It was a disaster ... a smoke-filled simulated disaster scene, to be exact. Eleven School of Dentistry students and faculty members were among about 40 Academic Health Center student participants who worked in interprofessional teams to respond to a simulated emergency situation on October 23.
Students prepared for the half-day event by completing an online disaster preparedness course. As in real emergencies, participants were called upon to identify the nature of the emergency, identify a leader, and respond based on their skills sets, rather than their professional affiliation. Trained facilitators – emergency physicians, EMTs and paramedics – observed, evaluated and provided feedback to each team. The program provides training, practice, and assessment in team and individual skills, but participation does not qualify students to become first responders.
School of Dentistry on the Big 10 Network
A film crew from the Big Ten Network visited the School of Dentistry to film in the simulation clinic for a segment that aired October 31 on the Big Ten Network show "Friday Night Tailgate." Two network correspondents took turns practicing dental procedures in the advanced simulation clinic with Dr. Judith Buchanan as their on-air instructor as dental students Priya Muthu and Jeff Remakel looked on. View the show.
School of Dentistry at the Homecoming Parade
More than forty energized students, staff, faculty, alumni and families marched with the School of Dentistry in the University's “Ultimate Homecoming” Parade on Friday, October 9, handing out toothbrushes to the cheers and applause of spectators. Special thanks to Jeff Remakel (D3)for championing student involvement in the parade and to Jennifer Dylla (D3) for her portrayal as the tooth fairy. Jeff, along with students Nicole Reardon (D3) and Bryan Behm (D3), and staff members Sara Stone (Alumni Relations / Development / Communications) and Annie Pearson (Alumni Relations & Community Engagement), also enthusiastically participated in the “Ultimate Open House” at a booth in the TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4. More than 2,000 people visited the School of Dentistry booth and received information about our patient clinics, as well as a free toothbrush upon completion of a quiz testing their knowledge of the School of Dentistry, its mission, patient clinics, services and accomplishments.
University of Minnesota Alumni Association honors top volunteers, groups and programs
The University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) honored its outstanding alumni volunteers, groups and programs at a celebratory event held at the McNamara Alumni Center on October 8, 2009. School of Dentistry alum Stephen Litton (’67) received the University of Minnesota Alumni Service Award in recognition of his life-long service and legacy of volunteerism. Also recognized at the event were Marie Baudek, associate director of continuing dental education and immediate-past director of alumni relations for the School of Dentistry, who received the Faculty Staff Volunteer of the Year Award. The School of Dentistry Alumni Society (SODAS) received the Program Extraordinaire Award for its member awareness program at the 2009 Vendor Fair sponsored by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA). Read more.
2009 White Coat Ceremony
The 2009 White Coat Ceremony was held September 18. A traditional rite of passage in many health care professions, this event recognizes students in their first year of professional education. Dental, dental hygiene and dental therapy students participated. Students were given white lab coats, attire that evokes the trust and respect of patients. The ceremony is intended to impress upon these future practitioners the significance of that trusting relationship and to celebrate their commitment to the goals of professionalism, ethical practice, scientific and technical expertise, and compassionate service to others. Dr. Steve Litton welcomed students on behalf of the School of Dentistry Alumni Society and St. Paul pediatric dentist and part-time faculty member Dr. Teresa Fong was the featured speaker at the event.
David Bereiter Receives National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Grant
Congratulations to David Bereiter (Diagnostic & Biological Sciences) who is the recipient of a five-year, $1.79 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to study how estrogen levels and persistent psychological stress affect sensory signals relevant for TMJD pain. These studies will provide new information on the influence of estrogen status and psychological stress on the neurobiology of brainstem systems thought to be critical for TMJD pain.
