Fall 2017 Alumni Connections

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

1917-2017

SUMMER/FALL 2017

Table of contents Dental hygiene students take first global mission trip Page 6

Alumnus of the Year Page 7

Philanthropy vital for honorary degree recipient Page 8 - 9

Dental degree leads to cross cultural journey

Edmonton Clinic Health Academy 5th Floor, 87 Avenue NW Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1C9 Kaye Edmonton Clinic 8th Floor, 11400 University Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z1 Katz Group for Pharmacy and Health Research Office: 7-020H Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1 ualberta.ca/school-of-dentistry

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Orthodontist shows positive role model key to success

Canadian Family Owned & Operated

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Sharing Smiles Day Page 13

New age dental office feels like home

CONGRATULATIONS on 100 YEARS OF SUCCESS!

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The Sinclair Dental family is honoured to be a supporter of the University of Alberta School of Dentistry Centennial Celebrations.

A trip down memory lane

Our best wishes for many more years to come!

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PATTERSON DENTAL SENDS CONGRATULATORY WISHES TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY AS THEY CELEBRATE 100 YEARS!

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Greetings from the Dentistry Alumni Chapter We have another great issue of Alumni Connections for you to read. I would like to draw your attention to the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award Recipient, Dr. William Lobb. We congratulate Bill on being named the 2017 Alumnus of the Year by the University of Alberta Dental Alumni Association! This award honours his leadership in the dentistry profession in the areas of professional achievement, contributions to the oral health profession, and exceptional community involvement. Bill was recognized in May at the Jasper Dental Congress. If you know of a deserving alumnus that has contributed to the profession, the school, the community in a positive and healthy way, please email me at drbill@32dental.ca.

Bill Sharun DDS ‘74

Coming up in September is Alumni weekend. I hope you will get tickets for the School’s 100 Year Centennial Gala being held on September 22 and then the CDE event the following day – September 23. Both will be great events.

Visit the School’s website for more information or email Brandon Wiltshire at btwiltsh@ualberta.ca. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Greetings from the Dental Hygiene Alumni Chapter Throughout our education, we are given countless opportunities to make a difference in our communities.

When we graduate, we take this sense of community with us and continue it in our work.

In this issue of Alumni Connections, the stories feature individuals who exemplify this. Giving back is threaded throughout our dentistry and dental hygiene education.

The School of Dentistry prides itself on being vital to the health of our communities. From the pediatric school clinics and visits, the SHINE Clinic, SMILE, students going on global dental missions and much more, we are all working together to improve the oral health of our children, families and communities.

Kimi Khabra DH ‘13

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By engaging in community service, we build stronger bonds. Our relationships foster growth and we all achieve success. As students, I encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunities you are given and continue to build on the life skills and knowledge as you step out into world.

Message from the School This issue of Alumni Connections has a real community focus and maybe it’s because there are so many alumni doing great things.

As we continue with our centennial celebrations throughout the rest of the year, more and more stories are emerging. We were able to catch up with a few alumni who were willing to share their amazing experiences with us so we hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed writing them.

To our extended family and friends – you, our alumni, you are what makes the School vital to the health of its communities. Thank you for all that you do.

School of Dentistry Executive

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA FACULTY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

YOU HAVE A DREAM. We’re here to help you realize it.

Congratulations on the past 100 years.

We look forward to partnering with you on the next 100.

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Dental hygiene students take first global mission trip Dental hygiene students Lisa Herchen and Kelsey Budynski from the School of Dentistry took part in Dentistry for All’s dental missions this winter.

This was the first time students from the dental hygiene program went on missions.

Herchen and Budynski travelled to Managua, Nicaragua with dentistry clinical professor Dennis Bedard as part of the non-profit volunteer organization Dentistry for All, which provides free dental care in areas around the world that have limited, to no access to dental care.

“Going on this mission really encouraged me to grow and use my critical thinking skills,” says Budynski, adding the majority of their patients hadn’t seen a dentist before. “This experience enriched what we had learned in school and pushed us to be become better hygienists.”

Both students agree it’s an eye-opener for them to treat dental issues they would not typically see here. The mission also helped enforce the importance of prevention in dental hygiene treatment.

“Most of our patients had never had a cleaning or treatment before. But everyone was so grateful and it felt very rewarding,” says Herchen, adding they were also involved in a lot of patient education. “The experience really changes your perspective on how people in other parts of the world live.”

During the week-long mission, 60 patients were treated.

“This was a valuable learning experience. Working with Dr. Bedard was one of the best parts. He made us feel confident in our work and taught us a lot about caries,” says Budynski.

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Students Kelsey Budynski and Lisa Herchen were the first dental hygiene students to go on a dental mission. They visited Managua, Nicaragua.

Alumnus of the

Year SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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William Lobb (DDS ‘77) Dean of Dentistry Marquette University

illiam Lobb (DDS ’77) didn’t choose to be a dentist – it sort of chose him.

A grant offered by the Government of Northwest Territories, which funded residents who pursued post-secondary education, caught his attention.

“I have no idea why dentistry caught my eye, we didn’t even have any dentists in town at the time,” says Lobb. “I was not supposed to be a dentist. I had no idea what it was going to take to get into dental school. All I knew was I didn’t like the idea of working in the bottom of a mine.”

Today, his dedication to the profession and academia, has him accepting the 2017 Alumnus of the Year award from the School of Dentistry Alumni Association.

“I am grateful and honoured to be receiving this award,” says Lobb. His journey into dentistry began at the Notre Dame University in Nelson, BC, and the University of Calgary from 1970 to 1972, where he completed his pre-dental education. He received his doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Alberta in 1977, and went on to complete his master’s degree in orthodontics from the University of Michigan. He also has a master of public health degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Since joining the Marquette University in 1994, Lobb has been professor and dean of the School of Dentistry. He hadn’t planned on staying in the United States for long, but found there was always something that needed to be done.

“Whenever I go to hand off the reins, something new and exciting comes up,” says Lobb, adding he has no plans on retiring any time soon. “My goal was always to get back to Canada. I never anticipated any of this and certainly not being in the United States.

However, I have no regrets.”

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Philanthropy vital for hon

Dentist and philanthropist Saida Rasul (centre) received an honorary doctor of science degree during the convocation ceremony, June 9.

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norary degree recipient Philanthropist. Educator. Leader. Community worker.

Saida Rasul has dedicated her life and career as a dentist to improving the lives of the less fortunate. During the convocation ceremony, June 9, Rasul received an honorary doctor of science degree commemorating the centenary of the School of Dentistry.

Her connection to the U of A’s School of Dentistry was established while

You have devoted your life to giving back. What motivates you to keep going?

My personal growth, learning from those I work with, the lifelong friendships I make, seeing lives being transformed, giving people hope, educating and sense of satisfaction from empowerment of young

The program is still in its infancy.

We just graduated our first Diploma of Dental Hygiene class late last year.

However, having said that we have with the help of the Aga Khan Health Services (our sister agency), placed seven of our interns in communities in the remote areas of Pakistan.

The interns are already educating the

working with faculty members to set up dental hygiene programs offered through Aga Khan University in East Africa and Pakistan. Saida has a long list of humanitarian work including a longtime volunteer and donor with the United Way, where she was integral in securing an $18-million provincial grant to establish British Columbia’s Success by 6 program focused on developing healthy children and families. She’s also involved with the Rotary Club, the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Aga Khan Foundation, to name a few.

women. Most important are the prayers I receive. These are a few of the reasons that keep me motivated and going.

communities that they are working in, on oral hygiene, gum disease, nutrition counselling, cancer, the effects of smoking, chewing betel nut and other substances on the oral mucosa. We need to follow these and measure the impact. At the Aga Khan University hospital in Karachi we are creating awareness, educating the population about oral hygiene. The 3 interns who graduated last year whom we hired at AKU are running programs for cancer support groups, cardiology, diabetes and children, plus children with disabilities.

We are educating all stakeholders including dentists on the “value add” of the hygienist. The hygienists are educating the dentists in their own way. I am happy to report that our volumes for hygiene have increased and we are getting more “buy in” from the dentists. In East Africa, it is a small program, however we run school oral hygiene and nutrition programs which have become very effective.

The children are our ambassadors with their families. About three to four years ago the dentists, who were feeling threatened, cannot do without the hygienists today.

How do you feel knowing you are the recipient of the honorary degree?

I feel truly humbled, honoured and in a state of shock. I do not feel that I am deserving of this truly highest recognition from the U of A. Looking at the list of recipients, I am thrilled to be in such esteemed company. This honour is not just for me; it is for all the organizations in BC and Canada that I worked with and my colleagues at the Aga Khan University. I will accept this honour, on behalf of the staff and all the volunteers local and international whom I have worked with.

What set you on the path to serving the community?

Being an Ismaili Muslim it is part of our faith and ethos to volunteer. I watched my parents and grandparents do this as I was growing up. I am trying to emulate them. Everyone tells me that “I give” but I say “I get; I get way more than I give”. For me, the opportunity to serve the community is a blessing.

What would you like to say or share with the graduates today?

They should be passionate about whatever they do, excel in their fields and always strive to give back to society locally and internationally. They will realize that they are richer for it and they will feel truly fulfilled as they will get much more than they could ever imagine.

You’ve designed two preventative dental programs in East Africa and Pakistan, how has this impacted these areas?

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Dental degree leads to cross cultural journey

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Murray Dickson (DDS ’67) started his dental career following in his father’s footsteps

Gerri was a nurse and Murray a dentist.

CUSO needed their skills. As part of CUSO,

(Raymond Dickson DDS ’42) by graduating from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. After graduation he joined his father in private practice in Saskatoon.

His father encouraged him to pursue a specialty – so he did. Two years later Murray graduated from the pediatrics program at the University of Oregon. He then went on to become Department Head of Pediatric Dentistry at the new College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan.

But his desire and that of his wife Gerri, to do something different took hold and sent him in a whole different direction. The couple had been doing their research on Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO), which today is known as CUSO International – a non-governmental international development organization that places skilled Canadians in developing nations for two-year assignments.

“I went into dentistry because of my father and, when I graduated I intended to be just like him,” says Murray. “I think the thing that happened that turned me differently was when I was completing pediatric dentistry. It was during the time of the Vietnam War. We became politicized. I started being exposed to and understanding things in life I hadn’t before.

Gerri and I were two people who needed to do more than just the usual. We lived cross cultural lives.”

the couple volunteered in Nigeria, Papua New Guinea and Mozambique over the 70’s and 80’s.

Over the course of their journey, they adopted two First Nation sons who traveled with them as well.

Their posting in Papua New Guinea lasted two-and-a-half years. Once the term ended, the Dickson family used the opportunity to backpack home. For three-and-a-half months they traveled through Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma and China.

On their return, they moved to Hawaii where both Gerri and Murray completed master’s degrees in public health. In Murray’s case the focus was International Health.

“I may have left clinical dentistry, but I continued that work in other ways,” he says. “I don’t have any regrets with the path I chose.”

The Dicksons continued their humanitarian work right up until 2012 – lastly in Mozambique where they helped create a primary health care training Center for the Ministry of Health.

Murray is also the author of the book, Where there is no dentist that was published in 1983.

“Throughout all my travels and humanitarian work I learned the importance of ‘working upstream’ in order to reach more people – to learn from them and contribute to their abilities to enjoy oral health.”

“I may have left clinical dentistry, but I continued that work in other ways. I don’t have any regrets with the path I chose.”

-Murray Dickson

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Orthodontist shows positive role model key to success Orthodontist and Pure Orthodontics owner Amer Hussain’s (DDS ’08) business strategy on the surface seems simple. His patients come first. But when you delve a little deeper, you’ll see he’s seamlessly woven philanthropy and first-class patient-care in to one.

“We want to be the best part of the patient’s day,” says Hussain, who just recently opened his sixth practice in Red Deer. His other locations include Edmonton, Sherwood Park and Leduc. “We’ve created a modern, young, fun office. We try not to make it scary for kids to

come to the dentist.”

Creating positive role models and hard work are at the base of his operation. Hussain even includes his patients in his philanthropic work. A portion of their fee is donated to help build schools in third-world countries through the We Foundation. So far five schools have been built.

“Having a team that shares your vision and drive is key,” says Hussain when asked about what keeps him motivated and moving forward.

“You have to trust your team and empower them. By involving our patients in giving back to the community, we are fulfilling our goal of having kids become aware of the world around them.”

Hussain graduated from the School of Dentistry in 2008 and went south of the border to specialize in orthodontics. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a masters in experimental medicine. Hussain opened his first practice in 2010.

“I felt confident coming out of dental school. They gave me the skills I needed to get into a residency program,” he says. “You have to believe in what you are doing to be Orthodontist Amer Hussain gives back to the community in many ways. successful. My parents immigrated and struggled to get here. Parents give up a lot to have better lives for their kids. Therefore, showing positive role models to kids is important. If you work hard, you can achieve anything.”

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Students ‘uplift the people’ Dental and dental hygiene students were ‘uplifting the people’ through their Sharing Smiles Day event in April.

Sharing Smiles Day events are a part of Oral Health, Total Health (OHTH) - a Federal Non-Profit Organization led by students and faculty from dentistry faculties across Canada with a mission to advocate, educate and improve the oral health care for persons with special needs.

The event was the first one organized by the newly formed Alberta chapter. The day is meant to be informative and fun with opportunities for positive interactions where the attitudinal barriers between dental students and persons with special needs can be removed and positive relationships fostered.

Navi Bharj and Bryan Lim, second year dental students and OHTH Alberta co-chairs, were instrumental in not only organizing the event but setting up the Alberta chapter.

“I did it because I wanted to give back to the community,” says Bharj. “I wanted to ‘uplift the people’ of Edmonton.”

Bharj says that the most memorable moment of Sharing Smiles Day was working with individuals with developmental disabilities to educate and inform them on how to best take care of their oral health to keep on smiling!

“It really made it all worthwhile when Hannah, a young 8-year old child, gave me a hug at the end of the day thanking us for organizing the event. She said it was wonderful, fun and yummy and she wants to come back next time.

“We are very privileged to be in a field where we can make a difference in the community both in and out of the dental office.”

Lim said his favourite moment of the day was when he was talking to one of the parents at the Brushing and Flossing station who said that they learned today their child was brushing incorrectly and how to actually do it right.

Over 60 students from the dentistry and dental hygiene program volunteered. The morning was filled with games, face painting and dental activities. The afternoon included oral hygiene education and demonstrations. Just over 65 caregivers and individuals with special needs attended the event.

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New age dental office feels just like home When you walk through the doors of Bill Cryderman’s (DDS ‘80) dental office, you’ll feel as if you’re home sweet home.

Maybe even a little bit like you’re in a cabin in Canmore somewhere.

He’s got a canoe hanging from the rafters, his main reception area is a dining room – one dental chair, one dental hygiene chair and dental hygienist, and one dentist.

“Dental offices look like a mini hospital. I want people to come in and think this is relaxing,” says Cryderman about the concept behind his dental office design. “I want to change how people think about dentistry. We sit around my dining room table when we meet and talk about dental treatment and care, instead of a dental chair.”

His choice of office décor is just as unique as his approach to dentistry. Instead of pushing patients through, Cryderman says he’s promoting overall health and not just treating the root of the problem.

To become a new client at his office, Cryderman spends up to two hours meeting and talking with the patients. For him good health comes from a partnership between the patient and the doctor. By having just one dental chair, he is able to focus on his patients one at a time.

“Overall health comes from a partnership. The biggest impact is that I am better able to empower my clients with respect to their health. I help people understand what is happening to their dental health and how this impacts their overall health,” he says.

“I’m trying to create a vision for future health instead of counting cavities.”

Cryderman says his own personal philosophy towards practicing dentistry changed 10 years into his career. He found that as a dentist he was fixing or repairing a problem.

“Normally three to five patients are being treated at a time. So the treatment ends up being quite impersonal. We are treating the teeth and not the person,” he says. “I want to see people who are excited to see me. Coming to my office is going to be a joyful experience. My patients are excited because this type of health care makes sense to them.”

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DDS alumnus Bill Cryderman’s dental office replicates a log cabin. He’s got a canoe hanging from the rafters and his reception area is a dining room.

A trip down memory lane DENTAL HYGIENE GRADUATE LINDA MATHIESON TALKS ABOUT LIFE, HER EDUCATION AND HER APPRECIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY As a single mother of three, Linda Mathieson needed to give her daughters stability. She knew her dream of a nice house and white picket fence would involve furthering her education.

A good education equals a good salary which means financial stability. And thanks to the education she received, Mathieson says she was able to fulfill many of her life-goals.

Twenty-seven years after graduating from the University of Alberta’s dental hygiene program, some of Mathieson’s fondest memories still include bringing her daughters to class with her.

“The professors were very accommodating. Even when they saw a few extra heads at the back of the class, they didn’t say anything,” says Mathieson. “My classmates were wonderful. They would babysit for me if I had to go see a teacher. When I realized I was slated for the most northerly satellite rotation, the professors changed it so I was within driving limits of the city, and finding a babysitter would be easier.”

Mathieson moved to Edmonton in 1987 to establish her residency, and a year later she was in the Dental Hygiene program. Having worked as a dental assistant before having kids,

Mathieson says her passion for the field was already there.

“Now I had to become the main bread winner and that motivated me,” she says, adding moving to a new city, juggling three kids, a household and school was no easy feat. “But I was thrilled when I graduated. I loved my career in dental hygiene.”

Graduating at 40 years-old, Mathieson worked as a full-time dental hygienist for the next 20 years, then worked part time for five years – seldom missing a day of work. She first took on the role of the Kamloops representative to the British Columbia Dental Hygienist Association, and eventually went on to become President of the British Columbia Dental Hygienist Association.

“I am grateful for the education I

received from the U of A. It helped me embrace all aspects of my career,” she says. “I want to thank the administration of the dental hygiene program for the excellent training I received. I loved my career and I hope I lived up to your expectation.”

If there’s one message she’d like to share with the students today, it’s one of inspiration and humility.

“I always tell students these days to be gentle to your professors. They are going to be your colleagues one day and they will remember you.”

Today, Mathieson enjoys her retirement, and her daughters are all grown up – two are accountants in high profile firms, and one is a hairdresser and esthetician.

“They all refused to become dental hygienists because ‘they would never wear those ugly shoes,’” she jokes.

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Ever since ancient peoples used bow drills to relieve their tooth pain, dentistry has been a universal human endeavour. Practised as haphazard butchery for millennia, some of its brutal elements were still the norm when the first Canadian dental school west of Toronto — the only one for more than a thousand kilometres in any direction — was founded in a remote community on the northern prairie where the railway ended.

From a former fruit farmer creating instructional dental models by hand, to a determined woman battling institutional sexism to create the country’s second school of dental hygiene, to a desperate political fight against closure in the Ralph Klein era, the unlikely century-long story of the University of Alberta’s School of Dentistry is vividly brought to life here, alongside a history of dentistry from toothworms to virtual reality.

Award-winning journalist Taylor Lambert is your historical tour guide for a witty narrative journey with surprising tales that even the most fervent dentophobe can sink their teeth into.

Available in trade paperback September 2017. All proceeds go to Dentistry for Life Fund.