Results: 204 news stories
UT Dentistry is safely resuming care
Since mid-March, the School of Dentistry’s advanced education students and faculty have been treating only patients with urgent care needs. The Advanced General Dentistry Clinic, directed by Luis Yepes, D.D.S., clinical assistant professor in the department of comprehensive dentistry, and the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, directed by Mark Miller, M.D., D.M.D., clinical assistant professor in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, have been caring for patients who present in pain or those with trauma.
2020 Senior Awards
Eighty-five awards and honors were presented to the School of Dentistry’s Class of 2020 on Monday, May 18, 2020.
Bridging the gap to offer Continuing Dental Education courses
In Texas, all active dentists and dental hygienists are required by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to accrue up to 24 hours of continuing education (CE) biennially. During a time in our history when dental professionals are not permitted to gather for live courses, Scott Stafford, D.D.S., M.B.A., and his team have quickly changed tactics to make sure their office bridges that gap. Dr. Stafford, director of the Office of Continuing Dental Education, began by utilizing Canvas Conferences to host Grand Rounds on April 3, 2020.
A Founding Father Retires after 49 Years
Every dental student the School of Dentistry has trained over the last 49 years has been educated by Glenn R. Walters, D.D.S., an associate professor in the department of endodontics since 1971. Dr. Walters packed away his endodontic ruler on Friday, May 1, 2020, officially retiring from the UT Health San Antonio. “Glenn was the founding chair of our department”, says Ken Hargreaves, D.D.S., Ph.D., chair of the department of endodontics. “He was instrumental in creating an environment where education was a priority and a pleasure.
A Community United
Without a doubt, the coronavirus pandemic has drastically impacted the lives of all Americans in ways we never dreamed possible. It has shaken our economy to its core, and it has put our healthcare system to the ultimate test. Yet, it has also showed the resolve that all Americans have, that united we are stronger, and in times of crisis we come together for the common good. After seeing the countless news stories about personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, I took to my office 3D printer and began fabricating face shields for our local hospitals.
OMR Resident Places 3rd in Briscoe Library Competition
Sonam Khurana, B.D.S., M.D.S., was awarded 3rd place in the Briscoe Library’s 3rd Annual Image of Research Photography Competition which came with a $200 prize. Dr. Khurana is a 2nd year resident in the School of Dentistry’s Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology program. Her winning image, 3D Dummy Corpse, is a three-dimensional animation model “depicting nerve and blood supply to the teeth”, says a narrative about the work.
Sew Proud!
It may seem slow to some in the School of Dentistry, however our workforce is moving faster than ever. Several individual volunteers have joined campaigns across the the city to take up their needle and thread to create supplement face masks in place of a dwindling surgical mask supply. The department of endodontics has two such individuals; Qun Li, research associate – senior, and Michelle Bendele, research associate.
2020 AAE President's Awardee, Dr. Ken Hargreaves
The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) announced this month that Kenneth M. Hargreaves, D.D.S., Ph.D., professor and chair of the department of endodontics, has received their esteemed 2020 President’s Award. This prestigious nod from the association celebrates Dr. Hargreaves’ contributions as “an outstanding member whose efforts to promote and advance the Association go above and beyond”, the announcement says. With a deep commitment to patient experience, much of Dr. Hargreaves’ research revolves around discovering safer pain management practices for acute and chronic conditions.
2020 Innovations in Health Science Education Conference
The 2020 Innovations in Health Science Education Conference of the Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Academy was held in Austin on February 27th and 28th. This annual event is sponsored by The University of Texas System’s six health science campuses and the theme of the year was “Celebrate Education”. Several School of Dentistry faculty and students represented UT Health San Antonio by presenting their work during the conference. Drs. David Ojeda, Don Shaw, and Michaell Huber partnered with Long School of Medicine faculty members, Drs.
2019 CODA Report
I am delighted to share with you that we have received the official report from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) regarding our October 2019 site visit. This report ratifies the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry’s status as fully accredited with no recommendations or reporting requirements through the year 2026 for the following programs: • Predoctoral Dental Education Program • Advanced Dental Education Programs in Advanced Education in General Dentistry, Dental Public Health, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics (Oral &
Night out with SADHA
The San Antonio Dental Hygiene Association (SADHA) hosted an evening out for their members and invited Dr. Peter M. Loomer and UT Health San Antonio dental hygiene seniors to join them on February 19, 2020. “He was quite the Picasso and we were honored to have him join us,” said Jo Ann Jordan, director of the Dental Hygiene program, of Dean Loomer. SADHA regularly engages with UTHSA dental hygiene faculty and students, creating a partnership that benefits the entire San Antonio community.
EDGE & Leadership Retreat Updates
During the quarterly General Faculty meeting on February 25, 2020, executive vice president and chief operating office, Andrea Marks, presented updates regarding the progress and strategy of the Enterprise Design for Growth & Effectiveness initiative, referred to as EDGE. What is EDGE, why are we doing this, and what exactly is the master plan and timeline?
Chuck Wagon Shindig
The Office of Institutional Advancement hosted the entire UT Health San Antonio community at Buck Reams' Chuck Wagon during the San Antonio Rodeo's closing weekend.The School of Dentistry garnered a large presence as we gear up the celebration of our 50th anniversary. Alumni, faculty, staff, and students across all schools enjoyed an old fashioned chicken fried steak dinner with all the trimmings cooked over an open flame.Dean Loomer assumed the role of master of ceremonies and thanked those present for supporting the continuing work of the UT Health San Antonio.
An Interview with Dean Loomer: One Year In
During a recent interview, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry Dean, Dr. Peter M. Loomer, shared his thoughts from the year, his vision of the future, and kindly indulged this writer by answering a few fun questions. SoD NEWS: Dr. Loomer, you've served the UT Health San Antonio for a year now. Is there anything that has surprised you about the deanship? LOOMER: It’s certainly what I expected it to be.
School of Dentistry Awardees of 2020 Presidential
UT Health San Antonio President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, announced the 2020 Presidential Award winners on January 17, 2020. Among those honorees are two well deserving members from the School of Dentistry, who will be honored at a special awards dinner with a plaque and a cash award. Edward F. Wright, D.D.S., M.S., Professor in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, will be presented with the Presidential Award for Clinical Excellence. Dr.
Dental Hygiene Senior Appointed to Floresville City Council
“My late father, Gerard Jimenez, was a voice for the citizens”, says Jade Jimenez, Dental Hygiene Senior at UT Health San Antonio’s School of Dentistry. On Monday, January 13, 2020 and after a unanimous vote, Jade was honored by being appointed to the Floresville City Council. Upon her appointment, Jade became a record breaker as well by being the youngest Hispanic female to sit on city council in Floresville, Texas. The appointment to City Council Place 4, is a step towards healing for the Jimenez family and the city of Floresville.
Meet the Staff: Martha Browning
For the past 30 years, Martha Browning has made service to students her life’s work. Martha is an Academic Programs Coordinator for the Dental Hygiene Program in the Department of Periodontics. During her tenure in the School of Dentistry, Martha has become vital to the success of both the dental hygiene faculty and students.
Jo Ann Jordan, director of the Dental Hygiene program, describes Martha as a wonderful team member. “She and I work very well together, in fact, she’s been with us long enough that we finish one another’s sentences!”
San Antonio ASDA Helps Prepare Pre-Dental Students for Dental School Interviews
Preparing for entry into any professional education program is tough, but the San Antonio Chapter of the American Student Dental Association lends a hand assisting predental students prepare for admission season. Held annually, the ADSA’s Pre-Dental Mock Interview Day is a half-day event for pre-dental students to meet UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry faculty and dental students, receive information on our programs, and practice their admission interviewing skills with dental students. On Saturday, November 16, 2019, 50 pre-dental students from several Texas universities participated
Interprofessional STEM Scholars Program Teaches 4th/5th Graders About Diabetes, Cancer and Alzheimer's
A Community Outreach Approach The STEM Scholars Program, a new interprofessional community outreach program at UT Health San Antonio provides a platform for dental, graduate, health professions, medical and nursing students to interact and collaboratively design and present health-related topics at local K-12 schools. The topics chosen for the pilot run are diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. UT Health San Antonio dental students Kara Hegwood, DSII, Luke Sieler, DSIII, Keaton Shin, DSIV, and Christopher Adams, DSIV participated as STEM Scholars. Dr.
Celebrating 5, 10, and 15 Year Anniversaries
On Wednesday, November 20, 2019, UT Health San Antonio employees were honored for their state service at an event hosted by Human Resources.