo courtesy of Anne Gwozdek
honored two School of Dentistry alumni during the organization’s annual

meeting last fall. Both served as past presidents of the U-M Student American
Dental Hygienists’ Association.
Rebecca Ruppert (BSDH 2006) was named Outstanding Dental Hygienist of
the Year by the Washtenaw District Dental Hygienists’ Society. Now beginning
a two-year term as MDHA trustee, Ruppert was a delegate to MDHA and vice
president of WDDHA.
Brandi Clisham (BSDH 2007) received MDHA’s Springboard Award in
recognition for her involvement in professional association leadership activities
as a student. She is currently serving as WDDHS Vice President.
Photo courtesy of Anne Gwozdek
Sharing smiles after receive the Distinguished Organization

Award from the March of Dimes are third-year dental hygiene
student Cheryl Hewison, U-M SADHA vice president, and Mary
Layher, SADHA advisor.
The Ann Arbor chapter of

the March of Dimes presented its
Distinguished Service Award last
fall to the U-M Student American
Dental Hygienists’ Association for its
long-term participation in the March
of Dimes/U-M Health System Health
Walk.
For the last five years, SADHA has
hosted a booth providing educational
information on the link between
periodontal disease and preterm, low
Rebecca Ruppert Sharon Libich (left), president, Washtenaw District
Dental Hygienists’ Society and Brandi Clisham. birth-weight babies.
Fourth-year dental hygiene student
Gissendanner NDHA President-Elect Rachel Knorr has co-chaired the SADHA
effort the last two years along with
advisor Mary Layher.
Juana Gissendanner has been elected National Dental Hygienists’ Association
president-elect for a two-year term that began in 2007. After completing the term
next year, she automatically becomes the organization’s president. Gissendanner
was elected during the group’s annual convention last summer in Atlanta.

69
RESEARCH
Drug to Fight Virus in Transplant

Patients Begins Phase 3 Trials
Keary Campbell
A drug that has been jointly

developed by U-M School of Dentistry Maribavir Developed by Profs. Drach and Townsend
and College of Pharmacy professors
and scientists from pharmaceutical
companies is now undergoing Phase
3 testing at several sites across the
nation, including the U-M Medical
Center.
Following more than 20 years
of research by School of Dentistry
Professor John Drach and College of
Pharmacy Professor Leroy Townsend,
the antiviral drug maribavir recently
moved to Phase 3 clinical trials in
transplant patients after it was
found to be safe and effective against
cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection
in Phase 2 studies. The drug has
been designed and developed to
A drug developed by Profs. Leroy Townsend (left) and John Drach is now in Phase 3 testing.
prevent CMV infections in patients
who undergo bone marrow and liver
transplants. Maribavir is being at the U-M Medical Center.” to involve others in important
produced by ViroPharma, Inc. under Townsend, a professor of medicinal collaborations, including several
the name Camvia™, a combination chemistry and professor of chemistry pharmaceutical companies, which
of “CMV” and “via,” for life. at the College of Pharmacy, said, “this ultimately led to maribavir moving to
“This is an exciting development,” is an excellent illustration of how the final phase of testing,” he added.
said Drach, a biochemist and virologist interdisciplinary research enhances the
at the dental school, “but there’s still drug design and development process. Importance of University-Industry
a way to go before maribavir can Our initial discovery that a specific Collaboration Noted
be marketed. It’s amazing to see a class of compounds possessed unique “The development of Camvia
compound that came from studies antiviral properties was followed underscores the global importance of
Leroy and I did for more than two by ten more years of collaborative collaboration between universities and
decades has made it to this point in research in our laboratories here at industry in drug development, said Will
human testing. Equally exciting is that the University of Michigan.” Roberts, director of communications
the development of the drug, which But for the drug’s development for ViroPharma, a Pennsylvania-
started in our labs, is being completed and design to continue “we needed based company that commercializes

70
RESEARCH
and develops products that address received bone marrow transplants; tolerated and that none of the 111
serious diseases treated by physician the second, about 300 who received patients who were randomly selected
specialists and in hospital settings. liver transplants. “These 900 patients to receive maribavir developed CMV
“Camvia is one of the most important are a significant number because disease while 11 percent of patients
transplant drugs in development this will allow us to develop a sizable receiving a placebo developed the
today. We hope to file for approval in safety database that will reveal the disease. In addition, all patients
both the U.S. and Europe in 2009,” he efficacy of the drug in this important receiving maribavir had clinically
said. population,” Roberts said. relevant reductions in CMV reactivation
“Generally, about 45,000 patients compared to the placebo. In most
in the U.S., and a similar number cases, the reductions were statistically
of patients in Europe undergo bone significant.
marrow or solid organ transplants “ That was ver y good news,
each year. Those numbers have been because transplant patients and
growing about two to three percent physicians need a new and improved
annually in recent years. All of these way to prevent this insidious disease,”
patients are at increased risk for CMV Roberts said.
disease,” Roberts added. An exclusive license for U-M
technology underlying maribavir was
CMVs Effects originally granted to Glaxo Wellcome,
CMV is part of the herpes virus which then licensed the rights to
family, which also includes the viruses ViroPharma, said Mark Maynard,
that cause chicken pox, mononucleosis, marketing manager of the Office of
cold sores, and genital lesions. Technology Transfer.
In most people with intact If commercialization efforts are
immune systems, CMV causes little or successful and drugs for fighting
no apparent illness. Study Results Later cytomegalovirus become available,
However, in those with weakened It may not be until later this year U-M, in accordance with the licensing
immune systems, such as individuals that the results of the Phase 3 studies agreement, will stand to receive
who have received organ transplants, are known. How soon it would royalty payments, a portion of which
AIDS patients, and the newborn, CMV become publicly available would be will go to Profs. Drach and Townsend
can lead to serious complications or determined by reviews by the U.S. and their co-inventors, Maynard
death. Food and Drug Administration and added.
The Phase 3 studies involve European regulatory agencies.
two groups of patients in a double- Results of Phase 2 tests that were
blind study. The first group includes conducted last year were positive.
approximately 600 patients who have They showed that the drug was well

71
RESEARCH
Dental Symposium to Highlight Cutting-Edge

Focus: From the Laboratory to the
Keary Campbell
entistry is experiencing some What’s Taking Place; How it Could
D significant changes that

will affect dentists, their
patients, dental education,
and researchers in the not too distant
Affect Dentists and Patients
“Dentistry, dental research, dental
education, and patient care are at
an exciting crossroads,” Giannobile
future. said. “This symposium will bring
The scope and magnitude of those together researchers, practitioners, and
changes will be discussed by national educators who will give a ‘big picture’
and internationally renowned experts perspective about what’s taking place,
in oral health care and education at a why it will be important, and what it
symposium to be held this fall on the will mean in the future to the typical
University of Michigan campus. dentist and his or her patient.”
The inaugural symposium, Clinical Giannobile directs the Michigan
Research to Clinical Practice: Managing Center for Oral Health Research
Challenges at the Cutting Edge, is a which uses knowledge discovered in
two-and-a-half-day program designed laboratories and applies it to help
to inform oral health care professionals patients. Opened in the fall of 2003,
about many innovative developments the Center provides patient services
Dr. William Giannobile is director of clinical research for
now underway in research laboratories the School of Dentistry and head of the MCOHR. related to clinical research including
that, ultimately, may become a part of oral exams, oral surgeries, and major
everyday clinical practice, according Topics to be discussed include: restorative procedures. It builds on
to Dr. William Giannobile, director • What are some of the cutting-edge many of the School’s major strengths
of clinical research for the School of innovations in dentistry? including a long history of clinical trial
Dentistry. • How might they benefit patients, research and international prominence
The symposium will be held dentists, and other oral health care in basic science research.
Friday, September 12, and Saturday, providers? The cost to attend is $125 for
September 13, at Rackham Auditorium. • Are there any breakthroughs that dentists and $95 for auxiliaries (dental
A presymposium is also scheduled may occur in the future that will hygienists, office staff, and others). In
for Thursday, September 11, and will affect how dentistry is practiced? addition, oral health care professionals
be held at the Michigan Union. The • How will discoveries in the will receive 12 continuing dental
symposium is cosponsored by the laboratory lead to innovations education credits for attending the
U-M School of Dentistry and the Delta in clinical research and in dental program after they register with the
Dental Research and Data Institute, practice? School of Dentistry’s Office of Continuing
the research division of Delta Dental of • What will these innovations mean Dental Education. To register, call (734)
Michigan. to practicing clinicians and the 763-5070 or (734) 763-5171 or e-mail the
future of dentistry? Office of Continuing Dental Education:
cde.umich@umich.edu.

72
RESEARCH
Research Program Schedule

Dental Office Thursday, September 11 – Pre-symposium (Michigan Union)
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Concurrent sessions on topics (program chairs in parentheses):
• Tissue Engineering and Regeneration (Paul Krebsbach, William Giannobile)
• Cancer and Oral/Systemic Health (Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch, Jacques Nör)
• Information Technology, the Digital Revolution, and Dental Education (Lynn Johnson)
Updates on the Web
Students in the U-M School of Dentistry’s dental and graduate training programs in clinical
research and specialty training will also exhibit poster presentations describing their research.
Additional information
Friday, September 12 – Symposium (Rackham Auditorium)
about the symposium 8:15 a.m. Registration at Rackham Auditorium
will continue to appear 9:00 a.m. Welcome and introductions
9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker – Dr. Harold Slavkin, Dean, USC School of Dentistry
as it becomes available. The Future of Oral Health Research
10:30 a.m. Break
Visit the School of
11:00 a.m. Keynote Speaker – Dr. David Sackett, Trout Research and Education
Dentistry’s Web site Center, Markdale, Ontario, Canada
Problems and Pitfalls of Human Trials
www.dent.umich.edu Noon Lunch
to learn more. 1:30 p.m. Session 1: Dr. David Wong, Chair, Division of Oral Biology and
Medicine, UCLA School of Dentistry
Novel Saliva Diagnostics for Oral Cancer Detection
2:30 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. Dr. Robert Nerem, Director, Emory Center for the Engineering of Living
Tissues; Georgia Institute of Technology
Tissue Replacements in the Orofacial Complex
Dr. Kenneth Malament, Clinical Professor, Prosthodontics and Operative
Dentistry, Tufts University
Future Perspectives in Esthetic Dentistry
5:00 p.m. Adjourn. Reception follows.
Saturday, September 13 – Symposium

8:30 a.m. Dr. Robert Genco, Vice President, Director of Science, Technology
Transfer, and Economic Outreach; University at Buffalo
Connection of Oral Infection and Cardiovascular Risk
9:45 a.m. Dr. Vincent Kokich, Professor, Department of Orthodontics,
University of Washington-Seattle; private practice, Tacoma, Washington
Interdisciplinary Esthetics: Do We Need to Make Everybody Perfect?
10:45 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. Dr. Bob Kerbel, Senior Scientist, Molecular and Cell Biology; Sunny
Brook Health Sciences Center, Toronto
New Approaches to Treatment of Head and Neck Cancers
1:00 p.m. Adjourn

73
RESEARCH
Research Day
Award Winners
Dental and dental hygiene students, graduate and doctoral students, and post-doctoral
fellows presented summaries of their research during the School of Dentistry’s annual
Research Day on Feb. 12. Sixty-nine posters outlining multiple areas of research were
displayed in the Grand Ballroom at the Michigan League.
Grand Prize Grand Prize winner was third-year dental student Nejay Ananaba for her research on
Nejay Ananaba (D3) the oral health and quality of life of middle school students in her home country of Liberia.
As Grand Prize winner, Ananaba, who is also a Dental Scholar, will represent the School of
Mentors: Marilyn Woolfolk & Dentistry at the ADA/Dentsply Student Clinician Research Program in San Antonio, Texas,
Marita Inglehart in October.
Liberian Middle School Students’ Other winners are listed below, as well as the titles of their research and mentors. Thirty-
Oral Health and Quality of Life four judges evaluated the poster presentations. Twenty-nine exhibitors also participated.
Undergraduate, DDS, DH, Undergraduate, DDS, DH, MS/ Special Hygiene awards 2nd Prize (Tie):
MS/Certificate - Clinical Certificate - Basic Science and 1st Prize: Jan Berry (Staff)
Application and Techniques Research Natasha Feller, Erin Gilmore, Mentor: Laurie McCauley
1st Prize: 1st Prize: Chelsie Stromski JunB as a Potential Mediator of
Maciej Dolata (D2) Jason Schrotenboer (D3) Mentor: Janet Kinney PTHrP Actions: New Gene Targets
Mentor: Woosung Sohn Mentor: Hom-Lay Wang Ultrasonic Scalers and Hearing Loss Jinhui Liao (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Community-Based Dental Clinics in Effect of Microthreads on Platform 2nd Prize: Mentor: Laurie McCauley
Michigan: Their Role and Barriers in Switching: A Finite Element Jeniebelle Timacdog, PTHrP Enhances Prostate Cancer
Providing Oral Health Care Analysis Miranda Szasz Skeletal Progression
2nd Prize: 2nd Prize: Mentor: Woosung Sohn 3rd Prize:
Natasha Feller, Erin Gilmore, Jamie Scot Luria (D3) Effects of Chewing Gum Containing Shelley Brown (PhD student)
Chelsie Stromski (DH4) Mentor: Paul Krebsbach Xylitol on Dental Caries Mentor: Paul Krebsbach
Mentor: Janet Kinney Effects of Bone Morphogenetic 3rd Prize: Derivation of Mesenchymal Stem
Ultrasonic Scalers and Hearing Loss Proteins on Oral Squamous Allison Cragun, Nikia Taylor Cells from Human Embryonic Stem
3rd Prize: (Tie) Carcinoma Cells Mentor: Paul Edwards Cells
April Patterson (D4) 3rd Prize (Tie): Noma: Ulcer of Extreme Poverty Audience Choice Award
Mentor: George Taylor William Love (D1) Jenny Ha (D4)
Diabetes and Tooth Loss: Exploring Mentor: Jacques Nör PhD/Postdoctoral Fellow/Staff Mentor: Juliana Barros
the Role of Dental Insurance in U.S. G-CSF Enhances the Angiogenic 1st Prize: Bactericidal Effect of Er,CR:YSGG
Adults Potential of Endothelial Cells Kathleen Neiva (PhD student) Laser on Caries-Affected Dentin
Jeniebelle Timacdog, Miranda Jonathan Miller (Undergraduate) Mentor: Jacques Nör
Szasz (DH4) Mentor: Mathilde Peters Endothelial Cells Induce STAT3, AKT,
Mentor: Woosung Sohn Novel Handheld Device to ERK Signaling in Tumor Cells
Effects of Chewing Gum Containing Determine the Physical Properties of
Xylitol on Dental Caries Hydrated Dentin

74
RESEARCH
U-M Research Spending Tops

$800 Million
Research expenditures by the University of Michigan surpassed $800 million
in fiscal year 2007, a 3.3 percent increase over the previous year and an all-time
high, Vice President for Research Stephen Forrest told Regents during a January
meeting.
The federal government provided 72.4 percent of the $823 million total.
Investments by the University, industry, foundations, and the state accounted
for most of the rest.
While Forrest said he considers last year’s 3.3 percent increase satisfactory,
continued growth of the U-M’s world-class research enterprise will require “a
new funding model.” Because federal research funding is likely to remain nearly
stagnant for the foreseeable future, the University must begin to rely more heavily
on partnerships with businesses and industry, he said.
By strengthening ties with the private sector, the University can secure its
future as a research powerhouse while helping to revive Michigan’s struggling
economy. It is time “to give back to a state that has so generously supported us
for nearly 200 years,” Forrest said during his annual research report to Regents.
“We cannot delude ourselves into imagining that we will remain competitive
in such a depressed regional economy,” he said. “The University of Michigan,
which is one of the most effective knowledge- and skill-generating machines in
the world, can and must play a central role in the inevitable transformation from
a manufacturing- to a knowledge-based economy.”
U-M consistently ranks among the nation’s top four research universities,
based on R&D expenditure statistics compiled by the National Science Foundation.
It ranks 19th on NSF’s most recent list of industry-financed R&D at U.S.
universities.
Those industry numbers must change, and some indicators suggest the shift
has already begun, Forrest said.
U-M funding from industry was up 14.9 percent last year – from $33.6 million
to $38.6 million – though it’s too soon to say whether the increase reflects a year-
to-year fluctuation or a trend. At the same time, disclosures of new technologies
to the U-M Office of Technology Transfer rose 14 percent, and royalty revenues
increased 18 percent.
“While we face a very challenging landscape in FY08 – from an uncertain base
of government funding to a state economy that is in urgent need of restructuring
– I believe that we are entering a period of unprecedented opportunity,” Forrest
said.
“Our university has the possibility to leverage this situation to become the
undisputed leader in academic research connected to industry.”

75
RESEARCH
Understanding & Detecting Diseases

or Cancers Before They’re Apparent
Research being conducted in Dr. Yvonne Kapila’s laboratory may one
day lead to developing new tools to diagnose and treat periodontal
disease and perhaps cancer as well.
An associate professor in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Kapila is
researching how the extracellular matrix regulates the life and death of cells in conditions such
as inflammation, which is encountered in periodontal disease, and during the process of cancer
progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Why the matrix?
As the name implies, the matrix is the all important “mother” or center of life for cells.
Whether the matrix is broken down because of a bacterial assault (as in periodontal disease),
or whether it is altered by repair or a cancer process, dictates whether cells in this environment
live, die, or get sick.
So the state of the matrix is critical in determining whether cells and tissues are healthy
or beginning their demise.
Jerry Mastey
Dr. Yvonne Kapila

and Pachiyappan
Kamarajan, a
postdoctoral fellow
in her laboratory,
discuss an image on
the monitor showing
an extracellular matrix
that induces apoptosis
in oral cancer cells.
Trying to Predict, Not React

Although there is a normal turnover of matrix, keeping its formation and breakdown in fine
balance is critical. By examining the status of the matrix, scientists get a mirror that reflects
the relative state of health of the resident cells and tissues.
How is that information of help?
“The tools we in the oral health care profession are using and have been using for some time
to detect and measure the progression of periodontal disease, such as radiographs and clinical

76
RESEARCH
measurements, only tell us what has to die. A stable matrix is essential to about how the matrix regulates the p53
already happened,” Kapila said. “What maintaining the life and health of cells. molecule in inflammation and cancer,
we are interested in knowing is how we A broken down matrix and its fragments this could one day lead to potentially
can use these microscopic substances signals inflammation and an impending new diagnostic therapeutic targets. “It’s
around cells in the matrix that have onset of clinical disease progression or possible that what we learn in this area
broken down to tell us that disease is bone and attachment loss. could, ultimately, be transferable in other
about to occur before the actual onset Fibronectin fragments that Kapila areas where inflammation occurs, such
of clinically perceptible bone loss or and members of her research team as arthritis,” she said.
attachment loss in an oral or clinical are studying are usually found in But applying this to cancer cells
setting.” inflammatory fluids associated with could be more of a challenge Kapila said
One of the research projects Kapila diseases such as periodontitis or because, until now, it seems they have
leads is investigating if matrix and arthritis. Several grants from the been adept at escaping cell death.
cell death (apoptotic) fragments or National Institutes of Health are funding Cancer cells, unlike other cells in the
biomarkers could be used to predict the her research team to try to better body, detach from the matrix and have
likelihood of periodontal disease before understand the signaling cues induced an ability to survive. “How do they do
it occurs. by the fibronectin fragments that cause it?” “Why do they do it?,” she asked. “We
The presence of high levels of matrix cells to die or undergo apoptosis. don’t have answers to those questions,
fragments or apoptotic proteins sampled but we are trying to learn what the
around the teeth of patients suggest that A Cell’s “Grand Regulator” intracellular signals are that make this
Jerry Mastey In terms of oral cancer, the matrix is occur.”
also crucial for regulating cell survival, Kapila said one thing that she has
migration, and the ability to establish learned from the research is that when
itself in other parts of the body in the oral cancer cells detach from the matrix,
form of invasion or metastasis. they link up with one another and create
One of the important signaling their own environment that allows them
cues the matrix uses to regulate these to survive. The presence of fibronectin
important processes in cancer is the p53 enables them to do that.
molecule. “p53 is the grand regulator of This is only one important piece
cells,” she said. “In essence, it’s a sensor of the puzzle. There are many more
that tells a cell everything that is taking questions to answer to try and learn
place around it and inside of it.” It’s a how oral cancer cells refuse to die
way the matrix on the outside of the cell and continue to grow, thrive, and
communicates messages to the inside of aggressively invade local tissues or
the cell. metastasize.
Nam Joo, a postdoctoral fellow talks to Dr. Yvonne Kapila It’s not surprising that in many “The matrix holds many critical
about his paper for the prestigious journal Cell Death & cancers the p53 molecule has mutated, secrets that will help us discover better
Differentiation that will soon be published.
so the regulation of normal life and ways to treat oral cancer,” Kapila said.
the matrix is breaking down and cells are death of cells runs amuck and leads to a “Understanding the process will play
dying. Cells that have no firm ground on survival advantage for certain cells and an important role in determining the
which to sit and survive simply shrivel the beginning of cancer. progression of a disease and possible
up and die, in essence, causing the tissue Once there’s an understanding therapies.”

77
RESEARCH
Dental School to Participate in NIH Grant Crosby Research

Award to Member of
The School of Dentistry is a participant in a $55 million grant that has been Dentistry Team
awarded to the University of Michigan by the National Institutes of Health. The
NIH grant is the third largest it has ever awarded to U-M.
The Clinical and Translational Service Award (CTSA) is a national health A member of the School of
research initiative that is designed to encourage collaboration and interdisciplinary Dentistry’s Diabetes Education and
research to improve human health. Much of this collaboration will occur at our Health Literacy Team has received
School’s Michigan Center for Oral Health Research which will work with scientists the Crosby Research Award from the
and researchers from other units across campus (medicine, public health, Life National Science Foundation’s Advance
Sciences Institute, etc.) in developing novel therapies that enhance oral health. U-M Program.
joins 23 other institutions around the country who are members of the expanding Melissa Valerio, an assistant
CTSA consortium. professor at the School of Public
Health, received the award for her
Robinson Takes 1st Place at SNDA work on functional health literacy
Photo courtesy of Dr. Kenneth May
research. Together with dental
Third-year dental student Allen school researchers Dr. Tilly Peters,
Robinson won first place for his Dr. Preetha Kanjirath, and Christine
research and a research presentation Klausner, Valerio is investigating the
he delivered at a national meeting. understanding, processing, and use of
During the National Dental diabetes and oral health information
Association/Student National Dental among minority and underserved
Association Table Clinic last summer, patients with diabetes. The team plans
Robinson took top honors for his work: to use the information to enhance their
Are children’s oral health and general diabetes and oral health education
health related? Third-year dental student Allen Robinson (right) won first place module.
during the National Dental Association/Student National Dental
The answer appears to be “yes,” Association Table Clinic for his research that focused on children’s The Crosby Research Award is
based on his research conducted during oral and general health. With him Robinson are Dr. Kenneth May given to tenure-track faculty members
the summer of 2006 at pediatric dental (center) and Dennis Lopatin, senior associate dean. in science, engineering, and related
clinics in Ann Arbor and Flint. disciplines to help them meet their
Eighty-two parents, whose children ranged in age from 4 to 12, answered career goals. Recipients can use the
questionnaires about a child’s oral health, general health, and quality of life. funds to develop and support research,
Also analyzed were the medical history and dental visits of the 82 children. purchase needed laboratory equipment,
Conducted at Mott Children’s Health Center in Flint and the U-M School or for travel to conferences.
of Dentistry in Ann Arbor, Robinson’s research results showed both children Peters received the award in
and their parents observed a significant correlation between oral and general 2004. Dr. Nisha D’Silva, a professor
health. in the Department of Pathology and
One of the recommendations from the study is that dentists and dental Oral Medicine, received the award in
hygienists provide more information to parents. Another is that pediatricians 2005.
and dentists should strengthen their collaborative efforts.

78
RESEARCH
Grand Rapids Sculpture Celebrates Water Fluoridation
Jerry Mastey
The benefits water fluoridation

“Steel Water,” a 33-foot sculpture
has had on the oral health of millions on the banks of the Grand River
of people in Michigan, the U.S., and the in Grand Rapids, commemorates
world was celebrated last fall when the city’s pioneering role when it
a new 33-foot tall sculpture, “Steel became the first city in the
world to add fluoride to
Water,” was dedicated in downtown its water supply
Grand Rapids. in 1945.
In January 1945, Grand Rapids
became the first community in the
world to add fluoride to its water
supply to help reduce tooth decay and
tooth loss.
Years before that, however,
fluoride’s benefits were cited in The Surgeon General’s Report
research conducted by the U-M School of Water Fluoridation & Oral Health
Dentistry’s Dr. Philip Jay, a pioneer who
Considered to be one of the most effective public
devoted his life’s work to the cause and
health measures of the 20th Century, water
prevention of dental caries. Because of fluoridation was cited as a major oral health
his work and its impact on the public benefit in the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on
and the oral health care profession, Dr. oral health issued in 2000.
Jay was one of 18 alumni and faculty The report noted (p. 18) that during the
members posthumously inducted into 1930s researchers discovered that people living
in communities with naturally fluoridated
the School of Dentistry’s Hall of Honor
water supplies had fewer cases of dental caries
in the fall of 2003. than people living in communities who drank
Among those attending ceremonies unfluoridated water.
celebrating the dedication of the “Although this measure has not been fully
sculpture were Grand Rapids Mayor implemented, the results have been dramatic,”
George Heartwell; Dr. Amy DeYoung, the report noted. “Dental caries began to decline
in the 1950s among children who grew up in
president, West Michigan District
fluoridated cities, and by the late 1970s, declines
Dental Society; Dr. Thomas Harmon, in decay were evident for many Americans.
president, West Michigan Dental “The application of oral science to improved
Foundation; Dr. James Wieland, chair, diagnostic, treatment, and prevention strategies
Fluoride Commemorative Committee; has saved billions of dollars per year in the nation’s
U.S. Congressman Vern Ehlers; and Cyril annual health bill. Even more significant, the
result is that far fewer people are edentulous
Lixenberg, a sculptor from Amsterdam (toothless) today than a generation ago.”
who was commissioned to design and
build “Steel Water.”

79
DENTISTRY
New Use for Dentistry Library?
T
Per Kjeldsen
he growing use of and

demand for electronic access
to information coupled with
advances in technology is
prompting changes at many
libraries on the U-M campus,
including the School of Dentistry
library. In short, the need for
physical facilities to archive
printed materials such as books
and journals is decreasing.
Recently, the University
Library System and the School
of Dentistry agreed that the
physical space occupied by the
dental school library will no longer be needed to store printed materials.
According to Dean Peter Polverini, with the increasing demand for electronic access
to information, the need to maintain physical space and the cost of storing printed
information can no longer be justified. “This issue is not unique to dentistry or to
the University of Michigan, and is manifesting itself in nearly all disciplines, and in
most, if not all, institutions worldwide,” he said.
Future Use to be Evaluated

A timetable for removing the print publications from the dental school library and
how the space will be used in the future once it’s been vacated has yet to be determined.
A joint School of Dentistry and Health Sciences Library task force is working on a plan
that will address those issues.
However, services including electronic document delivery and print materials
delivery will be maintained.
The role and even the title of “librarian” will change to a new name, “informationist.”
The informationist will have an office in the dentistry building and will work with
faculty, staff, and students on teaching, research, grants, informatics, community
outreach, and special projects.
Polverini expressed his appreciation to dental school librarian Patricia Anderson
for “the essential role she has played in the dental school and her contributions to
its teaching and research.” Anderson, now at the Taubman Library, is assessing the
impact of emerging technologies and information storage and retrieval.

80
Please
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What type of address change? ____ Home ____ Office
(Please list only University of Michigan degrees and the year earned.)
DDS ________
DH Certificate ________
BS ________
MS ________
PhD ________
Specialization ______________________________________________________________
News: ___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Get Involved!
_____ I would like to help plan my next reunion.
_____ I would like to be considered for the Alumni Society Board of Governors.

81
A LU M N I
News
Photo courtesy of Dr. Tim Gietzen
Katie Graber (DDS 2002) of Deerfield, A retired orthodontist who practiced

Illinois, is practicing dentistry with in Midland from 1960 to 1993, Carlsen
her father, Dr. Lee Graber (DDS 1971) in was a former board member of JA
nearby Vernon Hills, Illinois. Katie and and has been extensively involved in
her husband, John Evarts, welcomed community activities. During induction
a son, Michael, into the world in ceremonies, he was described by Terry
December 2006. Moore, MidMichigan Health president
and CEO as an individual who “has done
Recently married, Scott Szotko (DDS Among those offering congratulations to Dr. Reggie VanderVeen so much for so many for so long.” Moore
1999) and Kimber Sherlock (DH (center) was Dean Peter Polverini (right) and Dr. Michael said that Carlsen is “one of a very small
Jandernoa, VanderVeen’s roommate during their undergraduate
2000) are each working in private group of people who are always willing
years and co-chair of the Michigan Difference Campaign.
practices in LaJolla, California. Scott to do things for others…on a daily basis
is the president of the San Diego Young or her service to the dental profession and who do it cheerfully.”
Dentists organization and is active and the community. Among his many community
with many state-level committees. He Before receiving the award, activities, Carlsen has worked with
and Kimber are also active in the San VanderVeen was described as one dentists with the Midland County
Diego U-M Alumni Club. who “was involved in all aspects of Dental Society to provide free dental
Photo courtesy of Dr. KLJ Stewart
organized dentistry at local, state, care to the needy under the auspices
Karen-Lee Jones and national levels.” Citing his of Midland’s “Adopt a Child’s Smile”
Stewart (DDS involvement in professional and program…been a mentor for a co-op
1994) of Ann Arbor, community organizations and the program that encouraged senior high
Michigan, recently U-M School of Dentistry, where he’s a school students to become dentists (35
completed the member of the campaign committee, did, including Dr. Norman Betts, former
ADA’s Institute for the tribute noted that he would department chair at the School of
Leadership and continue “to be passionately engaged Dentistry)…and is active on the board
Diversity Program. Her project was in helping the public, mentoring young of directors of the “Hidden Harvest”
Oral Health Literacy, Working with dentists, and making a difference in his drive that collects food and delivers it
the Public Libraries. Stewart donated community.” to local food pantries to help feed the
and developed a dental area for each Photo courtesy of Dr. Donald Carlsen
needy in the Midland, Saginaw, and Bay
of the public libraries in Washtenaw Donald Carlsen City area. Last year, approximately 1.6
County. (DDS 1958) of million pounds of food were collected.
Midland, Michigan, “I didn’t seek the award and I’m
Michael “Reggie” VanderVeen was inducted into grateful for the opportunity to be
(DDS 1976) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, that community’s of service to a community that has
received the West Michigan District Junior Achievement been very good to me for so long,”
Dental Society’s Silent Bell Award Hall of Fame last Carlsen said. “For as long as I can
during the group’s annual banquet last fall. The annual event honors leaders remember, I have wanted to give back
December. Presented annually since there with a long-term record of in a meaningful way. That’s why I have
1981, the award is the Society’s highest outstanding achievement and who tried to live my motto which is ‘learn,
honor that recognizes a member of the have made significant contributions to earn, and return’,” he said.
organization, active or retired, for his their profession or the organization.

82
A LU M N I
In Memoriam
’48 Dr. Bernard Smith Dr. Jonathan Ship (1959-2008)
MS, pediatric dentistry By Dean Peter Polverini
San Francisco, California
January 2008 The University of Michigan School of Dentistry lost a
’51 Dr. L. James Wies colleague and a friend, Jon Ship, DMD, when he lost a courageous
Hendersonville, North Carolina battle with cancer on April 18. He was 49 years old.
October 13, 2007 Born in Washington D.C., Jon attended the University of
Pennsylvania for both his undergraduate and dental school
‘52 Dr. Robert Buehrer education. Jon was very much his father’s son. Like his father,
Pompano Beach, Florida Irwin, Jon was a force in oral medicine. He studied under Dr.
April 24, 2006 Bruce Baum at NIH where he received his formal training in oral
medicine.
’55 Dr. Clifton Rautiola In July 1992, Jon was hired as an associate professor in our
Okemos, Michigan School’s Department of Oral Medicine, Pathology, and Surgery.
November 4, 2007 He was also chief of the Section of Oral Medicine and Hospital
’67 Dr. Robert Northrop Dentistry.
Redmond, Washington During his eight years at Michigan, Jon advanced to
October 6, 2007 professor and, at various stages of his career, was director of the
Department of Hospital Dentistry at the Medical Center, was a
’67 Dr. Carl Gingles faculty associate with the Institute of Gerontology, and director
Ann Arbor, Michigan of the General Practice Residency program.
March 20, 2008 He was a gifted speaker, an energetic teacher, and a mentor
Dr. Gingles, who earned a master’s to many. Jon provided guidance and support to countless
degree in prosthetics in 1967 from students and colleagues. He was the consummate caregiver,
U-M, taught part time at the compassionate counselor, and a loving and caring father and
dental school and maintained a husband.
private practice on State Street for For those of us who had the privilege of knowing Jon, we not
more than 40 years. He and his only liked and respected him, we loved him. He was the friend
family helped many international you always wanted around when you were in a tight spot. He
students adjust to college life was a confidant and trusted advisor. For others, he was the
while also hosting inter-national brother one never had.
students in the family’s home so While we were sad when Jon left U-M for New York
they could attend U-M. University in 2000, we knew this was important to him and his
’80 Dr. Benjamin Duff family.
Grand Blanc, Michigan At NYU, he blossomed professionally and enjoyed the fruits
March 27, 2008 of many years of hard work. In many ways the success Jon
Dr. Duff, who also earned a experienced there as a scholar and academic leader validated
master’s degree in periodontics what we already knew.
from the School of Dentistry in Jon’s absence from the University of Michigan community
1988, served on the Board of the only strengthened his friendship with us. I will miss the
Michigan Dental Association from reunions we celebrated at annual AADR meeting and his trips to
2002 to early 2006. Ann Arbor with his sons Zach and Max to watch Michigan-Ohio
State football. Last November his disease had taken its physical
’48 Dr. Bernard Smith toll, but for the sake of his sons, Jon would not be dissuaded from
MS, pediatric dentistry keeping his promise to attend that game.
San Francisco, California This was the last time many of us saw Jon who fought to the
January 2008 very end. We will miss him terribly.

83
in Restorative Dentistry
Four University of Michigan School of Dentistry faculty members will
explore an array of timely topics in restorative dentistry during the
morning and afternoon sessions.
October 3, 2008 (Friday - Homecoming Weekend)

Restorative Dentistry 2012
New breakthroughs in restorative materials and biological engineering are
beginning to have an influence on how restorative dentistry is practiced. This
course focuses on a dozen transitions occurring in general practices.
Stephen Bayne, MS, PhD; Chair, Department of Cariology,
Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics
CAD/CAM Update
This presentation will address developments in technology and how they
are being used in advanced ceramic restorations.
Dennis Fasbinder, DDS; Clinical Professor of Dentistry; Director, Advanced
Education in General Dentistry program
Dental Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells

This course will review recent advances in dental tissue engineering and discuss
a potential role for stem cells in restorative dentistry and endodontics. Advances
in dental tissue engineering suggest a future where enamel might be used
to restore enamel lesions and dentin possibly replacing dentin lost as caries
progresses. The practice of contemporary restorative dentistry and endodontics
will require an increasing understanding of tissue engineering and stem cell
biology.
Jacques Nor, DDS, MS, PhD; Professor of Dentistry
Tooth Whitening, Cements, and Laminates

Among the questions that will be answered include: Are lights necessary for
whitening procedures in a dental office? Which cements should be used
with certain ceramic materials? Are porcelain laminates a reliable option for
conservative anterior esthetic restorations?
Peter Yaman, DDS, MS; Clinical Professor of Dentistry
Visit our website at: www.dent.umich.edu/alumni/cde

or call us at (734( 763-5070 for details and registration
information.

84

DentalUM
Homecoming Weekend
2008
From the Laboratory DentalUM magazine is published twice a year by the
to the Dental Office… University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Office of
Mail letters and updates to: Jerry Mastey, Editor, School Thursday, October 2
September 12-13, 2008 of Dentistry, Room G532, 1011 N. University Ave., Ann
Emeritus Medallion Ceremony
Time: 11:30 a.m.
New Dental Symposium updates via email to: jmastey@umich.edu.
Location: Room G390
to Highlight Cutting-Edge Director of External Relations and
Continuing Dental Education . . . . . . Richard Fetchiet Emeritus Class Picture
Research Writer & Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Mastey
Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Jung
Time: Noon
Contributing Photographers . . . . . . . . . Jerry Mastey, Location: Foyer staircase outside the Sindecuse
Per Kjeldsen, Karel Barton, Anne Gwozdek Museum
Research is underway in laboratories
that may soon affect dentists and their Member publication of the American
Emeritus Reunion and Hall of Honor Luncheon
patients. Association of Dental Editors Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Sindecuse Atrium
For more information
If you’re a dentist or dental educator or Julia Donovan Darlow, Laurence B. Deitch, Olivia P.
Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony
about this and other Maynard, Rebecca McGowan, Andrea Fischer Newman,
continuing dental researcher, you will want to attend this Andrew C. Richner, S. Martin Taylor, Katherine E. White, Time: 2:00 p.m.
Mary Sue Coleman, ex officio.
education courses contact: inaugural symposium September 12 and Location: Sindecuse Atrium
University of Michigan 13 on the University of Michigan Central University of Michigan School of Dentistry
School of Dentistry Campus. Symposium speakers will Alumni Society Board of Governors
Friday, October 3
Terms Expire 2008:
Office of Continuing address issues and answer questions on William E. Brownscombe, ‘74, St. Clair Shores, MI
Morawa Lecture: Hot Topics in Restorative Dentistry
Dental Education Time: Registration - 7:30 a.m.
subjects that include: John R. McMahon, ‘82, Grand Rapids, MI
1011 N. University George M. Yellich, ‘72, Los Gatos, CA Course - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Avenue Room G508 Harold Zald, ‘79, West Bloomfield, MI
Location: Kensington Court Hotel,
Ann Arbor, MI • What are some of the cutting-edge Jemma Allor, ‘00, Dental Hygiene, Mt. Clemens, MI
Terms Expire 2009: 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor
48109-1078 innovations in dentistry? Charles Caldwell, ‘77, Grand Rapids, MI Speakers and Topics: See page at left
www.dent.umich.edu • How might they benefit patients, Daniel Edwards, ‘97 DH, Ann Arbor, MI (Chair)
Gary Hubbard, ‘78, Okemos, MI
dentists, and other oral health care Metodi Pogoncheff, ‘76, Lansing, MI
Homecoming Gala Celebration Honoring
providers? Janet Souder Wilson, ‘73, Dental Hygiene, Northville, MI Dental and Dental Hygiene classes with
• Are there any breakthroughs that may Terms Expire 2010:
graduation years ending in 3 and 8
occur that will affect how dentistry is Samuel Bander, ’81, Grand Rapids, MI Doors open and registration begins: 6:00 p.m.
Kerry Kaysserian, ’81, Traverse City, MI Cocktail Reception: 6:00 p.m.
practiced? Jerry Booth, ’61 DDS, ’64 MS, Jackson, MI
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
• How will discoveries in the laboratory Josephine Weeden, ’96 DDS, ’MS, Saline, MI (Vice Chair)
Kathleen Early Burk, ’77 DH, Lakeland, MI Location: Kensington Court Hotel,
lead to innovations in clinical research Student Representative: Jamie Luria (D3) 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor
and in dental practice? Ex Officio Members:
• What will these innovations mean to Peter Polverini, Dean
Saturday, October 4
practicing clinicians and the future of Alumni Association Liaison Alumni Association Go Blue! Tailgate
dentistry? Steve C. Grafton , Executive Director, Alumni Assoc.
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Continuing Dental Education Location: Track and Tennis Building
More details about the program, The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action
including a list of speakers and topics, employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding Football Game - University of Michigan vs. Illinois
Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Time: 3:30 p.m.
are available on pages 72 and 73. Act of 1973. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of
nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless Location: The Big House
Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432,

DentalUM Spring/Summer 2008

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DentalUM

DentalUM magazine is published twice a year by the

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26 From Football to Dentistry

28 Helping Around the World

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53 Turning “Stuff” into Art

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