Scott McClanahan, D.D.S. M.S., will be confirmed as Director of the American Board of Endodontics in April 2013.

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry’s Patient Clinics has earned the service industry-coveted 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award. It is the second straight year the School of Dentistry earned the honor, which is given to about 5 percent of all organizations rated on Angie's List.

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry's Alex Fok, Ph.D., director of the Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics, was recently featured by the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center as an AHC Gamechanger.

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Dean Leon A. Assael emceed a celebration on November 6 commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the Mobile Dental Clinic.

The School of Dentistry was on-hand at the University of Minnesota's Coffman Student Union on November 17 to engage families in dental-related activities at the 2012 Math and Science Family Fun Fair.

In a video produced by the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, Dr. Dan Shaw, a pediatric dentist and Clinical Associate Professor with the School of Dentistry, explains how sugar affects teeth and how certain types of candy may be worse than others.

The School of Dentistry's outreach program helps provide oral health care to underserved communities while training the next generation of dental professionals.

The University of Minnesota's Board of Regents approved a proposal for a new Doctor of Dental Surgery/Master in Public Health dual degree program between the School of Dentistry and the School of Public Health as part of the Public Health Practice Executive Program.

Naty Lopez, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Diversity for the School of Dentistry, is one of two recipients of the Lillian H. Williams Award, named in honor of Lillian H. Williams, founding director of the University of Minnesota's Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler and School of Dentistry Dean Leon A. Assael presented Dr. Richard C. Oliver, dean-emeritus of the School of Dentistry, with the University of Minnesota Outstanding Achievement Award.

The School of Dentistry hosted alumnus Dr. Ken Guetzke (Class of 1949) and his son, Tom, at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, September 8, for the University of Minnesota football home opener.

Record numbers of School of Dentistry volunteers were on-hand to meet and greet fairgoers and distribute toothbrushes at the 2012 Minnesota State Fair on Wednesday, August 29.

School of Dentistry faculty member Ranier Adarve received a 2012 University of the Philippines Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award on June 12 during the UP General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming and Reunion in Quezon City.

The 27 undergraduate students taking part in the School of Dentistry’s HRSA Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Summer Dental School Experience got together on June 21 at Moos Tower to present their oral health disparities projects.

Every year after the new professor of the year has been announced at the Dean’s Reception, the Office of Academic Affairs holds a dinner celebration for all past and present professors of the year.

Dr. Richard C. Oliver, dean-emeritus of the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry, was awarded the University of Minnesota Outstanding Achievement Award on July 19. The Outstanding Achievement Award is given to a graduate who has attained distinction in their chosen fields or professions and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership on a community, state, national, or international level.

University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler, School of Dentistry Interim Dean Judith Buchanan, and Leon Assael, recently named the new School of Dentistry dean effective August 1, were among those in attendance June 1 for a presentation about the Building Bridges to a Dental Career Program.

Leon A. Assael, D.M.D., C.M.M., has been named dean of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry by Provost Karen Hanson. He was appointed as dean of the School of Dentistry by the University Board of Regents on June 8. Assael succeeds Interim Dean Judith Buchanan, Ph.D., D.M.D., and started his new role on Aug. 1.

 

The new University of Minnesota Pediatric Dental Clinic, Made Possible by Delta Dental of Minnesota, hosted an open house on May 15.

 

Interim Dean of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Judith A. Buchanan was honored on May 11 as her photograph was added to the Wall of Deans on the 15th floor of Moos Tower.

 

A crowd of more than 1,000 students, their family members and friends, and School of Dentistry faculty and staff celebrated the accomplishments of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Class of 2012 at a Commencement Ceremony held May 11 in Mariucci Arena.

 

Raj Gopalakrishnan, BDS, PhD was named Century Club Professor of the Year at the Dean’s Recognition Reception on April 27, 2012.

Through the Building Bridges to a Dental Career program, the School of Dentistry seeks to meet the diverse workforce needs of the state by providing students from underserved and under-represented communities with the opportunity to develop the skills to become competitive dental school applicants who will enter and graduate from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

 

Jeffrey M. Karp, D.M.D., M.S., has been named director of the new University of Minnesota Pediatric Dental Clinic, Made Possible by Delta Dental of Minnesota, and director of the School of Dentistry’s Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry. He will join the faculty full-time in July 2012.

Colleen Brickle and Brent Larson were recently honored as distinguished alumni of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

The brand new University of Minnesota Pediatric Dental Clinic, Made Possible by Delta Dental of Minnesota, hosted its first patients on April 3, opening the door to a new era of pediatric dental care and education in the state.

The breadth of the productive basic, clinical, social science, and translational research taking place at the School of Dentistry was on display at the Eighth Annual Dean’s Day on March 30.

Lynda Young (D.H.), St. Paul, died February 29, 2012, after a short battle with brain cancer. She was 61 years old. A respected alumna and 38-year faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Lynda fostered relationships that linked the dental school with the world. At the time of her death, she directed the school’s Continuing Dental Education (CDE) Program, long considered one of the top five CDE programs in the country

Dr. Robert Vickers, a University of Minnesota School of Dentistry graduate and professor, passed away on March 15 at age 79.

How the multi-disciplinary approach of Shelley Grimes, Dwight Anderson, and Paul Jardine led to the characterization of the phi29 "molecular motor," one of the strongest force-generating molecular motors ever reported.

Students from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry visited St. Paul lawmakers on February 21 to ask for their support of the University's 2012 Capital Request.

Ranier Adarve (Restorative Sci-Prosthodontics) is the recipient of the 2012 ADEA/Colgate-Palmolive Co. Excellence in Teaching Award.

Members of the School of Dentistry’s inaugural class of dental therapy students donned caps and gowns for a Campus Club ceremony on December 3 to celebrate the completion of their bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in dental therapy.

More than 40 energized students, staff, faculty and families marched with the School of Dentistry in the 2011 Homecoming Parade on October 21, distributing School of Dentistry toothbrushes up and down the parade route.

More than 130 School of Dentistry first-year dental, dental hygiene and dental therapy students took an afternoon from their studies to participate in a White Coat Ceremony that marked both their entry into the dental profession and their awareness of the need to balance excellence in science with compassionate patient care.

Why choose a dental career? This summer hundreds of students from middle school to college age had the opportunity to explore this question thanks to the Building Bridges to a Dental Career Health Career Opportunity Program (HCOP) funded by HRSA.

Dr. Judith Buchanan, a professor and associate dean for academic affairs in the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, has been appointed Interim Dean of the school.

The School of Dentistry has received a $3.5 million gift from Delta Dental of Minnesota Trust to support the construction of the state’s only hospital-based pediatric dental clinic and the most advanced pediatric dental clinic in the Upper Midwest.

Alumni and faculty gathered at the School of Dentistry’s annual Dean's Recognition Reception on April 20, 2011 as Dean Patrick Lloyd presented the Century Club Professor of the Year Award.

Dr. Raymond Gist, president of the American Dental Association, added a memorable moment to the graduation ceremonies at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry when he delivered the 2011 commencement address before a crowd of 1,000 graduates and their guests at the school’s 122nd graduation exercises.

For the first time since 1989, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry students have a student commons area.

Patrick M. Lloyd, D.D.S., M.S., dean of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, has accepted a position as dean of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and director of dentistry for The Ohio State University Medical Center.

We had a great turnout at the Seventh Annual Research Day on March 4.

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is one of three nationwide recipients of a $1.9 million grant from the Health Careers Opportunity Program to help enhance access to dental care for underserved populations by increasing diversity in the dental workforce.

Approximately 17,300 children live within two miles of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

Twenty-eight students representing 10 high schools participated in the Saturday Academy, a 22-week introduction to dentistry for middle and high school students offered by the School of Dentistry, which kicked off on January 22.

The tooth fairy made a rare daytime appearance at the University of Minnesota on Saturday, February 5, when she dropped by to visit with some of the 170 children on-hand to receive free dental care in the School of Dentistry’s 27-chair pediatric dental clinic.

School of Dentistry students continue to lead by example. Four Minnesota students were chosen from a competitive field of qualified national candidates to assume 2011-12 leadership roles with the American Student Dental Association (ASDA).

In 2008, the Minnesota legislature authorized the licensure of a new dental provider called a dental therapist.

Students and faculty attended the grand opening of the Native American Dental Clinic (NADC) on November 1.

The School of Dentistry took top honors when the University of Minnesota Alumni Association recognized its outstanding alumni volunteers, groups and programs at the 2010 Alumni Awards Celebration on September 29.

School of Dentistry researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified two drugs that, when combined, may serve as an effective treatment for HIV.

The interprofessional University of Minnesota research team has discovered that cannabinoids offer a novel approach to ease the chronic and acute pain caused by sickle cell disease (SCD).

A historic milestone was reached on Friday, August 13, 2010. At a special meeting and by unanimous vote the Minnesota Board of Dentistry granted provisional approval of the education programs for dental therapists at the University of Minnesota.

Congratulations to Judith Buchanan who is one of four individuals to be inducted into the 2010 Academic Health Center Academy of Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Adjunct faculty gather at Moos Tower for the 5th annual Outreach Dental Review.

The breadth of productive research taking place at the School of Dentistry is evidenced by two recent research awards.

This year marked the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry’s 121st commencement ceremony.

First year students taking the Prevention and Oral Health Promotion class offered poster presentations in Moos Moos Tower, April 27 and 29.

Five endodontic residents from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry participated in poster research and table clinic competitions at the annual meeting of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), annual meeting this year, April 14-18, in San Diego, Calif.

Alumni and faculty gathered at the School of Dentistry’s annual Dean's Recognition Reception on April 23.

The University of Minnesota chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) continues to lead by example, both locally and nationally.

The expression “Good things come to those who Waite” proved true on March 27, when the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry presented the 20th Anniversary Daniel E. Waite Lectureship.

University of Minnesota faculty, staff, and students were invited Monday, March 29, to a second presentation of the prestigious William J. Gies Award for Outstanding Vision by an Academic Institution.

Cutting-edge research was the order of the day during the 6th Annual Research Day at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

Oral health for older adults just got a new tool: an educational DVD!

Dr. Karl Self has accepted an invitation to serve as the School of Dentistry’s Director of the Division and Program in Dental Therapy, effective January 4, 2010.

More than 250 student, staff and faculty volunteers from the School of Dentistry provided free dental care to 140 children in the school’s pediatric dental clinic on Saturday, February 6.

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."

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.

The American Dental Education Association Gies Foundation will honor the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry with the ADEA Gies Foundation Award for Vision in recognition of the dental school’s role in advancing new standards for initial licensure of its dental graduates.

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.

The 2009 White Coat Ceremony was held September 18.

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.

Congratulations to Sven Gorr who received NIDCR/ARRA funding as a co-investigator with UCLA scientists David Wong and Steve Horvath to study a “Systems Approach to Sjogren’s Syndrome Pathogenesis.”

More than 380 orthodontic residents from across the U.S. and Canada gathered at the University of Minnesota to attend the 21st annual Graduate Orthodontic Residents Program (GORP), August 31-August 2, 2009.

The University of Minnesota chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) continues to lead by example both locally and nationally.

Minnesota first in the U.S. to endorse non patient-based licensure exams for dentists

The University of Minnesota will become the first dental school in the nation to educate midlevel providers, called dental therapists, who will care for underserved patient populations in the state. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed legislation on May 16 that delineates the education, supervision and scope of practice requirements for dental therapists, who will be licensed to practice in Minnesota no sooner than 2011.

Dr. Karlind Moller was awarded Honors of the Association by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). The award, given April 23 in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the highest expression of respect and gratitude the association can bestow, and recognizes an individual “whose lifetime of research, health care delivery, or leadership has significantly impacted the care of individuals with cleft and craniofacial conditions”.

The hallway on the 2nd floor of Moos Tower bustled with student activity beginning at 11:30 on April 28, as dental students set up a series of informational posters and answered questions of passers-by.

A team of University researchers, which includes School of Dentistry scientists Don Simone and Sergey Khasabov, announced findings that shed light on the biological mystery of the ‘itch’ sensation.

Alumni and faculty gathered at the dental school’s annual “Celebrating Dentistry” reception to help kick-off the Minnesota Dental Association’s “Star of the North Meeting” and to recognize four outstanding members of the dental school community.

Dr. James Swift from the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry was awarded the ADEA Distinguished Service Award from the American Dental Education Association's (ADEA) Annual Session.

Lawmakers returned to St. Paul in January to an ambitious agenda dominated by budgetary challenges.

Members of the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry recently participated in the American Dental Education (ADEA) Association's Annual Session, held March 14-18 in Phoenix, Arizona.

SOD scientists co-author Nature article describing major breakthrough in the fields of virus assembly and biological nanomotors.

A new endowed fund will support student research activities in the Division or Oral Medicine, Diagnosis, and Radiology.

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry has named oral healthcare researcher and epidemiologist Sheila M. Riggs , D.D.S., Dr.MedSc , to chair its Department of Primary Dental Care.

Give Kids a Smile Day (GKAS) is a day when students, staff and faculty around the country provide free oral health care services to low-income children across the country.

The Cleft Palate Clinic is partnering with University and Fairview Children’s Hospital experts to form one of the first specialized teams in the country to care for children with Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) or DiGeorge syndrome.

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is pleased to announce that Sven-Ulrik Gorr, Ph.D. has been named Associate Dean for Research and Professor in the Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences. Dr. Gorr’s appointment is effective March 1, 2009.

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association honored outstanding alumni volunteers, groups and programs at a celebratory event held at the McNamara Alumni Center on October 29, 2008.

A record numbers of SOD volunteers were on-hand to meet and greet fairgoers at the AHC/School of Dentistry booth at the 2008 State Fair on August 25th.

The School of Dentistry led a 13-member delegation of Minnesota dental educators, dental professionals and regulatory agency representatives to New Zealand June 21-August 6 to visit the dental therapist training program at the University of Otago in Dunedin.

Nineteen incoming college sophomores and juniors, representing 11 colleges, had a chance to learn about careers in dentistry at the 2008 Summer Dental School Experience.

The dental class of 2010 was welcomed into clinical practice at a "White Coat Ceremony" held in Coffman Union Great Hall on June 13.

Dr. Charles Schachtele, a faculty member at the School of Dentistry for forty years, suffered a heart attack and passed away June 11 in Peoria, Arizona.

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry held its 2008 commencement ceremony on May 16, marking the 119th year that the school has celebrated graduates as they begin their professional careers.

Congratulations to Nelson Rhodus (Biological Sci-Oral Medicine/Diagnosis) who was selected as one of two individuals to be inducted in the AHC Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in its inaugural year.

The School of Dentistry played host to the 2008 Midwest Regional Dental Student Research Conference, on Saturday April 19.

On Thursday, April 10, Dean Patrick M. Lloyd hosted the annual Dean's Recognition Reception Celebrating Dentistry.

On May 1, 2008, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry student Nate Lund will be the recipient of a rare honor: He will receive the Soldier's Medal as the result of his his work rescuing victims during the 35W Bridge collapse.

The Graduate Program in Oral Biology is proud to have four students competing in the 2008 AADR/Johnson & Johnson Oral Health Products Hatton Competition at the annual meeting of the American Association of Dental Research in Dallas, Texas

The 2008 Dean's Day will be a day for personal and professional enrichment for students, staff, and faculty

HIV researchers in the SOD-based Institute for Molecular Virology (IMV) received a $200,000 AHC grant to test a new approach to HIV therapy that targets the high mutation rate of the virus

With the initiation of a Master of Dental Hygiene program, the division of dental hygiene will offer a portfolio of programs designed to prepare leaders in the profession for practice, research, the healthcare industry and academia. The program is set to begin in June of 2008.

Dr. Erwin Schaffer, dean emeritus of the School of Dentistry from 1964 to 1977, passed away early in the morning on December 25th. He was 85 years old.

Faculty/Staff Accomplishments and Recognition

The Symposium sponsored by the School of Dentistry and Minnesota Dental Association was attended by over 100 dentists who heard a call for collaboration of practitioners, researchers, educators and dental payer plans to improve the research data base and refine the application of evidence-based dentistry to patient-centered dental care.

The second Town Hall meeting for the developing Rice Regional Dental Clinic took place on October 4, 2007 on the campus of Rice Memorial Hospital.

Take a virtual tour of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Simulation Clinic

A film crew of 35 was in the Simulation Clinic for 9 hours on August 22nd to film a 30-second "Driven to Discover" television ad that will reach 80% of the state during morning and evening newscasts.

will be given to those faculty and students needing help with proposals and abstracts that have deadlines during the next couple of months.

The Minnesota Craniofacial Research Training Program (MinnCResT) kicked-off another year of guest seminars on August 1st, with a presentation by Richard Cannon, Ph.D.

Alex Fok has accepted an invitation to serve as the School of Dentistry’s Director of the Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics (MDRCBB)

As the temperatures soared outdoors, the diners indoors stayed cool as cucumbers.