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This May, students, faculty and volunteers participated in a two-day Special Olympics Special Smiles event, part of the 2022 Special Olympics Texas Summer Games held in and around Morgan’s Wonderland theme park and the first hosted since the onset of the pandemic. Claudia I. Contreras, DDS , assistant clinical professor and pre-doctoral director of pediatric dentistry, aided by Noorpreet Kaur,…
This year's School of Dentistry dental and dental hygiene graduates were welcomed as new colleagues by school leadership at their respective programs' hooding and award ceremonies. Students receiving their doctor of dental surgery degree and their families and friends filled the 751-seat Holly Auditorium on May 19 for a ceremony emceed by Stefanie Seitz, DDS, MEd , assistant dean for students. In…
The Southwest Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is one of six regional oral and maxillofacial (OMS) societies in the United States. At their annual society meeting, the first day is “Resident’s Day” during which residents from the Southwest region’s OMS training programs present abstracts of interesting cases, research projects, and papers. The Byrd/Walker/Tilson resident award, which…
You bite into an ice cream cone on a hot summer day when a zing of tooth sensitivity comes out of nowhere and completely undermines the delight of the cool and creamy treat. Maybe worse is the unexpectedly sharp pain when biting down onto something hard, like a stray popcorn kernel. What does that zing in your teeth mean, and what is your mouth telling you? The sensation of tooth discomfort or,…, What are some potential causes of tooth sensitivity and pain?, -, Toothbrush abrasion, is caused by aggressive or improper toothbrushing technique. It leads to the wearing away or receding of the gums past the enamel. This exposes the very sensitive, unprotected root surface, which can cause a short-lived but intense response to cold or sweets. -, Periodontal (gum) disease, is a progressive recession of the gums and bone supporting our teeth in response to tartar and bacteria buildup constantly inflaming the gum tissue. It commonly occurs after falling behind on professional cleanings and becomes worse unless treated. This also results in unprotected root surface exposure and can lead to sensitivity and pain, which is often worsened by bacterial inflammation. -, Clenching and grinding, are abnormal habits that can lead to abfraction, which is a shearing of the enamel from the underlying dentin layer. This causes discomfort or sensitivity because the dentin is home to the microtubules that directly transmit sensitivity and pain to the pulp, the tooth’s innermost layer. -, Erosion, of the enamel can be caused by damage from acidic food and drinks, including citrus fruits and carbonated beverages, especially soda. As a result, sections of the teeth normally covered by protective enamel are now exposed to everyday actions that cause sensitivity and pain. -, Dental caries, , more commonly known as, cavities, , can break down the protective enamel of the teeth. If left untreated, its progress can ultimately cause infection and tooth loss., Fractured teeth, or large cavities can result in pain when you bite down and require urgent care to restore the tooth’s health overall., Once the cause is identified – what’s the treatment?, Treatment is based on the source of the problem. Anti-sensitivity toothpaste can provide temporary relief for mild symptoms of sensitivity; however, it does not actually treat the underlying cause of the discomfort. Once sensitivity begins in the mouth, it rarely resolves on its own and usually becomes progressively worse if not addressed. Unfortunately, there is no one-size fits all treatment…, Appointments and information for the General Dentistry Clinic are available by calling 210-56 SMILE (210-567-6453) or by requesting an appointment online at UTHealthDental.com .
In March, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) held its 2022 Annual Session & Exhibition in Philadelphia. The conference theme was “Lifting as We Rise,” which focused on bringing dental, allied dental and advanced dental educators and students together for four days of world-class educational training and an exhibit hall filled with dental education’s leading partners. The School…
Ray Scott, DDS, UT Health San Antonio Class of 1983 alumnus, recently presented a generous gift of nearly $110,000 to the School of Dentistry on behalf of the American Dental Partners Foundation Inc., for which he is the president. The foundation was originally established for the sole purpose of supporting dental students in their dental education. Over time, dental hygiene and community…
Since 1983, the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry Research and Clinical Symposium has provided a scientific program and forum to achieve a balance of current and updated clinical, basic science, case studies and evidence-based research. The symposium provides a forum for interaction, communication, and education for a broad spectrum of research for the school’s dental students, dental…, 2022 School of Dentistry Virtual Research and Clinical Symposium Awardees:, Distinguished Research Mentor, Armen N. Akopian , PhD, professor of endodontics, Oral Presentations, 1st Place Dental Student Category Kathryn Marie Ellis: “Implant-Specific Cleaning-Aid Selection Through Anti-Biofilm Efficacy and Titanium Oxide Stability” Author(s): Ellis, K., Jackson, D., Garcia, B., Zhou, P., Kotsakis, G. 1st Place Resident / Master’s Category Pardis Soleimanzadeh Azar: “Quantitative assessment of resolution of mechanical allodynia following endodontic treatment” Author(s):…, Poster Presentations, 1st Place Dental Student Category Alaa Asim Diab: “From Didactic to Clinical Practice Confidence: The Dental Student Perspective” Author(s): Diab, A., English, D., Farokhi, M.R. 2nd Place Dental Student Category Christina Thanh-Truc Lieng: “Oral Health Promotion and Education Partnership with Community Health Workers” Author(s): Lieng, C., Aguilar, R., De la Torre, M. 1st Place Resident / Master’…
In December, the School of Dentistry hosted the 38th annual James P. Hollers Memorial Lecture. This program honors James P. Hollers, a dentist and longtime San Antonio civic leader who chaired the San Antonio Medical Foundation for 20 years. He was the driving force in not only establishing the School of Dentistry but the foundation of the UT Health San Antonio. His determination and leadership…
The School of Dentistry’s Department of Developmental Dentistry has been awarded a generous grant of $50,000 by Delta Dental’s Community Care Foundation to support patient care activities of the Ricardo Salinas Pediatric Dental Clinic and UT Health Laredo Dental Clinic . The Ricardo Salinas Pediatric Dental Clinic is a distinctive collaboration between the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District…
Rebekah Sculley, RDH, MS, assistant professor/clinical in the Department of Periodontics, Division of Dental Hygiene, graduated from the Leadership Excellence for Academic Professionals (LEAP) program on November 11. Professor Sculley, along with her three groupmates, presented their capstone project entitled, “ Streamlining Dental Care for Head & Neck Cancer Patients: A Model for Inter-…