Cusp, Fall 2023, UIC College of Dentistry

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2023 71 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

ON THE COVER

(L to R) Dr. Ana Bedran-Russo and Dr. Susan Rowan

CUSP STAFF

COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION

Editor-in-Chief AnaLisa Hendricks

Interim Dean Susan Rowan, DDS, MS

Contributing Writers William S. Bike Christy Levy Rob Mitchum Anissa Rodriguez Daniel P. Smith UIC Strategic Marketing and Communications

Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Philip Patston, PhD

Design Multiple, Inc. Photographers Diane Smutny DMS Photography Jenny Fontaine Renee Gooch Photography UIC Creative and Digital Services UIC Strategic Marketing and Communications QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

Editor – Cusp Magazine UIC College of Dentistry 801 S. Paulina St. (MC 621) Chicago, IL 60612

Interim Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs Judy Yuan, DDS, MS Associate Dean for Finance Michael Harner, MBA, EdD Associate Dean for Prevention and Public Health Sciences Scott Tomar, DMD, MPH, DrPH Associate Dean for Research Ana Bedran-Russo, DDS, MS, PhD Associate Dean for Student and Diversity Affairs Darryl Pendleton, DMD Assistant Vice Chancellor of Advancement - Health Sciences Steven George

SOCIAL MEDIA

UICDentistry UIC College of Dentistry UICCOD University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry uicdentistry © 2023 University of Illinois Chicago All Rights Reserved.

UI Health is the University of Illinois Chicago’s academic health enterprise.

UIC COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

TAB LE OF CONTENTS

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Dean’s Message

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University Update

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Pilsen Center for Oral Health

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Dental Assistant Pathway Program

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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

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Profile: Dr. Leda Mugayar

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Feature: A Purpose-Filled Homecoming

26

Alumni News

28

Research

32

Student Activities

38

In Memoriam

40

Calendar

32

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DEAN’S MESSAGE

BETTER ORAL HEALTH THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE INNOVATION In late 2022, the UIC College of Dentistry updated its mission and vision statement and leaned into “transformative innovation” in oral health education, research, clinical care and advocacy.

Though a seemingly subtle shift, adopting transformative innovation as our rallying cry was, in fact, something more daring. We sensed a deeper call to be agents of change and thought leaders for our students, our patients, our community and our world.

Our updated vision – better oral health through transformative innovation. – serves as our north star and is driving ambitious, calculated improvements at the college.

We’re enhancing our curriculum and training, incorporating new technologies and state-of-theart equipment into the classroom to prepare students for the fast-evolving field of dentistry. In clinics, we’re integrating new technologies as well, including digital solutions, to strengthen the efficiency, comfort and care we provide patients. And through internal and external collaborations, we’re advancing health care far beyond Chicago, including a groundbreaking effort with UIC engineers to create new bone regenerating material.

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Less than two miles from our west campus home, our revised vision is taking root in exciting ways at UI Health’s Pilsen Family Health Center Lower West. Spearheaded by Dr. Scott Tomar, the college acquired federal and foundation funding to create a dental clinic within the current UI Health facility.

Operational since the fall, the Pilsen Center for Oral Health Promotion houses experiential student training and value-based oral health care focused on prevention education, early intervention and minimally invasive procedures. Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Smith, the clinic promises to improve health outcomes and generate informative research in areas such as preventative care, clinical approaches and team-based practice as well as student and patient education.

And there’s more to come. In early 2024, our Inclusive Care Clinic will open and begin training students, launching research initiatives and addressing the oral health needs of individuals with disabilities or other special needs struggling to gain proper care. The new clinic will unlock new avenues of patient advocacy and care, particularly for vulnerable populations.

In October, our community and alumni gathered together and recognized the dental school’s 110-year relationship with the University of Illinois. A celebration of the past, the event also served as a challenge to our future, a call to pursue transformative innovation with an enterprising spirit, unified effort and human-centered focus.

Rest assured: We don’t have plans to do anything less.

Sincerely,

DR. SUSAN ROWAN, DDS, MS

Professor and Interim Dean

BY CHRISTY LEVY

With UIC’s shared values as an anchor, Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda outlined five priorities to guide UIC forward during her first State of the University address Oct. 17.

Rooted deeply in UIC’s mission and values, Miranda outlined five priorities that will guide UIC’s upward trajectory: Student success: focusing on recruitment, retention and graduation while fostering a sense of belonging and connection among all students — undergraduate, professional and graduate.

Research infrastructure: positioning UIC at the forefront of knowledge and discovery.

Engagement with our community: improving access to educational opportunities and clinical care in underserved communities, making our world more equitable, efficient and sustainable.

Partnerships with businesses and nonprofits: enhancing faculty opportunities and strengthening student engagement and employment opportunities.

Recruiting and retaining the best faculty and staff: ensuring that the people who make UIC excel feel seen, valued and motivated.

“My intentional conversations with you — students, faculty, and staff — shaped these priorities,” Miranda said during her address at the Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum.

“We will continue to thrive as we live out our values of access, vitality, empowerment, and creativity by realizing our priorities of student success and belonging, enhanced research infrastructure, community engagement, partnerships with businesses and nonprofits, and faculty and staff support.”

Though Miranda officially took office in July, she has been learning about UIC by engaging with faculty, staff, students and community partners since she was announced as UIC’s 10th chancellor in November 2022.

“From move-in day, to convocation, to listening and learning from each of our colleges and vice chancellor units through deep dive sessions, to engaging with our civic, elected, business, community, and foundation leaders across the city — I have witnessed firsthand this institution’s unwavering commitment to access, vitality, empowerment, and creativity,” Miranda said.

“These values resonate deeply with me. But more importantly, they are shared values — shared by faculty, staff, students, and alumni. That shared commitment to access, vitality, empowerment, and creativity — it’s our superpower.”

During her address, Miranda emphasized UIC’s commitment to access and excellence. She highlighted UIC’s strength in research funding — which exceeded half a billion dollars during the 2023 fiscal year — as well as its commitment to supporting access to higher education, with 56% of UIC undergraduates receiving Pell Grants.

“Some institutions have big research portfolios, and some institutions have a majority of students from low-resource backgrounds,” Miranda said. “Very few can claim both.

At UIC, we claim both proudly.

“We refuse to believe you must choose between access and excellence. As a consequence, UIC is the greatest engine for social mobility in the city of Chicago. That is what makes us so special.”

UNIVERSITY UPDATES

STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS

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UIC’s mission is grounded in the principle of providing the broadest access to the highest levels of educational, research and clinical excellence, Miranda said.

“At the heart of our mission is social justice,” she said.

“What does this mean for us? It means equity in opportunities and outcomes – from the classroom to health care to housing to employment.

The future of higher education will be determined by public institutions, she said.

“Public universities, like UIC, educate a broad spectrum of students at scale, changing life trajectories and allowing our graduates to compete globally and lead meaningful lives,” Miranda said.

“And even among public universities, UIC shines. We stand apart because, every day, we live our mission of providing the broadest access to the highest levels of educational, research, and clinical excellence.”

“Our mission is both compelling and irresistible, and it is exactly what the world needs.”

As the first American-born member of an immigrant family, Miranda said she understands the importance of access and transformative power of higher education.

Miranda celebrated UIC’s progress and the forward-looking vision that defines UIC.

“I applied to four colleges. There was no way I would have been able to afford any of them,” she said. “This made my parents very nervous. They wanted me to go to college, but they didn’t know how we could afford my dreams. I ended up at Duke because it was free to me. Scholarships were made available to me, and that changed my life.”

“Together, our future holds boundless possibilities to make UIC the academic, clinical, and research powerhouse we have the will and talent to be,” she said.

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04 1 Chancellor Miranda’s first State of University address 2 Introduction given by Jonathan Banks, DMD/PhD Candidate 3 UIC Pep Band

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4 Chancellor Miranda highlighting her arrival to campus

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PILSEN CENTER FOR ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION OPENS

BY WILLIAM S. BIKE

The University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry has opened a new dental clinic at the UI Health Pilsen Family Health Center Lower West, 1713 S. Ashland Ave., called the Pilsen Center for Oral Health Promotion. The center will provide community-based oral health care and educate dental students.

Joining UIC Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda at the Sept. 8 dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony were speakers Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya and U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, and the Oral Health Forum’s Dr. Alejandra Valencia, all alumni of UIC. The clinic is “focused on improving health outcomes for the patients and the community through an educational model for preventing disease and minimally invasive management of existing conditions,” said Dr. Scott Tomar, the college’s associate dean for prevention and public health sciences.

“Working with families to help them understand what leads to oral disease, and what roles they and we can play to prevent or manage disease can be instrumental in improving oral health” said interim dean of the college Dr. Susan Rowan. “Dr. Tomar’s team has embraced the college’s vision of better oral health through transformative innovation with the establishment of the innovative curriculum and contribution to community health.”

“Our vision is to have students spend time in this clinic from their first year, learning how we improve health outcomes for the patients in the chair and the broader community,” Tomar said.

The renovated space has three dental chairs, two rooms for patient education and an area in which dental students and students from other UIC health sciences colleges will provide group health education for patients.

The idea for the center came from a member of Tomar’s public health team, Dr. Patrick D. Smith, assistant professor and the college’s director for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

All members of the team worked on the project, partnering with Dr. Alejandra Valencia, director of the Oral Health Forum and an adjunct professor at the UIC School of Public Health.

As part of UIC’s academic health enterprise, UI Health, the college partnered with the Oral Health Forum, Heartland Alliance and the City of Chicago in creating the Pilsen Center for Oral Health Promotion.

Funding for the dental clinic initiative came through the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, and donations from the Chicago Dental Society Foundation and the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation. The Henry Schein Cares Foundation donated supplies and equipment.

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1 Chancellor Miranda and Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez 2 Pilsen Family Health Center Lower West located on South Ashland Ave. 3 Dentistry leadership along with Chancellor Miranda post after the ribbon cutting 4 Dr. Alejandra Valencia, Ald. Byron SigchoLopez and US Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia

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DENTAL ASSISTANT PATHWAY PROGRAM

BY WILLIAM S. BIKE

The UIC College of Dentistry has created a new training program, the Dental Assistant Pathway Program, with the goal of helping to alleviate the national shortage of dental assistants. The program also is a pathway for those who may never have considered a career in dentistry, including those who did not go to college and the underemployed, into the dental profession at no cost.

“The dental assistant shortage is a national issue, as the American Dental Association confirms,” said Dr. Susan Rowan, interim dean.

“Dental assistants leaving the field was starting to be a trend a few years ago, and then COVID exacerbated the situation.”

“When you have a lack of dental assistants, it does not allow for as effective dental care to take place,” said Dr. Robert Bara, clinical assistant professor, restorative dentistry. “The dental team has to work together, and a dental assistant plays a key role in the quality of oral care and overall healthcare.”

The college had previously required the dental assistants it hired to have some dental assisting experience, gained either through a junior college or work in a dental office, “which made it a lot more difficult to find people,” Rowan said.

So Rowan and Letty Sanchez, director of human resources operations at the college, worked with the university “to create a situation where an individual who had a high school diploma or an equivalency, even without any dental training at all, would have the potential to be hired at the college,” as a Dental Assistant I, Rowan said.

They tapped the expertise of Bara and a number of College of Dentistry dental assistants to create a training program for new hires with no prior dental assisting experience, and Rowan named Bara director of auxiliary programs.

Rowan wanted to take the idea further and obtain a grant to expand the program and put together a team that was successful in obtaining a grant for three years from the Otho S.A. Sprague Memorial institute to train 12 new dental assistants each year. The non-profit, established

by Chicago business leader Otho S.A. Sprague in 1911, is mandated to pursue “the investigation of the cause of disease and the prevention and relief of human suffering in the City of Chicago, County of Cook, State of Illinois.”

Bara and a committee “developed a 15-week program for individuals as a kind of work-study program, so they are working at the college while they are having educational sessions to be able to learn the hands-on part of dental assisting,” Rowan continued. “They are given reading materials and a computer to do online modules.”

“Dental assistant training program tuition ranges from $3,000 to $18,000, but thanks to the Sprague grant the participants get their tuition free,” Sanchez said. “On top of that, they will be paid to work here as dental assistants. All they need is a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) to apply.”

After completion of the 15-week course, participants can seek a National Entry Level Dental Assisting (NELDA) Certificate, and the College through the Sprague grant will pay all related fees.

The college piloted the program on April 11 with a cohort of individuals already employed at the college because, Rowan said, “It wouldn’t have been fair for dental assistants we already hired to not be able to gain all the benefits this wonderful Sprague grant provides. And with individuals who already know how the college runs, they’re one step ahead to success.” The program has successfully trained two cohorts of dental assistants ready to take the NELDA exam.

“The Pathway Program gives us the opportunity to develop people who are committed to the college’s mission, which is Better Oral Health through Transformative Innovation,” Bara concluded. “We developed this program for nothing less than the transformation of lives.”

“The Pathway Program gives us the opportunity to develop people who are committed to the college’s mission, which is Better Oral Health through Transformative Innovation” DR. ROBERT BARA

PLAN FOR TODAY INVEST IN TOMORROW The UIC College of Dentistry is continually strengthened by the generosity of our dedicated alumni and friends. As you reflect upon your goals, we hope that you will consider including the college as a part of your legacy with a gift through your estate.

Legacy gifts can be made by naming the University of Illinois Foundation for the benefit of the college in your will or living trust. You may also name the University of Illinois Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, insurance policy, or brokerage account.

To learn more about ways to make a legacy gift, receive customized language to direct your commitment to a particular purpose within the college, or to share your intentions, please reach out to Geoff Hammond, JD, associate director of gift planning, for more information on how to invest in the future of UIC’s College of Dentistry at 217.332.5714 or gh15@uif.uillinois.edu. We would love to hear from you and say thank you for your investment in our future!

DEI&B

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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING The UIC College of Dentistry is dedicated to creating an environment that supports and advances a diverse and equitable college community. We value our rich diversity and strive to cultivate an environment where ideas and contributions can flourish. To help support, coordinate, and encourage this work across our college community, new roles have been established earlier this year.

Since 2002, the college has supported an Office of Student and Diversity Affairs (OSDA) and Associate Dean for OSDA. Since the creation of OSDA, the college has engaged in a continual review of our organizational culture and climate as we recognize the ever-changing world, national and local landscapes regarding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). During this period, the college has developed and implemented strategies, programs and services that advance diversity and address the needs of our diverse college community. Our combined efforts have enabled the college to become one of the most diverse dental schools in the country. We are very proud of our diversity. The Social Justice movement of 2022 and recent events at the college and geopolitically have shown us that we have can do better in regards to inclusion and belonging. The addition of Dr. Patrick Smith and Meah Rogers to the OSDA DEIB team will expand our bandwidth to more. Even though DEIB is the responsible of every member and unit at the college, having Dr. Smith and Meah contributing to our efforts will enhance our outcomes.

Dr. Darryl Pendleton Associate Dean, Student and Diversity Affairs Executive Director, Urban Health Program

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As the Director of DEIB, my objective is to develop leadership in matters related to the goals and mission of the College of Dentistry’s efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging of faculty, learners, and staff members. I believe that DEIB efforts have the potential to improve how we teach, conduct research, and provide care to individuals if we’re open to liberating how we may think about some things, while prioritizing justice in our work and our interactions. This might mean that we approach situations and engage individuals differently than we have in the past. How we maneuver those differences are intended to build an environment where everyone can achieve their personal definitions of success and thrive on their own terms.

Dr. Patrick D. Smith Assistant Professor Director, DEIB

STUDENT NATIONAL DENTAL ASSOCIATION (SNDA) “SNDA has had a longstanding goal to promote, aid and support the academic and social environment of minority students at the college. SNDA strives to establish opportunities for its members to develop stronger alliances amongst one another while developing a sense of community, aiding in the advancement of minority students within the field of dentistry.

SNDA provides great opportunities to develop leadership skills on both a national and local level. We support tackling health disparities in underserved populations by advocating for a diverse health force. We recently had a leadership summit where we brought in dentists of color to advocate and share their dentistry journey. We also held a representation matters health career fair to encourage high school and middle school students to seek a career in dentistry or a health field.

We look forward to continuing to serve students from minority backgrounds.”

D’NAI ASHFORD, D3, SNDA PRESIDENT

HISPANIC STUDENT DENTAL ASSOCIATION (HSDA) “HSDA strives to promote community for students who come from Hispanic backgrounds and is a means to share that community and culture with others. Our overall mission is to promote the oral health of Hispanic and underserved communities through service, education, research, advocacy and leadership. When I joined UIC, HSDA was one of the first organizations that I knew I wanted to be a part of, and they were extremely welcoming and active. I wanted to serve as a leader to our award-winning chapter and help grow our community while upholding our organization’s values.

To be able to serve on the board these past two years as co-president elect and now as president has been such an honor. The difference we’ve been able to make in the community through our outreach efforts is very humbling and I look forward to carrying on our values.”

SAMUEL ROMO D3, HSDA PRESIDENT

INDIAN STUDENT DENTAL ASSOCIATION (ISDA) “ISDA serves as the exchange of South Asian cultures within the college while also being a place for connecting and networking with other classmates and faculty. We restarted the organization by keeping this mission in mind. We look forward to hosting exciting cultural events, providing tasty food with entertaining and nostalgic music, while providing a platform to talk about humanitarian, social, and educational opportunities for everyone to enjoy and participate in.

Personally, the organization has impacted my career by helping me meet new schoolmates and faculty members and honing in on managerial qualities to maintain a fair yet stimulating organization. Simultaneously, it serves as a release by incorporating and sharing the two cultures very close to my heart. The members of ISDA and I look forward to sharing a cultural piece of our lives on multiple occasions to the UIC community and create an organization that can be passed down for other classes to enjoy and benefit from.”

ANANYA M. SAWLANI, D3, ISDA PRESIDENT

CHRISTIAN MEDICAL DENTAL ASSOCIATION (CMDA) “CMDA educates, encourages, and equips Christian healthcare professionals to glorify God. Our chapter at UIC COD specifically seeks to fulfill this mission by creating community and developing discipleship.

My time with CMDA has reignited the passion that initally led me to pursue a career in healthcare. As a follower of Jesus, I am called to love God by loving others, and dentistry is the unique gift through which I can tangibly express that love.

CMDA has connected me with professionals who are already living out this calling and provided me with the encouragement I needed to remain faithful to my calling as a Christian healthcare provider amid the challenges of dental school.

Here’s a photo from our Annual Christmas Donation Drive where we packed 110 boxes that will be sent overseas to children in need.”

BLAKE P. WOODS, D4, CMDA PRESIDENT

MIDDLE EASTERN DENTAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION (MEDSA) “Joining MEDSA gives you the opportunity to engage with likeminded UIC students and faculty. MEDSA proudly facilitates events and fundraisers to raise awareness and when required funding to countries or people around the world who needed the most. Through MEDSA’s frequent social events, you can network and collaborate with people from different backgrounds within the dentistry field which expands your professional network.”

DANA ZAKI AKAWI, AS4, MEDSA PRESIDENT

The University of Illinois Chicago ranks as one of the nation’s most ethnically and culturally rich campuses in the country. The College of Dentistry takes pride in its mission of advancing oral health through transformative education, research, clinical care and advocacy within a diverse and inclusive environment.

Read more on A Mosaic for UIC Transformation at diversity.uic.edu.

Scan QR Code to learn more about all of our student organizations

PROFILE

DR. LEDA MUGAYAR NAMED DIRECTOR OF INCLUSIVE CARE CLINIC

BY WILLIAM S. BIKE

Dr. Leda Mugayar, clinical associate professor of pediatric dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, has been named director of the college’s new Inclusive Care Clinic, which currently is under construction.

Faculty, staff and students in the new clinic will treat patients who have physical and cognitive disabilities, behavioral conditions, mental illness, and developmental disabilities such as autism. They also will provide care for elderly patients with such conditions as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Mugayar traces her interest in patients with disabilities to her childhood in Brazil. Her father, an oral surgeon, would work one day per week in an orphanage providing care to youngsters with disabilities, and young Leda would accompany him.

“I loved those kids, so I did my specialty in pediatric dentistry because that was my pathway to helping them,” she said.

Not only did she provide oral healthcare to youngsters with disabilities, but she set up programs to teach others to do so as well. At one Brazilian university dental school, she set up a program for students to see patients with disabilities in the regular clinic. At two other Brazilian universities, “we created centers for patients with disabilities,” Mugayar noted.

After moving on to Westmead Hospital at the University of Sydney, Australia—the biggest public hospital in that country—she not only became head of the dentistry department for patients with disabilities, but set up master’s and doctorate programs in the discipline.

She looks forward to providing care in the new clinic.

Youngsters with disabilities currently are seen in the college’s pediatric dentistry facilities, and the college will transition them into the Inclusive Care Clinic at around ages 14 and 15 to become the clinic’s first patients. Patients with disabilities seen in other departments at the college will move to the new clinic as well. Mugayar also expects a large number of outside referrals.

“The clinic isn’t even open yet, and we already have many referrals from private practitioners because the need is so huge,” Mugayar said. “I expect referrals from hospitals and other institutions as well.”

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“I loved those kids, so I did my specialty in pediatric dentistry because that was my pathway to helping them.”

DR. LEDA MUGAYAR

A PURPOSEFILLED HOMECOMI A FORMER 15-YEAR FACULTY MEMBER AT THE UIC COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY DR. ANA BEDRAN-RUSSO RETURNS TO THE WEST CAMPUS TO LEAD – AND ADVANCE – THE COLLEGE’S RESEARCH ENTERPRISE.

BY DANIEL P. SMITH

NG

A 15-year faculty member at the UIC College of Dentistry, Dr. Ana Bedran-Russo, DDS, MS, PhD, returned to the near west side campus this summer after being appointed the college’s new associate dean for research. Bedran-Russo spent the previous three years chairing the department of general dental sciences at Marquette University.

“I love the mission of UIC and know it’s poised for an even greater future,” Bedran-Russo says. “I’m excited to play a role in taking the College of Dentistry to the next level with its research, to work with past colleagues, create new relationships, and contribute to the overall health and vitality of UIC.” As the associate dean for research, Bedran-Russo will be responsible for the college’s entire research enterprise, which includes more than 40 research-performing faculty, some 23,000 square feet of laboratory space, high-end equipment, a vivarium, and annual funding of more than $7 million. She replaces Dr. Scott Tomar, DMD, DrPH, who held the post on an interim basis after Dr. Lyndon Cooper, DDS, PhD, departed UIC to lead Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry.

‘A SCIENTIST HERSELF’ A native of Brazil, Bedran-Russo joined UIC’s faculty ranks in 2005 and spent her next 15 years at the college establishing her credentials as an industrious scientist and capable leader.

Bedran-Russo, whose research focuses on the biological and functional features of dental tissues and designing biomimetic interfaces between biomaterials and tooth structures, earned some $9.25 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and foundations as well as corporate contracts. In 2014, UIC honored her as a Researcher of the Year for her novel work to eliminate dental decay and restore lost tooth structure with natural materials like grapeseed and cinnamon bark extract.

Her prolific research included publishing over 150 manuscripts, contributing book chapters, and building interdisciplinary collaborations with colleagues in and outside of UIC. In addition, Bedran-Russo held key service positions with the American Dental Association, the NIH, the International Association for Dental Research, the Academy of Dental Materials, the Journal of Dental Research, and the Academy of Operative Dentistry.

Before departing for Marquette in 2020, Bedran-Russo inhabited important leadership roles at UIC as well. She served as the program director of the T32 MOST (Multidisciplinary Oral Science Training) Program – an effort preparing students for faculty and research positions in interdisciplinary oral health research – as well as director of Applied Dental Materials.

Bedran-Russo also completed the esteemed Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program, a year-long fellowship designed to provide female faculty in the health sciences the professional and personal skills necessary to thrive in healthcare leadership roles.

College of Dentistry Interim Dean Dr. Susan Rowan, DDS, MS, FACD, FICD, called Bedran-Russo’s success as a dental researcher, service as a mentor to up-and-coming scientists, and active involvement with dental organizations and colleagues an asset to the college’s research enterprise.

“She has incredible expertise and proficiency in her own research, of course, but also a demonstrated ability to uplift others and foster collaborations across disciplines and institutions,” Rowan says of Bedran-Russo. “Her leadership will enable us to identify areas of research that can contribute to advances in knowledge that can improve oral health and delivery of care, which supports the college’s vision of better oral health through transformative innovation.”

Dr. Luisa DiPietro, DDS, PhD, a professor in the department of periodontics, similarly cites Bedran-Russo’s research background as a benefit. DiPietro says Bedran-Russo possesses the organizational skills and foresight to help UIC researchers navigate the increasingly competitive grant process as well as the connections and scientific acumen to help investigators pursue discovery and innovation with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

“Having a supportive administrative team is so critical to research and [Bedran-Russo] understands this so well because she is a scientist herself,” DiPietro says. “She recognizes the important problems and questions we’re asking and where potential challenges lie.”

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“I’m excited to play a role in taking the College of Dentistry to the next level with its research, to work with past colleagues, create new relationships, and contribute to the overall health and vitality of UIC.” DR. BEDRAN-RUSSO

Tasked to lead the College of Dentistry’s research enterprise, Bedran-Russo’s grand vision is for UIC to become a robust incubator of scientific research and innovation in oral health – something she believes the College can achieve given already-existing pillars.

Ranked among the top 20 U.S. dental institutions in funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), a branch of the NIH, the college supports a wide range of interdisciplinary oral science research, though it largely focuses its investigative activities in four main areas: tissue regeneration, oral diseases, wound healing, and cancer biology.

With an active roster of researchers and a history of collaboration with UIC units such as the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR), the college has successfully competed for funding, added state-of-the-art laboratory spaces and research facilities, and expanded its efforts in innovative areas such as data science, microRNA, and the oral microbiome.

As Bedran-Russo sees it, her charge is to build on this foundation, leveraging UIC’s growing investment in research to elevate the College of Dentistry’s reputation, to improve patient care, and to advance science by supporting researchers, particularly early career investigators who can benefit from mentorship.

To accomplish these ambitious objectives, Bedran-Russo recognizes the importance of funding, specifically from the NIDCR. Her immediate priority is to position the college’s researchers to earn NIDCR grants.

The NIDCR currently accounts for about two-thirds of the college’s grant funding. In fiscal year 2022, the agency awarded $3.5 million to UIC-led projects, which placed it 20th among the nation’s dental institutions. Bedran-Russo wants to see UIC break into the top 10.

“That requires investment in people, space fitted for individuals, and the resources for investigators to grow as well as a community in which all of the stakeholders are engaged in collaboration and clinical care,” says Bedran-Russo, who is also serving as the head of the department of oral biology, a heavily research-oriented department at the college.

“She has incredible expertise and proficiency in her own research, of course, but also a demonstrated ability to uplift others and foster collaborations across disciplines and institutions.”

DR. SUSAN ROWAN SAYS OF DR. BEDRAN-RUSSO

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Bedran-Russo’s strategic plan to elevate the college’s research enterprise leans heavily into aligning research with the NIDCR’s scientific mission. For instance, she foresees an intensifying focus on team science research, including deepening collaborations with the University of Illinois Cancer Center, the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, and the UIC Institute for Functional Materials Sciences, as well as an earnest search for additional collaborations with health sciences partners at UIC and beyond.

She also wants to help researchers clearly understand how to connect their work to NIDCR and NIH initiatives tied to improving the overall health of residents, including access, health disparities, and improved care and outcomes.

“This, too, will put us in a more competitive position to earn grants,” Bedran-Russo says.

In addition, she plans purposefully and intentionally investments in the recruitment of research faculty, interdisciplinary training, and infrastructure, including upgrades to research facilities that position investigators near one another to fuel collaboration.

“The NIDCR sees team science as a driver of innovation and solutions,” Bedran-Russo says. “We need to understand where the bridges are and build additional ones.”

Dr. Bedran-Russo and research assistant reviewing data

A PURPOSE-FILLED HOMECOMING

A PLAN TO DRIVE RESEARCH

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“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” Bedran-Russo reminds, echoing a note from her mentors.

A lively research enterprise has many benefits for the college, UIC, and the world as a whole, says UIC vice chancellor for research Dr. Joanna Groden, PhD. “UIC offers unparalleled opportunity for students of all backgrounds to engage in world-class research with community and global impact,” Groden says. “The College of Dentistry – itself the only research-oriented dental school in Illinois – strengthens that mission by providing leading experts and unique, clinically based insights for complex interdisciplinary challenges, such as cancer, health equity, and the design of new biomaterials.”

Bedran-Russo recognizes the present at UIC as well as its potential future, which makes her homecoming and the work now consuming her days all the more energizing.

“Active research at the college builds critical thinking, fosters creativity and teamwork, brings the institution prestige and recognition, and allows us to think bigger and bolder,” she says. “But above all, it improves overall health and positions us to impact people in a positive way, which is why we are really here.”

“Active research at the college builds critical thinking, fosters creativity and teamwork, brings the institution prestige and recognition, and allows us to think bigger and bolder.”

DR. BEDRAN-RUSSO

ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNUS DR. BRETT KESSLER VOTED ADA PRESIDENT-ELECT

BY WILLIAM S. BIKE

During the dental student days of Denver, Colorado dentist Dr. Brett H. Kessler, ’95, he could not have envisioned being chosen president-elect of the American Dental Association.

“I was not a student-leader,” he notes. “But I had two great instructors in Dr. Tim Toepke and Dr. Jim Ozimek—my first role models as leaders, who showed me you didn’t have to know everything but you had to ask good questions. I’ve modeled myself as a leader after them.”

Kessler has been successful in doing so, previously serving as president of the Colorado Dental Association, chair of the Colorado Dental Association Foundation, and a faculty member at two universities.

“My first year in dental school I was in a band and we played at the Abbey Pub one Thursday night,” he recalls. “I had an occlusion test the next day and failed and ended up failing the class, which I had to take again. So I learned how to improve my hand skills, passed, and ended up teaching that class at the University of Colorado. I tell that story to dental students to show them that failure is an opportunity to learn, so we all should take care of ourselves and allow ourselves to be human and grow.”

Students and dentists taking better care of themselves is one of Kessler’s three top goals for his ADA presidency.

“Wellness is a priority,” he explains. “You are your most important and valuable asset, so take care of yourself first.

His other top goals are insurance benefit reform and access to care, and improving the ADA’s digital engagement strategy.

Kessler’s fond memories of the dental school include meeting his wife, Dr. Gina Kessler, ’95, their freshman year.

“UIC gave me the tools to have a life better than I ever imagined, and I’m forever grateful,” he concludes.

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“You are your most important and valuable asset, so take care of yourself first.”

DR. BRETT H. KESSLER

RESEARCH 3D tooth models created from home scans allow dentists to monitor teeth movement during treatment with fewer office visits. (Image courtesy Mohammed Elnagar)

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AI, BLOCKCHAIN AND PHONE SCANS: UIC RESEARCHERS BRING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO DENTISTRY

BY ROB MITCHUM

Exploring the value of the newest tech tools in the dentist’s office and dental education Dentistry is experiencing a quiet but dramatic technological evolution. Many of the advances in artificial intelligence and big data that are changing the way we work, shop and find entertainment may soon make it easier for dentists to personalize care, monitor patients and develop new treatment options.

Researchers at the UIC College of Dentistry are among the first in the country exploring the value of 3D image analysis, data sharing on the blockchain, home monitoring and other technologies in the clinic . Their perspective is not just to chase the latest hyped tech, but to determine how these methods can improve patient outcomes and access to dental and orthodontic care.

UIC dentists and orthodontists often treat patients with rare or complex conditions such as cleft palate, ectodermal dysplasia, craniosynostosis and other complex dentofacial deformities, as well as populations traditionally underserved by dental care. Those activities provide an opportunity to develop new AI concepts and rigorously test whether they truly offer meaningful benefits compared to current methods and avoid perpetuating bias.

“It’s a huge advantage to be in an urban area and serve a population that is traditionally disenfranchised and underrepresented,” said Dr. Veerasathpurush Allareddy, the Brodie Craniofacial Chair and professor of orthodontics at UIC. “That means when we train these AI models, we can better adjust for some of the unique factors or challenges these groups of people face and ensure more algorithmic fairness.”

Clinicians’ use of radiographs and other scans is essential to determine treatment plans and monitor patient progress, but repeatedly collecting and analyzing these images is time-intensive for both doctor and patient.

Artificial intelligence offers new approaches for utilizing this important visual data. UIC dentists collaborate with colleagues in the College of Engineering on developing new algorithms for the analysis of these images; for example, determining the amount of growth left in a patient to guide orthodontic treatment. Clinicians currently use a broad four-category scale to measure this development and select between surgery and other interventions, but a new model provides a finer-grained, continuous measure.

“We applied image analysis, image processing and deep learning methods to estimate the maturity of a patient from spinal X-rays,” said Ahmet Enis Cetin, professor of electrical and computer engineering. “This will be the first step towards a personalized approach to surgery, where AI is used as a new tool to help dentists make decisions.”

A team of dentists and engineers led by Dr. Mohammed Elnagar, assistant professor of orthodontics, also created an AI algorithm that helps select the most effective treatment plan.

For instance, the model – trained on 18 years of patient records collected at the College of Dentistry -- can judge whether a patient’s treatment objectives would be best met through the use of braces exclusively, or if supplementary surgical procedures are required. Members of the team received Thomas M. Graber Awards of Special Merit from the American Association of Orthodontists for the work.

(Left to right) Dr. Min Kyeong Lee, Dr. Maysaa Oubaidin, Dr. Veerasathpurush (Sath) Allareddy, Dr. Flavio José Castelli Sanchez, Dr. Mohammed H. Elnagar.

(Photo: Jenny Fontaine/University of Illinois Chicago)

RESEARCH

AI FOR DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND REMOTE MONITORING

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After treatment has started, AI can also help clinicians monitor patient progress, even from afar. For example, patients can use attachments to their smartphone to take their own oral scans at home. An AI algorithm then creates a 3D model that shows how treatment is progressing and identifies potential issues that might require an office visit.

In recent papers, UIC researchers found that the quality of these home scans matched what was obtained with regular scans in the clinic. That equal performance is encouraging for using the technology for early detection of complications, and an ongoing clinical trial is testing whether treatment decisions guided by the remote monitoring technology are also as effective as in-person care.

“You can optimize the patient’s office visits, based on the individual response,” Elnagar said. “If they are responding, they can keep going without a visit. If it moves off track or there is a surprise, we can have them come in earlier.”

The ability to collect high-quality scans at home will also make a meaningful difference for patients who live far from clinics or have complicated conditions that currently require frequent visits.

“It’s really exciting for patients who are limited in their choice of providers,” said Dr. Min Kyeong Lee, a clinical assistant professor of orthodontics who is also studying the ethical considerations of AI applications. “It can save a lot of time traveling, and during the start of some treatments it can sometimes require a visit every month, so it’s a big burden on the family that we can reduce.”

GENOMICS AND THE BLOCKCHAIN While imaging combined with AI can provide powerful data on a patient’s current state, dentists would also like to be able to make accurate predictions about their future. To do so will require additional data, including a rich category that has already made a massive impact in medicine: genomics.

In orthodontics, interventions may last years, and clinicians must anticipate how a patient’s teeth and associated structures will change in order to find the most appropriate treatment option. Genomic information could help dispel that uncertainty and inform decisions, Allareddy said, by identifying associations between certain genes and factors like root resorption and tooth movement.

“We’ll be able to render truly personalized orthodontic care based on the genomic profile of each patient,” Allareddy said.

“We can change the treatment or maybe even not do treatment, when the data suggests we would probably be doing more harm than good.”

But dentistry does not have the same access to universal platforms or the culture of data sharing between institutions that exists in medicine. While the UIC College of Dentistry has the advantage of being one of the largest programs in the United States, the types of studies that will unlock the predictive abilities of genetics will require data from much larger patient pools, combined with other modes of information including images and clinical outcomes.

A potential facilitator of these necessary data exchanges could be another hot technology: the blockchain. Though often discussed in the context of cryptocurrency, the blockchain also offers promise as a secure record of information distributed across computers worldwide instead of a single, centralized database.

In a recent paper, Allareddy, Elnagar, Lee and associate professor of orthodontics Dr. Maysaa Oubaidin proposed using blockchain technologies to help dental researchers around the world share and learn from clinical data. The system could enable federated machine learning – a form of AI where models are trained on distributed data without moving it from its secure home – and large-scale analyses that unlock the potential of genomic data or test interventions across a broader range of individuals, including those from underserved patient populations.

“If we can really have this huge collaboration between universities, hospitals and clinics and we can focus on organizing the data so everybody can work on one big project together instead of competing, then it may be possible to have no bias or exclusion of minorities,” said Dr. Flavio José Castelli Sanchez, an assistant professor of orthodontics.

“We’re trying to eliminate that, and there’s a big chance to do it using artificial intelligence as long as we do it properly.”

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

STUDENT ACTIVITIES COMMENCEMENT The Class of 2023 Commencement took place on May 4 at the UIC Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum. Degrees were conferred on 116 DMD candidates, 1 DMD/PhD, 33 Advanced Certificates and 30 MS candidates were awarded. Following the ceremony, the College of Dentistry hosted a cake and coffee reception on the 4th and 5th floors for the graduates and their families.

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The Scholarship Recognition Luncheon celebrated 91 scholarship recipients for their exceptional academic achievement and clinical knowledge, and recognized the generous benefactors that support the new generation of dentistry leaders. The event was held on April 29 at The Metropolitan Club of Chicago.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNITION CEREMONY

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WHITE COAT CEREMONY On September 7, the DMD Class of 2027 and DMD Advanced Standing Class of 2025 commemorated their commitment to professionalism, humanism, integrity and ethics in dentistry at this year’s White Coat Ceremony. The ceremony was held at the UIC Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum, followed by a reception for their families.

Scan QR Code to view photos from the events

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

IMPROVING ORAL HEALTHCARE FOR LATINO PATIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS—AN INTERVIEW WITH ANGELA OLIVAR

BY WILLIAM S. BIKE

Angela Olivar (DMD-AS 4) is one of only three University of Illinois Chicago students selected for a 2023-2024 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship. A program of the Health & Medicine Policy Research Group, the Schweitzer Fellowship is a year-long service learning project in which fellows design and implement programs addressing the health needs of underserved Chicago communities.

Named for the late humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, the program encourages students to become lifelong leaders in service.

In implementing her project Olivar, the foundation’s Bob and Caryle Perlman Fellow, will raise awareness about the importance of oral healthcare, providing educational sessions and addressing factors that limit Latino communities in seeking continuous oral healthcare services for special needs patients.

The fellowship will provide training, mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration.

We interviewed Olivar about her commitment to improving oral healthcare for special needs Latino communities.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

I was born and raised in Peru, where I received my dental education and graduated as a dentist. A few years later, I moved to the United States to continue with my education as an advanced standing dental student at the UIC College of Dentistry.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC?

My project will be focused on implementing an oral health education program aimed at helping adults with special needs to receive preventive dental treatment, and promoting oral health care by educational sessions. Studies have shown that adults with special needs experience more barriers to oral health care and have less access to dental care, and those in underserved racial and ethnic groups have higher levels of delayed and unmet needs for dental care. I chose it because I wanted to explore this area more, and understand better all the factors and health disparities involved.

WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF YOUR PROJECT?

I will be working with my faculty mentor, Dr. Robert Rada, clinical professor, oral medicine and diagnostic sciences, on the development and implementation of my project at El Valor, a non-profit organization site that supports adults and children with special needs and their families, located in the Pilsen community of Chicago. Dental students will participate and provide preventive dental services and educational sessions to caregivers and families about oral hygiene instructions, non-cariogenic diet and frequency of regular dental visits. With this project, I will be able to address the oral health needs of vulnerable groups and reduce health disparities.

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HOW WILL THE COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY COMMUNITY BENEFIT FROM THIS?

There is a significant need for implementing special care dentistry training and increasing the number of general dentists that are able and willing to treat adults with special needs.

This will be an interesting learning experience for dental students; as health care providers it is our job to acknowledge the specific needs of these patients and ensure that future dental professionals are optimally prepared to respond to these challenges.

WHY IS SERVING THE UNDERSERVED IMPORTANT TO YOU?

I have always thought that it is very important to give back to the community, because working with underserved communities profoundly impacts people’s lives and is a good way to contribute to our society. Back in my country, I would participate in several volunteering programs providing care to underserved communities, seeing all the people involved behind that, who work on the development and logistics of those programs. So, I became interested in it as well.

WHAT DO YOU PLAN ON DOING AFTER GRADUATION?

TELL US ABOUT WHAT BEING A SCHWEITZER FELLOW MEANS TO YOU.

I feel very honored and grateful for this opportunity. It is an extremely rewarding and gratifying experience to know that I can make a real impact on people’s lives—people who need this care the most. And I encourage students who are interested in getting involved with this project or initiating another one to apply for the Schweitzer Fellowship program.

After graduation, I would like to get involved and support similar projects. As dentists, there are several ways we can support underserved communities, like donating to charity, conducting a free community dental day, going on mission trips and many others. I would also like to implement special care dentistry in my own private practice.

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03 1 Angela Olivar and mentor, Dr. Robert Rada 2 D3-4 students treating patients at El Valor 3 Students with Dr. Robert Rada

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4 D3 students at chairside

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IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM Dr. Bennett Klavan, ’44, a pathbreaking periodontics educator who served the college as a student, faculty member, and active alumnus for eight decades, passed away on July 10, 2023, at age 102.

When Klavan joined the college’s Department of Applied Materia Medica and Therapeutics in 1948, periodontics was covered by only ten hours of lecture. Named associate head of that department in 1963, Klavan began a more comprehensive predoctoral periodontics curriculum as the department’s first program director.

That work paved the way for him to found the Department of Periodontics in 1965, and he was named the new department’s first professor and head. In that role, he developed teaching aids, laboratory exercises and clinical instruction materials, and became a national speaker on periodontics.

DR. BENNETT KLAVAN, ‘44

The burgeoning demand for periodontal treatment and its increasing complexity led to the establishment of the college’s periodontal postodoctoral program and of continuing education periodontics courses during Klavan’s tenure as department head, which lasted until 1984.

The Department of Periodontics Bennett Klavan Fund, established by Klavan’s successor as department head, Dr. Philip Hoag, supports a visiting lectureship program and other department initiatives. The Bennett Klavan Scholarship Fund, established by another former periodontics department head, Dr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and his wife, Dr. Minati Mukherjee, ’87, supports DMD and DMD-Advanced Standing Students interested and proficient in periodontics.

The college awarded Klavan its Distinguished Dental Alumnus Award in 1978.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Klavan is survived by his daughter, Roselyn Gothelf, three grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, and son, Bruce. He is interred at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

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MAY 2022

JUNE 2023

DONALD A. KRZYZAK, ‘61

HERBERT H. CHAPMAN, ‘63 DAVID L. MELING, ‘71 WILLIAM J. WEITH, ‘89

OCTOBER 2022

MARK E. FLANNIGAN, ‘76

JULY 2023 NOVEMBER 2022

STANLEY DRAB, ‘68 JANUARY 2023

JOSEPH A. SMITH, JR., ‘64 BENNETT KLAVAN, ‘44 DALTON G. BLOUGH, ORTHODONTICS, ‘56

ARTHUR W. ROGEL, ‘54 DANIEL M. FIDANZE, ‘83

AUGUST 2023

FEBRUARY 2023

SEPTEMBER 2023

CHARLES E. JOHNSON, ‘64 ROBERT A. MEINTRUP II, ‘77

DANIEL W. ZALE, ‘83 PAUL R. MARTINEAU, ‘74

APRIL 2023

OCTOBER 2023

ROBERT NOVOTNY, LOYOLA, ‘64 GERALD L. HOPE, LOYOLA, ‘72

HAROLD J. SANDERCOCK, ‘55 DAVID R. BISTERFELDT, ‘10

MAY 2023

GERHARD MALCHAREK, ‘66 JAMES B. MILLER, ‘61

SAMUEL BERKOWITZ, ORTHODONTICS, ‘59

CALENDAR

CALENDAR FEBRUARY 23, 2024 CDS Midwinter Reception Hyatt Regency McCormick Place MARCH 7, 2024 Clinic and Research Day UIC College of Dentistry MAY 2, 2024 Commencement UIC Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum

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UIC College of Dentistry Annual Fund

YOUR SUPPORT MAKES AN IMPACT. A gift to the College of Dentistry Fund for Excellence supports students become the world’s leaders in oral health delivery and discovery.

For more information or questions on how to make a gift, please email Steven A. George, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement at steveg@uic.edu.

Give online at: dentistry.uic.edu/alumni-giving/ or scan QR Code

CUSP

801 South Paulina Street (MC 621) Chicago, Illinois 60612-7211

“[This scholarship] will provide me the acknowledgment for my future aims and goals in making equal access to dental care outside of UIC. Despite the differences between dental care across countries, the underlying similarity is that dentistry is not just a profession, but is a lifelong commitment to better our society.”

SHENAZ ROHINTON BHATHENA, DMD ’23