Results: 284 news stories
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 . “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.
Hispanic Center of Excellence Awarded 8th Year of Funding
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provided notice of award to the School of Dentistry's Hispanic Center of Excellence (HCOE) on Thursday, May 7, 2020. The nearly $700K award marks the start of the HCOE's 8th year under the direction of Juanita Lozano-Pineda, D.D.S., M.P.H., associate professor in the department of comprehensive dentistry and associate dean for external affairs. The Center provides for educational opportunities in dentistry for current and prospective dental students.
Ending Dental School under COVID-19: Bending with the Wind
Earlier today, I entered the COHCR one final time as a student for my last clinic check-out. After turning in my things, cleaning out my bay, and saying my goodbyes, I had to stop by UT Police to turn in my I.D. badge. I couldn’t help but be a little wistful as I did so. If you saw me on campus at any point over the last four years, I was wearing that I.D. badge around my neck on a blue silk lanyard. I was asked to write about the dental student experience under new social distancing protocols regarding COVID-19.
The Academic Front Line
Front line is a term used to describe the position closest to an area of conflict. Conflict was certainly heading towards us in early March when the coronavirus was spreading across the nation. Academic deans assembled in formation and agreed that virtual delivery of didactic coursework was necessary to keep faculty and students safe, while sustaining our educational missions. At face value, it might not seem like a difficult task to transition didactic or pre-clinical courses from a traditional setting to a virtual platform.
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.
A Note of Gratitude
San Antonio may not have yet seen the peak of coronavirus, but I am humbled by the activity from all units and departments in the School of Dentistry as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Thank you to our staff members at all campuses who are disinfecting high traffic surfaces, effectively safeguarding our caregivers and patients. Thank you for being flexible as your duties shift throughout this process of modified operations. Thank you to our dental and dental hygiene students who have suddenly found themselves in virtual classrooms.
Oral Medicine, the 11th specialty
In a letter to the board of trustees and academy membership, The American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM), announced that the board of the National Commission on the Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards voted in favor of recognizing Oral Medicine as a specialty at its March meeting. This announcement makes Oral Medicine the 11th recognized dental specialty of the American Dental Association, along with dental anesthesiology, dental public health, endodontics, oral & maxillofacial pathology, oral & maxillofacial radiology, oral & maxillofacial surgery orthodontics
Oral and maxillofacial surgery achieves ''stellar" site visit
The School of Dentistry would like to congratulate the faculty and staff of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for a job well done. The advanced education program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) was evaluated during an official site visit by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Tuesday, March 10, 2020. After an intensive review of both the curriculum and patient care facilities, the CODA site visitors found no recommendations nor suggestions were required for the OMS program. An official report from the agency is due to be sent in July of 2020.
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 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 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 &
38th Annual School of Dentistry Research and Clinical Symposium
The students of have an opportunity to engage in basic and translational research with more than 1,000 leading scientists and clinicians preparing them to be leaders in the health care and bioscience industry. At the 38th Annual School of Dentistry Research and Clinical Symposium, held on February 19, 2020, dental students and faculty showcased their work in the arenas of basic science, public health, clinical science, and education.
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 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 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 .
An Interview with Dean Loomer: One Year In
During a recent interview, 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 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
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.