Leading Edge Fall/Winter 2019

LEA ING EDGE Fall/Winter 2019

A publication fo r a lu m n i a n d frie n d s o f U n i v e r s i t y o f D e t r o i t M e r c y S c h o o l of D entistr y

Dentistry

DETROIT in

The place to be

FRIDAY, MARCH 27 Presented by:

The Inn at St.John’s 44045 Five Mile Rd., Plymouth, Mich 48170 8 a.m. -1:30 p.m.

COURSE DESCRIPTION Why is it that so many dental professionals are afraid to present patients with the comprehensive treatment plan they need? Did we give the patient gum disease, or cause carious lesions? Of course not!

Jason G. Souyias, D.D.S. '02

Many offices miss out on the opportunity to help their patients keep their teeth for a lifetime because they are uncomfortable communicating the ideal treatment plan. Diagnosing and treating findings are essential to the patient, can be non-confrontational and profitable for the office. Learn how to make your patients want the services you offer, which will not only benefit them but your practice as well.

dental.udmercy.edu/alumniday 2 |

News

Upcoming Alumni Events ATLANTA • CHICAGO • TORONTO

New Orleans, LA

Chicago, IL

To register and for updated event information, visit dental.udmercy.edu/alumni THURSDAY, FEB. 20

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

FRIDAY, MAY 8

Chicago Midwinter Meeting Alumni Reception

Michigan Dental Association Annual Session Alumni Reception

Ontario Dental Association Annual Spring Meeting Alumni Reception

EN0 Wine Bar InterContinental Hotel Chicago, Il. 5:30–7p.m.

Reserve Food and Wine Grand Rapids, Mich.

5:30–7 p.m.

The Loose Moose Toronto, Ont., Canada 5:30–7 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

SATURDAY, MAY 2

FRIDAY, JULY 10

Alumni Day 2020

American Association of Orthodontists Annual Session Alumni Reception

National Dental Association Annual Meeting Alumni Reception

The Inn at St. John’s Plymouth, Mich.

8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

Atlanta Marriott Marquis Atlanta, Ga. 5:30–7:30 p.m.

American Association of Endodontists Annual Meeting Alumni Dinner

Nash House Southern Spoon & Saloon Nashville, Tenn.

7–9p.m.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Arend Klooster, D.D.S '11 was named in Benco Dental’s magazine, Incisal Edge, as one of 2019’s 40 Under 40. After serving as chief resident of his Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program at the University of North Carolina, Klooster purchased two practices in North Carolina and recently became a Diplomate of the America Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Hyatt Regency New Orleans New Orleans, La. 5:30–7 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 17

Academy of General Dentistry Annual Meeting 2020 Alumni Reception

Las Vegas, Nev. SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US! Use #detroitmercydental when posting to social media or send photos of alumni events you have attended to Kimberly Raleigh at kimberly.raleigh@udmercy.edu

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Dean's Letter

Caring for the entire person

Dear alumni and friends,

Dr. Mert N. Aksu, Dean

"Whether that person is a patient or a student, we must recognize the importance of attending to the needs of the other."

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As you read this edition of the Leading Edge, I hope you feel the excitement of all that is going on around us here in Detroit – both on and off campus. The theme we have been reinforcing throughout the year has been centered on cura personalis, a Latin phrase that means to care for the entire person and a key characteristic of a Jesuit education. We take our role in doing this seriously as both stewards in the education of future oral health professionals and providers to our patients.

For students, we provide an environment for growth both personally and professionally and guide them forward as they become alumni. In Detroit, we are an essential resource for oral healthcare to the patients and communities we serve.

Recently, we experienced a power outage midday at the School of

Dentistry. Students were in the middle of quizzes, lectures and procedures - patients were in the process of treatment. It was inconvenient and hectic, but this crisis brought out the best in people and showed how resilient and invested we are as individuals and a team.

As patients were prioritized, it was a teaching opportunity for faculty and staff. By implementing quick thinking educational strategies, students felt at ease among the uncertainty. It was a day that will surely be remembered as part of their educational experience and enable them to think on their feet once they have moved onto their careers.

Power was restored in the middle of the night and staff members arrived to work early the next day. They were ready to go the extra mile so we could deliver the smile. By the time patients arrived, it was business as usual.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

American Dental Association (ADA) 9th District Delegation represent Michigan and Wisconsin in the ADA House of Delegates.

Detroit Mercy Dental alumni who serve as current ADA 9th District Delegates include:

I like to think our reaction to the power outage is reflective of the spirit and character of Detroit.

We are committed. We hustle.

We get the job done. We care for the person and understand the battles that people face as the “human condition” unfolds.

your careers. Your continued support of our School and mission matters, and I appreciate being able to serve as dean of your school.

Cura personalis. Whether that person is a patient or a student, we must recognize the importance of attending to the needs of the other.

I wish you all health, happiness, and prosperity in the year ahead,

I am endlessly proud of the success of our alumni and I know it is because you have carried this principle with you throughout

Please enjoy this Leading Edge.

edition

of

Mert N. Aksu, D.D.S., J.D., M.H.S.A. Dean

• Larissa Bishop, D.D.S. ’00 •Todd Christy, D.D.S. ’96 •Andrew DeHaan, D.D.S. ’10, M.S. ’12 •Rhonda Hennessy, D.D.S. ’86 •Gabriel B. Holdwick, D.D.S. ’14 •Jerry Kohen, D.D.S. ’75 •Michael Maihofer, D.D.S. ’78 •Martin Makowski, D.D.S. ’80 •Stephen Meraw, D.D.S. ’95, M.S. •William Patchak, D.D.S. ’76 •Alexa Vitek-Hitchcock, D.D.S. ’04 Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Board of Trustees has authority over all matters of the association subject to the restrictions imposed by the bylaws to include financial and policy setting. Detroit Mercy Dental alumni who serve as current MDA Board of Trustee members include: • Todd Christy, D.D.S. ’96 • Rhonda Hennessy, D.D.S. ’86 • Michael Maihofer, D.D.S. ’78 • Stephen Meraw, D.D.S. ’95, M.S. • William Patchak, D.D.S. ’76

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LEA ING EDGE

A publication for alumni and friends of University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

CONTENTS

FEATURE ARTICLE

Dentistry

DETROIT in

8

The place to be

PUBLISHED BY THE SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Detroit, MI 48208

20

Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. University President Mert N. Aksu, D.D.S., J.D., M.H.S.A. Dean aksumn@udmercy.edu

Upcoming Alumni Events...........................................................................................3

Kari Radjewski, M.A. Editor-in-Chief

University News..........................................................................................................7

Rhonda Evans, B.F.A. Communications Coordinator & Graphic Designer Art Director and Publication Designer evansrh@udmercy.edu Kimberly Raleigh, R.D.H., M.H.S.A. Director of Continuing Education and Alumni Relations kimberly.raleigh@udmercy.edu Thomas W. Sklut, M.A. Director of Development skluttw@udmercy.edu Evan Godell Media Specialist Photographer godellea@udmercy.edu

Dean’s Letter..............................................................................................................4 Alumni Reflection.......................................................................................................8 Student News...........................................................................................................10 Student Essay...........................................................................................................14 Diversity & Inclusion.................................................................................................15 Outreach..................................................................................................................16 Research...................................................................................................................17 FEATURE ARTICLE: Dentistry in Detroit - The Place to Be..................................................................20 Recent Events...........................................................................................................26 School News.............................................................................................................28 Alumni Board............................................................................................................31 Continuing Education..............................................................................................32

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please email any communications that highlight our alumni to Kimberly Raleigh: kimberly.raleigh@udmercy.edu 313-494-6694

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FIND MORE ONLINE! See this Fall/Winter 2019 issue and more on our website at

dental.udmercy.edu/alumni/leading-edge

News

University Highlights MCNICHOLS • RIVERFRONT • CORKTOWN

Oral histories of Mercy, Jesuit religious online The stories of the women and men in Detroit who followed their calling and helped build what is now University of Detroit Mercy are being told in a far-reaching and important new online archive by the Detroit Mercy Libraries and Instructional Design Studio.

The Jesuit and Mercy History and Spirituality in Detroit project is the culmination of many years of work.

Professor Nizar Ibrahim, with hat, says the Sahara Desert once was completely under water, and full of enormous dinosaurs.

Students hunt dinosaurs in Sahara If you ever find yourself in the middle of the Sahara Desert hunting fossils and can’t tell whether something is a rock or a bone, there’s a trick.

“If you lick them and they stick to your tongue, it’s a bone,” University of Detroit Mercy Biology Lab Manager Justine Becker said.

Becker learned this when she accompanied world-renowned paleontologist and University of Detroit Mercy Assistant Professor Nizar Ibrahim and four Detroit Mercy students on an expedition to the Sahara this past summer.

“I found some that would stick to your tongue,” Becker said. “That moment when you actually validate that it’s a bone, it’s just really special. It was probably my favorite moment.”

Ibrahim, who is a National Geographic Explorer, is no stranger to the Sahara.

He’s led several expeditions that have gained world-wide fame for his work uncovering a menagerie of prehistoric creatures, including the giant flying reptile Alanqa and the mysterious Spinosaurus, a sail-backed predatory dinosaur larger in body length than a Tyrannosaurus rex.

Ibrahim’s goal is to reconstruct the entire ecosystem of the Sahara of approximately 100 million years ago when it featured a huge river system that served as home to a wide variety of spectacular animals from Africa’s Age of Dinosaurs. And he is using Detroit Mercy students to help make that happen.

Photo by Andreas Jacob

DID YOU KNOW?

“This has been a long time coming,” said Dean of University Libraries and Instructional Technology Jennifer L. Dean.

“This project started under my predecessor, Dean Emerita Margaret Auer, who thought it was important to collect the oral histories of the Sisters of Mercy and their contributions to Mercy College of Detroit and Detroit Mercy.”

Over the years, most of the Sisters of Mercy were interviewed for this project and those interviews were captured on video. They discussed their calling, their work and their lives.

Later, the project was expanded to include local members of the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits.

“They trusted us to talk to us, and to me, that made it important we get it right,” Jill Turner, associate librarian who worked on the project, said. “This archive is also a history of Detroit when you look at the circles they traveled in, and what they did with their persistence and their calling. I’m not Catholic, but I found their stories inspiring.”

The Jesuit and Mercy History and Spirituality in Detroit project is available on the Archives and Special Collections pages that can be found at libraries.udmercy.edu.

For longer versions of these stories, please visit sites.udmercy.edu/alumni.

Legacy students are eligible for scholarships!

Dependent children of alumni are eligible for an undergraduate alumni scholarship of $1,000 per year, for a maximum of $4,000 over four years. Learn more at community.udmercy.edu/benefits

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Alumni Reflection

What it means to be a Detroit Mercy dental team

By Kari Radjewski

Professional and proficient with a shared philosophy.

That is how Shanna McGettrick, R.D.H. ’02, D.D.S. ’09 and Mary Rigley, R.D.H. ’05, B.S. ’05, described what it is like to work collaboratively as a dentist and dental hygienist team, each with a Detroit Mercy education.

In the eight years the pair have been working alongside one another, they discovered that being graduates from Detroit Mercy facilitates an efficient working relationship and provides a quality day-to-day life in the office and for their patients.

“As an employer and leader in the office, I know what I can allow a Detroit Mercy hygienist to do and what they are going to give me back. Mary’s education was very appealing to me when I hired her.” McGettrick said. “A Detroit Mercy hygienist’s level of confidence, ability to think independently and take initiative are the intangibles important for me as a provider, which are also essential to the patient experience.”

McGettrick’s strong feelings on this could be because she, too, went through the dental hygiene program prior to pursuing dentistry. She knows the level of expectation for student hygienists at Detroit Mercy.

“Because dental hygiene students work with dental students from the beginning, they understand how to work as a dental team,” McGettrick said.

Rigley agrees. In addition, she feels assured and affirmed knowing the Detroit Mercy dentist shares the same values as an oral health provider.

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“There was an intrinsic trust between us when I started,” Rigley said. “I can attribute this to us both having a Detroit Mercy education. We have always been on the same page when it comes to caring for and prioritizing the patient.”

McGettrick said it can take a bit longer for her to adjust to working with a hire that is from a different educational background.

“All my hygienists are great – and their technical skills are pretty comparable. It’s more the level of knowledge in periodontics, pharmacology, oral surgery, etc. and their expansive dental vocabulary that a Detroit Mercy hygienist comes in with right away,” she explained.

Both providers believe this is because of the patient base seen at Detroit Mercy, which is much different from other schools. The diverse backgrounds and needs of patients develop students into practice-ready professionals.

“Compared to other hygienists I have worked with; I notice a difference in the way we assess patients,” Rigley said. “As a student I was forced to treat many medically complex patients. That always introduced a new learning opportunity, which prepared me well for a career.”

“... they discovered that being graduates from Detroit Mercy facilitates an efficient working relationship and provides a quality day-to-day life in the office and for their patients.”

Shanna McGettrick, R.D.H. ’02, D.D.S. ’09

In their practice, they continue to see many compromised patients and are proud to be able to take care of their needs.

Rigley elaborated, “I’ve worked with dentists from different backgrounds who struggle to handle patients with such extensive conditions, medications or special needs because they never had to before. It’s nice to see us be able to take care of them right here. They have enough to deal with.”

Mary Rigley, R.D.H. ’05, B.S. ‘05

But sometimes it does come down to referring out for complicated procedures that do require a specialist. In that case, McGettrick also prioritizes partnering with Detroit Mercy graduates, knowing patients will be in great hands.

She summarized the camaraderie when she said, “As alumni, whether it is dental hygienist, dentist or specialist, we are proud of where we studied and have a high respect for one another because of the wonderful education we received!”

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Student News

School of Dentistry welcomes new classes

Dental Class of 2023

Excitement and energy filled the school as the Dental Hygiene Class of 2021 and Dental Class of 2023 officially joined us. During their first days, new students acquainted themselves with the University, Corktown Campus, curriculum, Detroit and their classmates.

On Sunday, Aug. 18, the new classes participated in the annual White Coat Ceremony held at the Fitness Center on the McNichols campus. This year, Dean Emeritus H. Robert Steiman, D.D.S. ’73, M.S. ’79, Ph.D., delivered the keynote address. Students entered the profession by receiving their white coats and reciting the professional oath which was led

by John Dinka D.D.S. ’86, vice-president of the School of Dentistry Alumni Board. It was a wonderful celebration for incoming students and their families.

"It has been wonderful to see these new students so excited and eager about their futures. I can’t wait to see what they accomplish these next few years."

– Juliette Daniels, assistant dean of Student Services and Enrollment

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Michelle Szewczyk, D.D.S. ’19 worked as a Fellow at the American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC) in Washington, D.C. In this role, she met with members of congress to educate legislators on important topics as they relate to oral healthcare. She was featured on the American Dental Association’s podcast, Tooth Talk, where she shared her perspective on the importance of advocacy and the role of organized dentistry, as well as what she learned during her summer in Washington D.C. The podcast (#24) is available at ada.org/en/advocacy/adpac

Dental Hygiene Class of 2021 For more White Coat Ceremony photos, visit us on Facebook at @detroitmercydental.

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Dental Class of 2023 Profile

CLASS SIZE:

RESIDENCE:

82

62

57%

43% 1 Alabama 1 Arizona 10 California 12 Florida 1 Georgia

Male Students

Female Students

1 Hawaii 1 Idaho 3 Illinois 1 Louisiana 2 Maryland

RACE/ETHNICITY:

83 Michigan 2 Ohio 1 Pennsylvania 6 Texas 1 Vermont

2 Virginia 1 Manitoba 13 Ontario 2 International

STATISTICS: 71 Caucasian

43

23

3.60

Average Age

Average Incoming Total G.P.A.

3.55

20

Average Incoming Science G.P.A.

DAT Average Academic Average

Asian

6

African American

11

Hispanic

13

UnderRepresented Minority

49%

29%

4%

7%

11%

Caucasian

Asian

African American

Hispanic

UnderRepresented Minority

19.8 DAT Average Total Science D E N TA L . U D M E R C Y. E D U

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Student News

Alumni & Donor Scholarships 2019-20 Academic Year Thanks to alumni and friends of the School of Dentistry, $98,300 in scholarships was awarded to current students.

Of 80 applicants, 44 students received scholarships for the 2019-20 academic year, averaging $2,234 per award.

The types of scholarships students may apply for vary. Many times, donors choose to specify the criteria based on variety of factors including GPA, leadership activities, financial need, family responsibilities and mentoring experience.

If you are interested in sponsoring a student scholarship, please contact Director of Development, Thomas Sklut: thomas.sklut@udmercy.edu or 313-494-6624 ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP

DELTA DENTAL FUND - continued

Amandeep Kaur................. DS4 .............................. 2,000 Clara Poparad-Stezar......... DS4 .............................. $2,000 $

CHARLES DEFEVER SCHOLARSHIP

Maxemilian Nascimento.... DS2............................... $1,000 Randy DeYoung................. DS3............................... $1,000 Lauren Rasmussen.............. DS3............................... $1,000 Tanner Trombley................ DS4............................... $1,000 Anela Avdic....................... DS4............................... $1,000

Jordan Spavor ................... DS3............................... $2,100 DEMLER H. EICHLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND COOPER DENTAL SCHOLARSHIP Antonia Neal...................... DS4............................... $1,200 DEAN’S CIRCLE SCHOLARSHIP Ana Barajas-Preciado......... DS1............................... $2,000 Trey Hester........................ DS1............................... $2,000 Maxemilian Nascimento.... DS2............................... $2,000 Christen Thompson............ DS2............................... $2,000 Jacob Flyte........................ DS3............................... $2,000 Alexander Kakaris Porter.... DS3............................... $2,000 Brittany Schweiger............. DS3............................... $2,000 Devin Hodell...................... DS3............................... $2,000 Elizabeth Macchione......... DS4............................... $2,000 Samer Jassar.................... DS4............................... $2,000 DELTA DENTAL FUND - $1,000 (per year for 4 years) Kellie Hurst........................ DS1............................... $1,000 Sondos Hajar...................... DS1............................... $1,000 Maria Athnasios................. DS2............................... $1,000 12 |

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Alice Piatkowski................. DS1............................... $1,000 Amber French.................... DS1............................... $1,000 Jay Wayntraub................... DS2...............................$1,000 Kyle Radomski................... DS2............................... $1,000 Randall DeYoung............... DS3............................... $1,000 Dylan Salem...................... DS3............................... $1,000 Bilal Ibrahim....................... DS4............................... $1,000 Herschel Ungar................... DS4............................... $1,000 ELIAS FLOYD DELTA SIGMA DELTA SCHOLARSHIP Chelsea Watkins ................ DS4.............................. $1,750 HOBAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Hala Ibrahim....................... DH2.............................. $1,000 Joshua Fletcher.................. DS3............................... $1,000 Lucas Mathes.................... DS3............................... $1,000 Timothy Matthews............. DS3............................... $1,000

KINRA FAMILY ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP

STRICKER ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP

Paul Leveille....................... DS4............................... $1,000

Lena Akkad........................ DS4..............................$2,250

LAWRENCE COTMAN EXPENDIBLE SCHOLARSHIP

SHERRY A. CASTLE BOYER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Ashleigh O'Brien................ DS2..............................$1,000 Lizette Ramirez................. DS2..............................$1,000

Sheikh Mamoon............... DH1.............................. $500 WILLIAM NICHOLSON SCHOLARSHIP MEMORIAL FUND

MOSELY DENTAL SCHOLARSHIP Michael South.................... DS4............................... $1,750 NATIONAL ARAB AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

Lucas Mathes..................... DS3.............................$10,000 Salwa Saleh........................ DS3.............................$10,000 Randall DeYoung............... DS3.............................$10,000 Alexis Georgoff.................. DS4.............................$10,000

Yusri Alabbadi.................... DS3.............................. $1,750

Dental Class of 2023 - Legacy Connections Ameila Abdal

Mother – Nidaa Abdal, D.D.S. ’98

Alin Alias

Cousin– Thair Stipho, D.D.S. ’98

Jenna Dinka

Father – John Dinka, D.D.S. ’86

Mother – Catherine Osinski Dinka, D.D.S. ’88

Mary Jadou

Brother – Loran Jaddou, D.D.S. ’19

Cousin – Reema Kulairi, D.D.S. ’17

Jakob Lee

Father – Erik Lee, D.D.S. ’00

Thomas Mullaly

Uncle – John Hinterman, D.D.S. ’69

Brother– Matthew Mullaly, D.D.S. ’15

Olga Panagos

Father – Chris Panagos, D.D.S. ’83

Uncle – Robert Gryebet, D.D.S. ’83

Shivam Patel

Cousin – Kinnery Patel, D.D.S. ’10

Meera Sobh

Father – Ali Sobh, D.D.S. ’96

Aunt – Sohayla Mammo, D.D.S. ’99, M.A. ’17

Cousin – Zeinab Sobh, D.D.S. ’18

Aunt – Olga Panagos-Stathis, D.D.S. ’88

Cousin – Mohammed Sobh, D.D.S. ’19

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Student Essay

re park adventu a local t a g in climb Rhines Casey

By Casey Rhines, Dental Class of 2020

al e Festiv ete in th 19 n compCity in July 20 o tt u S von Traverse nd Deth on in ofsess a Ryan Haces half-mara R f o

al with

Ne Antonia

r, Robin

te

daugh

Caitlyn Loren taking instructiozo as a second-year dental stu dent, n from Joan Lew is, affiliate profes sor

As the Class of 2020 approaches graduation, we can’t help but ask: Was it worth it? Our friends’ travels across the globe rivaled our tour across every nerve in the human body. Driving to the nearest 24-hour library to study biochemistry compared to trekking to the nearest dive bar for late night happy hour. As our closest friends got married and started families, we were awakened by 3 a.m. e-mails from professors.

They say that four years of dental school flies by, but every week full of quizzes made it seem as though it would never end. I entered dental school in my early twenties and I’m leaving in my midtwenties. As a member of the sevenyear dental program, I was worried that I was spending these precious youthful years on stress and would not get true 20-something experiences. I was incredibly wrong. Here’s a look at the members of the Class of 2020 enjoying their 20s: Ryan Hofsess, avid runner in our class, completed his first half-marathon with his girlfriend, Devon Sutton, member of the Dental Hygiene Class of 2020.

Antonia Neal welcomed her first child, Robin, into the world just before taking

Cra ig Le| nh 14 L Eau Asen D I Nwit G E D G E FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 9 h new wife Jenna on their wedding day

her CDCA licensure exam. “3:30 a.m. used to be the time I go to sleep after staying up late to study for any of the many exams of dental school. But now it’s the time I wake up each morning to feed my adorable baby girl. I learned earlier on in dental school that life does not and should not stop.”

In true 20-something fashion, Caitlyn Lorenzo works a part-time job on top of her full-time career at school. She spends at least three days a week working at a high-end clothing store to support herself and minimize her loan debt.

“Starting dental school, you were told that everyone will leave here a doctor, but I’ll be leaving with much more: a home, a wife, a family,” Craig Lenhausen stated after returning from his honeymoon during our final year.

The Class of 2020 includes several other students who fit these narratives and many who do not. With our average age being 28, many students spent the remainder of their twenties in pre-clinical courses and some said good-bye a long time ago. Nevertheless, we have experienced the peaks and pitfalls of early adulthood together. All while making wax rims and dissecting the brachial plexus.

Diversity & Inclusion

Dental Imprint Program celebrates 10 years of success

A local high school student learns how to make an impression during DIP.

To reduce barriers for underrepresented minority students to enter the dental profession, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry created a pipeline program called Dental Imprint Program (DIP). This year, we celebrate its 10 years of success.

For the past decade, DIP has introduced students from the Detroit Public School Community District to oral health care.

Through observation and hands-on activity, our hope is to familiarize and interest participants in dentistry, and ultimately develop in them the confidence to pursue a career in the profession.

way for local youth to gain exposure to the field of dentistry,” said Melvin Lunkins, coordinator, Diversity & Inclusion. “By courting, encouraging and educating these students, we can start early recruitment of students who will look like many of the patients they will serve,” he said.

In 2019, 15 high schools partnered with us. And since its founding in 2009, more than 1,000 students have participated in DIP. We are proud of the program’s success and excited to see what is to come from the program in another 10 years!

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Larry DeGroat, D.D.S. ’73, former president of the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), and former chair of MDA Insurance & Financial Group, announced his retirement from the MDA Insurance & Financial Group and the MDA Health Plan boards. DeGroat has served the dental profession at large for several years, and as an MDA Insurance committee member and board member for 31 years.

2019-20 Michigan Dental Association Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) is a 12-month program designed to build future leaders by developing personal leadership skills. Alumni from the newest class include: • Michelle Dziurgot, D.D.S. ’96 • Prabhjot Sing, D.D.S. ’17 • Lauryne Vanderhoof, D.D.S. ’17

Summer Enrichment Program participants recognized by the city

“Through the program, we really strive to create a unique and interesting

Bridges Not Fences panel sparks important conversation In an effort to begin a practical dialogue with students, faculty and staff regarding their lived experiences on campus, the Bridges Not Fences panel discussion was introduced in April. The University’s Science, Technology & Race Learning Community took deliberate steps to establish a panel of typically underrepresented to share their perspectives and thoughts on important issues including diversity, inclusion, representation, community

engagement and more.

Melvin Lunkins, coordinator, Diversity & Inclusion, and Tamika Thompson, D.D.S. ’02, M.S. ’11, clinical associate professor, represented the School of Dentistry on the panel.

Nearly 100 people attended the event – it was a great start to engaging important topics. The University is excited about the many productive initiatives and conversations to come.

Participants receive the Spirit of Detroit Award at a recent City Council meeting.

On Tuesday, June 25, Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson and the members of the Detroit City Council presented a Spirit of Detroit award to 20 participants of University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry’s Summer Enrichment Program (SEP). Participants took part in a new component of SEP that integrated community outreach. They were recognized for their commitment and altruism to families at the 5th Annual Marshmallow Drop in Detroit.

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Outreach

More than a mouthguard 20% are maxillofacial injuries.”

The partnership flows two ways.

Residents and students learn firsthand the importance of protecting athletes’ oral cavities by setting up an on-site clinic where they provide screenings, oral health instruction, referrals and, of course, mouthguards— including instructions on how to wear, clean and store the appliance.

Jimmy Nguyen, DS1, and a classmate take an alginate impression on a boxer

"For a boxer, a mouthguard should be as important as gloves” Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG) has a far-reaching impact on young people in Detroit. An impact that keeps young boxers safe, not just from their opponent’s gloves, but from the streets.

The gym was founded in 2007 by Khali Sweeney who envisioned a program that would provide youth with resources to become positive and productive members of society; resources he and his friends did not have growing up.

Through boxing, DBG prioritizes academics, providing tutoring, mentorship and even intervention. Boxers hit the books before they hit the bags.

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Since the program began, 100% of student participants have graduated high school and 98% of the program’s kids have gone on to college.

For the past eight years, Detroit Mercy Dental has partnered with DBG to ensure athletes are provided with a proper mouthguard. Student, resident, faculty and staff volunteers have come to look forward to this annual event.

In addition to being provided with a proper fitting at delivery, the partnership exposes athletes to careers in oral health care. As they watch volunteers at work, the young boxers ask questions about their education and experience, forming important and influential relationships that may one day lead them to pursue dentistry.

DBG has exploded across Detroit.

Youth come from 30 different zip codes and 57 schools across the city and nearby suburbs. More than 150 athletes between the ages of eight and 18 participate and each one relies on their equipment. Whether it’s shoes, boxing gloves or a mouthguard, all are needed to perform properly and safely.

In a sport such as boxing, the potential for a mouth injury is obvious. Mouthguards have been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries to hard tissue and there is evidence they may reduce injury to soft tissue as well.

“For a boxer, a mouthguard should be as important as gloves,” said Christina Van Dam, D.D.S. ‘11, director of Advanced Education of General Dentistry. “According to the American Dental Association, approximately 20 to 25 million youth participate in competitive sports and it is estimated that about 36% of unintentional injuries are sports related. Of those injuries, upwards of

INTERSTED IN MENTORING A STUDENT? We match students with alumni mentors to provide guidance, knowledge and resources to students as they prepare for their professional careers. To become a mentor, please visit dental.udmercy.edu/alumni

Research

An inside look into the future of dentistry

By Jonathan Toma, Dental Class of 2022

In June 2019, several faculty, residents and student researchers attended the 97th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This year, the session was combined with the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) Annual Meeting, making it one of the largest dental conferences in the world.

At the meeting, hundreds of lectures, presentations and demonstrations were provided by pioneers in the fields of dental materials, 3-D imaging, 3-D printing and more. Many of these presentations were to small groups, allowing attendees the opportunity to speak to the presenter to gain more insight about advancement in the field.

As a student researcher, I was excited to represent University of Detroit Mercy in the AADR/Dentsply Sirona Student Competition for Advancing Dental Research and its Application (SCADA). This distinguished opportunity provided a unique perspective into dental research. During the two-day competition, I met dental students, faculty and dentists from around the world.

I gained new insight into the breadth of dental student research and advancements in all facets of dentistry and oral health.

This opportunity instilled in me a further understanding of the need for continued research and innovation in dentistry. The

Jonathan Toma, DS2 and assistant professor, Joshua Thomson, PhD.

future of dentistry is promising, and I saw this as I got an inside look at the research being done by colleagues.

One of the best parts of the conference was learning more about the research of other students, residents and faculty at Detroit Mercy Dental. The research community at Detroit Mercy is full of amazing student researchers and wonderful mentors and our school had a large representation at the conference.

My classmate, Nazanin Tanha, DS3, summed it up when she said, “We get the chance to elevate our knowledge, hang out with fellow researchers and

enjoy exchanging ideas and experiences in a friendly environment where everyone’s innovative ideas are respected and welcomed. At Detroit Mercy Dental, we have several research events each year organized by research faculty and students, but this conference was on a different level. This was an unforgettable experience!”

Getting involved with research is something I would recommend to all students, even if you do not plan to pursue a career in academia. Attending the 2019 IADR was incredible, but only a small part of the gratification that being involved in research provides.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Gabriel B. Holdwick, D.D.S. ’14 has volunteered as a speaker for the American Dental Association’s Success Program for the past several years. Through this initiative, the ADA sends guest speakers to dental schools around the country. He most recently spoke at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tenn.

Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Fellowship Award was presented to the following alumni at the Convocation Ceremony held during the 2019 AGD Scientific Session in July. Fellowship is obtained by completing extensive continuing education programs and passing the Fellowship Exam.

At the 2019 International College of Dentists Annual Convocation in September, Holdwick became a member of the International College of Dentists, a group representing 12,000 dentists from 122 countries around the world.

• Andrew Ambroski, D.D.S ’08 • Leena Bahu, D.D.S. ’00 • Heather Stratton, D.D.S. ’02 • Connie Tse-Wallestein, D.D.S. ’06 • Michael J. Vilag, D.D.S. ’13

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Dentistry

DETROIT in

The place to be

By Kari Radjewski

DETROIT IS CONTINUING TO PROVE ITSELF AS A GREAT PLACE. AS TOLD BY THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS AND ALUMNI, FOR ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, IT IS THE PLACE TO BE. In relatively a short amount of time, Detroit’s image has gone from abandoned and undesirable to a hot spot for lifestyle, culture and entertainment.

As the only university in the city with Detroit in its name, experiencing this new era after a long period of negative attention leaves us feeling extremely proud and optimistic about the future.

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of Joe Louis Arena; out our windows, we see Michigan Central train station undergoing renovation; and with each new retail and restaurant development, we continue to cheer the city to success. The downtown corridor is alive and constantly evolving.

Students and alumni both take part in Detroit’s success – by living, studying, working and playing here.

Despite incredible growth downtown, Detroit continues to be a health professionals shortage area for dentistry. In fact, when compared to the rest of the United States, Detroit has about three times less dentists per population. The situation is despairing but presents tremendous opportunity for students to learn and alumni to build a career. The need for dental providers in Detroit is abundant.

Dentistry in DETROIT

S TAT I S T I C S DETROIT POPULATION

672,662 residents

According to the US Census Bureau, July 2018

FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT GENERAL PRACTICE DENTISTS

121

Approximate data provided by the State of Michigan

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RATIO OF DENTISTS TO POPULATION:

DETROIT

18 to 100,000 NATIONAL

61 to 100,000 According to the American Dental Association

TAYLOR JOHNSON Dental Class of 2023

After a visit, they realized just why Johnson loved it so much.

Taylor Johnson recently moved to the Riverfront neighborhood of Detroit from St. Petersburg, Fla. to begin her dental education at Detroit Mercy.

In 2018, she participated in the Summer Enrichment Program, a pipeline opportunity Detroit Mercy Dental provides for prospective underrepresented minority students. She had never been to Detroit prior to the program, and what she heard about the city wasn’t great.

The academic experience left a lasting impression and during the five-week program, she took time to explore the city. It didn’t take much for her to fall in love with the friendliness of the Midwest and energy Detroit exudes.

Johnson’s family, though, was skeptical. Sure, they supported her pursuit of dentistry and it would be a great adventure to move. But to Detroit?

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“Over the summer, I hosted 12 family members,” Johnson said. “We rented bikes and scooters to tour downtown.

We stumbled upon so many cool spots — they were impressed with how diverse Detroit is in both language and culture!”

From vibrant music and arts to food and design scenes, small communities of like-minded people are bringing out the best of diversity for Detroit. For Johnson, the School of Dentistry is one of those communities.

“At school, the faculty, staff and students are reflective of that diversity and because of it, I feel like I belong,” she said.

At the Oral Cancer Walk in September, where students and others raised awareness about oral cancer prevention and raised money for the school’s biopsy fund, Johnson met several community members who participated in the outreach event.

“I helped recruit participants for the

health fair preceding the walk and handed out oral health kits,” she said.

“I noticed most individuals who attended had major oral health needs and were referred to the school for follow-up care. A handful of homeless individuals joined us, too. I saw up close the people I may treat one day – and realized how important it is I am here.”

This experience helped Johnson better understand the local population and she left with a desire to serve more individuals in need and plans to participate in more outreach events with her classmates.

“I’m endlessly inspired by the possibility of Detroit,” she said. “I’ve been here a short amount of time, but I am very excited about the future.”

Whether or not Johnson envisions herself practicing in Detroit after graduation is still up in the air, though.

“I’m not ready to make that commitment until I experience my first winter…”

Dentistry in DETROIT

LIZETTE RAMIREZ Dental Class of 2022

For the better part of Lizette Ramirez’s life, she has been a Detroiter.

She had a seemingly normal childhood growing up in Mexicantown where she walked to the corner store for a candy bar and played with stray cats in a nearby park.

“At the time, I was oblivious to the crime happening around me,” Ramirez said. “Looking back, I can see it. I remember one summer arson was a big deal. Detroit has had its moments where it lived up to its reputation, but I found peace and quiet where I could.”

Making trips downtown were infrequent and were never to simply enjoy the city.

Her family’s visits always had a purpose.

“My mom used to be a folklore dancer, so we would go to Hart Plaza to watch her or see different cultural events,” she said. “If we ever went downtown, it was to go to where we were going, but never to leisurely enjoy it.”

A few years later, when Ramirez returned from Ann Arbor where she completed her undergraduate studies at University of Michigan, Detroit was a much different place. A city she once knew to be rough around the edges had really smoothed out.

“Downtown Detroit has grown so much since I was young. From Campus Martius to the Riverwalk to Midtown – there is a real social scene. It’s hard to keep up with everything new. There are many reasons to spend time there,” she said. “Classmates study at the DIA or at various coffee shops in Corktown. Even Mexicantown has become somewhat of a tourist attraction.”

As someone who grew up in Detroit, Ramirez feels very blessed to learn here.

“Through academic and social activities, I am seeing many different sides to Detroit. Whether it be finding a place to study or hanging out with classmates after school, I have enjoyed rediscovering the city with a different perspective and sharing new experiences and memories with my classmates,” she said.

Unfortunately, much of the city’s growth has been at the expense of the poor. Gentrification is taking over neighborhoods or the city isn’t investing in impoverished areas. She has noticed this in the neighborhood where she grew up, which has her thinking about her future career. Although she has a few years to go, her goal is to work in community health, or at least volunteer in a free clinic, to help a predominantly Hispanic population.

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SAMER JASSAR Dental Class of 2020

“There is a lot of academic and professional opportunity in Detroit,” said Samer Jassar who originates from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Jassar has spent his education capitalizing on all the opportunity that comes his way.

During the third year of dental school, Jassar began providing care to patients as a student dentist. He realized that the relationship between the school and its patients is symbiotic: The services students provide are an essential resource to patients and patients are essential to the education of the students.

“Many of our patients at the school don’t have any other options. Their cases are complex, so the learning opportunity is rich” he said. “They have so many different needs, wants, conditions and are from all walks of life. Not only am I able to develop my skills clinically, but my interpersonal communication skills are constantly challenged. Every patient can teach you something new.”

One opportunity Jassar takes advantage of to enhance his academic experience is participating in the free student-run clinic in Detroit. On Saturdays, under supervision of faculty, he and classmates provide care in a fast-paced environment to patients with vast needs at Malta Medical and Dental Clinic at St. Leo's Catholic Church.

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“At Malta, we are able to do more treatment in one visit that we would at the school. It’s a great learning experience and has been a major boost to my confidence,” he said.

In addition, Jassar said he values the interprofessional learning opportunities incorporated into his education. Detroit is an ecosystem for learning and collaboration. The school’s urban location lends itself to partnering with neighboring universities and hospitals.

“We’ve had different opportunities to learn alongside students in nursing, social work, physician assistant and medicine programs at Wayne State University and Oakland University,” he said. “Learning from them challenges me to think critically about each patient and how to provide the best care.”

As part of his curriculum requirements, Jassar recently traveled to Grand Rapids to participate in an external rotation at a partnering off-site clinic.

“Being there and providing care in a real-life professional environment, I noticed how prepared I feel. I am confident reviewing the charts, looking at an x-ray, discussing treatment with faculty and the patient. I really know what I’m doing,” he said. “I came to Detroit Mercy because I wanted to be practice ready. I’m almost there.”

“ Many of our patients at the school don't have any other options. Their cases are complex, so the learning oppurtunity is rich “

Dentistry in DETROIT

BASAM SHAMO, D.D.S. '13 a real metropolitan city, patients want their providers located close to where they work and live. They even navigate the city like city folks typically do.

As Detroit began reinventing itself, Basam Shamo, D.D.S. ’13 of Ferndale took notice. On weekends he would spend time visiting the city to try new restaurants and attend events. He wanted to be part of the movement, so in 2017 he accepted a position as an associate dentist in the Midtown neighborhood.

“I was surprised to discover that I would see a very minimal amount of lowincome or Medicaid patients. I expected that we would have a much larger number because there simply aren’t many dentists in Detroit,” he said.

Rather, the patient demographic at the practice consists of many young professionals, health care workers and city employees. As Detroit evolves into

“A lot of patients don’t have a car, by choice. They get to appointments via the QLine or bike and scooter rentals or use Uber and Lyft,” he explained.

“When we need to refer out, transportation presents a challenge because specialists in the city are pretty nonexistent. City patients do not want to go to the suburbs for appointments. We end up referring to the School of Dentistry for a lot of specialty cases.”

Shamo hopes to get more dental professionals interested in opportunities in Detroit via organized dentistry. He currently serves as Secretary for the Detroit District Dental Society (DDDS), one of the country’s oldest dental organizations.

“We try to get oral health professionals involved in Detroit by engaging them in networking or volunteering at community events,” he said. “This may eventually lead them to practicing in the city.”

There is opportunity to make a difference and be a difference within the profession. DDDS members recently helped at the Detroit Lion’s TeamSmile event, they provide and pass out oral health kits with Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit during the Christmas season, and are increasing the number of volunteers who provide care at Malta Medical and Dental Clinic at St. Leo's Catholic Church so more patients can be seen.

“These events expose providers to the need in Detroit,” Shamo said. “Whether it be on a volunteer basis or building a career, we hope it will chip away at the profound gap there is when it comes to access to oral health care in the city.”

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BETH NOWAK, R.D.H. '01, B.S. '01 “We are busy all the time. And compared to the other practices I worked at, I provide much more periodontal treatment and see more complex treatment plans.”

In 2009, four years into her career, a new opportunity brought Beth Nowak, R.D.H. ’01, B.S. ’01 to downtown Detroit. It was a change of pace and patient base compared to previously held positions in Dexter, Canton and Howell, Mich.

“I expected it would be mostly adults and very few kids,” she said. “I was right.”

A downtown practice brings mostly professionals into the office. Patients fill the schedule by taking breaks from work, coming during lunch or instead of going to happy hour.

At the start of Nowak’s experience working in the city, Detroit was facing its toughest times, having recently filed for bankruptcy and crime rates were on the rise. But throughout the past decade, she has watched the office and the downtown area transform and it has been exciting to watch.

“Our patients have always ranged in age, culture, religion, lifestyle, but even more so in recent years,” Nowak said.

As the patient base diversifies, it brings new and unexpected challenges into practice.

“ Detroit is an absolutely wonderful place to work with incredible opportunity. “

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“Some patients are here on a shortstay and have never been to a dentist before because it is not part of their culture back home,” she said. “When there is a language barrier, we introduce visual aids. Some cultures remove their shoes before sitting in the chair.

It’s these types of experiences that make working in Detroit unique.”

The pace of change has really sped up since 2017. Most significantly is the number of young professionals joining the practice.

“It’s special to hear that someone would want to move from out-of-state or overseas, even major cities like Chicago or Washington, D.C., to live in Detroit. And they are all so enthusiastic about it,” Nowak said. “Detroit is really marking the map.”

Surprisingly, despite all the growth happening, Nowak is only aware of two other dentists in the city and specialists are even more difficult to come by.

Detroit is on the rise, and oral health professionals aren’t quite keeping up.

“There is a major need and opportunity for oral health professionals to establish themselves here,” she said.

“I hope to see that happen soon.”

Dentistry in DETROIT

DETROIT

1 5,559 POPULATION

DENTIST PER

NATIONAL

1 1,639 POPULATION

DENTIST PER

JOSEPH ABBATE, D.D.S. '80

“They call me the Downtown Dentist,” Joseph Abbate, D.D.S. ’80, who has lived in Detroit all his life, said.

Straight out of dental school, Abbate started a practice in the Renaissance Center and has enjoyed every moment.

When he opened, there were a lot of people downtown. It wasn’t until the late 1990’s that it started declining.

“It was sad to watch the city deteriorate.

But it didn’t affect my practice much,” he said. Being one of few dentists in the city both then and now, he said maintaining a full schedule has been easy.

“If there is a patient who gets pulled into a meeting and has to late cancel, there’s one waiting upstairs who has time to take the elevator down and get their appointment out of the way,” he said.

Abbate’s location is convenient for his patients and he’s purposefully tried to keep it convenient for them to receive

dental treatment by rising to the challenge of complex treatment plans.

I’ve seen in the practice because Detroit is doing so well.”

“I probably take on more difficult treatment than other general dentists because my patients don’t want to deal with being referred out to the suburbs,” Abbate said.

“Over the years I’ve taken a significant number of advanced courses for both endodontics and oral surgery. This way I can treat a lot of cases in-office.”

After nearly 40 years of practicing in the city, it feels good to go out on a high note. Soon Abbate will retire, and as he plans on spending his golden years at his home on the Atlantic Ocean in Florida, he encourages younger providers to follow in his footsteps.

This is becoming even more necessary as his patients become increasingly residential.

“My career has been rich and fulfilling both personally and professionally,” Abbate said.

“Detroit is an absolutely wonderful place to work with incredible opportunity.”

“These days, I see a lot more moms with strollers than I used to,” he said. “Families are joining our practice – within the past five years, the number of families we see has probably doubled.”

To keep up with the increased patient base, the practice moved to a larger suite within the Renaissance Center.

“It’s not just more families. It’s former patients who lost their job coming back now that they have dental insurance,” Abbate explained. “The past two years have been the most significant growth D E N TA L . U D M E R C Y. E D U

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News

Recent Events 1 // Bay Cliff Health Camp // Aug 18 Select dental students traveled to the Upper Peninsula to treat special needs campers at Bay Cliff Health Camp, including (left to right) Shelby Koschuck, DS4, Erica Eden, DS3, Brian Van Rooyen, DS3, Elizabeth Macchione, DS4, Steven Santarossa, DS3, Amelia Volkert D3 and Garrett Marchant, DS4. It was a wonderful experience for the students who now feel more comfortable treating special needs patients.

1

2 // Lucy Hobbs – Women in Dentistry // Aug. 22 The Lucy Hobbs Project YOU Event provided an empowering evening for women in dentistry.

Professionals gathered for networking, mentorship and to celebrate one another.

Special thanks to moderator, Aimee Matthews, DS3 and panelists (left to right) Stephanie Pajot, R.D.H. ’02, B.S. ’02, Tamika Thompson, D.D.S. ‘02, M.S. ’11, Khadije Hussein, D.D.S. ’18, Bianca Boji, D.D.S. ’16 and Erica Grunwald, D.D.S. ‘01

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3 // ADA FDI Alumni Reception // Sept. 6 Approximately 50 alumni gathered for a reception at the ADA FDI Society World Dental Congress in San Francisco. It was a wonderful time to catch up with familiar faces including Kristen Kemmer, D.D.S. ’14, Gabriel Holdwick, D.D.S. ’14, Andrew Nguyen, D.D.S. ’14, and Tiki Lam, D.D.S. ’14.

4 // Titan 10 Unite // Sept. 12 Alumni who graduated less than 10 years ago and students gathered at Founders Brewing Co. to connect and network. Delicious food and craft beer are part of what drew guests, but the conversation is what made them stay!

Photographed left to right: Jenna Zelek, R.D.H. ’01, B.S.’01, Kimberly Raleigh, R.D.H. ’01, M.H.S.A. ’06., Director of Alumni Relations, Michael J. Vilag, D.D.S. ’13, Basam Shamo, D.D.S. ’13, and Sarmad Alyas-Askar, M.S., D.D.S.’13, M.S.

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5 // Oral Cancer Walk // Sept. 14

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SNDA shined a spotlight on oral cancer when the group hosted its annual Oral Cancer Walk in downtown Detroit. A free health fair for the public preceded the walk; in total, 20 individuals were screened for oral cancer. After the fair, 60 students, faculty, staff and friends of Detroit Mercy Dental walked through the city wearing matching shirts and carrying signs to spread their important message.

6 // Homecoming // Sept. 20-22 Professor Stephen Legel’s 1966 Ford Thunderbird Landau received the People's Choice award at the 2019 Homecoming Classic Car Show. Photographed (left to right) are Legel with Jennifer Bowen, who helped organize the show, and third-year dental students Michaela Wiseman and Bayan Aloran.

7 // Men’s Health Event // Sept. 21 For the ninth consecutive year, faculty, staff and student volunteers attended the MIUMen’s Health Foundation event at Ford Field.

The group provided head and neck evaluations and oral cancer screenings to event attendees as shown by Grant Prior, DS3. It was a busy day with a total of 438 individuals screened; 50 received abnormal readings and five were referred for biopsy.

8 // Hard Hat Tour // Oct. 24

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Select guests, including Michael Vilag, D.D.S. ’13, Mario Tomei, D.D.S. ’92, Peter Namou, D.D.S. ’17 and Sarmad Alyas-Askar, M.S., D.D.S. ’13, M.S. enjoyed an exclusive hard hat tour of the much-anticipated enhanced main entrance and patient reception area.

The event included a reception in the library where guests also received a first look at two recent building renovations, the Misch Study Space and Alumni Study Space.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Vaijanthi Oza, D.D.S. ’98 will serve as a representing dentist on the Michigan Board of Dentistry Appointments, which was recently announced by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitner.

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News

Around the School of Dentistry

Michigan Board of Dentistry appoints faculty On Thursday, Aug. 18, M. Lynne Morgan, R.D.H., M.S., M.A., affiliate professor (left), and Grace Curcuru, D.D.S., affiliate professor (right) were sworn in as members of the Michigan Board of Dentistry.

Corktown Campus construction nears end!

Of the 19 voting members Morgan is one of four dental hygienists. Morgan has vast Significant progress is being made on our reception area construction project: experience within the dental hygiene pro• All major structural components have been installed fession. She has held numerous roles in dental and dental hygiene education, fre• Curtain glass wall and clerestory windows have been installed quently presents continuing education • Temporary interior walls have been removed courses and has served as a dental hygiene • Ceiling grid has been installed in preparation for suspended ceiling installation examiner for the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments.

Next steps include installation of: • New interior partitions, walls, flooring and suspended ceiling in the new space Curcuru, is a periodontics specialist who specializes in treating the periodontium, • Installation of stained glass panels from the Mercy College Campus Chapel, using surgical and non-surgical approaches which are currently being refurbished to therapy and is an active member with • Completion of electrical, light fixtures, carpentry, etc. the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Michigan We look forward to celebrating the new space sometime in spring, 2020 Dental Association and the Macomb Dental Association. She also is an active board member of the Michigan Dental Foundation.

Zarkowski honored by Crain’s Detroit Business Congratulations to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Pamela Zarkowski who was recently named by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of 35 educators deemed Notable Women in Education Leadership. Zarkowski has been with the University for many years and under her leadership, the University has established dozens of new degrees, certificates, majors and minors and led the implementation of a new core curriculum. She speaks nationally about dental curricula, law, ethics and sexual harassment. The women included on the list were chosen by Crain’s editors “based on their career accomplishments, track record of success in the field, contributions to their community and mentorship of others.”

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Professor Valmy B. Kulbersh installed as presidentelect of the American Board of Orthodontics Valmy V. Kulbersh, D.D.S., M.S. ’77, adjunct faculty, was recently installed as 2019-20 president-elect of the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). The installation ceremony was held at the ABO President’s Dinner on May 7 during the 2019 Annual Session of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) in Los Angeles, Calif. Kulbersh will become ABO president in the 2020-21 year and will be the first woman to serve in this position.

Faculty chosen to participate in ADEA/AAL Emerging Leaders Program In July, Kathi Shepherd, R.D.H.’82, M.S. ’95 assistant dean for Educational Development and Assessment, associate professor, and Ana Andrada, D.D.S. ’18, D.M.Sc., clinical assistant professor, participated in the ADEA/ AAL Emerging Leaders Program at the ADEA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The yearlong program involves the completion of a scholarly collaborative project with peers from other dental schools. It is designed to provide early-career faculty showing great promise as potential leaders the guidance, insight and skills needed to build an academic career and culminates in a presentation at the 2020 ADEA Annual Session. Shepherd is advisor in the program while Andrada is participating as a fellow.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Professor Michael Haddow presented with humanitarian award Michael Haddow, D.D.S., affiliate associate professor, was selected by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Board of Trustees to receive the H. Dalton Conner Humanitarian Award. He was presented with the award at a celebratory ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the AAP Annual Meeting in Chicago, Ill. This award is presented to an AAP member who has given selflessly through extraordinary actions that benefit a deserving population. Haddow has volunteered and traveled to more than 30 dental mission trips overseas, helping those less fortunate around the world. He is heartfelt and compassionate in all he does and is an asset to the School of Dentistry and the profession.

Brett Smith Silverman, D.D.S. ’95 earned the Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD) Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition, which is a formal recognition of AGD Masters in the areas of continuing education, dentalrelated community service, and service to organized dentistry. This recognition symbolizes a member’s dedication to remaining current in dentistry and giving back to their community.

Hilario Melo, D.D.S.’92 was awarded the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Mastership level of achievement at the organization’s 2019 Convocation. This represents the highest level of achievement for members in accordance with AGD's mission to advance general dentistry and oral health through quality continuing education.

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A Detroit Mercy Dental education is a prestigious honor. Your gift allows us to carry out our m ission to develop competent, socially and e thically sensitive oral health professionals through excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Â Your gift will make a difference in the lives of our students and the future of our profession.

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Alumni Board

The Benefits of Attending Alumni Receptions were deployed to Guam due to Jared’s role with the U.S. Navy.

Michael J. Vilag, D.D.S. ‘13

As alumni, we are incredibly lucky to be part of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry legacy. We should be proud of the institution where we obtained our degree. We are also blessed to have an alma mater that is so generous and considerate of its alumni.

Great examples of that generosity are the many alumni receptions offered throughout the year. For those who have never attended one, I’ll explain. At numerous events throughout the year, most often during national conferences, the School of Dentistry holds a reception at a unique dining establishment for us to celebrate our alma mater and enjoy a wonderful evening. I have attended many of these receptions and have come to look forward to them.

One event that stands out is the 2018 Academy of General Dentistry Annual Session in New Orleans. I was there to take my Fellowship exam and delighted to learn so many colleagues I met at the alumni reception had taken the same exam. They helped me prepare and were amazingly supportive during a stressful time. It was also my first time in New Orleans, so fellow alumni shared fantastic restaurant recommendations where I could celebrate after the exam. I also ran into my classmate, Jared Moberg, D.D.S. ’14 and his wife, with whom I was lucky enough to enjoy quality time — shortly after the conference they

In 2019 during the Michigan Dental Association Annual Session in April, the school held a special event called Rolling Down the River. Alumni boarded a yacht for a delightful party, cruising up and down the Detroit River while musicians played, and guests celebrated. Many of us were even disappointed to leave the boat at the end because of how much fun it was.

In September, at the American Dental Association Annual Session in San Francisco, there was a tremendous turnout of alumni for the reception. Several recent graduates ran into faculty members and caught up on where life has taken them.

I had an interesting conversation with an alumnus who is working on a Native American reservation. I learned a great deal about the program and how it works, and I feel fortunate to have had that experience.

"As oral health professionals, we need to stick together and help each other in order to thrive in the world today!"

2019 - 20 ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sarmad Alyas-Askar, M.S., D.D.S. ’13, M.S.

These examples show what can come from attending alumni events. Networking helps build relationships. Conversations stimulate new and fresh ideas to better you both personally and professionally.

Exchanging career advice is helpful to everyone. Hearing the stories from recent graduates or lifelong practicing dentists gives you a different perspective and builds camaraderie. As oral health professionals, we need to stick together and help each other in order to thrive in the world today!

Sarah Charland, R.D.H. ’17, B.S. ’17 John Dinka, D.D.S. ’86 Patrick Latcham, D.D.S. ’81 Marcy Murrell, R.D.H. ’93, D.D.S. ’02 Peter Namou, D.D.S. ’17 Richard Raad, D.D.S. ’84 Basam Shamo, D.D.S. ’13 Mario Tomei, D.D.S. ’92

Next time you see an advertisement for an alumni reception, save the date and plan to attend. You never know how it may benefit you. I hope to see you there!

Benjamin Underwood, D.D.S. ’15 Michael Vilag, D.D.S. ’13 Jenna Strader-Zelek, R.D.H. ’01, B.S. ’01 Barbara Zrebski, R.D.H. ’75, MBA

Michael J. Vilag, D.D.S. ’13 President Alumni Board of Directors D E N TA L . U D M E R C Y. E D U

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Continuing Education

Institute for Advanced Continuing Dental Education 2020 Course Offerings

 WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

Best Practice Guidelines for Pain Management*

Periodontal Classification; the Old, the New and What to Do

Sanjay Chand, M.D.

Marinelle Campos, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D. Tamika Thompson, D.D.S., M.S.

Holiday Inn, Livonia

Kimberly Raleigh, R.D.H. ’01, M.H.S.A. ’06 Director, Institute for Advanced Continuing Dental Education and Alumni Relations

6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)  FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Drugs Our Patients Are Taking and How They Affect Dental Care Sanjay Chand, M.D.

"Detroit Mercy provides quality evidence-based and clinically-relevant CE programs that are carefully designed to support oral healthcare providers in advancing their knowledge, skills and patient care. " CONTACT US PHONE: 313-494-6626 EMAIL: dentalce@udmercy.edu To register, or for complete course information, visit: dental.udmercy.edu/ce 32 |

L E A D I N G E D G E FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 9

The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

4 CEUs (Lecture)  WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

Common Intraoral Lumps and Bumps and HPV Related Pathologies

The Henry Hotel, Dearborn

Junu Ojha, B.D.S., M.S.

9 a.m.–noon 3 CEUs (Lecture)

The Henry Hotel, Dearborn

 FRIDAY, MARCH 13

Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office: Simulated Training Experience Andrea L. Adams, B.S.D.H., R.N., B.S.N. Barbara A. Loucks, R.N. Ibrahim Zakhary, B.D.S., M.S. F.D.S., RCSEd Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

6.5 CEUs (Lecture and Hands-On/Participation)  FRIDAY, MARCH 27

Alumni Day 2020 Presenting the Best Treatment Plan AND Getting Your Patient's Buy-in Jason G. Souyias, D.D.S. The Inn at St. John’s, Plymouth 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

4 CEUs (Lecture)

6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture) FRIDAY, APRIL 24

The Three Amigos: Sleep Apnea, Occlusion, and SplintTherapy Options Mark T. Murphy, D.D.S. The Dearborn Inn, Dearborn 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

6 CEUs (Lecture) TUESDAY, MAY 19

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate: How HPV is Affecting Treatment of Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer Carlos A. Ramirez, M.D., D.D.S. Holiday Inn, Livonia 6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)

 FRIDAY, MAY 29

 THURSDAY, JUNE 11

A Common Sense Approach to Removable Partial Denture Design and Treatment Planning

Strategies for Working with Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24

I Didn’t Know That Was A Law!**

Timothy R. Saunders, D.D.S.

Lauren Bauer, M.S., T.L.L.P., B.C.B.A. Nicholette Christodoulou, M.A., B.C.B.A.

Mert N. Aksu, D.D.S., J.D., M.H.S.A. Deborah Monroe Pamela Zarkowski, J.D., M.P.H.

Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

7 CEUs (Lecture and Hands-On/Participation)

Marriott, Livonia 6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)

The Inn at St. John’s, Plymouth 5:30–9 p.m.

3.5 CEUs (Lecture)

 FRIDAY, MAY 29

 FRIDAY, JUNE 12

A Hands-On Review of Local Anesthesia Techniques: Helping to Better Manage Your Patients’ Pain*

Periodontal Risks in Orthodontic Patients

Lynne Morgan, R.D.H., M.S., M.A. Carl Stone, D.D.S., M.A., MBA Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 9 a.m.–noon; 3 CEUs (Lecture) 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; 5 CEUs (Lecture and Hands-On/Participation)

Riyad A. Al-Qawasmi, B.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D. Zheng Zhou, D.D.S., Ph.D. The Henry Hotel, Dearborn 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

6 CEUs (Lecture)

 FRIDAY, JULY 10

Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation for the Dental Hygienist and Registered Dental Assistant* Lynne Morgan, R.D.H., M.S., M.A. Claudine Sordyl, R.N., M.S. Tamika Thompson, D.D.S., M.S.

Preventive Strategies: Fluorides and Antimicrobial Agents

Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 8–11:30 a.m.

12:30–2 p.m. (R.D.A. Lab) 12:30–4:30 p.m. (R.D.H. Lab) 6/9 CEUs (Lecture, Online and HandsOn/Participation)

Durinda Mattana, R.D.H., M.S. Erin Relich, R.D.H., M.S.A.

FRIDAY, JULY 17

Susan Paurazas, D.D.S., M.H.S.A., M.S. Pamela Zarkowski, J.D., M.P.H.

DoubleTree, Novi 6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)

Somerset Inn, Troy 5–9 p.m.

4 CEUs (Lecture)

Opioid and Controlled Substances Awareness Training: An Update for the Dental Team***

 FRIDAY, JUNE 19

 FRIDAY, JUNE 5

The Three Amigos: Sleep Apnea, Occlusion, and SplintTherapy Options

 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3

Unique CircumstancesWhenTreating the Pediatric Patient: From Legal Considerations to Vital Pulp Therapy

Ulcers of the Oral Cavity: Diagnosis & Management Junu Ojha, B.D.S., M.S. The Iroquois Club, Bloomfield Hills 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

6 CEUs (Lecture)

 THURSDAY, JUNE 18

Sanjay Chand, M.D. The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham 9 a.m.–noon 3 CEUs (Lecture)

Mark T. Murphy, D.D.S. Park Place Hotel, Traverse City 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

6 CEUs (Lecture)

D E N TA L . U D M E R C Y. E D U

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Continuing Education Continuing Education

 FRIDAY, JULY 24–SATURDAY, JULY 25

 FRIDAY, AUG. 14

A Hands-On Approach to Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

Oral and Oropharynx Examination for the Dental Practitioner: Implications for Your Practice

Treatment of Gummy Smile: Esthetic Crown Lengthening and Surgical Lip Repositioning

Steven Chang, M.D., F.A.C.S & Members of the HFHS Cancer Team

Bassam M. Kinaia, D.D.S., M.S.

Bassam M. Kinaia D.D.S., M.S. Anthony Neely, D.D.S., M.Dent.Sc., Ph.D. Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

14 CEUs (Lecture and Hands-On/Participation)  WEDNESDAY, JULY 29

The Dearborn Inn, Dearborn 9 a.m.–noon 3 CEUs (Lecture)

Antibiotics 101: What Do I Prescribe?

 FRIDAY, AUG. 21

Sanjay Chand, M.D.

Pre-Malignant & Cancerous Oral Lesions: An Update and Review

DoubleTree, Novi 6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)  FRIDAY, JULY 31–SUNDAY, AUG. 2

Local Anesthesia Administration for Dental Hygienists: An Online, Lecture and Hands-On Program* Lynne Morgan, R.D.H., M.S., M.A. Francisco Plaza Villegas, D.D.S., M.S., M.S. Joshua Scheys, Ph.D. Claudine Sordyl, R.N., M.S. Carl Stone, D.D.S., M.A., MBA, M.A. Pamela Zarkowski, J.D., M.P.H. Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

29 CEUs (Lecture, Online and HandsOn/Participation)  FRIDAY, AUG. 7–SATURDAY, AUG. 8

Junu Ojha, B.D.S., M.S. The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham 9 a.m.–noon 3 CEUs (Lecture)  WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26

Special Care Dentistry in Developmentally Disabled Patients Marge Buehner, R.D.H, R.D.A., M.H.S.A. Sanjay Chand, M.D. Holiday Inn, Livonia 6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)  WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23

ABC’s of CBCT in Endodontics Tenzin Dadul, M.D.S., B.D.S., M.S. Susan Paurazas, D.D.S., M.H.S.A., M.S.

Treating Pediatric Tongue and Lip Ties with Lasers: A Hands-On Experience

The Iroquois Club, Bloomfield Hills 6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)

Martin Kaplan, D.M.D. Annette Skowronski, D.D.S. Peter Vitruk, Ph.D.

 FRIDAY, OCT. 2

Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

12 CEUs (Lecture and Hands-On/Participation)

Esthetic Management of Periodontal Tissues Around Teeth and Implants Bassam M. Kinaia, D.D.S., M.S. Park Place Hotel, Traverse City 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

4 CEUs (Lecture)

34 |

L E A D I N G E D G E FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 9

 SATURDAY, OCT. 3

Park Place Hotel, Traverse City 8:30–11:30 a.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)  FRIDAY, OCT. 9

Dental Lasers: Basic Competency Hands-On Workshop for Dentists Annette Skowronski, D.D.S. Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

6 CEUs (Lecture and Hands-On/Participation)  FRIDAY, OCT. 16

The 411 on 911: Treatment of Dental Trauma Salwa Atwan, D.D.S., M.S. Susan Paurazas, D.D.S., M.H.S.A., M.S. DoubleTree, Novi 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

4 CEUs (Lecture)  WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21

Leadership, Growth and Financial Success in Every Department of the Dental Practice Michael Rondinelli, D.D.S. Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)  FRIDAY, OCT. 23

Tips and Tricks for Composite Restorations and Solving Post-Op Sensitivity Rafael R. Pacheco, D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D. The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

6 CEUs (Lecture)

 WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28

 FRIDAY, NOV. 13

DETROIT MERCY DENTAL CE COURSES FEATURE:

Opioid and Controlled Substances Awareness Training: An Update for the Dental Team***

A Hands-On Review of Local Anesthesia Techniques: Helping to Better Manage Your Patients’ Pain*

Sanjay Chand, M.D.

Ana Janic, D.D.S., M.S. Lynne Morgan, R.D.H., M.S., M.A. Carl Stone, D.D.S., M.A., MBA

screened programs to P Carefully meet your educational needs

Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 9 a.m.–noon; 3 CEUs (Lecture Only) 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; 5 CEUs (Lecture and Hands-On/Participation)

P Easy-to-use course transcript

The Inn at St. John’s, Plymouth 6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture)  THURSDAY, NOV. 5

Cone Beam Computed Tomography – Dental Implant Planning and Results Tenzin Dadul, M.D.S., B.D.S., M.S. Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 6–9 p.m.

3 CEUs (Lecture and Hands-On/Participation)

 FRIDAY, NOV. 20

Advancing Digital Radiology and Diagnosis: From Novice to Beyond Tenzin Dadul, M.D.S., B.D.S., M.S. Kristina Okolisan-Mulligan, R.D.H, M.A. Detroit Mercy Dental, Detroit 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

6.5 CEUs (Lecture and Hands-On/Participation)

*Offers credit in pain management **Meets the Michigan licensing requirement for human trafficking training ***Meets the Michigan licensing requirement for opioid and other controlled substances awareness training

tracking and printing

attendance reporting for P Course AGD members

P Expert faculty P Convenient locations P Meals included in course tuition P Unbiased programming P Alumni discount

ONLINE COURSES 60 Minute Review of Local Anesthesia Administration for the Dental Practitioner* Lynne Morgan, R.D.H., M.S., M.A. 1 CEU (Online)

60-Minute Review of Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation for the Dental Practitioner* Lynne Morgan, R.D.H., M.S., M.A. 1 CEU (Online)

OSHA Update for the Dental Office

Updates to Diagnosing and Classifying Periodontal Disease

Sanjay Chand, M.D. 1 CEU (Online)

Tamika N. Thompson, D.D.S., M.S. 1 CEU (Online)

Pain Pathways of the Head and Neck*

Why Does My Tooth Hurt?

Diagnosing Endodontic Pain*

Maha Ahmad, Ph.D. 1 CEU (Online)

Susan Paurazas, D.D.S., M.H.S.A., M.S. 1 CEU (Online)

The University of Detroit Mercy is a member of the Association for Continuing Dental Education. The ACDE is the organization of continuing dental education providers associated with dental schools in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

D E N TA L . U D M E R C Y. E D U

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