UTHSC College of Dentistry Magazine - Winter 2020

DENTISTRY

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER WINTER 2020

Community Engaged Care

GIVE A SMILE! UT Smiles is a program set up by the UTHSC College of Dentistry to provide dentures and other dental services to members of the community in need through a sliding scale payment system. We believe that a smile is essential for a healthy productive life. Dental students also have requirements to complete their dental education, and this program helps ensure they are able to meet those requirements.

Help us help others. Please donate to UT Smiles. uthsc.edu/giveasmile

UTHSC Chancellor Steve J. Schwab, MD Dean James C. Ragain, DDS, MS, PhD, FICD, FACD

< Reaching Out

CoD cares for the community

Executive Associate Dean Jeffrey H. Brooks, DMD Associate Dean for Business and Financial Affairs Daniel E. Brown, JD, CPA Associate Dean for Postgraduate Affairs, Chair Department of Prosthodontics David R. Cagna, DMD, MS Associate Dean for Faculty and Student Affairs J. Stansill Covington III, DDS, MS, FRSM (London)

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Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Edward J. DeSchepper, MAEd, DDS, MSD Interim Associate Dean for Research Interim Chair of the Bioscience Research Department Mustafa K. Dabbous, MS, PhD Associate Dean for Institutional Affairs Mark Scarbecz, PhD Assistant Dean for Community Oral Health and Outreach Orpheus Triplett, DDS

Helping Kids Smile > Pediatric dental clinic opens

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Chair Department of Dental Hygiene Lynn Samons Russell, RDH, BS, MEd, EdD Chair Department of Diagnostic Sciences and Oral Medicine K. Mark Anderson, DDS, MS Interim Chair Department of Endodontics Harry Cosby, DDS Chair Department of General Dentistry Mojdeh Dehghan, DDS Interim Chair Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Jimmy E. Albright, DDS

<N ew Recruit

Chair Department of Orthodontics Terry M. Trojan, DDS, MS Chair Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health Larry Dormois, DDS, MS Chair Department of Periodontology Paul G. Luepke, DDS, MS Assistant Dean for Clinical Operations Courtney J. Sievers, MHA, PhD(c) Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs Love Collins, III, MBA

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Expanding the basic science research program

Associate Vice Chancellor for Development Bethany Goolsby, JD Assistant Vice Chancellor for Alumni Affairs Chandra A. Tuggle Director of Development, College of Dentistry Antonio â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Burns

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing Sally Badoud, MBA Editor Peggy Reisser

Warm Welcome > Assistant U.S. Surgeon General visits UTHSC

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Designer Adam Gaines Contributing Writers Amber Carter Jackie Denton Peggy Reisser Photographers Allen Gillespie Natalie Brewer Jay Adkins

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admissions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at The University of Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations.

In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 910 Madison Avenue, Suite 826, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, telephone 901-448-7382 (V/TTY available). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.

E073930004(014-201023)

From the Dean I am honored to serve as the dean of the UTHSC College of Dentistry. My passion for the vision of our college is sincere. Our vision for the College of Dentistry is “Clinical Excellence in Dental Education.” Our strong leadership in the college has embraced this vision and we are well on our way to affirming our reputation as one of the nation’s top institutions in clinical education for both our dental and dental hygiene programs.

Our advanced dental education programs continue to produce world-class clinicians.

Our National Board Examinations have remained high, and we have seen remarkable improvements in our regional clinical board scores.

With the addition of research scientist Rajasingh Johnson, PhD, we are building a federally funded basic research program in stem cell research. His laboratory will be associated with the UTHSC Institute for Regenerative Medicine. I believe, in a few short years, we will be impacting this cutting-edge field of research and discovery.

Our community outreach is remarkable. We have fourth-year students rotating at dental clinics in underserved areas of our state in Bristol, Chattanooga, and Union City. Our goal is to add additional student clinical rotation sites in Tennessee and Arkansas. Our students, staff, and faculty frequently volunteer their services to Remote Area Medical missions, foreign missions, and local volunteer activities, such as the Mid-South Mission of Mercy.

I am constantly amazed by our alumni. The encouragement and engagement of our alumni is gratifying. Many alumni have reconnected with the college over the past year.

We are very proud of our accomplishments and we are excited about the direction our college is taking. As Abraham Lincoln said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” At the UTHSC College of Dentistry, the future depends on what we, as a team, can do today.

Sincerely,

James C. Ragain, DDS, MS, PhD, FACD, FICD Dean of the College of Dentistry The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

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From the Chancellor I am proud to tell you that the 2018-2019 academic year was a challenging, but recordbreaking year for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Last year, UTHSC awarded more than 1,000 degrees (more than 90 percent of them graduate degrees) and more than 400 specialty certificates (surgery, pediatrics, orthodontics, etc.). Both UTHSC records were achieved while keeping overall graduation and first-attempt board pass rates at more than 95 percent. We did this while limiting increases in tuition and fees. We generated record sponsored program revenue (allsource non-clinical grants and contracts) of over $300 million, the largest of any public institution in the state, as well as record clinical revenues. In research, we achieved record grant awards of more than $100 million.

This has been a year of great accomplishments. Our partner hospitals were nationally and regionally ranked as the best. This is a great source of pride for the university and reflects the excellent work of the faculty and staff. Our College of Dentistry opened a new pediatric dental clinic at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital to better serve the Memphis community.

Our Campus Master Plan is moving ahead to bring the campus “best-in-class” facilities with the renovation of our Historic Quadrangle, the recently completed Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation, and the new dental building, which is poised to begin construction.

The four-campus (Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga), six-college, one UTHSC model has served the university and the state well. Our strategic plan requires us to meet the needs of the state with outstanding graduates. We continue to perform in all metrics as the state’s most-outstanding public health science center.

We are committed to becoming a top-rated research university and we are spending the time, effort, and money to get there.

I am so pleased to say that last year was likely the most successful in the history of our institution. This could not have happened without the generous support and engagement of our outstanding alumni. I invite you to take pride in the strides made by your college and your university, and to join us as we move into the future.

Sincerely,

Steve J. Schwab, MD Chancellor The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

From the Alumni Board President Dear alumni, It is truly a pleasure to have the opportunity to serve as the president of the College of Dentistry’s Alumni Board and to work to ensure the college continues to be recognized as a leader in dental education. My passion for the college was cultivated while in Memphis as a student, and I recognized early in my career that I wanted to make a positive impact on the place that prepared me to excel in this profession.

As a general board member over the years, I have had the privilege to witness the evolution of the college to where it stands today. While we have seen many changes, I believe the entire board would agree that our current trajectory has generated excitement that we have not seen in many years.

This enthusiasm is due primarily to our dean, Dr. James Ragain, ’84, and the introduction of his vision of “Clinical Excellence in Dental Education.” As I am sure you have seen in previous messages, it is Dean Ragain’s hope that clinical excellence permeates every aspect of the operation at the college. The dean has traveled the country highlighting his plan to bolster the UTHSC tradition, and the alumni community is in full support.

In recognition of the dean’s vision, we have organized the board into five committees, which include the following: The Fundraising Committee, the Slagle Conference Committee, the Clinic Improvement Committee, the Student Recruitment Committee, and the Faculty Recruitment and Retention Committee. This reorganization was done to maximize the efforts of the board and align the group with the dean’s priorities. You will hear more about these groups moving forward, and I encourage you to get involved.

If we are to achieve the dean’s vision, we must pull together as an alumni body.

I am amazed when I read about the talent that we have within our alumni community and how individuals are already paying it forward. We thank you for your philanthropic dollars, volunteerism, and feedback, but please remember that we still have work do.

I look forward to engaging you in the future and hope that you view me and the entire board as a resource.

Sincerely,

Joseph Safirstein, DDS

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The College of Dentistry Cares for the Community

By Jackie Denton Give Kids a Smile Day is one of the College of Dentistry’s many community outreach efforts.

The College of Dentistry is at the forefront when it comes to community engaged care. It has been strategic in its mission to increase public service across the state, creating two new leadership positions to lead the college’s service to the community.

Orpheus Triplett, DDS, is now the assistant dean of Community Oral Health and Outreach, and Cassandra Christiansen, RDH, MPA, EdD, is the director of SchoolBased Programs and Community Outreach.

“I’m looking forward to playing a role of support and encouragement for both the faculty and the students in their community engagement activities,” Dr. Triplett said.

“And my plans are to increase the visibility of UTHSC, not only in the surrounding community, but across the state.”

As the assistant dean of Community Oral Health and Outreach, Dr. Triplett will oversee, encourage, and support community engagement activities. He will be involved in developing and implementing new programs, as well as establishing new relationships in line with the college’s public service mission.

Fourth-year students rotate to clinics established in underserved areas in Bristol, Chattanooga, and Union City.

There is a goal to establish more clinics in Tennessee and Arkansas.

Service to underserved communities even reaches abroad, as students and faculty volunteer for international service mission opportunities.

The college has established relationships with schools throughout Memphis, including Freedom Prep Academy,

its partner for the annual Give Kids a Smile Day. Future plans are in the works to establish a relationship with Shelby County Schools to provide oral health presentations, oral health services, and mentoring for students.

Dr. Christiansen will expand on these relationships and forge new ones in her role as the director of School-Based Programs and Community Outreach. She will be responsible for organizing all local community activities for the college.

Since she began in July, the college has completed more than 500 dental screenings and has been in attendance at five or more community events each month.

Activities have been interdisciplinary. Partnering with the Office of Health Disparities Education and Community Engagement, dentistry and dental hygiene students have participated in numerous events with other disciplines across campus, including the College of Health Professions, the College of Nursing, and the College of Medicine.

“We are really trying to do more college-wide interdisciplinary service in the community,” said Dr. Christiansen. “This is a nationwide trend for health care providers, to look at how their practices overlap and how they are able to work together for better outcomes for patients. We want our students in the community, so that they can really see the patient population we serve in the clinics and in the communities in which they live.”

Dr. Christiansen says she is looking forward to the college achieving 100 percent dental faculty and staff participation in its community engagement efforts.

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BY THE NUMBERS COMMUNITY ENGAGED CARE School-Based Programs and Community Outreach

1678 INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED

IN SHELBY COUNTY SINCE JUNE 2019 (PROVIDED WITH A TOOTHBRUSH, TOOTHPASTE, MOUTHWASH, AND DENTAL FLOSS)

998 INDIVIDUALS PROVIDED

WITH DENTAL SCREENINGS AND ORAL HYGIENE EDUCATION

330 ORAL HYGIENE KITS DONATED 100 STUDENT DENTISTS AND STUDENT DENTAL HYGIENISTS VOLUNTEERED

20 FACULTY MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED 2019 Give Kids A Smile Day

959 DENTAL SERVICES PROVIDED 76 DENTAL STUDENTS PARTICIPATED 85 YOUTHS SERVED $20,798 VALUE OF SERVICES DONATED

Services provided ranged from exams and X-rays to fillings and extractions.

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UT Smiles Aims to Provide Dentures to Those in Need The College of Dentistry has launched UT Smiles, an initiative that will provide highquality dentures for free or at a reduced cost to those in need in the Memphis community.

“Dentures are expensive and there are a lot of people in the community who can’t afford them,” said Courtney J. Sievers, MHA, PhD(c), assistant dean of Clinical Operations in the College of Dentistry. “This is a great program that we have the ability to offer.”

Tooth loss leads to significant health issues, including difficulty in chewing and speaking; poor self-esteem; and avoidance of social activities, according to Jeffrey H. Brooks, DMD, executive associate dean, associate professor and associate dean for Clinical and Extramural Affairs.

Through donations raised, the program offers the ability to impact and address a visible need in the region, while simultaneously allowing dentistry students to obtain the procedure requirements they need in order to graduate.

The program began serving patients in need of dentures in January through the clinics in the Dunn Dental Building.

“This initiative allows us to provide a service to those patients, but also helps our students to meet their requirements,” Sievers said. “As dental students, they have to have experience making these dentures. Patients will get really great-quality dentures, because our student doctors are supervised by the best.”

Faculty members of the College of Dentistry feel so strongly about UT Smiles that they made it the focus of their annual Christmas auction. They raised more than $3,500 in less than an hour to help fund the initiative.

To donate toward UT Smiles, please visit uthsc.edu/ giveasmile.

CoD Opens New Pediatric Clinic at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital

By Peggy Reisser UTHSC, Le Bonheur and Delta Dental leaders gathered for a “floss-cutting” to open the new CoD pediatric dental clinic.

The College of Dentistry held a “floss-cutting ceremony” December 11 to open a new pediatric dental clinic at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. The clinic is located in Suite L900 to the right of the main entrance of the hospital at 848 Adams Avenue, Memphis, TN.

most of the dental problems throughout life is drastically reduced.” For that reason, the clinic will have a heavy emphasis on routine oral health care for infants, children, and adolescents, as well as on restoring teeth when necessary.

Dean Ragain said the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Pediatric Dental Clinic at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital is a first for the university and its pediatric partner teaching hospital. “This new clinic is a wonderful opportunity for our pediatric dentistry faculty and residents, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and the Memphis community,” he said. “This clinic will extend the outreach of the College of Dentistry to individuals who might not otherwise have access to pediatric dental care.”

Dr. Dormois said the clinic reflects the missions of UTHSC and Le Bonheur to improve overall health and well-being for all Tennesseans. It will be the primary pediatric dental service for the hospital and its patients. It will be a provider for private dental insurance plans, as well as for TennCare and Arkansas and Mississippi Medicaid.

The eight-chair clinic will be staffed by UTHSC pediatric dental faculty and senior residents. It will serve not only patients in the hospital, but also the patients cared for by Le Bonheur-based pediatric practices, as well as children from the Midtown, Downtown, and surrounding areas in Memphis. The clinic will provide a full range of pediatric dental services, including routine well visits and check-ups, cleanings, and restorative care for patients ranging in age from newborn to young adult.

“Dental caries (tooth decay) is the most prevalent disease of childhood,” said Larry Dormois, DDS, MS, chair and associate professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health in the College of Dentistry.

“Pediatric dentistry is mainly primary care. Just as pediatricians emphasize early detection and minimization of risk factors, when dental care is started early, the risk of

The clinic will also focus on community oral health care, educational outreach, and interdisciplinary research. It was initially funded by a grant from Delta Dental of Tennessee, the College of Dentistry Dean’s Reserve Fund, UTHSC alumni gifts, and Le Bonheur. Phil Wenk, DDS, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee and chair of the UTHSC Advisory Board, attended the opening.

Craig Volk Vinall, DDS, MDS, director of Predoctoral Pediatric Dentistry and an assistant professor in the UTHSC College of Dentistry, serves as director for the clinic. “This is exciting because it is the result of collaboration by the UTHSC and Methodist-Le Bonheur administration, alumni, and the medical staff at Le Bonheur,” he said.

Martha Wells, DMD, MS, director of Graduate Pediatric Dentistry and an associate professor in the College of Dentistry, said the collaboration with Le Bonheur, a nationally ranked pediatric hospital, makes UTHSC’s dental residency program extremely competitive.

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D4 students on their rotation at the Healing Hands Health Center in Bristol recently attended a lunch and learn with Tamra Jessee, a sales representative of Nashville Dental Supply Company.

Statewide Dental Clinics Extend College of Dentistry’s Reach

By Peggy Reisser

A recent letter from a grateful patient summed up the value of the regional community clinics that the College of Dentistry operates across the state.

“I want to say thank you to those who made dentures for me at the UT Dental Clinic in Union City,” the letter said.

Thanks to the dental care, this former patient can smile at work and even eat meat.

“This is community outreach like nothing else,” Dean James Ragain said.

Since 2015, the College of Dentistry has been extending its clinical reach across Tennessee.

In 2015 and 2016, the college opened the doors of two dental clinics to serve the working poor in communities at either end of the state – in Union City in western Tennessee and Bristol at the far eastern edge of the state.

The clinics, which are staffed by fourth-year dental students under supervision of faculty, represent a major step in the evolution of the College of Dentistry, which is the oldest dental college in the South. They also reflect the overall growth strategy for UTHSC to be a statewide presence through campuses and locations across Tennessee.

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The D4 clinics allow students to see different populations that they would not see in Memphis, affording them better training for what they are about to do when they graduate.

The Union City dental clinic is located on West Main Street in space donated through the generosity of the Bill and Carol Latimer Charitable Foundation. The Bristol clinic is located in the Healing Hands Health Center there.

The Chattanooga clinic is located in the Dodson Avenue Neighborhood Health Center. The clinic in Chattanooga is staffed by two full-time dentists, who are adjunct faculty in the College of Dentistry. They supervise the fourth-year dental students, who travel in pairs to Chattanooga for two-week rotations.

Delta Dental donated all the funds for the new chairs and X-ray equipment to support the student rotation there.

Delta Dental also donated two vehicles for students to use to travel to Bristol for their work.

Now, the college is making plans to extend that reach even farther – into Arkansas.

Increasing Availability of Dental Care

by Expanding Continuing Education Opportunities

By Jackie Denton

The College of Dentistry is expanding the availability and accessibility of dental care in the community and across the state through its Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) continuing education course.

The goal is to double the number of participants enrolled in the program, which trains dental hygienists and assistants to perform certain procedures currently done by licensed dentists. This includes some restorative or prosthetic functions, including placement of fillings, temporaries for crowns, and making impressions for various fixed and removable dental procedures.

This year, the EFDA restorative course will increase enrollment to 210 and the EFDA prosthetics course to 40.

“With the increase in the number of students we will certify in a year’s time, the program will greatly impact the number of dental offices in the state able to provide these services,” said Jerry McKinney, DDS, assistant professor in the Department of General Dentistry and Director of EFDA. “From there, the domino effect will spread dramatically to the number of people who can be served. It’s a great way to help serve the dental needs of the people of the state of Tennessee.”

The College of Dentistry has worked with other dental schools in the state to implement EFDA programs. In the fall of 2018, UTHSC faculty traveled to Nashville to meet with the dean of the Meharry School of Dentistry to discuss lecture content, course materials, and logistics requirements for establishing an EFDA program.

Leadership and faculty from Meharry visited UTHSC during one of the EFDA courses. Among them were Meharry School of Dentistry Dean Cherae M. Farmer-Dixon, DDS, and Julie Gray, DDS, Meharry EFDA director, who spent three weeks observing the UTHSC EFDA lectures and laboratory exercises.

“The EFDA programs across the United States have been helping dentists and dental hygienists and assistants meet the needs of the expanding population nationwide and are helping the citizens of Tennessee as well,” Dr. McKinney said.

Since they began in 2006, both UTHSC continuing education courses have been in high demand among dental hygienists and dental assistants. “We are excited about the opportunity to serve more dental health care professionals, which will decrease the waiting time accepted students matriculate into our program,” said Lynne Moore, MPA, director of the Office of Continuing Dental Education.

The restorative and prosthetics EFDA courses are open to licensed dental hygienists and registered dental assistants currently licensed with the Tennessee Board of Dentistry and with a minimum of two years of continuous full-time employment within the past three years in a dental practice as a practicing dental assistant or hygienist.

For more information, contact the College of Dentistry’s Office of Continuing Dental Education at 901.448.5386 or visit uthsc.edu/dentistry.

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Johnson Recruited to Build Basic Science Research Program

By Jackie Denton

Building a federally funded basic science research program in stem cell research is not easy, however, the College of Dentistry is stepping up to the challenge.

“Very few people are using iPSCs and this is the new technology,” Dr. Johnson said. “This can be used for clinical purposes and is easily available in the future.”

The college has recruited Rajasingh Johnson, PhD, MPhil, to spearhead the effort. Dr. Johnson joined the college this summer as an associate professor in the Department of Bioscience Research.

Poor oral health increases the risk of bacterial infection and heart diseases. “The patient population with periodontal disease has increased risk for systemic diseases like cardiac diseases or rheumatoid arthritis,” Dr. Johnson said. “These kinds of diseases can be easily treated with the help of autologous iPSCs technology.”

With a joint appointment in the College of Medicine’s Division of Cardiology, Dr. Johnson will bring his expertise in regenerative medicine to the College of Dentistry.

“I’ve been working with stem cells on regenerating the heart for more than 15 years,” Dr. Johnson said. “I wanted to expand on this and discover how we can regenerate oral and craniofacial tissues, expanding my focus from cardiology, to bone, cartilage, and periodontal ligament tissue regeneration.”

Stem cells have the capacity to develop and differentiate into many cell types within the body, and these stem cells serve as a cell source for repairing damaged tissues.

Published research has shown that mesenchymal stem cells play a role in dental tissue regeneration, according to Dr. Johnson. However, since they are found within dental pulp, the periodontal ligament, or gingival tissues, collaboration with a surgeon is necessary to access these tissues.

“My approach is noninvasive,” Dr. Johnson said. He plans to use an alternative form of stem cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can be derived from urinary epithelial cells isolated from urine. “Patients may hesitate to give cells from their body, since they require invasive procedures like surgery, but my approach is a non-invasive procedure used to collect urinary epithelial cells to generate iPSCs,” he said.

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Dr. Johnson also hopes to use exosomes as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of oral and craniofacial disorders. He is developing exosome-based therapy as an alternative viable cell-free source for dental pulp, dentin, and heart regeneration.

“ In dentistry, we need to try a novel approach to oral disease treatment and test whether exosomes instead of cells can be used to treat these disorders.”

Dr. Johnson will also focus on training for students and junior faculty in grant writing in order to increase federally funded research for the college from the National Institutes of Health.

“This is the year of dentistry,” Rear Admiral Timothy Ricks, the chief dental officer for the U. S. Public Health Service, told dental students during a visit to UTHSC, photo at left. He also met with CoD and university leaders, photo at right.

Assistant Surgeon General Advocates Expanded View of Oral Health Profession

By Peggy Reisser

When a top spokesperson on oral health for the United States Surgeon General’s Office visited the College of Dentistry in October, he encouraged students to focus on oral health as integral to overall health across the lifespan.

“Part of my job is to impress on people the importance of oral health,” said Rear Admiral Timothy Ricks, DMD, MPH, the Chief Dental Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service and Assistant Surgeon General. Rear Admiral Ricks is the spokesperson on oral health for U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Jerome M. Adams, MD. “It’s the idea of dental students thinking beyond the mouth and to the role oral health plays in general health.”

Rear Admiral Ricks spent two days in Memphis, touring the UTHSC campus, meeting university leaders, learning about the College of Dentistry, and talking with students.

He was invited to UTHSC by Dean James Ragain and Orpheus Triplett, assistant dean of Community Oral Health and Outreach. The three became acquainted at national dental meetings.

Rear Admiral Ricks is no stranger to the Memphis and Mid-South area. He did his undergraduate work at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, and received his

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dental degree from the University of Mississippi. He lives in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Speaking to third- and fourth-year dental students and College of Dentistry faculty, Rear Admiral Ricks previewed the 2020 Surgeon General’s Report, which is expected to be released next fall. A leader in its development, he said the report is only the second in history to include a focus on oral health. A previous call to action from the 2000 Surgeon General’s Report set the goals of promoting oral health, improving the quality of life, and eliminating health disparities.

While progress has been made toward those goals, more is needed, he said.

To that end, the 2020 report will focus attention on the social determinants of health as key in eliminating disparity in oral health care across the country.

Other focal points will include increased attention to the oral health needs of the aging population, the role of the oral health care provider in stemming the opioid crisis, dealing with the demands of the changing dental workforce, and expanding access to oral health care in rural areas.

New Leadership Jeffrey H. Brooks, DMD Executive Associate Dean, Associate Professor, and Associate Dean for Clinical and Extramural Affairs Dr. Brooks serves as the executive associate dean and associate dean for Clinical and Extramural Affairs for the College of Dentistry. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. Dr. Brooks is a board certified Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon and completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training at the UTHSC College of Dentistry. He also serves as an associate professor for the department. Dr. Brooks is experienced in 3D imaging, surgical implantology, and emerging technologies in dentistry, lecturing nationally on the subjects. He has been with the college for more than 12 years and is the recipient of many awards and honors from the college.

Mojdeh Dehghan, DDS Chair and Associate Professor, Department of General Dentistry Dr. Dehghan is chair of the Department of General Dentistry. She is a graduate of the Baylor College of Dentistry, moving to Memphis shortly after earning her degree to work in private practice. In 1992, she joined UTHSC as a volunteer faculty member, became part-time in 2005, and became a full-time tenure-tracked professor in 2011. She is the recipient of grant funding for many research projects.

Paul Luepke, DDS Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology Dr. Luepke is the new chair of the Department of Periodontology. Before joining UTHSC in January, Dr. Leupke was the director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontics at the Marquette University School of Dentistry and Chair of Surgical Sciences. He was at Marquette University from 2008 to 2019. Dr. Leupke is a retired captain of the United States Navy, serving the country for more than 21 years. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry and completed his periodontics training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Luepke is a Diplomate and board examiner of the American Board of Periodontology.

Courtney J. Sievers, MHA, PhD(c) Assistant Dean, Clinical Operations Sievers serves as assistant dean of Clinical Operations for the College of Dentistry. She joined UTHSC in the fall of 2019. Sievers has worked in health care administration for 13 years in academic, private, and for-profit health care organizations. She earned a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Memphis and is currently earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Systems, Management, and Policy from the University of Memphis.

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Levine New Director of Dental Sleep Medicine Mitchell R. Levine, DMD, board certified as an orthodontist and in dental sleep medicine, has been named the new director of the Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic in the College of Dentistry. He plans to make the clinic a collaborative partner with other fields at the university and with clinical partners to treat sleep disorders and apnea in children and adults across the region. The clinic in the Dunn Dental Building focuses on oral device therapy for adults and orthodontic approaches with oral devices for children.

Dean Ragain named to UTK Army ROTC Hall of Fame Before joining the College of Dentistry, Dean Ragain had a successful career in the United States Navy, retiring as a captain. His military training began as a student in the Army ROTC Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In November, Dean Ragain and seven others were recognized for their contributions as members of the armed forces and as civilians during the UT Knoxville Army ROTC Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This event allows us to not only honor these outstanding U.S. Army ROTC Alumni for their selfless service, but also to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the UT Army ROTC and the critical role that Army ROTCs have in providing a continuous source of excellent military leaders for our nation,â&#x20AC;? said Brigadier General (Retired) Geoff Freeman, president of the Army ROTC Alumni Council at UT Knoxville. Dean Ragain served in numerous senior administrative positions in clinical dentistry and dental research, directed the largest Operative Dentistry Department in the Navy at the Naval Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois, and commanded the Naval Dental Research Institute/Naval Institute for Dental and Biomedical Research.

Dental Hygiene Provides Free Care to Veterans The Dental Hygiene program partnered with Alpha Omega Veteran Services, Inc., to provide free dental screenings and cleanings on November 12 and 13 to the many veterans the organization supports.

The Dental Hygiene program was able to offer these services through the Dental Hygiene Community Fund, which the college started in 2018 to raise money to provide x-rays, dental exams, and cleanings, free of charge for Memphians in need. The college welcomes donations for the Dental Hygiene Community Fund in order to continue providing oral health services for those in need.

To contribute, please go to uthsc.edu/dental-hygiene-give.

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Students Show Research at Hinman Symposium The 25th annual Hinman Student Research Symposium was held in early November at The Peabody Memphis.

The symposium featured oral and poster presentations of research by dental students and graduate trainees from dental schools across North America. At the symposium, 107 students represented 54 dental

schools in 30 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and five provinces of Canada. The Hinman Student Research Symposium rewards and encourages student efforts in research and supports the research and educational programs of faculty research mentors and research administrators.

Student Group Wins National Awards

Sharp Named Professor Emeritus Harry Sharp, DDS, was greeted with a standing ovation November 20, as he walked into the student lounge of the College of Dentistry. The applause was to honor Dr. Sharp, professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health, for his more than 40 years of service, mentorship, and contributions to the college. Dean Ragain read a letter from Chancellor Steve Schwab, MD, awarding Dr. Sharp the title of Professor Emeritus. “Harry is not leaving, but he is retiring from clinical practice,” said Larry Dormois, DDS, MS, chair and associate professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health. “We didn’t want to let him slip out without telling him how much we love him and how much he’s meant in each of our lives and our training.” A proclamation was read from the Tennessee House of Representatives declaring November 20, 2019, Dr. Harry Sharp Day.

The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) chapter in the College of Dentistry took home four honors, the most awarded to a student chapter, at the national ASDA Annual Session Gold Crown Awards.

The awards followed three other honors presented to the UTHSC ASDA chapter at the organization’s District 4 Annual Meeting in February. The chapter received awards for Excellence in Wellness, Excellence in Community Outreach, and the Chapter Unsung Hero Award for events, including the annual Wellness Week, Predental Day, and the Prophy Cup Golf Tournament. UTHSC ASDA also received Gold Crown Awards for Best Chapter Blog, Best Newsletter, Outstanding Predental Involvement, and Solo Editor’s Choice Award in Writing.

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Halloween 2019 The College of Dentistry shared Halloween spirit with patients and the campus again this year. Who was that caped crusader? Dean Ragain!

Holiday Helpers The Memphis Chapter of the Student National Dental Association in the College of Dentistry provided food to the Mid-South Food Bank to provide meals to families during the holiday season.

Faculty Honored Six outstanding faculty members at UTHSC were honored by students from their colleges with Excellence in Teaching Awards at the 2019 Student Government Association Executive Council (SGAEC) Banquet in April.

Honored from the College of Dentistry were Kenneth Anderson, DDS, MS, associate professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences, director of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, and director of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Services; and Vinay Jain, BDS, MS, MDS, director of Removable Prosthodontics in the Department of Prosthodontics.

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2019 White Coat Ceremony The College of Dentistry Class of 2021 celebrated its White Coat Ceremony on July 15 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. Dr. Fred Heros (CoD ’75) served as the keynote speaker. The white coat signifies the transition to student doctors in the college’s clinic.

Delta Dental’s Wenk Chairs UTHSC Advisory Board Phil Wenk, DDS, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Tennessee, is the president of the UTHSC Advisory Board. Dr. Wenk, who is from Brentwood, is a 1973 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a 1977 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. “It’s a great honor to serve on an advisory board in an area I have great love for,” said Dr. Wenk, who was elected by unanimous vote to lead the advisory board.

Serving Others at Mid-South Mission of Mercy Students, faculty, and staff again participated in the Mid-South Mission of Mercy, a two-day free dental clinic for the underserved in Memphis and the Mid-South. The idea for the community service was initiated by Mitch Godat, DDS, MS, an alumnus of the UTHSC College of Dentistry, as part of his term as president of the Memphis Dental Society. Mid-South Mission of Mercy is sponsored by the Memphis Dental Society, with assistance from the Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas Dental Associations, along with a legion of other volunteers. It has provided over $4.5 million worth of dentistry to more than 8,000 patients in the greater Memphis area with the help of nearly 8,000 volunteers. Volunteers from various colleges at UTHSC offered their services, with the largest number coming from the College of Dentistry.

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Childhood Exposure to Orthodontics Kindles Career Choice

By Amber Carter

Fourth-year dentistry student Ariel Idiare was inspired to become a dentist after attending orthodontic appointments with her siblings. “My mom would bring us to the appointments, and since I didn’t need them, the orthodontist would allow me to observe how the brackets were placed and the wires were changed,” she said. “Also, while in high school, I had the opportunity to shadow my dentist for a semester and observe him perform various procedures like fillings, extractions, and implants. I really enjoyed it, and that’s when I knew that I wanted to go into dentistry.”

Idiare, a Goodlettsville, Tennessee native, completed her undergraduate studies at Middle Tennessee State University. She chose to attend UTHSC because she had heard about the great clinical experience the dental school provided. “When I was interviewing, everyone was genuinely kind and welcoming,” she said.

“ I felt that everyone from the faculty to the students was really warm and genuinely wanted me to become a part of the college.”

Idiare has participated in several pediatric dental health fairs and taken part in Nashville’s Hope Smiles, which provides free extractions and limited filling restorations to the community.

After graduation, Idiare plans to participate in a dental associateship for a few years, before opening her own practice.

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Dental Hygiene Career Lets Student Help People Smile

By Amber Carter

Carly Yoho knew she wanted to be a dental hygienist in sixth grade. “Growing up, I had a lot of issues with my teeth, so my goal was to help others modify their health behaviors to prevent the same issues from occurring to them,” she said.

Her favorite aspect of dental hygiene is interacting with patients who are in all different stages of life. “Making someone feel good about their smile makes it all worth it,” she said.

Yoho, a second-year dental hygiene student, is from Collierville, Tennessee. She completed her undergraduate degree in kinesiology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Choosing UTHSC to continue her studies was an easy decision. “I knew I wanted to attend a wellknown school,” she said. “Also, UTHSC being in state was a big plus.”

Since coming to UTHSC, Yoho has served on the Honor Council and has been involved in several community service projects. Her favorite is the Mid-South Mission of Mercy, a free, two-day dental clinic for the underserved and underinsured living in Memphis and the surrounding area.

“ I feel like involvement is important, because attending a school the size of UTHSC it helps hold you accountable.”

After graduation, Yoho plans to move to St. Petersburg, Florida, and eventually to Knoxville, when she’s more established in her career.

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Congratulations to Our 2019 Graduates!

At 10 a.m. on May 24, the College of Dentistry presented degrees to 119 students during its annual commencement ceremony in the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. United States Navy Captain Sheherazad Lena Hartzell was the keynote speaker.

She also administered the oath of office to graduates entering the military.

The Medical Inspector General for the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Captain Hartzell’s tours of duty as a dental officer include a seven-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as in Tikrit, Iraq, where she was a translator and political adviser for the Coalition Provisional Authority. Her military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

“When it was time to select a speaker, I wanted someone special and to speak on the topic of service,” said Dean Ragain. “As a dental professional, the service you give back to your country or your community is so important. It’s not just taking, but also giving back – serving. It’s nice to have someone from the military to speak on service, since they have given back to their country.”

DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY

Farrah Alsoudi Marie Alston Randy Bagay Nicholas Baioni Maya Basu Daniel Blackshare Robert Borum III Allison Bradley Maxwell Bradley Morgan Broussard Mallory Brunson Hayden Byrd Eli Canton Jonathan Carrera Hannah Carter Kaitlyn Chambers Blakely Cingolani Sydney Collette Thomas Cooner Connor Denison Bradley Diminick Alexander Dozier Forrest Driver Jordan Dunn Anna Eaton Taylor Enochs Engler Hannah Farrar Klyne Fawcett Michael Fuchs Irene Girgis Joshua Hambuchen Anna Hill-Moses John Hollingsworth IV Grayson Hunley Lucas Hunley Collin Hunt Diana Huynh Abtin Iranmanesh Franklin Ivers John Jafarian Tessa Johnson Wesley Johnson Xandria Johnson Brandon Jones

Timothy Jones Jack Kang John Kim Nicholas Kitcoff Logan Kuhn Alyssa Lambert Savannah Lancaster Kevin Le Lauren Lilly James Lopez Matthew Lott Lawrence Lu Frances Louise Marasigan Branden Marcus Karen Merriweather Tanya Mohsen Ashton Monks Ryan Nguyen Akash Patel Leena Patel Huey Phillips James Plaisted Brian Poore Brady Pope Chandler Pritchett Morgan Rebeck Kasey Reed Taylor Reeves Logan Reynolds James Ritter Jacob Rollins Cozy Ruan Anthony Rusher Cody Sanders Andrew Schneider Alexandra Scott Hasan Sheikh Julian Smith Jacob Sparks Zachary Stephens Weston Swims Chad Tribble Se’toria Valentine Ontario Ward Braxton Williams

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN DENTAL HYGIENE

Hannah Marie Adams Megan Hays Bailey Aletia Jean Berry Hannah Rae Blackwood MiKayla Ellise Blessing Haley Elaine Bodé Gregory Darren Brown II Cecilia Carrera Emma Mariah Cool Abbie Taylor Dill Callie Beth Elgin Caroline Lee Gibbons Molly Nicole Gray Brooklyn Grace Hays Hannah Faith Ivy Bailey Denman LeJeune Sherry Maria Minias Robert Spencer Moore Jr. Kayla Marie Morgan Ashlee Brooke Moses Amy Joyce Neumair Logan Alyse Pike Callie Elizabeth Robbins Erin Elizabeth Smigel Terricka Latrice Snowden Abigail Rose Stearns Tina Marie Travis Morgan Elizabeth Westbrooks

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Keynote speaker, Navy Captain Sheherazad Lena Hartzell, also administered the oath of office to graduates entering the military during 2019 Spring Commencement.

CoD Commencement Honors Service Members In addition to offering the keynote address during the College of Dentistry’s 2019 Spring Commencement, United States Navy Captain Sheherazad Lena Hartzell also administered the oath of office to graduates entering the military. It was the second year the college included the military oath of office as part of the commencement exercises.

Those inducted were: • Randy Bagay, entering the United States Navy, accompanied by Dr. Larry Weeda, Captain, Dental Corps, United States Navy, Retired • Connor Dennison, entering the United States Air Force, accompanied by Dr. C. L. “Leeby” Greenblatt, Captain, Dental Corps, United States Air Force, Retired

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• Lauren Lilly, entering the United States Navy, accompanied by Dean Ragain, Captain, Dental Corps, United States Navy, Retired

2019 College of Dentistry Scholarships The College of Dentistry’s annual Scholarship Awards Recognition Banquet was held on March 2 during the 2019 William F. Slagle Dental Meeting. Delta Dental of Tennessee graciously sponsored the event again this year.

Thank you to all our scholarship donors, and congratulations to all the recipients!

AMERICAN FAMILY DENTISTRY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Wesley Johnson – D4

DR. JAMES T. ANDREWS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Chad Tribble – D4 Ryan Nguyen – D4 Brady Pope – D4 Lucas Michael Hunley – D4 Abtin Iranmanesh – D4 John Kim – D4

BATEMAN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Robert Borum – D3 David Turpin – D3

DR. AND MRS. LOWELL DALE BLEVINS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Joshua Hambuchen – D4

DORIS COSTELLO BOWYER MEMORIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD Abtin Iranmanesh – D4

DR. AND MRS. NOAH DAVID BRITTON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Jacob Sparks – D4

DR. ANDREW M. BURTON III ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Jordan Dunn – D4

DR. JOHN T. (JACK) CAMP SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Karen Merriweather – D4 James Ritter – D4 Abtin Iranmanesh – D4 Brett Dillard – D2

BRENT R. CARMONY, M.S., D.D.S., SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

HAROLD CLOOGMAN, D.D.S. SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Justin Dinsmore – D3 Macall Nabors – D2 Garrett Salansky – D2 Dwight Sexton – D2 Jenny Tran – D3 David Turpin – D3 Juliana Valk – D3 Joseph Whitaker – D2 Robert Whitmire – D2 Sydney Collette – D4 Bradley Diminick – D4 Randall Jenkins – D2 Timothy Jones – D4 Allison Poget – D2 Brian Poore – D4 Dylan Qualls – D2

DR. WILLIAM LEE & BONITA R. CRABTREE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Lauren Gunderman – D3 Zachary Doyle – D2

DELTA DENTAL OF ARKANSAS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Kipley Powell – D3 Taylor Rogers – D2 Anthony Rusher – D4

DELTA DENTAL OF TENNESSEE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Mustafa Alwan – D2 Kimberly Taylor – D2 Kathryn Boyd – D3 Cameron Togrye – D3 Thomas Brown – D2 Alexander Hagar – D3 Heath Phillips – D2 Candace Windle – D2

Marie Alston – D4

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2019 College of Dentistry Scholarships (cont.)

DENTAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND AWARD Kerry Moon – D3 Justin Cooper – D3 Kyle Franklin – D3 David Pencarinha – D3

DENTISTRY STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Britta Ristau – D3

DR. WINFIELD C. DUNN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Nolan Kemp – D3 Cozy Ruan – D4

E. MAC EDINGTON, JR., D.D.S. AND LINDA KAY EDINGTON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Dwight Sexton – D2

WILLIAM J. EELLS, D.D.S. SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Chloe Meriwether – D3 Katherine Hughes – D3

ELIZABETH CLUB SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Ashton Monks – D4

DR. R.O. AND FANNIE B. FORD SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Frank Griffin – D1

DR. KENNETH L. FRAME AND SARA JO FRAME-MAZUR SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Brian Poore – D4 Taylor Enochs – D4

GUTHRIE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Sydney Collette – D4 Bradley Diminick – D4 Allison Jack – D4

DR. AND MRS. F. PAYNE AND DR. MARK HARDISON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Wesley Whisenant – D3

DR. EARL O. HENRY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Randy Bagay – D4

THOMAS P. HINMAN MEETING SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Thomas Inman – D3 Chloe Meriwether – D3

DR. AND MRS. NORRIS HOWELL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD John Kim – D4

JOSEPHINE CIRCLE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Kelsey Korb – D3 Leah Efird – D3

DR. GERALD R. KARR FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Nakita Riley – D3 Adam Gottsponer – D2

DR. W.C. ‘DUB’ LADY SCHOLARSHIIP AWARD Allison Poget – D2 Grayson Hunley – D4

HELEN FLANAGAN FRY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

LEADING WITH GOOD HANDS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

DEAN JAMES T. GINN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

DR. AND MRS. DAVID LIBBY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

David Turpin – D3 Juliana Valk – D3

Franklin Ivers – D4

DR. JOSEPH W. GRAHAM, SR. SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Alex Dozier – D4 Savannah Lancaster – D4

Logan Kuhn – D4

Austin Wilkie – D3

DR. MATONE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Marie Alston – D4

DR. MCCORD FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Kristina Slavik – D2

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O.D. AND RUTH MCKEE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

DR. ROY M. SMITH SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

WILL MCPHERSON, D.D.S., ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

DR. BUFORD AND LYNDA SUFFRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Lane Bland – D2 David Turpin – D3

Alexandra Scott – D4

DRS. JOE AND CHRIS MILLER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Hannah Carter – D4

DR. JOE AND PAT MOSIER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Alyssa Lambert – D4

BEVERLY AND DR. TOM NASH SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Jordan Marsh – D2

DR. AND MRS. THOMAS ONSTOTT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Jonathan Billings – D2

DR. MALCOLM OVERBEY STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD Cameron Togrye – D3 Jonathan Carrera – D4

DR. MAURICE E. PETROVSKY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Braxton Williams – D4

REDWINE-MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Randall Jenkins – D2 Timothy Jones – D4

SECOND DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Clifton Wright – D2 David Howe – D2

SINQUEFIELD FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Spencer Warren – D3

SHANNON SLAGLE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Carl Teel – D2

Morgan Broussard – D4 Ignatius Ginski – D3

TENNESSEE DENTAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Martha Nicholson – D3

CECILY W. TIPTON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Taylor Schubert – D2 Kaitlyn Walker – D2 Alexander Hagar – D3 Phillip Dodson D3

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION’S ANDY HOLT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Sarah Alouani – D1 Allison Poget – D2 Wesley Whisenant – D3 Ashton Monks – D4

DR. AND MRS. THOMAS N. WEEMS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Julian Smith – D4 Anthony Rusher – D4 John Jafarian – D4 Kamren Joe – D3 Aaron Brooksbank – D3 Savannah Lancaster – D4 Nicholas Baioni – D4 Hayden Byrd – D4

DR. ROBERT N. WILSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Eli Canton – D4 Jacob Rollins – D4 Taylor Reeves – D4

XI PSI PHI FRATERNITY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Jordan Dunn – D4

Phillip Dodson – D3 Joyce Lee – D2

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Drs. Greenblatt and Howell Honored by Alumni Association The College of Dentistry Alumni Association will present it’s top awards at the Upcoming 2020 William F. Slagle Dental Meeting, March 6-8 in Memphis, Tennessee.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD C. L. “Leeby” Greenblatt, DDS (CoD ’67) Dr. Greenblatt served two years in the United States Air Force Dental Corps at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, after graduating from dental school. He practices in Knoxville, where he is highly respected by patients and peers. Known to always put patients’ welfare before his own, he provides pro bono care for underserved patients.

Dr. Greenblatt is involved in many dental organizations. He is a former president of the Second District Society and former trustee of the Tennessee Dental Association, serving on many committees and councils and as president of the organization. For the American Dental Association, he has served as an alternate and a delegate to the House of Delegates.

He has also been involved in the Council on Dental Benefits Program, the Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics, and the American College of Dentists. He is a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry and The Pierre Fauchard Academy. He has received the TDA Fellowship Award and the Dr. Jack Wells Dedication to Dentistry Award, which is the highest honor.

Dr. Greenblatt is a past president of the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry Alumni Board of Trustees, the William F. Slagle Dental Meeting Board, and an adviser to the General Practice residency at The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD Gene Norris Howell, DDS (CoD ’79) Dr. Howell completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi.

He graduated from the UTHSC College of Dentistry and went into private practice at Family Dental Clinic in Ripley, Mississippi, where he practices today.

He is active in his field and community. He is a member and past president of the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry Alumni Board of Trustees and the Mississippi Dental Association. He is also involved in the American Dental Association, American Association of Dental Boards, Pierre Fauchard Academy, and other organizations. He is involved in the Ripley Rotary Club, Girl Scouts Heart of the South, and the Tippah County Fair Association Board.

Dr. Howell was chairman of Coats for Kids in Ripley, which has helped 30,000 children.

He was appointed to serve on the Mississippi State Board of Examiners, the Mid-South Dental Congress, and the Tippah County Hospital Board.

His accolades include Rotarian of the Year, the Jefferson Service Award, World of Thanks Award from the Girl Scouts, the Life Saver Award from the American Cancer Society.

“I am still trying to reach the lowest rung of the ladder to the bar that Dean Slagle kept setting higher,” Dr. Norris Howell said.

“He is a mentor to us all.”

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Why Make an Annual Gift to UTHSC? Donating to UTHSC every year helps us provide scholarships, laboratory equipment, travel grants, community outreach initiatives, and many other benefits that would not be available using state or tuition-provided dollars alone!

Thank you for being a partner with our campus, our colleges, and our programs.

Your gift in any amount will make a difference.

Donate $100 or more and become a member of our 1911 Society!

For details, go to giving.uthsc.edu/1911.

Make your gift today! giving.uthsc.edu/give | 901.448.5516

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Slagle Meeting Advancing Oral Health Care for 25 Years The 2020 William F. Slagle Dental Meeting is set for March 6-8 at the Guest House at Graceland in Memphis.

In addition to continuing education courses for dentists, hygienists, and assistants equaling up to 18 CE credit hours, the weekend includes the CoD alumni class reunions for 1980, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2010. A welcome party for all attendees will be held on Friday night.

PARTY LIKE

ROCK

A

STAR!

The mission of the William F. Slagle Dental Meeting is to advance the delivery of quality dental care by providing the dental team with a premier educational opportunity.

In accordance with this mission, the William F. Slagle Dental Meeting is committed to offering extensive continuing education courses, commercial exhibits, and additional educational programs advancing the growth and development of the dental profession.

Welco m regist e Party fo r ered a t and g uests tendees !

Light hors d’oeuvres will be served!

All profits from the William F. Slagle Dental Meeting are used to support dental education programs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry.

The William F. Slagle Dental Meeting is sponsored by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry and the College of Dentistry Alumni Association.

25 YEARS OF ROC

Make plans to join fellow alumni in Memphis for this important event! To register, go to slagledentalmeeting.com.

For more information, contact the Office of Continuing Dental Education at utcde@uthsc.edu or call 901.448.5386.

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K ‘N’ ROLL

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2019

Philanthropic Donations Appreciated by CoD

By Jackie Denton

The College of Dentistry is grateful for the generosity of its philanthropic donors, who are vital to advancing the college’s mission. Throughout the year, the college receives philanthropic gifts from individuals and organizations, which the college uses toward scholarships, research, equipment, infrastructure improvements, clinical care initiatives, and many other needs.

In June, the College of Dentistry received a $12,000 donation from the Tennessee Dental Association Foundation. The college also was the recipient of a total contribution of $550,000 from Delta Dental of Tennessee.

The donation from the Tennessee Dental Association Foundation will go toward research, a key mission of the college. The funds will support dental student research, allowing students to explore their research interests and enriching their academic experience by providing stipends to students to use toward their research projects.

The $550,000 gift from Delta Dental of Tennessee will help fund the equipment needs of the college. Dean Ragain has established a priority of equipment needs in the pre-clinical laboratories, pre-doctoral clinic, and graduate clinics. The donation from Delta Dental will pay for the top-priority item in each of the three areas.

“Generous gifts, such as this one from Delta Dental of Tennessee, provide the opportunity to upgrade our equipment to state-of-the-art, which is vital to us achieving our vision of clinical excellence in dental education,” Dean Ragain said.

A gift from the Tennessee Academy of General Dentistry will support the college’s continuing education program to expand dental care in the state.

“It’s essential that Tennessee’s future dentists are trained in the best-possible facilities, so they are prepared to treat their patients, and our members, when they begin

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their practice,” said Delta Dental President and Chief Executive Officer Philip Wenk, DDS. “We’re privileged to work with the College of Dentistry to provide the students access to this level of technology in the classroom and clinics.”

In September, the College of Dentistry received $80,000 from the Tennessee Academy of General Dentistry (TN AGD) to support its continuing education program that helps expand dental care in the state. The funds will support the Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) continuing education program, which trains and certifies registered dental hygienists and dental assistants to perform certain procedures currently done by licensed dentists, thereby expanding dental care in Tennessee.

“We in the College of Dentistry and the EFDA program are grateful for the generosity of the Tennessee Academy of General Dentistry,” said Jerry McKinney, DDS, assistant professor in the Department of General Dentistry and director of EFDA. “Part of the UTHSC College of Dentistry’s mission, as well as the TN AGD, is to prepare for the future needs of the citizens of Tennessee. Even now, there are areas of the state where access to dental care is not available.”

K. Michael Garrett, DDS, MAGD, at-large board member of the TN AGD, said an RDA with a modified license for EFDA markedly enhances the ability of general dentists to provide greater access to care. “The dentist can see more patients and do more procedures versus a dentist who does not have an RDA with this credential,” he said.

“The impact of this training program allows many more Tennesseans to have access to quality oral health care.”

The college also received a $125,000 from the Hearst Foundation toward the Mobile Dental Coach Project. The total cost of the project is $600,000. So far, $300,000 has been raised.

Tennessee Dental Association Foundation’s gift will go to support dental student research.

Top-priority equipment needs in the college will be funded by Delta Dental of Tennessee’s generous support.

A gift from the Tennessee Academy of General Dentistry will support the college’s continuing education program to expand dental care in the state.

Happy 50th to the Class of 1969!

The 2019 Golden Graduate Homecoming October 1618 in Memphis honored the graduates of 1969 from all six colleges. There were 31 Golden Graduates from the College of Dentistry in attendance. This event included dinner at Charlie Vergos Rendezvous, college open houses, a tour of the Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation, and the Golden Graduate Homecoming Ceremony and Dinner at the Peabody Hotel. Be on the lookout for news of our 2020 Golden Graduate Homecoming!

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Rodric Miller, DDS As a native Memphian, I recognized early in my life the need for individuals who are willing to make a difference in the community. This is one of the reasons why I enrolled in dental school and decided to further my education by pursuing specialty training. My interest in educational advancement led me to New York for training in pediatric dentistry. While I enjoyed my time in the Big Apple, there was never a moment when I considered not returning home to Memphis.

Not only did my patients need me, but I also understood that I had a responsibility to encourage and support those like myself who may have an interest in pursuing a career in dentistry.

I have mentored many students since returning home and was thrilled when Dean Ragain formed the Moving Forward Committee, which focuses on the recruitment of non-traditional students. The committee has various initiatives, but one of the focus areas is the growth of the Tennessee Institutes for Pre-Professionals (TIP) program, which provides students interested in dentistry (and other health care professions) with the opportunity to participate in summer internships, DAT prep, and dental school courses.

If we are going to experience success in recruiting these students, we must start early, and provide them with access to the profession. This is especially true for African Americans.

Increasing the number of participants in the TIP program is vital to this process, and I am proud to fund two students annually over the next five years.

I encourage all alumni to support the Moving Forward Committee, if access is viewed as a priority. It is important that all students have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and cultivate their talents. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not the first to raise a hand to signal an interest in paying it forward and I hope many more will join me.

Rodric Miller, DDS, is a pediatric dentist practicing in Memphis.

He was born in Memphis and operates Miller Dental Health for Kids with offices in Raleigh/Bartlett and Whitehaven.

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Choose UTHSC CoD for Continuing Dental Education 2020 CE COURSE SCHEDULE JANUARY Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Restorative (Session 1) 13–16 (Class 1 of 3 – Session 1) 27–30 (Class 2 of 3 – Session 1) FEBRUARY Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Restorative 10–13 (Class 3 of 3 – Session 1) Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Restorative (Session 2) 24–27 (Class 1 of 3 – Session 2) MARCH 6–8 The William F. Slagle Dental Meeting

JULY Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Restorative 13–16 (Class 3 of 3 – Session 3) 25–26 Coronal Polishing AUGUST Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Restorative (Session 4) 3–6 (Class 1 of 3 – Session 4) 17–20 (Class 2 of 3 – Session 4) Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 (Class 3 of 3 – Session 4) SEPTEMBER 7–11 Annual End of Summer Meeting – Destin, Florida

Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Restorative 9–12 (Class 2 of 3 – Session 2)

Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary - Restorative (Session 5) 14-17 (Class 1 of 3 – Session 5)

23–26 (Class 3 of – Session 2)

Sept. 28 – Oct. 1 (Class 2 of 3 – Session 5)

27 2020 Harry K. Sharp Pediatric Dental Update APRIL Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Prosthetic 6–9 (Class 1 of 2)

OCTOBER 2 The 10th Annual J. Joe Littlejohn Lectureship on Implants

20–23 (Class 2 of 2)

Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Restorative 12–15 (Class 3 of 3 – Session 5)

MAY 1–2 Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist

NOVEMBER 6–7 Administering Nitrous Oxide for the Dental Hygienist

1–2 Administering Nitrous Oxide for the Dental Hygienist

7 Monitoring Nitrous for the Dental Assistant

2 Monitoring Nitrous for the Dental Assistant Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Prosthetic 4–7 (Class 1 of 2) 18-21 (Class 2 of 2)

DECEMBER 4 Chemical Dependency and Prescription Writing 4–5 Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist 8 Sealants Certification for the Dental Assistant

JUNE 5–6 Dental Radiology for the Dental Assistant 9 Sealants Certification for the Dental Assistant – Expanded Functions for the Dental Auxiliary – Restorative (Session 3) 8–11 (Class 1 of 3 – Session 3)

All CE Course are located in Memphis, unless otherwise noted. Dates are subject to change. Please check our website for updates uthsc.edu/dentistry/CE or call our office at 901.448.5386.

22-25 (Class 2 of 2 – Session 3)

UTHSC COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY | WINTER 2020

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Alumni Board of Directors PRESIDENT Joseph Safirstein, DDS SECRETARY/TREASURER Stan Young, DDS

REGION I AT-LARGE Yvette Burns, DDS Andrew Huttula, DDS Debra Gray King, DDS Harvey Matheny, DDS

PAST PRESIDENT C. L. “Leeby” Greenblatt, DDS

REGION II AT-LARGE JK Dillehay, DDS

MEMBERS

REGION III AT-LARGE VACANT

ALABAMA Hank McKay, DDS ARKANSAS Terry Fiddler, DDS David S. Baker, DDS GEORGIA William Couch, DDS MISSISSIPPI Hugh “Monty” Monteith, DDS Walker Swaney, DDS TENNESSEE (EAST) Nadim Jubran, DDS Rick Guthrie, DDS Bill Powell, DDS TENNESSEE (MIDDLE) Kathy Hall, DDS Terryl Propper, DDS TENNESSEE (WEST) James Avery, DDS Stueart Hudsmith, DDS Valencia May, DDS Chip Trammell, DDS Stan Young, DDS

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REGION IV AT-LARGE (PUBLIC HEALTH/ARMED FORCES) VACANT DENTAL HYGIENE Vickie Jones, RDH, BS, MDH Lynn Russell, RDH, BS, MEd PRESIDENT OF THE FACULTY Rebecca Mayall, DDS DEAN EMERITUS, UT COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY William F. Slagle, DDS TREASURER EMERITUS David K. Rowe, DDS (deceased) Billy McCann, DDS

EMERITUS MEMBERS Stacey A. Garner, DDS (deceased) Charles L. Rogers, DDS H. Vernon Reed, DDS

HONORARY MEMBERS Joseph E. Johnson, EdD Barbara S. McAdams, JD

UTHSC COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY | WINTER 2020

THANK YOU to Our Legacy Society Members!

Dr. and Mrs. Danny Adkins

Estate of Percy Nordlinger

Dr. and Mrs. J. Newsom Baker

Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Andrew Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rourke

Dr. and Mrs. David E. Barto

Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Overbey, Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. Gregory L. Boston

Dr. and Mrs. Tommy W. Page

Estate of Gladys C. Bowyer

Dr. and Mrs. Rush Abbott Peace

Dr. William R. Breeding

Estate of Maurice E. Petrovsky

Dr. Carl F. Brown, Jr.* and Mrs. Linda Meltzer Brown

Dr. and Mrs. James M. Pyle, III

Estate of John T. Camp

Dr. and Mrs. Morris Robbins

Estate of Harold Cloogman

Dr. and Mrs. Robert W. Rockefeller

Dr. and Mrs. William O. Coley, Jr.

Dr. Alice Roemer-Toarmina

Estate of Lynne Craver

Dr. Judith A. Ross

Dr. Jack N. Denton

Estate of Sam G. Sanders

Dr. and Mrs. Scotty A. Devine

Dr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Sawrie

Estate of Charles Edrington

Estate of Charles A. Scott Jr.

Estate of Dr. Russell O. and Mrs. Fannye Ford

Dr. and Mrs. Millard B. Smith

Mr. Robert C.* and Mrs. Maud Fox

Estate of Dr. Roy M. Smith

Dr. John A. Gholson, III

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Frederic Starck

Drs. Joe C. and Barbara Harris

Dr. Robert C. Stetzel, Jr.

Estate of Robert Henderson

Dr. and Mrs. Buford J. Suffridge, Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. Fred C. Heros

Estate of Dr. Mary Beth Throneberry

Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Hochstedler

Dr. James L. Vaden

Estate of Billy S. Howard

Dr. and Mrs. William Thomas Veal, Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. James H. Hutson, Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. Kirby P. Walker, Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. Brett J. Jaffrey

Dr. William Earl Webb

Dr. J. Dale and Mrs. Rebecca S. Kennedy

Estate of Dr. Faustin Weber

Estate of Dr. Lawrence Tennyson Kennedy, Jr.

Estate of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas N. Weems

Dr. Sarah E. Martin

Dr. Rosie Richmond Whalum

Estate of Wayne L. McCulley

Ms. L. Adine Wheeler

Dr. and Mrs. James W. McDaniel

Dr. and Mrs. Martin C. Wilhelm

Dr. and Mrs. John W. McElhiney

Dr. and Mrs. Gary D. Wilhoit

Estate of Dr. James P. McLemore, Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. Michael D. Wooten

Estate of R. Gary Moser

Estate of Richard Workman

Estate of Sam D. Mount

Estate of Frances Farr Young

Estate of Dr. John S. Nelson

*Deceased

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UTHSC COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY | WINTER 2020

Leave Your Legacy Have you thought about the legacy you will leave behind?

With a Planned Gift, you can: • Simplify your estate for your family • Reduce the tax burden applied to your assets • Benefit causes you hold dear

Legacy donors become members of the Hershel “Pat” Wall Legacy Society Dr. Wall’s 50 years of dedication to UTHSC as a student, faculty member, and administrator are unsurpassed. His legacy will live forever, as will the impact made by our donors.

For more information about planned gifts to UTHSC and Legacy Society membership, contact Bethany Goolsby at 901.448.5516 or estateplans@uthsc.edu.

Order your new UTHSC license plate online at uthsc.edu/license-plate and help support educational outreach!

Plus – UTHSC will pay the $35 deposit for the first 1,000 orders, so hurry to sign up!

UTHSC COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY | WINTER 2020

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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit No. 4026 Office of Development and Alumni Affairs 62 S. Dunlap, Suite 500 Memphis, TN 38163 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

SAVE THE DATE WILLIAM F. SLAGLE DENTAL MEETING

MARCH 6 - 8, 2020 THE GUEST HOUSE AT GRACELAND MEMPHIS, TN

slagledentalmeeting.com