DentalUM Spring/Summer 2006

Homecoming Weekend
October 26, 27, 28

Thursday, October 26
Upcoming
Emeritus Pinning Ceremony
Continuing Dental Education Courses Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Location: School of Dentistry, Room G390
Per Kjeldsen Emeritus Class Picture
Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22, 2006 Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Foyer staircase outside the Sindecuse Museum
Implant Therapy in Periodontics
Speaker: Hom-Lay Wang, DDS, MSD Emeritus Reunion and Hall of Honor Luncheon
Professor of Dentistry and Director, Graduate Periodontics Time: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Location: School of Dentistry
Location: Sindecuse Atrium
Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony
This course is designed to help dentists incorporate implant Time: 2:15 to 2:45 p.m.
dentistry, especially implant esthetics (soft tissue management
around dental implants), into their daily practices. A hands-on
implant placement, guide bone augmentation, and simple
restorative laboratory course will be offered. Friday, October 27
Morawa Lecture
Saturday, October 7, 2006 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Kensington Court Hotel, 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor
Digital Photography in the Dental Office
Speakers: Dr. Philip Richards (morning), Practical Periodontics
Speaker: Scott Pelok, DDS Dr. Jack Gobetti (afternoon), Medical Emergencies in the
Assistant Clinical Professor
Dental Office
Homecoming Celebration Dinner
The use of digital images in dental offices has increased Honoring: Dental and Dental Hygiene classes with graduation years
dramatically in recent years. This course will cover tips and ending in 1 and 6.
techniques for achieving quality images with a digital camera, Doors Open/Registration Begins: 6:00 p.m.
including how to choose and use a digital camera. Cocktail Reception: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 28
More information about these and other continuing dental
education courses may be obtained by contacting the
Alumni Association Go Blue! Tailgate
University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Office of Continuing
Time: 9:00 am
Dental Education at 1011 N. University Avenue, Room G508, Location: Elbel Field
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078 or by visiting the School of Dentistry
Web site: www.dent.umich.edu. Football Game – University of Michigan vs. Northwestern
Time: Kick-off at 12 noon
On the homepage, put your cursor on “continuing dental Location: The Big House
education” and then click.
DentalUM
Spring & Summer 2006 Volume 22, Number 1
DentalUM magazine is published twice a year by the

University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Office of
Alumni Relations and Continuing Dental Education.
Planning for
the Future
Mail letters and updates to: Jerry Mastey, Editor, School
of Dentistry, Room 1205, 1011 N. University Ave., Ann
Arbor, MI 48109-1078. Or you may send your letters and
updates via email to: jmastey@umich.edu.
Dean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Polverini What will the School of Dentistry be like ten years from
Director of External Relations and
Continuing Dental Education . . . . . Richard Fetchiet
now?
Writer & Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Mastey How do we measure up against other dental schools? What
Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Jung sets us apart from our peers and makes us unique?
Photography . . . . . . Keary Campbell, Per H. Kjeldsen
What are our strengths? Weaknesses? What are we doing
Member publication of the American about them?
Association of Dental Editors
These are just some of the questions our administrators,
The Regents of the University: faculty, staff, students, and alumni have been thinking about
David A. Brandon, Laurence B. Deitch, Olivia P. Maynard,
Rebecca McGowan, Andrea Fischer Newman, Andrew C.
for some time and are addressing.
Richner, S. Martin Taylor, Katherine E. White, Mary Sue For more than a year, a committee of 21 individuals led by
Coleman, ex officio.
Dr. George Taylor has been reviewing our programs and activities
University of Michigan School of Dentistry and has been asking everyone in the School to help develop a
Alumni Society Board of Governors roadmap for the future.
Terms Expire 2006: Their work, which includes a strategic self-assessment that
Daniel L. Edwards, ‘97, Ann Arbor, MI will lead to the creation of a vision statement, is the cover story
Gerald L. Howe, ‘61, Monroe, MI
Gary R. Hubbard, ‘78, Okemos, MI of this issue of DentalUM. Please take time to read about what
Michel S. Nasif, ‘72, Lansing, MI is now taking place.
Janet Souder Wilson, ‘73 DH, Northville, MI
Whether you are an alumnus or alumnae of the School, a
Terms Expire 2007:
Samuel Bander, ’81, Grand Rapids, MI staff member, member of the faculty, or a student, you will find
Richard L. Pascoe, ’70, Traverse City, MI this effort is important for several reasons.
Susan Pritzel, ’67 DH, Ann Arbor, MI
Terry Timm, ’71, Saline, MI
First and foremost, it is driven from the bottom up, not the
Josephine Weeden, ’96, ’99, Saline, MI top down. I think it’s important that those who are affiliated
Terms Expire 2008:
with the School have a voice in determining our future direction.
William E. Brownscombe, ‘74, St. Clair Shores, MI (chair) The committee is actively soliciting ideas from everyone
John R. McMahon, ‘82, Grand Rapids, MI throughout the School.
George M. Yellich, ‘72, Los Gatos, CA
Harold Zald, ‘79, West Bloomfield, MI This initiative is important for another reason. Given the
Jemma Allor, ‘00, Dental Hygiene, Mt. Clemens, MI financial realities of the times, I think it’s important that we
Student Representative: Casey Tenniswood (D3) consider everything. Consequently, we are starting with a blank
Ex Officio Members: slate.
Peter Polverini, Dean
Janet Souder Wilson, ‘73, DH, Northville, MI If you have any thoughts or ideas, please e-mail them to
Alumni Association Liaison Dr. Taylor at gwt@umich.edu. He will share them with other
Steve C. Grafton , Executive Director, Alumni Assoc.
Richard R. Fetchiet, Director of External Relations and
committee members.
Continuing Dental Education The stories on pages 8 to 14 describe what has been taking
The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action place. I will keep you posted, in my quarterly e-newsletters and
employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding
nondiscrimination and affirmative action, including Title IX of the future issues of this magazine, about our progress.
Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of
nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of
race, sex*, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital
Sincerely,
status, sexual orientation, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status in
employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Senior Director for
Institutional Equity and Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator, Office for
Institutional Equity, 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor,
Michigan, 48109-1432. (734) 763-0235, T.T.Y. (734) 647-1388. For other
University of Michigan information, call (734) 764-1817. Peter J. Polverini, Dean
* Includes discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression.
DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 1

In This Issue . . .
COVER STORY
8 Which Direction? Strategic Self-Assessment
What will the School of Dentistry be like in the future? A 21-member
committee of faculty, students, staff and alumni has been taking a critical
look and asking everyone throughout the School for their opinions and
ideas that will lead to creating a “roadmap for the future.” A strategic
self-assessment is underway. Afterwards, a vision statement and a set of
strategic imperatives will be developed.
8 – Looking to the Future
12 – Polverini Says Change Coming to the School of Dentistry
14 – New Dental Scholars Program Ready to Begin

Design by Chris Jung.
FEATURES
4 New Orleans Woman “Overwhelmed” by Kindness at

Dental School
A New Orleans woman who lost her home and possessions to Hurricane
Katrina will always remember her student dentist, Meredith Wangerin,
x-ray technician Tonia Taylor, and others at the University of Michigan
School of Dentistry who helped her when she was in Ann Arbor.
4 16 Addressing Needs…the Internationally Trained Dentist

Program
A program to help internationally trained dentists earn a dental degree
in the U.S. is beginning its second year at the School of Dentistry. After
earning their degree, these dentists may practice in communities that
need dentists, or enter academic dentistry.
20 Building a Pagoda…in Beijing

It was built by hand…literally, from the ground up...as workers carried
materials and supplies 1,000 feet to a mountaintop in China. Six
months after work began on his pagoda, the School of Dentistry’s
Rui-Feng Wang returned last fall to Beijing to help celebrate its
20 dedication and the realization of a life-long dream.
26 Alumni Profile: The Doctors McIntosh – Harry, Rebecca,

and Timothy
Dr. Harry McIntosh’s love of the dental profession so captivated his
daughter Rebecca when she was in high school that she started
working for her father as a dental assistant and later earned a dental
degree from U-M in 1990. She passed along her enthusiasm to her
brother, Timothy, who earned his DDS two years later. Both now run
the Ann Arbor dental practice their father established after he earned
his dental degree from U-M fifty years ago.
26
2 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006
Spring & Summer 2006
38 Enjoying a Sabbatical in Ann Arbor
Although he could have chosen almost any place in the world, Professor
Niklaus “Klaus” Lang returned to U-M for his four-month sabbatical
because, as he put it, “I wanted to come back to my roots.”
40 Faculty Profile — Dr. Lynn Johnson
If you talk to Dr. Lynn Johnson you may be surprised to learn that after
graduating from college she spent five years in Iowa teaching children
with learning and emotional disabilities. What she learned in those early
jobs has helped her as the School’s director of Dental Informatics.
69 Children’s Oral Health – More Vigilance Needed 38
For the past two years, Dr. Marita Inglehart and colleagues from the
pediatric dental clinic at Mott Children’s Health Center in Flint have
been collecting data from nearly 4,000 students at 35 kindergarten and
elementary schools in Flint and Genesee County. There were some
surprising results.
88 110 Get White Coats at Ceremony
One hundred and ten members of the Class of 2009 were officially
inducted into the dental profession during the School of Dentistry’s
annual White Coat Ceremony.
DEPARTMENTS
33 Faculty News
40
45 Department Update: Biologic and Materials Sciences
49 Development
49 – Nearly $1.5 Million in New Gifts and Pledges
54 – How to Make Your Will More Personal and Effective
56 – Homecoming Weekend 2006
62 – High-Tech Preclinic Excites Alums
63 – 6 Inducted into Hall of Honor
71 Research News
71 – Mistretta New Associate Dean for Research
71 – Dental School Researcher Awarded $100,000 for Cancer Research

73 – Starving Cells that Promote Cancer
75 – Research Day
63
77 – NIDCR Executive: “Research Important to Dental Students”
79 Dental Hygiene
79 – 100% Participation by DH Class of 2006
80 – DH Students Help Give Kids a Smile
80 – “Many Doors of Opportunity Open to You” Says ADHA President
83 – THE Dental Hygiene Textbook
84 – Tondrowski Inducted into Hall of Honor
90 Alumni News
92 In Memoriam
71
New Orleans Woman
“Overwhelmed at the Kindness
Keary Campbell
However, one can only appreciate Cancienne’s

experiences by knowing something about her
life prior to Katrina and prior to coming to Ann
Arbor.
The home she and her husband, Fred, built
in 1947 was destroyed by the hurricane. In 2001,
she lost a daughter to cancer. Two years later,
her husband of 55 years died.
“Over the years, we shared that home
and our lives with our five children, fourteen
grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren,”
she wrote in a letter to the School. Since the
home was not damaged by previous hurricanes,
“I was determined that I would never leave.
Then came Katrina.”
“I
The Long Road to Ann Arbor
Marie Cancienne of New The day before the hurricane struck,
Orleans said she will will always remember her as one of the Cancienne left New Orleans for an apartment
always remember the oral
highlights of my clinical experiences at complex in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with her son,
health care provided by
fourth-year dental student the School of Dentistry,” said fourth-year dental Fred Jr., and his wife.
Meredith Wangerin and student Meredith Wangerin as she reflected on In mid-September, she went to Memphis,
others during the time she how she was able to help one of her patients, a Tennessee, to live with another son, Arthur.
was in Ann Arbor. New Orleans woman, who lost her home and In October, Cancienne’s niece, Kathleen,
possessions to Hurricane Katrina. invited her to live in Ann Arbor “as long as
The 79-year-old woman, Marie Cancienne, necessary.”
will also fondly remember Wangerin and the Weary from losing a home, her possessions, her
University of Michigan School of Dentistry. friends and neighbors to the hurricane, Cancienne
“I am so overwhelmed at the kindness of everyone I have

encountered at your very fine school.”
When Cancienne arrived in Ann Arbor last needed help again. This time it was to find someone
October to be with her niece, Kathleen Buchmann, who could fix her broken dentures.
she never dreamed what would happen during Buchmann’s mother recommended the U-M
the next five months. Dental students, an x-ray School of Dentistry.
technician, faculty, and staff made memories for When she arrived for her initial visit last
Cancienne that she will always cherish. October, x-ray technician Tonia Taylor greeted

of Everyone” at the Dental School
Cancienne and led her to a cubicle in the PAES
Clinic. After reading her x-rays and dental “I was privileged to meet so many lovely
history, Dr. Juan Johnson, a staff dentist in the
clinic, introduced Cancienne to Wangerin who people there. …I felt lost, and they helped
was available because a patient failed to show
for an appointment. me to feel at home.”
Several other visits followed.
During those appointments, Cancienne “I was so overwhelmed at the kindness of
compiled a list of people who helped her and everyone I have encountered at your very fine
stopped to talk to her. In her letter to the School, school. I felt lost, and they helped me to feel at
she praised by name Drs. Preetha Kanjirath, home.”
Rodrigo Neiva, James Schindler, Daler Tarrazzi, Wangerin said Cancienne enriched everyone’s
and Keith Yohn. life.
“Even though she lost so much, I was always
A Final Check-Up and Goodbyes amazed with her positive demeanor and her
On February 22, Cancienne visited the School independence. She made everyone around her
for a final check-up prior to leaving for suburban smile,” Wangerin said. She recalled how, after
New Orleans. every appointment, Cancienne “always went
As Wangerin greeted her outside the PAES out of her way to thank me and the instructors
Clinic, Cancienne said, “I have met so many who helped her. It’s that feeling of being able
beautiful people here, including this darling to help someone like Marie and experience the
young lady,” she said of her student dentist. joy of helping her to smile again that made me
Taylor, the x-ray technician, also stopped by want to enter the dental profession.”
to say goodbye. Buchmann said her aunt enjoyed visiting
“This lovely lady is so full of hope, so full Ann Arbor for other reasons.
of inspiration, and so full of life, and I’m so
happy that she allowed me to adopt her as my Sledding for the First Time
grandmother,” Taylor said of Cancienne. “I lost Without missing a beat, Cancienne said, “For
my grandparents when I was young and to now the first time in 79 years, I went sledding while
have her as my adopted grandmother is more I was here. That was fun.”
than words can say.” Smiling, Buchmann said that, “on occasion,
Leaving the building, Cancienne said she she was like a kid. She even tried to ride my
would always remember Ann Arbor, especially nine-year-old daughter’s bike a couple of times
those at the School of Dentistry. and fell, but got back up. But I had to tell her
“I will always remember the kindness of ‘no more’ after a while because I didn’t want to
everyone here at this wonderful dental school,” have to take her to the hospital for any serious
she said. “Nothing was too much for anyone. injuries.”
Everyone was so gracious. They all made me Although Cancienne has returned to
feel important, like I was somebody special,” she Louisiana, “You can be certain that my thoughts
said. and thanks will be with the U of M,” she said.

Dental and DH
staff members volunteered to help that day,” said
fourth-year dental student Aimee Snell, one of
the organizers of the event at the School.
“As students, we’re always looking for ways
to help people,” she said, “and it was gratifying
to see so many students and faculty members
involved.”
Students Enthused
Students said they enjoyed the opportunity
to serve.
Kris Devers, a first-year dental student who
Jerry Mastey
Jerry Mastey
I
Five-year-old Minyoung t was one of those “you had to be
Jung surprised dental student there to see it to believe it” moments.
David Lipton when she began During the annual Give Kids a Smile program
smiling and laughing as he
in early February, one five-year-old girl gave
checked her lymph nodes
during the Give Kids a Smile second-year dental student David Lipton and
program at the School of first-year dental student Julia Chung a moment
Dentistry earlier this year. they will remember for a long time.
“I was performing an extra-oral exam on
the girl, and as I began feeling her lymphnodes, Six-year-old Olleta Vickentertained first-year dental students Kris Devers
she began to smile and laugh,” said Lipton. “It (left) and Phyllis Odoom at the registration desk.
was something that was totally unexpected Jerry Mastey
because most children, from what I know, aren’t

like that.”
The program, sponsored by the American
Dental Association, was a part of national
Children’s Dental Health Month.
Forty children from Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and
surrounding communities received care during
the half-day program held in a clinic on the
third floor at the School of Dentistry. Treatments
included oral exams, sealants, restorations, and
other services. Knowing what to expect is important for youngsters visiting a dentist.
Here, third-year dental student Annelise Preslan invites three-year-old
“More than sixty dental and dental hygiene Ciara Beveridge to feel the spinning of the rotary brush so that she knows it
students, twelve faculty members and several won’t hurt once it’s inside her mouth.

Students Team Up to Give Kids a Smile
Jerry Mastey Jerry Mastey
First-year dental students (left to right) Madeline Masteller, Diane Chang,

and Roua Al-Rawi were among those participating in the Give Kids a Smile
program.
150 at Dental Health Day
assisted at the registration desk, said “I try “My expectations were more than exceeded,” said fourth-year
to stay as involved as much as I possibly can dental student Ben Wickstra following this year’s Dental Health Day
outside of class, and I thought this would be a at the School of Dentistry. “It was gratifying to see so many of us
great opportunity to do that.” working as a team to help those who came to see us.”
Another first-year student who assisted About 150 patients from across Michigan, some from as far
Devers, Phyllis Odoom, agreed. “One of the
away as Kalamazoo, came to the School in mid February to receive
reasons I came to dental school was to have
a range of free oral health care services.
opportunities to help those who are in need. This
was a perfect way to do that,” she said. More than 50 dental and dental hygiene students, seven faculty
Second-year dental student Jennifer Stolz members, and several staff members participated in the day-long
agreed. “I volunteered because I love working program.
with kids and this was a great opportunity to Patients received an oral screening, free x-rays, oral cancer
do that,” she said. screenings, tooth decay exams, and instructions on how to maintain
Matt VanderLaan, another first-year dental
good oral health.
student, said, “I’m always interested in getting
“For me individually and for us collectively, this event was
involved and doing things like this that can help
people.” an opportunity for dental and dental hygiene students to serve
“It’s a great way to help out, to see what the community applying what we have learned in classrooms and
happens, and to learn,” said first-year dental clinics,”Wickstra said. “It also gave us an opportunity to learn more
student Madeline Masteller. about the needs of those in various communities and how we might
Snell also thanked the Washtenaw District be able to serve them in the future.”
Dental Society for their support which helped to
make the program a success.

strategic self-assessment
Looking to the Future
School Conducting
What will the School of Dentistry be like ten years from now?
What are its most significant strengths? What can be done to enhance those?
What are its weaknesses? What’s being done to address those?
What are the most challenging issues now facing the School? How is it dealing
with them?
How does the School measure up against other dental schools? What sets it
apart from its peers and makes it unique?
hose are some of the questions School in detail after the strategic self-assessment is
of Dentistry faculty, staff, students, and completed, is a ‘blue sky’ outline of what the
alumni have been investigating and School could look like.”
discussing for more than a year. During a series of meetings with faculty,
Since March 2005, a 21-member committee staff, and students last fall, Dean Peter Polverini
of faculty, students, and staff has been taking a said, “We’re starting with a blank slate and want
critical look at the School and asking everyone everyone involved in having a say in the School’s
throughout the School for their opinions and future.”
ideas. The committee, the Strategic Assessment
Facilitating Committee, will use the information A Challenge from U-M Administrators
to develop a “roadmap for the future.” Early last year, the School of Dentistry was
“We’re starting with a blank slate and want everyone

involved in having a say in the School’s future.”
Dean Peter Polverini

The roadmap will include three major
elements: a strategic self-assessment, a vision
statement, and a set of strategic imperatives, or
critical action steps, to achieve the vision.
These will ultimately affect administrators,
Per Kjelsden
faculty, staff, and students.

“The strategic self-assessment and the vision
statement are intertwined,” said Dennis Lopatin,
the School’s senior associate dean. “The strategic
self-assessment process will lead to a vision
statement. The vision, which will be articulated

Strategic Self-Assessment
Keary Campbell
challenged by U-M administrators “to take a

clear-eyed look at its intellectual directions
Dr. George Taylor
and priorities, its strengths and weaknesses, leads the School’s
and its comparative advantages over other Strategic Assessment
institutions.” Facilitating
Committee.
Two of the university’s academic units
conduct such assessments annually, meaning
each school or college assesses itself about once
every ten years. However, when necessary, the Vision Statement
process can be conducted sooner as part of an Possible New Initiatives
accreditation or other review. and Directions
The dean of a school or college leads the
• Make some changes to
process. The provost’s office provides oversight educational programs to meet
and works with the dean’s office or other groups the oral health needs of the
outside the particular academic unit. next generation of consumers.
When completed, the lengthy self-review during the coming years, as we may not be able • More interdisciplinary
process is designed to serve as a benchmark to to sustain every program and initiative.” He education, self-directed
learning, and leadership
help guide decision making at the School. It may urged faculty, staff, administrators, and students training.
also lead to further collaboration among other “to continue to take risks that will dramatically • Expand community outreach
schools and colleges on campus. In addition, change our educational and patient care programs.
University leaders (president, provost, and programs, our research enterprise, and, at the • Develop traditional and
nontraditional educational
others) learn more about the significant issues, most fundamental level, our organizational
alliances.
choices, and trade-offs facing the School. structure.” • Establish a U-M Scholars
Program in Dental Leadership.
A Vision Strategic Assessment • Integrate biomedical and
As the School’s chief executive, Polverini Dr. George Taylor leads the Strategic clinical sciences.
• Integrate research with the
presented an outline of what his vision might Assessment Facilitating Committee (SAFCo).
predoctoral and postgraduate
include during the School’s annual convocation The self-assessment is an opportunity for curricula.
ceremony last fall. Important elements of that the School to evaluate its successes in meeting • Targeted investments in stem
are noted in the sidebar on this page. previous goals. But the self-assessment is cell biology, nanotechnology,
“We have a unique opportunity to reshape also forward-looking – encouraging everyone and neuroscience.
• Expand investigator-initiated
and transform the dental school and to discover to think about future goals, any obstacles to translational and clinical
new opportunities,” he said. Mentioning achieving those goals, and more. research.
its “hard-earned reputation as a visionary Unlike earlier self-assessments, this one is • Develop stronger corporate
institution, the need to look ahead is critical,” different. partnerships.
“It’s a bottom-up approach, not a top-down • Explore developing
he continued.
collaborative programs
Citing the tough economic times Michigan is approach,” Taylor said. “It’s a unique opportunity between dentistry and
facing, Polverini said, “If we are to thrive in the for everyone at the dental school to have a say engineering and other
future, we will have to make some tough choices in shaping the School’s future.” Taylor said the programs.
DentalUM
DentalUM Spring
Spring&&Summer
Summer2006
2006 99
committee “wants to hear comments, ideas,

and suggestions from everyone throughout the
What’s Happened* School on what they think is important to us
and what we need to do if we are to continue to
• Meeting with Provost’s Office succeed and thrive in the future.”
(February 2005) Several approaches are being taken to try to
• Strategic Assessment Committee formed involve everyone, he said.
(March 2005) One is school-wide meetings, such as those
held last September when students, faculty, and
• Vision Statement possibilities outlined
staff were introduced to the process and had a
(September 2005)
chance to ask questions.
• Strategic Assessment process presented Another approach includes focus group
to faculty, staff, students meetings on general and specific topics. Groups
(September 2005) are discussing eight key subjects: clinical
• Focus Group meetings with staff, faculty, operations, the curriculum, research, external
and students (since November 2005) to relationships, students, staff, faculty, and
get feedback on three major questions: organizational structure.
- What is the most compelling topic “We are asking individuals in a particular
that should be discussed/addressed group or area to comment about what’s
if the School is to be a important to them and their unit and what they
leader in dental education?
would like to see happen in the future,” Taylor
- What changes would you like to
said.
see made?
- What changes are needed if the In addition, committee members have been
School is to make a major leap in its submitting questions and comments using
educational programs, infra- e-mail. Comments and suggestions are also
structure, culture, service, etc.? collected from “suggestion boxes” scattered
throughout the School.
• Topic-specific discussion groups
Questions being asked include: What is
(January to March 2006) focusing on
curriculum, research, clinical operations, the most compelling topic of conversation you
organizational structure, external think should be discussed if the School is to be
relations, etc. a leader in dental education? If you had the
power to make changes, what proposal would
• A School-wide survey of faculty, staff,
you make? If the School is to make a quantum
and students about the School’s climate
leap in its educational programs, organization,
and culture (March 2006).
infrastructure, culture, service, etc., what would
* as of April 2006 it take?
“These different approaches to gathering
comments, ideas, questions, and suggestions
give us insight into what the important issues
are here at the School,” Taylor said. “We will use

this information to develop a plan.”
In addition to collecting information and Committee Members
sharing it, Taylor said SAFCo is evaluating
qualitative and quantitative information,
obtaining insights and information from the U-M A 21-member committee of admini-
community outside the School of Dentistry, and strators, faculty, staff, and alumni is
plans to solicit comments from those outside the guiding the strategic assessment.
University.
Dr. George Taylor (Chair)
What’s Next?
Once the information is gathered, Taylor said • Alicia Baker
the committee plans to develop a set of “strategic • Dr. Dennis Fasbinder
imperatives” by late spring or early summer. • Dr. Mark Fitzgerald
He said those would be shared with everyone • Dr. Donald Heys
at the School and two separate external • Dr. Lynn Johnson
advisory committees. One group will consist of • Dr. Darnell Kaigler
knowledgeable faculty from other U-M academic
(periodontics resident)
units; the other from “other outstanding
• Dr. Paul Krebsbach
institutions.”
Both groups will study the information
• Dr. Dennis Lopatin (ex-officio)
and the self-assessment report, discuss them • Diane McFarland
with committee members and University • Dr. Rodrigo Neiva
administrators, and identify possible obstacles • Dr. Jacques Nör
and opportunities the School may face. SAFCo • Dean Peter Polverini
will share the outcome of the external review • Cheryl Quiney
with everyone at the dental school. • Dr. Susan Guest
Afterwards, the School’s leadership will (orthodontics resident)
meet with the University’s president, provost, • Dr. Charles Shelburne
and other U-M executives to build consensus on • Dr. Jeffrey Shotwell
how to proceed. When the process ends, a report • Dr. Sam Zwetchkenbaum
will be issued that lays out the future direction • Dr. Raymond Gist (alumnus)
of the School and the reasons for choosing those
• Suzanne Fournier (dental student)
directions. The report will be distributed to
• Fernando Urzua (dental student)
School faculty members and to the U-M president
and provost. The results will also be shared
with the School’s students, faculty, staff, and
alumni.
“We hope to do that by the end of this year
or early next year at the latest,” Taylor said.

Polverini Says Change Coming

Per Kjeldsen
During the annual convocation last fall, Dean Peter Polverini outlined a vision for the School of Dentistry “as an innovative educational institution and a
leader in research and discovery.”
D
ean Peter Polverini outlined a vision as a visionary institution,” Polverini said the
for the School of Dentistry “as an need to look ahead is critical. “If we are to
innovative educational institution and thrive in the future, we will have to make some
a leader in research and discovery.” His remarks tough choices during the coming years, as we
to faculty, students, and staff last fall about what may not be able to sustain every program and
the School could look like were delivered during initiative.” He urged faculty, students, and staff
the second annual Convocation Ceremony at the to continue “to take risks that will dramatically
Mendelssohn Theater in the Michigan League. change our educational and patient care
Citing a challenge from University of programs, our research enterprise, and, at the
Michigan administrators “to take a clear- most fundamental level, our organizational
eyed look at our intellectual directions and structure.”
priorities, our strengths and weaknesses, and
our comparative advantages over our peer Educational Program Changes
institutions,” Polverini said there is a unique Polverini called for some changes to the
opportunity “to reshape and transform the dental School’s educational programs so students are
school and to discover new opportunities.” “well prepared to meet the oral health needs of
Mentioning its “hard-earned reputation the next generation of consumers.”

to School of Dentistry
One possible change could involve The Role of Research
interdisciplinar y education, self-directed Research and discover y will continue to
learning, and leadership. “We need to encourage be important to the School of Dentistry, he
our best students to embrace a more self- said. “There must be a serious integration
directed program of education that celebrates of the scientific enterprise with the DDS and
independent thinking,” he said. postgraduate curricula. A failure to seriously
To develop a financially sustainable model of implement evidence-based dentistry into
clinical education in times of more limited state the day-to-day life of a student will impede
funding Polverini said, “We need to look at more the development of the well-educated dental
cost effective and efficient ways of delivering our practitioner.”
educational programs.” He said options could Polverini called for “a further strengthening
include building on the Vertically Integrated of the basic research programs with targeted
Clinical education program, expanding the investments in stem cell biology, nanotechnology,
School’s presence in community clinics, and and neuroscience,” expanding investigator-
developing “traditional and nontraditional initiated translational and clinical research,
educational alliances.” developing stronger industrial partnerships, and
He also said a new Dental Scholars Leadership exploring the development of a collaborative
Program would be introduced. The four-year program between dentistry and engineering to
program for predoctoral and dental hygiene encourage self-directed learning and preclinical
students will include a series of individual restorative skills.
projects “in which students will examine critical Saying the School has a responsibility to
issues that affect oral health education, the help the underserved throughout Michigan,
delivery of oral health care, and interdisciplinary Polverini said outreach opportunities give
education,” he said. [See page 14.] students opportunities to expand their cultural
Polverini also cited a need to explore awareness as well as work in a team setting to
educational innovations that include “the provide oral health care.
integration of the biomedical and clinical To sustain dental education will require the
sciences” as well as possibly restructuring the School to consider “other financing strategies,”
dental curriculum “to give students a greater
Polverini said. One possible approach he said
amount of time to experience other educational
was developing a closer partnership with the
opportunities while they are dental students.”
For example, he said, in the fourth year of their U-M Health System “and consider privatizing
education, dental students might be able to selected graduate-level clinical operations.”
explore various disciplines including health Polverini said the School’s strategic
disparities, public health dentistry, preventive assessment, now underway, will give everyone
and diagnostic sciences, primary and specialized an opportunity to help shape the future of the
oral health care, and research. School and perhaps dentistry itself.

New Dental Scholars Program
Ready to Begin
When he became Dean of the School of Dentistry, Dr.

Peter Polverini said one of his goals was to develop an honors
program for a select group of highly motivated students. In
his message in the School’s 2003 annual report, Polverini
outlined it as a customized program of education.
“These students will also interact with colleagues at other
schools and colleges on our campus,” he wrote, “not just our
traditional partners such as medicine or public health, but
also those at the business school, the law school, or art and
design, to name a few.”
He said the program could, “over time, create new
Dr. Russell Taichman disciplines of study. I also believe the program has the
is the Director of the potential to develop the next generation of educators, scholars,
Scholars Program in researchers, and leaders who could become pioneers in the
Dental Leadership. dental profession.”
The program is becoming reality.
Known as the University of Michigan’s Scholars Program
in Dental Leadership (UM-SPDL), the program will bring
together a select number of exceptional students and help
them develop both a leadership mindset and the skills that
will allow them to leverage their dental expertise to become
leaders in education, research, business, politics, law, or other
areas.
According to the director of the program, Dr. Russell
Taichman, the program will complement, not replace,
the current curriculum. It will also include a customized
“capstone experience” for each student who will participate in
teams that will address a problem in research, policy, practice,
or education.
Between 15 and 20 dental and dental hygiene students,
from all classes, will be admitted to the program. After the
first year, the program will grow to meet student demand.
More information about the program, including who will
be selected, will appear in a future issue of DentalUM.

From Good to Great…
New Program Seeks to Develop Better Managers
What makes a good school administrators

boss a great boss? participated in four
As we reflect on our The Building Great Places workshops focusing on
careers, undoubtedly to Work project, is part of the qualities of a great
there have been instances boss. Discussions focused
where we have worked
an effort to develop and on leadership and change,
for an individual who, cultivate an environment leadership competencies,
at one time or another, building trust, and team
where every one of
prompted us to say to leadership.
a colleague or family our staff members can “The workshop results
member, “This person is a perform at their best. and the earlier efforts
great boss to work for.” enabled us to develop
Recently, the U-M a School-wide program
School of Dentistry, in that we rolled out earlier
collaboration with the University’s Department this year,” Pryor said. Approximately 80
of Human Resources, launched a program to help faculty and staff members with supervisory
dental school supervisors develop the leadership responsibilities participated.
skills they need to become “great” bosses. As this issue of DentalUM was going to
The program, called “The Building Great press, more than 250 School of Dentistry staff
Places to Work” project, “is part of an effort to members were participating in a retreat to help
develop and cultivate an environment where them to achieve excellence in their work, their
every one of our staff members can perform at interpersonal interactions, and to become more
their best,” said Tina Pryor, the dental school’s proactive in their professional development.
human resources director. “We want to give Pryor said the staff retreat “will also help
supervisors the tools they need to become supervisors realize the importance of having
better managers as well as further their career a positive influence on their staff. The more
development, and make the dental school an we engage staff and show our appreciation,
even better place to work.” the more they enjoy coming to work, and the
Pryor said preliminary work on the project more they excel,” she added. “When supervisors
began early last year when data about the develop their leadership skills, they become
qualities of great bosses was collected during better supervisors who can motivate and inspire
meetings. Additional data was gathered from staff to do their best. In turn, the School is
surveys and e-mail. transformed from a good place to work to a great
During the summer, a group of dental place to work.”

Addressing Needs…
What the School’s Internationally
A program to help internationally trained dentists earn a dental degree in the
U.S. is beginning its second year of operation at the U-M School of Dentistry.
T
he Internationally Trained Dentist Pro- What It Is…How It Works
gram (ITDP) is designed to give these ITDP is basically a continuous two-year
dentists the training and information they course of study.
need in an accelerated program of study that Students participate in a rigorous course of
allows them to receive a Doctor of Dental Surgery classroom and clinical instruction that covers 24
degree from U-M. consecutive months instead of the 10 terms over
Afterwards, they have the same career and 44 months that make up the regular predoctoral
practice opportunities as all U-M dental school instruction. They do not take any time off during
graduates. They will be eligible to take state and the summer.
regional licensing examinations, practice The international students pay the same for
dentistry in various settings, and/or their education as do out-of-state students in the
pursue an academic career. current program, approximately $60,000 annually
Dr. Marilyn Lantz, in tuition and fees. No scholarships are awarded.
associate dean for After successfully completing an intensive,
academic affairs, four-month summer term, the international
said she students join third-year dental students to
and other complete the final two years of the predoctoral
administrators curriculum. They spend two additional months
talked to officials at during the summer between their third and
other dental schools with fourth years taking courses and working in
similar programs prior to clinics, including rotations at community
beginning this initiative. outreach sites. They receive their dental degree
“This is an important program for these during spring graduation ceremonies if they
dentists and for us,” she said. “Although they have completed all program requirements.
have earned a dental degree in another country,
they can’t practice in Michigan until they pass Intense Competition
the Northeast Regional Board (NERB) or other With no advertising, other than information
licensing exams and get their dental degree from that was posted on the dental school’s Web site,
a university in this country.” the program attracted applications from 105
Lantz was emphatic about another point. individuals worldwide last year. Twenty-four
“The students admitted to this program do applicants were interviewed.
not, in any way, shape, or form compete with More than twice as many, 214, applied for
our first- and second-year students for space or the second year of the program. Of those, 27
educational or physical resources,” she said. individuals were invited to come to the School of
“The students in the new program,” she Dentistry in January for two days of interviews,
added, “have expressed a strong desire to come tests, and a laboratory bench examination.
here and have demonstrated a commitment to Eight were ultimately selected to participate
bettering themselves and helping others.” in the program that begins in May.

Trained Dentist Program Means
Jerry Mastey
“The number of individuals who have applied

for this program shows not only the demand for
the program, but also the level of desire to obtain
the degree specifically from the University of
Michigan,” said Dr. Dennis Fasbinder, director
of the international program.
In addition to being proficient in the English
language, applicants must submit proof of
having graduated from dental school; transcripts
of their dental school, college, or university
course work; three letters of recommendation,
and two essays.
One letter of recommendation is required
from the dean of their dental school; a second
from a former dental instructor; and the third,
from someone who can attest to the applicant’s procedures, looming shortages of dentists in Dr. Dennis Fasbinder, clinical
personal character and dental skills. certain geographical areas, or concerns voiced professor of dentistry,
In one essay, applicants are asked to in some communities about mercury disposal. describes the Objectively
describe their dental experiences in detail since Or they may be asked to discuss a specific aspect Structured Clinical Exam for
graduating from dental school; in the other, their 27students who participated
of their professional background.
professional goals. in tests for the School’s
The third formal assessment is the Objectively Internationally Trained
A 13-member committee of School of Structured Clinical Examination that assesses Dentist Program.
Dentistry faculty members and administrators clinical reasoning skills.
reviews the information. A series of situations they are likely to
encounter in a general dental practice are given
The Interview Process to the applicant who is asked to comment. The
During the course of two days, applicants exam measures their competence in patient
are involved in a series of interviews and are assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning,
also given a four-hour preclinical bench test, patient management skills, and communication
including a series of cavity preparations and skills.
restorations.
They also take a series of “mini monitored Program Outcomes
interviews” (MMI) with administrators and After earning their degree to practice
faculty members. These interviews are designed dentistry and passing licensing examinations,
to demonstrate if the students can think on their Lantz said she and other School administrators
feet. hope the internationally trained dentists
Each student is given a series of cards that will practice in communities where there
describes a situation and is then asked to discuss are shortages of dentists, or enter academic
the situation with an interviewer. Questions dentistry, or even work with dentists who are
deal with issues involving the dental profession, about to retire and want someone to take over
such as the increase in cosmetic elective their practice.

Frequently
The U.S. Surgeon General’s pioneering
report on oral health in America, issued What is the Internationally Trained Dentist
in May 2000, points out the challenges Program?
facing dentistry. The report noted: Begun in May 2005, the program is a continuous,
“It appears that the absolute number two-year course of study for internationally trained
of active dentists will decline after 2000. dentists. They have already received extensive dental
In part, this drop reflects the retirement education and are licensed to practice in their home
of older dentists (estimated to range from countries. These students have come to Michigan to
2,500 to over 4,300 per year between 1996 earn their U.S. dental degree so they can ultimately
and 2021) with insufficient numbers of teach or practice in this country.
new graduates (estimated at about 4,000
per year) replacing them.” Why was this program created at the U-M School
A similar warning appeared in of Dentistry?
the March 2001 issue of the American The program was created to help participants earn
Student Dental Association’s ASDA a dental degree so they may become educators in
News. Citing a report from the American dental schools and/or practitioners in this country.
Dental Education Association, Dental We want these graduates to contribute to our state
Faculty Shortages Increase, an Update and national dental workforce and to help alleviate
on Future Dental School Faculty, the the shortage of dentists that is anticipated as many
article mentioned that about 400 fully- dentists begin to retire in the near future.
funded dental faculty positions remain
open nationwide with more than 75 Do these students compete with our first- and
percent being in undergraduate clinical second-year dental students for space?
disciplines: No, they do not. Students in the ITDP program do
“Ultimately, in a confluence not compete with students for admission to the U-M
of dire consequences, the faculty School of Dentistry’s predoctoral program.
shortage threatens the health of the
public. Without adequate numbers of Why is that?
qualified faculty, dental schools simply Positions in the first and second years depend on
cannot educate sufficient numbers of the number of lab spaces available in the School’s
practitioners to meet the oral health preclinical laboratories. However, during the third
needs of the public.” and fourth years, the number of positions depends on
“This program is part of our School’s the number of clinical chairs that are available. Since
efforts to help address some of the there are significantly more clinical chairs available
challenges that are upon us,” Lantz said. than lab spaces, that is why the dental school can
“It’s imperative we act now. This program accept more students during the third year without
is one way of doing that.” affecting first- or second-year enrollments.

Asked Questions
Do these students receive scholarships? How are participants chosen?
No, they do not. Students in the ITDP program must A competitive application process is followed by
pay all tuition and fees, approximately $60,000 two days of rigorous interviews. Each participates
annually. in three formal assessments that demonstrate their
knowledge and clinical skills and that they possess
What is the term of study for those in the program? the personal qualities that are important to be a
The ITDP program is 24 consecutive months of study successful dentist in the U.S.
compared to 10 terms over 44 months for students
in the dental program. Those admitted in May 2005 What are the three formal assessments?
became a part of the third-year dental class that One is a preclinical “bench test” where several
fall. dental procedures on a typodont must be completed
within four hours. The second is a series of “mini
What do these students do? monitored interviews” with administrators and
They complete the same accredited dental curriculum faculty members. These interviews show the ability
that other predoctoral students complete. All of the students to think on their feet. Each is given
participate in classroom education and patient care. a card that describes a situation and then asked to
All must pass competency examinations that our comment. Or they may be asked to discuss a specific
first- and second-year dental students take. They section of their professional background. The third
must also successfully complete the third and fourth formal assessment is the Objectively Structured
years of our predoctoral program and must meet the Clinical Examination which assesses clinical reasoning
same graduation requirements as our predoctoral skills. Each may be given an example of patient
students. situations they are likely to encounter in a general
dental practice and asked to comment. Or they may
How many applied for the program? How many have to perform certain tasks. This exam measures
were interviewed? How many were eventually their competence in patient assessment, diagnosis
selected? and treatment planning, patient management skills,
One hundred five applied last year and 214 applied for and communication skills.
this year’s program. Twenty-four were interviewed
last year and 27 were interviewed this year. Eight Do other dental schools have this type of
students were chosen both years. program?
Yes, there are 11 other dental schools with similar
Why only eight? programs elsewhere in the country. Some of these
Clinical facilities and suppor t could easily programs at those schools have been accepting
accommodate this number of students in the international students for more than 15 or 20
predoctoral clinics. Predoctoral class sizes were not years.
decreased to accommodate these students.

Dental School Staffer Builds
Photo courtesy of Rui-Feng Wang
At the entrance to the Academy of China where he conducted genetic

pagoda he built on a research. He returns to China every year to visit
mountaintop in Beijing
are Rui-Feng Wang and friends.
his wife, Chu-Chiang Ling
Wang, following dedication “A Very Special Place”
ceremonies last fall. Above When he was teaching in Beijing, Wang
them is a sign with the
name of the pagoda, The said he often sat at the foot of the mountains.
View of My Home Village. “It’s always been a very special place for me,”
The column on the right he said. “But it looks much different now than
reads: On the mountaintop,
it did back in the 1960s when I taught at the
under the clear moon and
in a calm wind. The column university. Then, there were no trees because
on the left reads: From the they were destroyed during the war between
place far away, sincerely China and Japan. But after the war, trees were
missing my home village in
my dream. planted. Now it’s a beautiful park.”
The war’s devastation made a lasting
impression on Wang.
I
t was built by hand…literally, from the
ground up.
No nails or screws were used.
Materials and supplies, including blocks
of granite for the foundation, were carried
1,000 feet up a mountain by workers in Beijing,
China.
Work on Rui-Feng Wang’s pagoda began
April 8, 2005. Six months later, on October
12, he returned to Beijing to help celebrate its
dedication and the realization of a life-long
dream.
How the pagoda was built…and why…is Although nails, bolts, or screws were
something Wang is more than happy to discuss
not used to build the pagoda, workers
with anyone inside or outside the School of
Dentistry. Of course, he’s also delighted to show did use some modern tools to cut wood.
you his pictures.
A research lab specialist in the Department
of Biologic and Materials Sciences, Wang came
to Ann Arbor in 1979 from the Natural Science

Pagoda in China
“One of my dreams was to build a pagoda More than 200 people attended the dedication Photo courtesy of Rui-Feng Wang
there, as a symbol for world peace,” he said. ceremony at the top of the mountain, four times Workers carried everything
He often mentioned his dream to family and the number Wang expected. to the top of the mountain
by hand, including some
friends. Encouraged by their response, Wang Since then thousands have visited the of the granite blocks
returned the money he earned at U-M to Beijing pagoda and enjoyed a view of the Chinese that were used as the
foundation.
to hire an engineer to design the pagoda. “I capital. A map embedded in stone helps visitors
wanted it to be very small, for a couple of people. locate their neighborhood.
But the engineer, architect, and workers were so Wang won’t say what he spent to build the
enthusiastic that it turned out to be much larger pagoda. “It’s not about the money, it’s about
than I planned,” he said with a smile. making people happy,” he insisted. He also
The craftsmanship and the traditional resisted the temptation to name the pagoda
paintings that decorate the pagoda are remarkable. after himself, as one of his colleagues in Beijing
Pictures on these pages show the pagoda during suggested. Instead, he named it, “The View of
various phases of construction. The structure, My Home Village.” The Chinese script for the
nearly 25 feet high and 21 feet wide, was formally name of the structure is at the top of the previous
dedicated on October 12, 2005. page.
This close-up picture
shows some of the
pagoda’s ornate
woodwork.
Workers used shovels and pick-

axes to make the foundation.
Although nails,
bolts, or screws
were not used to
build the pagoda,
workers did use
some modern
tools to cut wood.

school
news
Meghan Genovese Receives Major U-M Award

Keary Campbell
A staff member of the School of Dentistry’s Dr. Gerald Cortright, director of dental gross
Office of Academic Affairs was presented with anatomy in the office of medical education at the
one of the University of Michigan’s highest U-M Medical School, said “Meghan’s outstanding
honors during a ceremony in December. characteristics are equanimity and dependability
The staff member, Meghan Genovese, in the face of seemingly overwhelming demands.
received the Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for …She has been the rock I could always count on,
Excellence from a pool of 180 nominations from or perhaps more appropriately, the guiding light
across the Ann Arbor campus. that kept me off the rocky shores of imminent
Genovese was nominated by faculty disaster.”
members from the dental school and the medical Jean Klark, a secretary in the dean’s office
school, by staff members from the dental school, at the School of Dentistry, said that she once
as well as dental students. They cited her knew the late Candy Johnson and “having
professionalism, calm demeanor, ability to work worked closely with Meghan, I can appreciate
with diverse groups, attention to detail, and the similarities of the two individuals.”
strong work ethic.
Dr. Marilyn Lantz, associate dean for “Surprised and Honored”
academic affairs, cited the crucial role Genovese Genovese said she was surprised and
played in the success of the School’s Integrated honored to be recognized.
Medical Sciences curriculum. “I came to Ann Arbor about three years ago
Meghan Genovese (right)
received one of U-M’s highest Launched in 2003-2004 academic year, IMS from central Illinois where I had been working
awards, the Candace J. Johnson helps first- and second-year dental students see as a project manager for a Web development
Staff Award for Excellence last interrelationships between dentistry and various company,” she said. “Since I have been at the
year. Nominated by Dr. Marilyn medical disciplines. The program, according School of Dentistry, my work has been primarily
Lantz(left), Genovese was to Lantz, was established “to help our dental related to new curriculum initiatives.”
chosen from a group of 180from
students better understand how physicians Genovese said that although she received
across the Ann Arbor campus.
think as well as show the connections between a formal education in fine art, “most of my
oral and systemic health.” Graduate and post- professional life has been centered around
graduate students from the U-M Medical School education.” Previously, she was a resident
participate in the program. [DentalUM, Fall counselor at the Illinois Mathematics and Science
2004, pages 60-61.] Academy, implemented Illinois State Board
of Education-funded scientific literacy grant
“Extraordinary Work” projects, a recruiter for MacMurray College in
As the IMS program was being reviewed and Jacksonville, Illinois, and directed international
upgraded two years ago, Lantz praised Genovese admissions at Bradley University in Peoria.
for “her extraordinary work with faculty, The Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for
students, and staff during the development and Excellence was established in 2004 to recognize
implementation of the IMS course series.” She an outstanding staff member from the University
added that Genovese “demonstrated enormous of Michigan.
creativity and flexibility in finding solutions to
individual and group concerns.”

Tina Pryor Receives
Woman of the Year in Human Relations Award
Keary Campbell
A staff organization that provides career

development opportunities for minority women
employed at the University of Michigan has
presented one of its major awards to the School
of Dentistry’s Director of Human Resources, Tina
Pryor.
In March, Pryor received the Woman of
the Year in Human Relations Award from the
Women of Color Task Force for demonstrating
outstanding skills in working with individuals
throughout the School on both a professional and
personal level.
Pryor, who has been with the University
for 19 years, including eight as the School
of Dentistry’s Human Resources Officer, was
praised for her work ethic, positive attitude, and
commitment to U-M. She was also lauded for
keeping those at the School updated on policies
and institutional guidelines.
When learning that she had been nominated
Tina Pryor
for the award, Pryor said she “was humbled
and honored to be recognized for doing one’s
job well.” She said that throughout her career,
“I have tried to emulate the qualities of leaders
I highly regard.” Those individuals, she said,
include Laurita Thomas, U-M’s associate vice
president and chief human resources officer;
Dennis Lopatin, senior associate dean at the
School of Dentistry; and Dean Peter Polverini.
“This great leadership that surrounds me has
allowed me to do my job well,” Pryor added. She
also lauded her assistant, Sylvia Bowman, “who
helps me keep it all together.”
Pryor also praised the Women of Color Task
Force for the career development opportunities
the group has offered.
The award, and three others presented by the
group, is part of a recognition program begun
in 1986 to honor staff and faculty members
whose outstanding professional and personal
contributions have improved the quality of
life for people of color within the University
community.

school
news
Diane Nixon Elected ABWA Vice President

Per Kjeldsen
Diane Nixon, manager of the U-M School of

Dentistry’s Clinic Billing Office, has been elected
regional vice president of the American Business
Women’s Association (ABWA). She was elected
to a one-year term during the group’s national
meeting last fall.
In her role as District V vice president,
Nixon is now a part of the ABWA National Board
of Directors, a group of nine that functions
as the governing body of the 45,000 member
association. Members also serve as trustees of
the Stephen Bufton Memorial Education Fund
which has awarded more than $14 million in
scholarships to women since its inception. She
will also speak at the ABWA regional spring
conference in Muncie, Indiana, and at chapter
events.
“ The leadership, team building, and
networking skills I have developed in my
Diane Nixon position at the School of Dentistry have directly
helped me achieve this goal,” Nixon said.
Nixon, who has been a member of the
organization for more than 20 years, was
President of ABWA’s Maia Chapter (so named for
the Greek goddess of the month of May) in Ann
Arbor for two terms, from 2002-2004. She was
also a former chapter president, vice president,
treasurer, and Woman of the Year. In addition,
Nixon served as past chair of the Eastern Michigan
Council of ABWA, which comprises 16 chapters,
and was the Council’s Woman of the Year.
As manager of the School’s CBO, Nixon is in
charge of an office of 18 that is responsible for
dental care reimbursement from both insurance
companies and patients.
Her office receives approximately 750
incoming calls weekly from patients with
billing questions. The office also electronically
files more than 350 dental and medical claims
with insurance companies daily and follows up
on about 400 inquiries and 800 rejections each
month from insurance companies. Each month,
her office mails more than 14,000 statements to
patients.

Jayne Nyman New Director of Budget and Finance
Keary Campbell
A senior finance specialist with twenty

years of experience in financial, operational, and
systems analysis, primarily with academic and
health care organizations, is the new director of
budget and finance at the School of Dentistry.
Jayne Nyman was appointed to the position
by Dean Peter Polverini late last summer.
“Being from Cleveland initially, I found that
after being away for twenty-five years, I wanted
to return to snow and experience a change of
seasons,” Nyman said with a laugh as she talked
about her return to the Midwest.
Nyman arrived at the School after serving
five years in UCLA’s Office of Planning and Budget.
In her role as administrative officer in charge of
strategic planning and program budget analysis,
she evaluated funding requests; analyzed and
made recommendations on program needs;
monitored the financial performance of selected Jayne Nyman is the new director of budget and finance at the School
schools, colleges, and administrative units; of Dentistry.
and supported annual strategic planning and
budgeting processes.
Before that, Nyman was an assistant to the Sinai Medical Center. Nyman also worked as
senior vice president of business development a consulting financial analyst for Universal
at the City of Hope National Medical Center Studios in Hollywood.
in Duarte, California; director of management While in Los Angeles, Nyman was president
systems and finance at the University of Texas of the University of Michigan Alumni Club from
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; 1991 to 1993. She also helped form a U-M Alumni
and director of finance for the Department of Club while she was in Houston. Nyman served
Medicine at UCLA. two terms on the National Board of Directors of
After earning a bachelor’s degree in the Club from 1994-1997 and 2000-2003.
microbiology from U-M in 1977, Nyman went “As a football ticket holder, I was making a
to Stanford as a predoctoral candidate. “I loved number of trips to Ann Arbor and looked into
science, but didn’t think I would be successful in moving back,” she said. Nyman returned to Ann
it, so I returned to the Midwest to pursue an MBA Arbor on several occasions to participate in the
in finance and accounting at the University of Women’s Football Academy.
Chicago,” she said. Although she said she doesn’t have any
She then worked as a consultant for Travenol hobbies, except horseback riding on occasion,
(Baxter) Laboratories for two years and then Nyman said she has been a Big Sister for four
went to Los Angeles to serve as manager of years.
project control administration for Cedars-

Alumnus Profile
The Doctors McIntosh – Harry, Jerry Mastey
“It seemed dad always

spoke highly of the
profession, what it
offered, and how it
could help people,”
Dr. Rebecca McIntosh
(DDS1990) said of
her father, Dr. Harry
McIntosh (DDS 1956).
Her enthusiasm for
dentistry also inspired
her brother, Dr. Timothy
McIntosh (DDS 1992), to
enter the profession.
“P ass it on.”
That phrase comes to mind after
listening to Dr. Harry McIntosh (DDS
1956), his daughter, and son talk about the dental
profession.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree from
U-M, he traveled to southern California to study
filmmaking. But after deciding he wanted “a
more secure career,” he returned to Ann Arbor
and earned his DDS from the U-M School of
Harry’s love of the profession so captivated Dentistry in 1992.
his daughter Rebecca when she was in high Both agreed that neither felt any pressure to
school that she began working for her father follow in their father’s footsteps.
as a dental assistant. She later followed in his Growing up in South Lyon, Harry said his
footsteps. family’s dentist, Dr. Bert Roberts (DDS 1932),
“I knew dad enjoyed dentistry by the way inspired him to become a dentist. Roberts may
he talked to his patients and by the way he took have also inspired Harry’s brother, George, who
care of them,” she said. “It seemed he always earned his dental degree from Michigan in 1959.
spoke highly of the profession, what it offered, “Dr. Roberts was a fine person and I liked
and how it could help people.” him a lot, especially the way he treated me and
Harry, however, was quick to add, “But I also other members of my family who went to him,”
talked about some of the negatives too.” Harry said.
Prior to earning her dental degree from U-M
in 1990, Rebecca asked her brother, Timothy, to Drs. Held and Ramfjord
be her patient for her board exams. Recalling his days as a dental student at
Timothy, on the other hand, didn’t plan, at Michigan, Harry said his studies were sometimes
least initially, to pursue a dental career. He had interrupted due to a bleeding ulcer that hospitalized
other ideas. him for one or two weeks at a time.

Rebecca, Timothy
“If it wasn’t for Dr. Harold Held, a clinical Although he also worked in his father’s
instructor, I don’t think I would have made it,” dental office, Tim wasn’t sure if he wanted to
he said. “He was always encouraging me and follow in his father’s and sister’s footsteps.
went to bat for me, I’m sure, on more than one However, he did get additional insights about the
occasion. He was my friend and, even after profession when Rebecca was a dental student.
graduation, we stayed in touch.”
Another School of Dentistry faculty member, Filmmaking Doesn’t Pan Out
Dr. Sigurd Ramfjord, also made a lasting “I was my sister’s patient a few times,
impression on the elder Dr. McIntosh. including for her board exams,” he said with a
“He was a difficult professor. But he taught laugh. “Those experiences gave me a perspective
me more about dentistry than just about anyone I don’t think I would have otherwise had, because
else because, even though his expertise was as it allowed me to see that there was more to being
a periodontist, he was involved in nearly all a dentist than what a patient usually sees.”
phases of dentistry,” Harry said. However, after earning his bachelor’s degree
After earning his dental degree, Harry in biology from U-M, Tim headed to California.
established a general practice on North University “I studied filmmaking, but after a semester
Avenue, between Thayer and State Streets. He or two I realized it wasn’t such a good decision,”
practiced there for 16 years before relocating the he said with a laugh. “So I called home and asked
office to northeast Ann Arbor. dad if I could work for him for six months.”
Back in Ann Arbor, Tim thought about a
“Enthusiasm for the Profession” career in medicine. “But I wanted to have some
“When I was in high school, I remember control of my hours and not be in school forever,”
working for dad as a dental assistant after he said.
school and during the summers,” Rebecca said. He decided to pursue dentistry.
“In addition to getting to know many of his “I have to give my sister some credit for my
patients, I also liked the artistry that was a career path because she passed along her love of
part of dentistry. I thought that if I ever wanted the profession to me, just like dad did to her. She
to have a family, this would be the perfect always painted a great picture of the profession
profession because it would also give me some whenever we discussed it,” he added.
flexibility with my work schedule.” Like his sister, Timothy said he also enjoyed
Looking back at her dental education at his preclinic classes with Drs. Gregory, Lorey, and
U-M, Rebecca said she was impressed with Drs. Roberta Taylor. “They were always positive and
Bill Knight, Bill Gregory, and Robert Lorey. helpful and passing along encouragement to me
“They were always enthusiastic and you and my classmates.”
could tell they enjoyed teaching and passing After receiving his dental degree in 1992,
along to students what they knew,” she said. Timothy worked alongside his father and
“Their enthusiasm for the profession and sister who were now practicing in an office on
optimism about its future convinced me that I Plymouth Road.
made the right decision.” “It was a good experience working with dad,”
The road Timothy traveled to becoming a Tim said. “He taught us a lot about ways to become
dentist was a bit more circuitous. more efficient in our work and scheduling.”
DentalUM
DentalUM Spring
Spring&&Summer
Summer2006
2006 27
Did practicing with a sibling pose any
problems?
“I have to give my “We get along well,” Tim said. “We share
responsibilities, whether it’s dealing with
sister some credit vendors, personnel issues, or other matters that
for my career path arise.”
Rebecca agreed, saying, “We both have
because she passed strengths in different areas which, I think, makes
along her love of for an even stronger family practice.”
The elder Dr. McIntosh concurred, adding,
the profession to “The patient retention rate is very high, but
me, just like dad I think a lot of that is due to the fact that
did to her.” the bond with the patients is more than a
dentist/patient relationship. It’s also a family
environment where those who come here receive
Dr. Timothy McIntosh great treatment and can talk about just about
anything that might be going on in their lives
or the lives of others in their family.”
Passing the Torch Summers in Ann Arbor

After practicing in Ann Arbor for 38 years, Although he lives in Rancho Mirage,
Harry retired in 1994 and passed along the California most of the year, Harry returns to Ann
practice to his son and daughter. Arbor, typically from May to September. When
However, the younger Doctors McIntosh he’s here, he talks to some of his former patients
faced some challenges running the practice. who may have an appointment with his son or
“It was a bit difficult at first being accepted daughter, visits friends, and even attends an
as dentists by staff and some of the patients occasional classic car show. “There’s a certain
because not only were we dad’s children, they beauty in the Dusenbergs, the Packards, and the
also watched us grow up,” Tim said. “But Rolls Royces from the 1930s and 40s that I like,”
gradually, they accepted us as dentists.” he said.
There was another issue they had to “I’m very pleased my son and daughter
address. are following in my footsteps and that they’re
“When my sister began practicing as a enjoying themselves as much as I did,” Harry
dentist, some thought she was a hygienist said during a visit to Ann Arbor last summer.
because she looked so young,” he said. “And Don’t be surprised if the enthusiasm
there weren’t many women dentists, so to let for dentistry that Harry passed along to his
everyone know that she was a dentist, and to daughter…which she, in turn, passed along to
help patients distinguish one Dr. McIntosh from her brother…is some day passed along by both
the other, we began calling her ‘Dr. Becky.’ That his daughter and son . . . and inspires others to
designation has stuck ever since.” follow in their footsteps.
28
28 DentalUM
DentalUM Spring
Spring&&Summer
Summer2006
2006
Presidential Dentist Visits U-M
Captain Donald Worm Recalls Experiences
The personal dentist to the President of the Recalling his first meeting with the nation’s Jerry Mastey
United States packed them in at the School of chief executive, Worm said he and several others
Donald Worm (DDS1988),
Dentistry earlier this year. were in the dental office in the basement of the was the personal dentist
Capt. Donald Worm, who earned his DDS White House waiting for a call that the president to President Bush from
from U-M in 1988, talked to more than 150 was on his way. “Instead, he just walked in and November 2001to early
students in January about his career as a Navy started talking to us,” Worm said. “It was quite 2004.
dentist, as well as the dentist to President George an experience.”
W. Bush. His appearance was the latest in Of Bush, Worm said, “He’s an interesting
The Lunch & Learn Program sponsored by the person to talk to. During the time I was assigned
School’s Board of Governors. [DentalUM, Fall to him, we never talked politics. But we did talk
2005, pages 55-56.] about fishing, country music, different parts of
Another
After joining the Navy as a third-year dental the world we have been to, and other topics,” he Michigan
student, Worm said he was assigned to the dental said. Presidential
clinic at the Naval Air Station, Moffett Field, In addition to treating the president, Worm Dentist
California following graduation. said he and his wife had opportunities to meet
The career of the Manistee, Michigan native the president and first lady Laura Bush when
At least one other
has also included practicing dentistry on the they were invited to holiday gatherings.
aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Enterprise; directing graduate of the U-M
the AEGD program for two years at Camp Lejune, Career Benefits Cited School of Dentistry has
North Carolina; being in the Personnel Exchange During his visit to Michigan, Worm served as a presidential
Program with the Royal Navy in Britain from encouraged students to consider a dental career dentist. Dr. James
1998-2000, and serving as associate professor in the Navy. Citing the scholarships that are Enoch, who earned
at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School for the available to help them with their education as
a master’s degree in
Comprehensive Dentistry Residency Program in well as career opportunities, pay, travel, and
other benefits, he said that practicing dentistry
operative dentistry from
Bethesda, Maryland.
in the Navy “is an excellent opportunity for you U-M in 1963, was the
“He Just Walked In” to develop your skills ‘stress free’ right out of White House dentist
Worm was the president’s personal dentist dental school through experience, training, and for President Lyndon
for about two-and-a-half years, beginning in interaction with specialists.” Johnson from 1963 to
November 2001. Now working with the U.S. Surgeon General 1968. [DentalUM, Fall
Citing doctor/patient confidentiality, Worm as a career planner with the Navy Dental Corps,
1999, p. 15.]
said he couldn’t provide any specific details, Worm said he was glad he returned to Ann Arbor
except to say the president “takes good care of to speak to dental students.
himself and didn’t require a lot of care.” “But I couldn’t resist the opportunity to
Worm told the dental students that in walk down the halls of the dental school and
addition to an operatory in the basement of revisit the preclinical laboratory and see how
the White House, there is a dental clinic at the technology is being used in the Dr. Roy Roberts
presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland. Preclinical Laboratory,” he said. “It was quite
The president and members of his family can an experience.”
receive oral health care at either facility.

Dental School Graduate
Keary Campbell
During the six-and-a-half months he was in Iraq, Lt. J. Brett Mangum
In May 2001, Brett Mangum held (DDS 2001) said he often thought about his family, his alma mater, and
his daughter, Noelle, as he walked
across the stage at Hill Auditorium his former instructors at the dental school.
to receive his dental degree.
“We were busy, but when things slowed down, Expeditionary Force. This gave members of his
I had the opportunity to think not only about team the ability to move separately and help
my family, but also about the great education I more than one unit. “When they moved, we did
received when I was at the U-M dental school and too, which involved transporting equipment,
the many great instructors I had,” he said. “They supplies, and other assets,” he said. Each dental
gave me and my classmates the knowledge, the team consisted of a dentist and two assistants.
wisdom, and the inspiration to go into the world Mangum said he was stationed at a base in
to try and help others, which is what I did as an Al Anbar province, which encompasses Fallujah
officer in charge of a mobile dental team.” in western Iraq, from late August 2004 until early
March 2005. One of his missions took him to
An Innovative Concept within 50 miles of the Jordanian border.
The mobile dental team, a U.S. Navy Dental “I think many would be surprised to know
Corps unit, is different from the Mobile Army that most of those we treated came in for relatively
Surgical Hospital (MASH) units that were first routine care, things like exams, cleanings, and
deployed during the Korean War and later fillings,” he said. “Occasionally we did some
popularized by the novel M*A*S*H and the cosmetic dentistry and also took radiographs as
television program that was based on the movie. part of the routine care we provided.”
Unlike MASH units, mobile dental teams Working six days a week, usually from 7:00
Lt. J. Brett Mangum (DDS2001)
led a mobile dental team that have the flexibility to move with a designated a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mangum said he treated an
provided dental care in Iraq for combat unit. However, in Mangum’s case, they average of 15 patients a day. Some days, however,
more than sixmonths. remained independent of the unit, the First Marine as many as three dozen were treated. “Some
Photo courtesy of Lt. J. Brett Mangum
Mangum said being involved

in the School’s outreach
program at community
clinics in Marquette and
Muskegon gave him valuable
experience that helped him
to develop some creative
solutions to problems he
faced in Iraq.

Leads Dental Team in Iraq Photo courtesy of Lt. J. Brett Mangum
patients traveled five or six hours to see a dentist, Marquette and Muskegon gave him valuable
and you treated them, even if it was at the end of experience that helped him to develop some
the day,” he said. creative solutions to problems he faced in Iraq.
Most of Mangum’s patients were servicemen “We had to be problem solvers and think
and women. Although he and members of the outside the box on occasion because there were
mobile dental team did not treat local residents, times in Iraq when situations weren’t ideal and
“we did treat others including translators, truck materials that were needed weren’t always
drivers, and food services people, some of whom available,” he said.
were from Jordan and Turkey,” he said. “But He recalled one case of an individual who lost
we also treated other patients from other parts a fixed bridge on his anterior teeth. Since he didn’t
of the Mideast as well as contractors from the have any acrylic, Mangum said he made a false
Philippines, Sudan, and India.” tooth out of composite resin. Because he didn’t
He also had no-shows, typically due to a last- have fixed prosthodontic capabilities, Mangum
minute mission. “So you had to be flexible and often used complex amalgam restorations to
adapt,” he said. restore broken posterior teeth.
But there were moments of humor too.
Valuable School & Outreach Experiences He recalled one patient who came to him for
Two days after receiving his dental degree in emergency care after fracturing four teeth.
Ann Arbor, Mangum was off to Officer Training “He told me that he got so wrapped up in
Now five years old, Noelle is seen
School in Newport, Rhode Island. He then spent playing a video game that he tripped over the here being held in her father’s left
a year in an advanced education in graduate wire that connected his hand-held control unit to arm. Also pictured are Mangum’s
dentistry program in San Diego, was transferred the video box and fell on his Kevlar helmet and wife, Nicole, and their one-year-
fractured the teeth,” Mangum said. old daughter, Camille.
to Yuma, Arizona, and then went to Iraq.
Mangum said being involved in the School’s Since he practiced from inside fortified bases,
outreach program at community clinics in Mangum said he never experienced close combat.
“However, insurgents often launched rockets and
Photo courtesy of Lt. J. Brett Mangum mortars at us. Fortunately, their aim wasn’t very
good. The closest one came to us was one morning
when a rocket landed about forty yards away
from my dental assistant’s tent.”
Looking back, Mangum said he has “enormous
respect and admiration for the men and women
in uniform. They’re the greatest warriors in the
world and I admire their courage and sacrifices,”
he said.
Mangum is now practicing dentistry in
Prescott, Arizona, with his father, Richard, who
earned his dental degree from U-M in 1972.
In this picture, Brett Mangum treats a Marine at a

mobile dental clinic in western Iraq.

U-M Alumni Team Up to Help
Photo courtesy of Dr. James Lee
As a dentist,” Lee continued, “I recognized

that the best way for me to contribute to Dr.
King’s vision is to use the skills I use every
day.”
For Sturtz, this was the third year he
participated with Lee.
“The dental profession has been good to me,
and I think it’s important to give back, in some
way, to those in the community who are less
fortunate,” said Sturtz who has also helped at
the Hope Dental Clinic in Ypsilanti and has been
recognized for his volunteer work with Donated
Dental Care since 1995.
Dr. James Lee (left) and Dr. MarkCooks and two other School of Dentistry alumni provided free oral Cooks, who runs a private practice and also
health care to uninsured and underserved patients on Martin Luther King Day in January.
does dental work part time for the Michigan
Department of Corrections, said he wanted to
F
our U-M School of Dentistry alumni teamed serve and to learn.
up on Martin Luther King Day in January “I wanted to watch how Dr. Sturtz approached
to provide free oral health care services to oral surgery and learn more about some of the
the uninsured and underserved. things he did. But sometimes he was working
Led by Dr. James Lee (DDS 1990), Drs. David so quickly that it was hard to keep up,” Cooks
Sturtz (DDS 1981), Mark Cooks (DDS 1991), and said with a laugh.
Mitchell Kaplan (DDS 1989), helped 64 patients Cooks, who said he has partnered with Lee
that day. The value of their services surpassed on four or five occasions in the past, said he keeps
$20,000 according to Lee. returning “because of the wonderful feeling of
Lee and Cooks are general dentists. Sturtz is accomplishment I get. It’s a big thrill to see the
an oral surgeon. Kaplan is a periodontist. Their results of your work and even more gratifying to
expertise and the skill of three dental hygienists, see how much those who may be underinsured
“allowed us to provide a broad range of services or have no insurance at all appreciate what you
to those who came to my office here in Ann have done for them.”
Arbor,” Lee said. Although it was the first time he helped,
“I began doing this in 1999, the year after Kaplan said he plans to do so again next year.
I established my own practice,” he said. “This “It was a nice way to honor Dr. King’s memory,”
was our biggest year yet, in terms of the number he said, “and I felt good about helping others.”
of patients we helped.” Lee said eight patients have already asked
Recalling his days as a dental student, Lee to come back for follow-up visits and treatments
said he attended several programs and lectures next January.
on the U-M campus during Martin Luther King
Day. “I decided that when I had my own practice,
that this is something I would do to honor his
legacy.

Faculty NEWS
Bill Piskorowsk i New Outreach Director Stephen Bayne

New CRSE Chair
Keary Campbell
and work to develop new outreach

sites.
“I began teaching here part
time about five years ago and
discovered I really enjoyed it,”
Piskorowski said. “I guess I had an
impact on the students because they
named me the clinic’s Teacher of the
Year for four consecutive years,” he
added.
“What has made working in
the clinic enjoyable is not only
being able to help students, but also
Dr. Bill Piskorowski working with so many fine dentists Dr. Stephen Bayne
Dr. Bill Piskorowski is the School’s here, such as Bill Gregory, Don Heys, “I’ve been here only a few
new Director of Outreach and Phil Richards, and Wally McMinn, to months, but I feel like I’ve been here
Community Affairs. He was named name a few,” he said. longer because of the warmth and
to the position in early February by About two years ago, hospitality I have received from
Dean Peter Polverini. Piskorowski worked in Mancelona, everyone throughout the dental
An adjunct professor for the last Michigan, for about five months school,” said Dr. Stephen Bayne as
five years, Piskorowski earned his with Traverse City-based Dental he talked about his move to the
dental degree from Loyola University Clinics North. “That really made School of Dentistry to become the
in 1979. He was in private practice me realize just how much of a need new chair of the Department of
for 27 years specializing in cosmetic there is for services such as those Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and
and implant dentistry. our students provide,” he said. Endodontics.
In his new role, he will continue Saying he wants to make the Bayne, who headed biomaterials
teaching as a clinical instructor in School’s outreach and community in the Department of Operative
the 2 Blue Clinic two days a week, dentistry programs “even better,” Dentistry at the University of North
instead of five, and will be involved Piskorowski said, “there’s a great Carolina in Chapel Hill, succeeded
with outreach the remaining three tradition here with the work that Dr. Brian Clarkson who chaired
days a week. was done by Jed Jacobson, Tom CRSE for more than 14 years. The
Piskorowski will work with Dr. Veryser, and Steve Stefanac. I want department is the School’s largest
Stephen Stefanac, associate dean for to do everything I can to build upon with approximately 180 full-time
patient services, in supervising the their efforts and their successes.” faculty, supplemental faculty,
operations of the School’s external research fellows, and staff.
educational programs. He will also Bayne earned a bachelor’s
oversee the School’s partnerships degree from Carleton College in
with outreach sites across the state Northfield, Minnesota, in 1968;

Faculty NEWS
a master’s degree in biological the School, I’m excited about our Kirk wood Wins
materials from Northwestern potential and looking forward to Tarrson Award
University in 1974; and a PhD, meeting others throughout the Keary Campbell
also in biological materials from dental community in this area and

Northwestern, two years later. across Michigan.”
From 1977 to 1984, he was Polverini thanked Dr. David
director of the scanning electron Kohn, who chaired the search
microscopy facility and a member committee. “I also want to extend
of the Department of Restorative my gratitude to Brian for his loyalty
Dentistry and Orthopedic Surgery and leadership as chair of the
at the University of Mississippi. At department.” Clarkson served as
UNC he was coordinator of Operative department chair for more than 14
Dentistry Research and section head years, until last December 31.
of biomaterials in the Department
of Operative Dentistry. Nör Delivers
He has been involved in a wide Keynote Address Dr. Keith Kirkwood
range of clinical research programs Dr. Keith Kirkwood, an assistant
in Brazil, Peru, and Malaysia; has Dr. Jacques Nör delivered the professor in the Department of
published more than 100 research keynote address at the annual Periodontics and Oral Medicine,
and teaching articles, 43 book meeting of the Academy of Operative received The Bud and Linda Tarrson
chapters, more than 200 abstracts, Dentistry in Chicago. Fellowship at the American Academy
and one book; and is the recipient Nör, an associate professor in the of Periodontology Foundation’s
of many awards of excellence. In Department of Cariology, Restorative annual meeting last fall.
2004, he received UNC’s Professor Sciences, and Endodontics, delivered The $30,000 fellowship career
of Excellence Teaching Award. Last the Buonocore Memorial Lecture development award recognizing
year, the Academy of Operative during the organization’s midwinter him as an outstanding periodontist
D e n t i s t r y a w a rd e d h i m i t s meeting in February. was established to encourage gifted
prestigious Hollenback Memorial In his remarks about tooth periodontal clinicians who have
Prize. tissue engineering and molecular demonstrated teaching excellence
This summer, Bayne becomes biology in restorative dentistry, Nör to pursue an academic career.
President of the International highlighted some of the changes The first person from U-M to
Association of Dental Research. that have taken place in dental receive the award was Dr. William
“Dr. Bayne brings a wealth of research in recent years. He also Giannobile, MCOHR director.
knowledge and experience to our mentioned how tissue engineering Kirkwood, who has been at the
School. I’m excited that he has may become more commonplace in School of Dentistry since January
agreed to join us,” said Dean Peter regenerating tooth structures lost to 2004, earned his dental degree from
Polverini. tooth decay. West Virginia University and both a
“It’s been an amazingly PhD in oral biology and a certificate
comfortable move,” Bayne added. in periodontics from SUNY the State
“And after talking to so many others University of New York at Buffalo.
in the department and throughout [DentalUM, Fall 2004, page 83.]

D’Silva Receives and the only one from the School to cancer cells.
Crosby Research Award of Dentistry, to recently receive a “Understanding the molecular
Keary Campbell Crosby Research Award. mechanisms of cancer growth is
The award and research funds fundamental to the selection and
are given to tenure-track faculty development of new treatments
members in science, engineering, for oral cancer,” she said. “These
and related disciplines to help them possibilities for helping cancer
meet their career needs. Recipients patients keep us excited and
can use the funds to develop and focused in our day-to-day research
support research, purchase needed activities.”
laboratory equipment, or for travel Fo u r y e a r s a g o, D ’ S i l v a
to conferences. collaborated with others to create
D’Silva’s research focuses on the School’s “Digital Microscopes”
studying a small protein, highly initiative. Using the World Wide
expressed in oral cancers, for its Web, the School of Dentistry’s
Dr. Nisha D’Silva effects in promoting cancer cell intranet, and a computer, dental
Dr. Nisha D’Silva, an assistant growth. The protein, known as rap1, s t ude n t s us e t he ir c o mput e r
professor in the Department of also induces the secretion of factors monitors as surrogate microscopes
Periodontics and Oral Medicine, is that promote the growth of new and view images from more than
one of seven U-M faculty members, blood vessels that provide nutrients 50 different tissues.
Keary Campbell
Ignelzi Awarded ACD In addition to teaching students

Fellowship in all four years of the School’s
predoctoral curriculum, Ignelzi
Dr. Michael Ignelzi was awarded teaches a dentistr y course to
Fellowship in the American College undergraduate students at the
of Dentists during their annual College of Literature, Sciences,
meeting last fall in Philadelphia. and Arts; mentors students at
An associate professor of predoctoral, graduate, and doctoral
dentistry in the Department of levels; has developed and teaches
Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, continuing dental education
Ignelzi received the Charles Craig courses; and conducts research
Teaching Award from Omicron investigating birth defects that
Kappa Upsilon, the national dental affect the face and skull.
society, at its national meeting four The American College of Dentists based on demonstrated leadership
years ago. The award recognizes was founded in 1920 to recognize and contributions to the profession
individuals who use innovative dentists who have made significant and society.
teaching techniques in classrooms contributions to the advancement
and inspires them to be life-long of dentistry. Fellowship in the
learners. organization is by invitation and is

Faculty NEWS
Tedesco Named Dean

at Emory Graduate
School New Lounge for
Lisa Tedesco, former associate
dean of the School of Dentistry
from 1992 to 1998, has been named
dean of the Graduate School
of Arts and Sciences at Emory
University in Atlanta. She began
her appointment May 1 following
a one-year sabbatical at Columbia
University.
After six years at the School
of Dentistry, Tedesco was U-M vice
president and secretary who served
as executive liaison to the U-M
Board of Regents from 1998 to 2001.
That year, she was named interim Jerry Mastey
provost.
A new facility for School of Dentistry emeritus faculty
members opened earlier this year.
Bradley Appointed The lounge in room B311 includes workstations, desk
to Study Group chairs, file cabinets, a conference table, a couch, telephones,
and a television set.
During their semi-annual luncheon last fall the emeritus
Dr. Robert Bradley, professor
faculty members heard about plans for the lounge from
of dentistr y, will ser ve as a
facilities manager Dorothy Smith-Fesl.
member of the Somatosensory
Later, they also heard Dr. Marilyn Lantz, associate dean for
and Chemosensory Systems Study
academic affairs, talk about the Integrated Medical Sciences
Section of the Center for Scientific
courses. The new program, which has been incorporated
Review. He was appointed last fall
into the first and second years of the predoctoral curriculum,
to a term that ends in June 2009.
is designed to help dental students see the links between
Members of the group review
dentistry and various medical disciplines. [DentalUM, Fall 2004,
grant applications submitted to the
pages 60-61.]
National Institutes of Health, make
recommendations, and survey the
status of research in their fields of
study.

Christiansen
Honored by
Emeritus Faculty U-Iowa
Per Kjeldsen
The Dental Alumni Association

of the University of Iowa named
dean emeritus and professor
emeritus, Dr. Richard Christiansen,
as its Alumnus of the Year last fall.
Born and raised in Iowa, he earned
Jerry Mastey
a DDS from Iowa in 1959 and a
master’s degree in orthodontics five
Fifteen retired faculty and staff members met in the
years later.
Faculty Alumni Lounge last fall for their semi-annual get
The award recognized
together. Those present included, front row (left to right):
Christiansen for his “ years
Drs. William Godwin, Russ Anderson, Bill Brown, and
of experience, expertise and
Walter Loesche. Standing are (left to right): Drs. Henry
enthusiasm which have contributed
Kanar, Bill Gregory, Leroy Pratt, Mr. Clarence Dukes, Drs.
immeasurably to dental education
Andy Koran, Richard Christiansen, Paul Loos, Don Clewell,
and oral health research, both in the
Jim Avery, and Eli Berger. Not pictured is Dr. Sondra Gunn
U.S. and internationally.”
who also attended.
Christiansen, dean of the School
of Dentistry from 1982 to 1987,
retired five years ago as a professor
in the Department of Orthodontics
and Pediatric Dentistry [DentalUM,
Fall 2001, pages 37-39.] Recently, he
and his wife, Nancy, gifted $500,000
to establish the Christiansen
Collegiate Professorship [DentalUM,
Fall 2004, pages 33-35.]

Enjoying a Sabbatical
Per Kjeldsen
in Ann Arbor
Professor Niklaus time later, he became an assistant professor of
“Klaus” Lang enjoyed dentistry and taught at the School.
his four-month Since 1980, Lang has been a professor at
sabbatical at the U-M the School of Dental Medicine at the University
School of Dentistry. of Bern, Switzerland. He has chaired the
His “academic Department of Periodontology and Fixed
vacation” was any- Prosthodontics since 1992.
thing but, however. Lang briefly returned in early January 2005
From early Sep- as guest speaker for the annual Delta Dental
tember through Dr. Kenneth J. Ryan Memorial Seminar. At the
D e c e m b e r, L a n g ’ s program he joked that the University of Michigan
activities included had such a major influence on his life that, in
some teaching, talking Switzerland, he created a department logo whose
to graduate students colors are maize and blue.
Prof. Niklaus Lang and faculty, visiting
friends, and even traveling to Brazil to attend Then and Now
a conference and then spending a few days on When Lang returned to Ann Arbor for
the Amazon River. his sabbatical late last year, he cited a big
When jokingly asked what he did during difference between being a student and being
his free time, Lang said, “I’ve never been one on sabbatical.
to distinguish between work and vacation or As a graduate student, Lang said he
free time. What I do, I do out of conviction. “frequently worked 80 or more hours a week.”
For me, work doesn’t have to have a negative However, this time, he continued, “I wanted to
connotation. If you enjoy what you’re doing, experience what it was like to be here for an
work is pleasure while free time can be spent extended period of time as a faculty member
working hard.” and take time to enjoy what the University and
Although he could have probably chosen Ann Arbor has to offer.” That included attending
almost any place in the world to take his cultural programs and events, being at the
sabbatical, Lang said he returned to Michigan dental school, and having an opportunity to see
because “I wanted to come back to my roots.” and talk to colleagues and students.
He also returned to Ann Arbor, he said, “because Reflecting on his four months in Ann Arbor,
I wanted to learn more about the philosophy of Lang said one of the biggest changes he observed
Michigan’s graduate periodontics program.” was in the School’s periodontics department.
“It’s more biologically oriented than ever,”
Long-Term U-M Connection he said. “It’s still top-notch in the world, as
Lang’s affiliation with the U-M School of far as I’m concerned, with people like Will
Dentistry goes back more than thirty years. Giannobile, Laurie McCauley, Russ Taichman,
He began his teaching career in Ann Arbor Renny Franceschi, and Keith Kirkwood who are
after graduating with both a master’s degree and a part of it.”
a certificate in periodontics in the 1970s. A short Lang described his visits and work at

Prof. Klaus Lang Talks about His Return to U-M
the School’s Michigan Center for Oral Health one European country as an example.
Research as “my second great experience.” “In Germany, dentistry is dominated by
Located at Domino’s Farms on Plymouth what insurance does or does not pay. When
Road near U-S 23, the Center provides patient third parties become involved this way they,
services that are central to clinical research, in effect, become teachers. I don’t think that’s
including oral exams, some oral surgeries, and good because if a dentist knows he or she will
major restorative procedures. The Center is also not be reimbursed for a procedure, chances are
using new technology that one day may help they won’t do it very often which then leads a
dentists and specialists get precise information school not to teach a certain topic or procedure,”
about a patient’s oral cavity. [DentalUM, Fall he said.
2005, pages 15-16; DentalUM, Fall 2004, pages Instead, Lang said, “the central question
12-14.] those of us in the profession need to address is
“With everything that Will Giannobile and – who will treat periodontal disease? That’s
his group are doing, I think the Center has the where schools like Michigan need to do more.”
potential to become the world’s leader in clinical Reflecting on his four months in Ann Arbor,
research,” Lang said. Lang, who turned 63 on Christmas Eve, said he
enjoyed attending three School of Music operas,
Changes in Periodontics Practices attending football games, talking to friends, and
Spending four months in the U.S. gave Lang visiting former colleagues and teachers.
added insights into trends in dentistry and In late September, he attended a conference
periodontics and an opportunity to compare in Brazil and then spent a few days traveling up
those with what he has seen in Europe. and down the Amazon.
“It seems to me that, as a field of study, Asked what he will miss most about leaving
periodontics, not just at Michigan, but in other the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor, Lang
parts of the U.S., is now becoming one where said, “the wonderful Indian summer we had,
Although he could have probably chosen almost any place in the world to
take his sabbatical, Lang said he returned to Michigan because “I wanted
to come back to my roots.”
practitioners want to make money using the open spaces, and above all, the spirit of this
implants instead of practicing periodontology,” University that is so very special. There’s no
he said. “If that trend continues, I’m afraid that place in Europe like this, where people’s lives are
we will lose our expertise in treating periodontal tied to a university in the way they are here.”
infections and tooth maintenance, which is what Lang said he would also miss the graduate
the role of the periodontist has been.” students.
From his perspective, Lang said this “I encouraged them to be proud of the
development is part of a larger trend where oral profession and all it has to offer. I told them I
health care professionals many times “think hope that the professional satisfaction they get
too much in terms of what pays best” which, in treating patients outweighs the remuneration
turn, can affect what is taught. He pointed to they receive.”

Faculty Profile
Dr. Lynn
Johnson
Change Agent
Director, Dental Informatics

and Information Technology
Keary Campbell
Dr. Lynn Johnson is proud, and rightly so, of the School’s
Since arriving at the School of Dentistry four of Dentistry’s new partnership with Apple Computer
years ago, Dr. Lynn Johnson has enhanced and what it could mean for dental education and the
University of Michigan. [DentalUM, Fall 2005, pages 6-7.]
communication throughout the School,
opened lines of communication with other Launched last September, the project has been mentioned in major
newspapers including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the
U-M schools and colleges, and is playing a Chicago Tribune; trade publications such as The Chronicle of Higher
major role in helping the University launch a Education; technology Web sites, such as CNet.com; international
campus-wide application of what the School newspapers, including Japan’s leading national business newspaper,
Nihon Keizai Shimbun; and even MTV.com.
is doing with iPods in dental education.
“This wouldn’t have been possible elsewhere,” she said. “This
was a project where all the right pieces came together at exactly the
right moment – the University of Michigan’s name, its reputation for
innovation and technology, the fact that this was a student-driven
project, the superb efforts of a great team in our department who
worked together for a common goal, and, ultimately, the collaboration
with Apple Computer.”
Johnson is the School’s director of Dental Informatics and
Information Technology.
But if you talk to Johnson for any length of time, you may be
surprised to learn that she spent eight years teaching children with
learning and emotional disabilities at schools in Iowa.

Applying Lessons Learned
Quite a leap from then to now, isn’t it?
“It is,” Johnson replied. “But in those first
two or three jobs I had after graduating from
college, I learned some very important things
about how learning takes place and how to
teach.”
Johnson arrived at the U-M School of
Dentistry four years ago following a 19-year Keary Campbell
career at the University of Iowa. “In technology, we have more visibility not just
She began her career there in 1983 as a
research assistant in the University’s computing across the University, but also in the field of dental
center and was also a research and development education. The University is now launching a
director for a nonprofit technology company in
campus-wide application of what we are doing
Colorado. When she left for Michigan, Johnson
was an associate professor of dentistry and with the iPods in dental education. They’re seeking
director of educational methodology and our feedback and ideas, which was something that
instructional technology.
didn’t happen earlier. It’s also gratifying to know
In addition to teaching at Iowa, Johnson
earned a PhD in instructional design and the University intends to share the campus-wide
technology in 1993. In 1979, she earned a iPod application with over 45 other colleges and
master’s degree in special education. Four
years earlier, she graduated with a bachelor’s
universities across the country.”
degree (English major, mathematics minor) from
Morningside College in Sioux City. “I also learned the importance of sequencing
As she discussed her career, Johnson said so that they could move from Point A to B to C,”
teaching children with learning and emotional she continued. “When you stop to think about it,
disabilities at a middle school and high schools that’s exactly what happens when you manage
“gave me insights that, in retrospect, helped me people and persuade them to move from an idea
enormously over the years.” to a goal. It’s also what you do when you use
information technology.”
The Big Picture, The Pieces, Sequencing Like many of us, Johnson’s first encounters
Asked what the common thread was, she with technology were not auspicious.
didn’t hesitate answering. Talking about a computer programming
“I quickly learned that to connect with course she took for her mathematics minor,
these children I not only had to know the Johnson recalled spending hours punching cards
big picture, I also had to be able to convey to write a computer program. “I took the cards
information about the big picture in small with me, but then dropped them in the snow. It
pieces so that they could easily understand was a nightmare,” she said.
what was going on.” Her problems continued.

they were at Iowa, Johnson said their paths did
cross on several occasions when she, Johnson,
chaired the University’s Information Technology
Advisory Committee. Coleman is president of the
University of Michigan.
From Iowa to Michigan

Asked how she wound up at Michigan,
Johnson’s replied, “Dennis Lopatin.”
“I was teaching and developing technology
Per Kjeldsen
for educational uses and wasn’t looking for a
job when Dennis called and asked if I would
During a meeting at the After re-keying the instructions on a fresh be interested in a job as director of dental
dental school with officials set of cards, the computer only printed the first informatics at the dental school,” she said.
from Apple Computer last line of information. She investigated the reason Lopatin is the School’s senior associate dean.
fall, Dr. Lynn Johnson said
for the problem and fixed it. Johnson said she wasn’t interested because
the results of three studies
with dental students showed But things improved. she enjoyed what she was doing at Iowa. “I also
the vast majority said they As a graduate student, Johnson gained a thought a move to Michigan would be a lateral
preferred listening to audio better understanding of technology and felt move,” she said.
recordings of classroom more comfortable with its applications and “But Dennis was persistent and thought I
lectures using their iPods potential. could effectively address some of the technology
or other portable listening
She wrote a book chapter about learning challenges the School was facing and what it
devices. In the background is
Sheri Schultz, Apple’s account technologies. Later, her mentor, a professor, was likely to face in the future,” she continued.
representative. asked her to put about 30,000 art slides onto “He’s also creative, fully understands the
a 12-inch videodisk, about the size of a record opportunities Michigan offered and suspected I
album. “She said, ‘I have some extra space on would recognize them if I visited. “
the disk that I want you to fill’. So I did.” It wasn’t easy leaving Iowa after nearly
Johnson retrieved about 600 pediatric oral twenty years, Johnson admitted. “But the
pathology slides from the College of Dentistry more I investigated, the more I saw new
and did something more – added simulations opportunities.”
of various procedures the dental students could Arriving in Ann Arbor in June 2002, Johnson
use in their courses. She won an award for her spent several weeks observing and talking to
efforts in 1987. administrators, faculty, staff, and students
Her work also caught the attention of throughout the School.
another colleague, Dr. Stephen Stefanac. She then became a change agent.
“I produced a CD-ROM of case studies for the “We needed to change in some very important
first edition of his workbook, Treatment Planning ways. The IT department was doing more, the
in Dentistry. Stefanac is now the U-M School of School’s use of technology was growing, yet
Dentistry’s associate dean for patient services. many of our processes hadn’t changed,” she said.
Asked if she knew Mary Sue Coleman when Better communication was a top priority.

Per Kjeldsen
Applying the lessons she learned as a teacher Last September,

at the middle school and high schools in Iowa, Dr. Lynn Johnson
Johnson began regular meetings to paint a said the School’s
collaboration with
big picture of technology’s role at the dental Apple Computer
school, guiding nearly two dozen people in her was a major shift
department and others throughout the School to in how technology
make the changes necessary to move from Point is being used
A to B to C. to support and
“We broke down the walls, started bringing enhance student
learning.
people together to discuss what we were doing
now, and what we needed to do. We opened
the lines of communication throughout the
School and with others across the University of
Michigan,” she said.
Johnson said she closely examined what
work was being done, why, and how that work
was a part of a strategic, long-term vision. “In
many cases, that meant deferring work to solve
a short-term problem if it didn’t help us reach a
longer-term goal,” she said.
Greater Visibility
Without these steps, she said, “our project
with Apple Computer never would have Just as the School of Dentistry was acclaimed
happened.” for its television facilities to produce dentistry
Johnson said the School’s collaboration videos in the 1970s, Johnson says she’s gratified
with Apple has opened many doors. “In to know that “the technology spotlight is on us
technology, we have more visibility not just once again, this time in the era of the Internet
across the University, but also in the field of and World Wide Web.”
dental education,” she said. “The University Looking back on at the last four years,
is now launching a campus-wide application Johnson said that addressing the technical
of what we are doing with the iPods in dental challenges “has been easy. The difficult part is
education. They’re seeking our feedback and getting people to buy-in to change because, after
ideas, which was something that didn’t happen a while, most of us get comfortable doing things
earlier,” she continued. “It’s also gratifying a certain way. But if oral health care education
to know the University intends to share the and patient care are to advance, you have to
campus-wide iPod application with over 45 other welcome change. I’m confident we will.”
colleges and universities across the country.”
Some might say “it’s déjà vu all over
again.”

Dr. Lynn Johnson
Professional Achievements
Selected Highlights
Education Professional Society Memberships

• PhD, Instructional Design and Technology; University • International Association for Dental Research (1996
of Iowa (1993) to present); Treasurer (2002-2005) Education
• MA, Special Education, Learning & Emotional Research Group
Disabilities; University of Iowa (1979) • American Association for Dental Research (1996 to
• BA, English major, mathematics minor; Morningside present)
College, Sioux City, Iowa (1975) • American Dental Association, associate member
(1996 to present)
Academic Appointments and • American Dental Education Association
Professional Experience - Chair, Instructional Computing in Dentistry
• Director, Dental Informatics and Information Competition (2000-2001)
Technology; U-M School of Dentistry (June 2002 to - Chair, Behavioral Sciences Section (1996-1997)
present) • American Medical Informatics Association (1989 to
• Associate Professor, U-M School of Dentistry (June present)
2002 to present) - Chair, Dental Informatics Working Group
• Associate Professor, College of Dentistry; University of (1994-1997)
Iowa (2000-2002) - Vice-chair, Dental Informatics Working Group
• Director, Educational Methodology and Instructional (1993-1994)
Technology; University of Iowa (January 2000-June • International Medical Informatics Association (1989
2002) to present)
• Director, Research and Development; Dental
Interactive Simulations Corporation, Aurora, Colorado Service
(1995-2002) • Strategic Assessment Steering Committee, U-M
• Assistant Professor, College of Dentistry; University of School of Dentistry (2005 to present)
Iowa (1995-2000) • IT Commons Leadership, University of Michigan (2002
Honors and Awards to present)
• Silver Award (2001), 42nd Annual International • Privacy Oversight Committee, University of Michigan
Cinema Industry Competition (Diagnostic Bytes) (2002 to present)
• Finalist, Time, Inc. (2000), International Health and • Chair, Information Technologies Advisory Council,
Medical Film Competition, Patient Care category University of Iowa (2000-2002)
(Diagnostic Bytes) • Information Technology Advisory Committee,
• One of American Student Dental Association’s University of Iowa (1998-2004)
25 Visionaries in Dental Education (1999)
• 1st place (1997), Educational Exhibits Awards
Competition, American Association of Dental Schools
annual session
• 2nd place (1995), Educational Exhibits Award
Competition, American Association of Dental Schools
annual session
44
DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Biologic and Materials Sciences
T
Keary Campbell
his is my first report to you as chair of the Department of

Biologic and Materials Sciences since being appointed
to this position in March 2005.
However, as many of you know, the concepts of immediate loading of
I’m not new to this School, having dental implants. He and his coworkers
been here for ten years. I received my say our School is the first dental school
dental degree from the University of in the country to use this technique.
Minnesota in 1987, a PhD in oral biology While our residents are exposed to
from the University of Connecticut in contemporary prosthodontics, we also
1993, and then came to Ann Arbor after emphasize other areas, such as using
a postdoctoral fellowship at NIH. lasers for imaging caries, advanced
Dr. Paul Krebsbach,
methods to optimize color shades
Chair A Commitment to Excellence of ceramic restorations, electrical
Our department, which includes monitoring of muscle fibers in TMD
the Division of Prosthodontics, has patients, biomechanical properties
several exciting and vigorous research of ceramic bridges, and improving
programs. Faculty members are methods to treat patients with sleep
engaged in innovative basic science apnea.
research to understand the principles
and molecular mechanisms that guide Expanding Scholarship in
normal development, the pathogenesis Prosthodontics
of oral disease, and the development of Prosthodontics at Michigan has a
novel therapeutic approaches. rich history of clinical excellence and
A re a s o f e m p h a s i s i n c l u d e innovation in teaching and research.
cancer biology, materials sciences, Although we are working hard to
mi cro b io l o gy a n d immun o l o gy, maintain the high standards set by our
neurobiology, and tissue engineering. predecessors, we must continue to be
Since previous BMS updates have forward thinking to warrant the title
highlighted our department’s basic “leaders and best.”
research, this update will focus on To do this, we plan to create an
our clinical research and vision for the environment to expand the scope of
future. what future prosthodontic research
Our research programs are not could be.
confined to the laboratory. Members For example, the burgeoning
of our clinical faculty are also engaged field of dental implantology has
in innovative clinical research. broadened the scope of prosthodontics
For example, Dr. Michael Razzoog to include limited surgical placement
leads a faculty team that is pioneering of implants as well as the prosthetic

reconstructive phase of treatment. New Faces in Prosthodontics manuscripts in the area of dental
This is the perfect time to expand In re c e n t mo n t h s , w e h a v e ceramic restorations and continued his
our horizons and explore research launched several new searches to fill research productivity while at UCLA.
questions that are at the interface full-time faculty positions, primarily He comes to Michigan as an associate
between the material sciences that in prosthodontics, due to retirements clinical professor and will contribute to
have dominated the prosthodontics and faculty relocations. the teaching and scholarship missions
field, and the biological sciences that T h e s e a rc h c o m m i t t e e h i t of the department.
will need to be better understood to the jackpot and identified several
best serve our patients. candidates who were aligned with our Wi t h s p e c i a l t y
Our department is the ideal goals and vision to develop a biological training in both
incubator to nurture this research. Over emphasis in our work. prosthodontics and
the last decade many of our biologists Although we would have been periodontics, Dr.
and biomedical engineers have placed pleased to recruit any one of them, Junro Yamashita
an increased emphasis on regenerative the fact that all are joining us is the brings several
medicine, an interdisciplinary field start of something special. These three unique talents
that by its very nature depends on young clinician/scientists will form a Yamashita to the Division of
active collaboration among biologists, new scientific core for the division of Prosthodontics. In addition to being a
engineers, and clinicians. prosthodontics to move us towards a well-trained clinician, Junro earned a
By strategically aligning key biologic- and materials-based future. PhD in dental sciences from the Tokyo
basic science and clinical faculty we Medical and Dental University. After
will develop a unique prosthodontic Dr. Won Oh is completing formal prosthodontics
department that combines the physical a prosthodontist and research training in Japan, he
and life sciences. In doing so, we will be who recently taught prosthodontics and continued
leaders in collaborative and innovative completed a his postdoctoral research training
science, and our clinical programs fellowship in in biomedical engineering at the
will be renowned for their scholarly maxillofacial University of Texas in San Antonio.
contributions that are enhanced by p ro s t h o d o n t i c s Because he appreciates
productive interactions between Oh at UCLA. After the important links between the
clinicians and basic scientists. graduating from the Chonbuk National biomechanical needs of restoring
We have the ability to align University School of Dentistry in Jeonju, complex dentitions and the state of
groups of clinicians with our basic South Korea, he practiced dentistry supporting structures of teeth, Junro
science colleagues. By identifying for six years. Seeking to expand his came to the U-M and earned a master’s
and supporting the few biologically horizons and hone his clinical skills, degree in periodontology. He joins us
trained scientists who also are skilled he came to the U.S. and received a as assistant professor of dentistry
clinicians, we will speed our process of master’s degree in prosthodontics from and will initiate an independent
discovery and build a bridge between the University of Minnesota. research program and contribute to the
laboratory-based scientists and our Won then accepted a position as department’s teaching mission. Junro,
clinical faculty. We have recruited assistant professor of prosthodontics whose father chaired the Department
several individuals with formal at the University of Florida College o f P ro s t h o d o n t i c s a t O ka y a m a
research training in both the biological of Dentistry where he blossomed University in Japan, will establish a
sciences and clinical prosthodontics. as a clinician, teacher, and scholar. research program investigating bone
During his four years at Florida, regeneration.
Won published over 10 peer-reviewed

Department Update
Dr. Fei Lui is a

postdoctoral fellow
Razzoog New Grad Pros Director
in the laboratory of
Dr. Cun-Yu Wang. Dr. Michael Razzoog will become the new director of the School’s
Fe i g r a d u a t e d graduate prosthodontics program on July 1.
f r o m t h e We s t After completing a thorough search process, I realized we had
China College of the best candidate for the job right here at home, and am happy that Mike is willing
Lui Stomatology and to take on this important leadership role.
then completed two years of advanced Mike, a professor of dentistry, has been with the School of Dentistry for 33
training in prosthodontics. He came years.
to the U.S. to further his education; I want to thank Dr. Ed Billy for his steady leadership during his tenure as program
completed a PhD in skeletal, craniofacial, director. He designed and implemented several programs to improve efficiency
and oral biology; and received a in clinics, enhanced our relations with other departments, improved billings and
master’s degree in prosthodontics from collection systems, and created an environent that demanded excellence. He will
the University of Connecticut School of leave a program that is on solid financial and academic ground.
Dental Medicine. Paul Krebsbach
Fei will complete two years of
postdoctoral training at Michigan
with support from the NIH-funded search committee will cast a wide net courses and their
training program in tissue engineering to identify the best candidate that will directors, as well
and regeneration and then begin fit into our department, school, and as have it serve
his appointment as an assistant university. as a conduit
professor of dentistr y. Like Dr. for improved
Yamashita, Fei will establish an Continuing Teaching Excellence communication
independent research program and Although much of this update has with our clinical
contribute to the teaching mission focused on our department’s research teaching faculty. Gerstner
of the department. Fei’s PhD training mission, I want to assure you that we Geoff ’s leadership and the work
was on the hormonal regulation of are also committed to excellence in our of the committee will help us to
genes involved in musculoskeletal teaching programs. determine:
homeostasis. He will continue to To ensure that we deliver a • If there is an appropriate level of
develop as a molecular biologist in Dr. contemporary curriculum to our repetition for key concepts.
Wang’s lab and will eventually exploit p re d o c t o r a l s t u d e n t s , w e h a v e • If there are any areas that may not
our department’s strengths in tissue established a Prosthodontics need as much emphasis as earlier.
engineering and regeneration to solve Curriculum Committee. • If there are areas we are not
problems of clinical importance in Led by Dr. Geoffrey Gerstner, the emphasizing as much as we
prosthodontics. committee, which is made up of course should.
directors, will take a comprehensive • If our course material is delivered
BMS look at the course content delivered to logically.
We have also started a search undergraduate dental students. The • If the biomaterials lectures are
to replace the position vacated by group will determine if we are on the aligned with the future needs of
the departure of Dave Mooney. An right path and make suggestions, if prosthodontics.
individual in the area of materials needed, for improvement. I want this
sciences/biotechnology/biomedical process to open lines of communication Gerstner New Coordinator
engineering will fill this position. The between those who teach our major Geoff has been named discipline

coordinator of occlusion. Several as business and patient management
changes will take place in this area, skills they can pass along to our dental
including coordinating the existing students.
four-year curriculum, addressing We will develop new resources for
needs for closing gaps in knowledge, alumni who are unable to be at our
and reporting to department chairs School on a regular basis. Our Web
the committee’s findings and site has been updated and includes a
Faculty Honors suggested methods for curriculum special section that brings news and
and Achievements improvement. special features to our alumni. Not
He and colleagues will work only does it enhance communication
• Jeff Shotwell was selected t o i m p ro v e t h e m a j o r g a p s i n within the department and relay
Teacher of the Year last our knowledge including clinical important information affecting
year (3 Green Clinic). experiences in patient diagnosis, our department and School, it also
t re a t m e n t a n d m a n a g e m e n t ; highlights the accomplishments of our
• Regents approved the instruction in the different schools faculty, students, staff, and alumni.
promotion of Marianella of thought, their clinical value and Although many of you are unable
scientific support; more sophisticated to visit Ann Arbor regularly, we will
Sierraalta to clinical and current training in certain areas; experiment with a video conferencing
associate professor. and including occlusion cases and/or platform to bring experts from our
questions on the Objectively Structured faculty and alumni together for case
• Peter Ma was one of Clinical Exam. conferences and journal clubs.
five scientists, and The initial plan is to amend the We w i l l c u l t i v a t e o u r
the only one from the curriculum through existing courses, communication networks by bringing
School of Dentistry, to be develop new clinical teaching protocols us together via the Web to enhance
featured in the Whitaker and consider multidisciplinar y our interactions and learning. The
Foundation’s annual c l i n i c s t o t re a t p a t i e n t s w i t h BMS/Prosthodontics Web site can be
report. temporomandibular joint dysfunction found at http://www.dent.umich.
and chronic myofacial pain. edu/depts/bms. I hope you find this
• Joe Kolling served a Web site useful and visit it often.
Alumni Outreach
term as the President
One of our ongoing priorities
of the Michigan Dental is to enhance communication and
Association. interactions with our many alumni.
Several of our alums now directly
• Charlotte Mistretta was participate in the School’s mission by
named associate dean serving as adjunct faculty. Their active
for research and PhD participation in both the preclinics and
training. patient treatment clinics enhances our
students’ perspectives since they have
a wealth of clinical experience, as well

DEVELOPMENT
Nearly $1.5 Million in New Gifts and Pledges
T
he School of Dentistry continues to make progress in its efforts to reach its
$35 million goal as part of the University’s “Michigan Difference” fundraising
campaign. As of early May, the School has raised more than $29 million, or
83 percent of its goal. In late January, the University reported raising 80 percent, or
nearly $2 billion of its $2.5 billion fundraising goal. The public phase of the campaign
began in May 2004 and is scheduled to end in December 2008.
Several leadership commitments have been confirmed this fiscal year (2005-2006).
Last fiscal year, the School received $2.6 million in new gifts and pledges.
The largest new gift is a $1 million estate commitment from Dr. Norman Schuen. Other major
gifts received include $300,000 from the estate of Dr. Titus Van Haitsma and a $100,000 estate
commitment from Dr. Dick and Mrs. Rose Marie Shick.
Other gifts include $50,000 from Dr. Billy and Mrs. Virginia Smith for the Dr. Major Ash Collegiate
Professorship; a gift from Dr. Jeffrey Ash toward his father’s collegiate professorship; and a gift from
Dr. Jon Cabot in honor of his father, Dr. Joseph Cabot, to support the School’s Pediatric Dentistry
Fund for Excellence.
More information about the gifts is on the pages that follow.
Dr. Norman Schuen Plans for the Future

Designates $1 Million+ Estate Gift
A generous planned gift from a U-M School When Schuen was a dental student in 1962,
of Dentistry alumnus will be treasured by many the fee for Michigan students who were training
dental students in years to come. to become dentists was $375 per semester, or
Dr. Norman Schuen (DDS 1962, MS 1967) $750 annually. For nonresidents, the fee was
has made a provision in his estate for more $750 per semester, or $1,500 annually.
than $1 million to support future need-based To d a y, a n n u a l i n - s t a t e t u i t i o n i s
scholarships for first- and second-year dental approximately $22,000. Fees, instruments,
students. He wants his gift to help students who and other costs bring the annual total to about
might not otherwise be able to afford to attend $25,000. Today’s dental students often graduate
the School of Dentistry. with significant amounts of debt, typically
As Richard Fetchiet, from the School’s $100,000.
development office shared the needs facing Reflecting on the education he received at
today’s dental students and projected future the U-M School of Dentistry, Schuen said he was
educational costs, Schuen thought this would especially fond of several of his instructors,
be the best use of his estate gift. notably Drs. James Hayward, Donald Kerr, Gerald
“The costs of a dental education are pretty Bonnette, and Lyle Aseltine. “These instructors
significant today compared to when I was a were completely dedicated to our profession and
student, and they continue to escalate,” he teaching, and without them and so many others,
said. this would not be possible,” he said.

DEVELOPMENT
$300,000 Gift from Estate of Dr. Titus Van Haitsma
The School of Dentistry is the beneficiary of He said he included the gift in his estate plan
a $300,000 gift from the estate of Dr. Titus Van because “I’d like to do something a bit more
Haitsma (DDS 1935). Dr. Van Haitsma, who died significant and make a difference.” Van Haitsma
in August 2004 at the age of 93, directed his gift had made several previous gifts to the School.
be used for student scholarships. “After looking back on what I went through
In an interview that appeared in the Spring as a student,” he said, “I thought the best way to
& Summer 2003 issue of DentalUM, Van Haitsma do that was with a gift that would help a student
said he almost didn’t complete dental school become a dentist.”
Dr. Titus Van Haitsma because of the Great Depression. He said he was He also recalled the “the kindness that my
fortunate an uncle sold some stock and loaned professors and Dean Bill Kotowicz have shown me”
him the proceeds that allowed him to continue and was grateful for the opportunities to hunt and
his education. fish with Kotowicz several years earlier.
Talking about his years on the U-M campus “Ti was a dedicated supporter of the
as a dental student, Van Haitsma said he was University and our School,” Kotowicz said. “He
“very fond of the dental school and thought it was an esteemed colleague, a true gentleman,
was about time I gave even more back to it.” and a friend.”
$100,000 Gift from Dr. Richard and Mrs. Rose Marie Shick
for the Ash Collegiate Professorship
“I hope that
my colleagues “A tremendous role model who was always there for us.”
will remember When you listen to Dr. Dick Shick talk about of Dentistry to help endow the Dr. Major Ash
the great one of his former instructors, Dr. Major Ash, you Collegiate Professorship.
contributions hear nothing but superlatives. Recalling his days as a student, Shick
Dr. Ash made “He was a tremendous role model.” described what was then a two-year program,
“He was always there for us.” as one “that was very intense under the tutelage
to us personally
“His mind, his memory, and his analytical of Don Kerr and Sig Ramfjord. Both were
and to our capabilities were, and still are, absolutely brilliant, intelligent men who were also strong
profession and superb.” taskmasters and did everything they could to
generously make Those were just a few of the phrases Shick instill knowledge and professionalism in us.”
their own gifts (DDS 1954, MS 1960) mentioned as he talked
about his world-renowned instructor. Research and Thesis Help
to establish the Because the program was so demanding,
Shick also said those were some of the
professorship in reasons he and his wife, Rose Marie, are gifting Shick said he often asked Ash for advice. “You
his honor.” $100,000 through their estate plan to the School could talk to him about anything,” Shick said.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Shick
“In some ways, he was like an older brother

because our ages weren’t that far apart.”
Ash also helped Shick with his research and
master’s thesis.
“In retrospect, I bit off more than I could
chew and asked both Dr. Ash and even my wife Dr. Richard Shickand
his wife, Rose Marie
to help me,” Shick said with a laugh. “Major
physically assisted me, getting students into
the clinic so I could do the scoring procedures
on them. He even helped my wife record some
of the information I was collecting.”
Shick said his master’s thesis wouldn’t have
been published in the Journal of Periodontology
without Ash’s help. “He was aware of many of
the technical issues and writing skills that were
needed to get my work published, for which I
was grateful,” he said. “Without him, I think
the perio students felt we wouldn’t have made
it through the program.”
About three years after earning his master’s
degree in periodontics and passing the American
Board of Periodontology exam, Shick said he was
assigned to give the state’s periodontology board did pretty good,’ and that’s something that has
exam. always stuck with me.”
‘You Did Pretty Good’ Deserving Recognition and Honor

“This was the first time a formally-trained Although they don’t see each other often,
and American Board-certified periodontist was Shick said he did see Ash in Arizona in 2001.
given the task of developing the exam. Don Kerr “That’s when I was president of the USA Section
and Sig Ramfjord were concerned that the exam of the International College of Dentists attending
might be too difficult,” Shick said. “In fact, as I a meeting of dental school deans. I enjoyed
was developing the exam, they asked me to give seeing him and talking to him again.”
some hints about the questions I was going to Shick said he hopes that his colleagues
ask. But I told them that I wasn’t about to give “will remember the great contributions Dr. Ash
them anything.” made to us personally and to our profession and
On the day of the state board exam, Shick generously make their own gifts to establish
said he wrote the questions he developed on a the professorship in his honor. I want his name
blackboard for the candidates. and his contributions to periodontics to be
He was surprised at what happened next. remembered forever,” Shick said. “He deserves
Moments later, Ash walked in the exam room the recognition and the honor for everything he’s
and approached Shick. “He told me, ‘Shick, you accomplished.”

DEVELOPMENT
$50,000 from Dr. Billy and Mrs.

Virginia Smith for Ash Collegiate The Dr. Major Ash Endowed Collegiate
Professorship Professorship in Periodontics
The School of Dentistry is the beneficiary The U-M School of Dentistry’s proud and
of a $50,000 gift from the late Dr. Billy Smith, preeminent place among America’s great
and his wife, Virginia, for the Ash Collegiate dental schools is in no small measure the result
Professorship. of its superb faculty. The School is strongly
committed to ensuring this tradition and has
Details of the gift were finalized shortly
identified the need for an endowed collegiate
before Dr. Smith’s death last November. [See
professorship in graduate periodontics as
story, page 92]. central to this mission.
Dr. Billy Smith
Smith’s admiration for Ash was well known To attract and retain faculty who are in the
to colleagues and students during the years he forefront of graduate periodontics education,
taught at the School of Dentistry. In an interview one of the world’s most distinguished specialty
that was published in the School’s alumni programs, and to acknowledge the contributions
magazine in the summer of 1990, Smith spoke of one of the world’s greatest professors in the
highly of both Ash and Dr. Sigurd Ramfjord. field, the School has created The Dr. Major
Like Ramfjord, Smith said of Ash, “I regard McKinley Ash Collegiate Professorship in
him as a giant in the field of periodontics. …His Periodontics.
Dr. Ash’s illustrious career was profiled in
work in the field of occlusion is regarded highly
the Spring & Summer 2002 issue of DentalUM
throughout the world. He is my friend and
(pages 28-36).
mentor.”
Per Kjeldsen
Gift from Dr. Jeffrey Ash for Dr. Jon Cabot Makes Gift in
Collegiate Professorship Father’s Name
One of Ash’s sons, Dr. Jeffrey Ash (DDS 1979, Dr. Jon Cabot recently did something for a
MS 1982), has given a gift to help fund the very special person in his life – his father.
professorship bearing his father’s name. Late last year, Cabot, who earned his dental
“I think it’s great that the School of Dentistry degree in 1982 and a master’s degree in pediatric
has decided to honor my father in this manner, dentistry in 1984, made a generous gift to the
and I wanted my gift to show that there was U-M School of Dentistry in the name of his
a commitment from our family,” Jeffrey Ash father, Dr. Joseph Cabot (DDS 1945; MS, pediatric
Dr. Jeffrey Ash
said. “When I reflect on the career my father dentistry 1947). The gift from Dr. Jon Cabot will
has had and what he has done for dentistry, it support the School’s Pediatric Dentistry Fund for
was something that I wanted to do as a way of Excellence.
showing my admiration and respect for him.” “I was shocked and deeply touched when I


Photo courtesy of Dr. Jon Cabot
Ortho Classes Pledge $70K to Fund

The orthodontics Classes of 2006, 2007, and 2008 have pledged $70,000 to the Richard A.
Johnson Wolverine Fund for Orthodontic Resident Education.
Created by residents of the Class of 2004 in 2004 as the Wolverine Fund, the fund was
renamed to honor Dr. Richard Johnson for his 35years of service to the School’s Department of
Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. [DentalUM, Spring & Summer 2005, page 50; Fall 2004,
page 43.]
Funds raised are used to support orthodontic residents who wish to attend major
educational meetings and orthodontic conferences.
Dr. Joseph Cabot
learned of my son’s gift in a letter I received in In Appreciation for Your Gift

mid-November,” Dr. Joseph Cabot said. The letter
was from Dean Peter Polverini. There’s nothing like being appreciated for what you do.
There was a hint something would The University of Michigan realizes that and does something about
happen. it.
“At a dinner a few weeks earlier, Jon told When you develop your estate plan and include U-M in that plan,
my wife and I that we would soon be receiving the University will recognize you for your consideration and generosity.
a letter from the dean,” Dr. Joseph Cabot said. It acknowledges your gift with membership in the Monteith Legacy
“When we did, we both were speechless.” Society.
The elder Dr. Cabot, who retired 22 years ago, Named for one of the University’s founders and its first president,
was active in organized dentistry. the Monteith Society is composed of individuals who generously
In addition to serving as president of the support the University with an estate plan gift to help the University
Detroit District Dental Society and the Michigan continue its tradition of academic excellence.
Dental Association, he was also on the Board of You can choose the amount of your gift. When you make your
Directors of the American Dental Association for decision, you must provide the University with a copy of that portion
six years and served a term as first vice president of your estate plan pertaining to the University, and/or sign a John
of the organization. Monteith Legacy Society statement of intent.
“When I thought about the influence my To learn more about the Society and specific planned gift
father had on my life, and all he has given to me opportunities, contact the School of Dentistry’s Office of Development
and to the dental profession, I thought this would at (734) 763-3315.
be the perfect time and way to honor him,” Dr.
Jon Cabot said.
In recognition of the gift, and to acknowledge
his distinguished career, the School’s graduate
pediatric library was renamed The Dr. Joseph
Cabot Graduate Pediatric Dentistry Reference
Library.

Will and
How to Make Your Will
I
t’s probably one of the most important
documents you will ever help create.
Yet studies show that many continue to
neglect asking an attorney and financial planner
to work with them on this document - a will - that
More Pers
specifies how your assets will be distributed after Revok ing or Amending
your death. Your will can be changed easily and
inexpensively by executing a codicil, a separate
Key Elements document that is executed with the same
Whether it’s simple or complex, a will is formalities of a will.
primarily a legal document. To be effective, In most cases, a codicil is used to make minor
it must meet the requirements of state law. modifications to an existing will. The will remains
Even a small mistake in drafting, execution, or intact and is simply amended by the codicil.
witnessing of your will can make it invalid and If you need to make major changes, you will
ineffective. probably want to execute a completely new will.
In addition to being a legal document, a will Usually, a new will automatically revokes all
can be a final message that reflects your personal previously executed wills. But it is prudent to
values, a way of leaving a lasting legacy by which state explicitly in a new will that all former wills
others will remember you. are revoked.
It should be practical. That is, given your Revoking a will is typically done by burning,
assets, it should accomplish your objectives, shredding, or simply writing “canceled” on the
meet the needs of your beneficiaries, and permit pages of the existing document.
an efficient and economical settlement of your If a will is revoked by a physical act and a new
estate. will is not executed, the estate will be distributed
under the intestate laws of the state in which the
Legal Requirements decedent resided at the time of death.
Although there seem to be exceptions to A will also can be revoked by operation of
nearly every rule, in general, every state has law.
different rules for the execution of a will. The In most states, divorce will revoke the benefits
typical requirements of a valid will are: provided for the divorced spouse, but may not
• The will should be in writing and signed by revoke provisions made for other beneficiaries. In
the testator (the person executing the will). some states, a will is wholly or partially revoked by
the marriage of the testator, or the birth of a child
• The testator must be mentally competent at to the testator, after the execution of the will.
the time the will is executed.
• The testator must sign the will in the presence Asset Disposition Restrictions
of two or three disinterested witnesses and Although you generally are free to dispose
must affirmatively state to these persons assets to your beneficiaries as you choose, state
that the document is his or her last will and laws do impose some restrictions.
testament. The best example is the rule that a married
• Each witness must sign his or her name, person cannot disinherit his or her spouse.
usually in the presence of each other and the If a will makes no provision for the testator’s
testator, and also affirm that the testator did spouse, or makes inadequate provision, the spouse
sign the document. generally can elect to take a statutory share of the

Testament
onal and Effective
estate. Typically, a surviving spouse can claim However, depending on the nature of your For more
one-third to one-half of the value of the estate. estate, there may be good reason to nominate a information,
As for children, generally, children do not have friend as an executor, or to name a bank or trust contact:
an absolute right to receive any part of the estate company to settle your estate.
unless the parent dies without a will (intestate). In choosing an executor, keep in mind that
• Jeff Freshcorn
settling an estate is a complex and demanding
Gift Officer
Most Popular Forms of Bequests task for an executor. Assets must be collected and
Chances are good that your present will leaves preserved, claims must be settled, debts collected, University of Michigan
specific sums of money to one or more designated and tax returns filed. The will must be probated, School of Dentistry
beneficiaries and then directs that the rest of and court proceedings are essential. 1011 N. University Ave.
your estate be divided among other designated In most cases, all of this is accomplished in Ann Arbor, MI 48109
beneficiaries. one or two years, an accounting is filed, the estate (734) 647-4394
However, there are other alternatives. is distributed to designated beneficiaries, and the freshco@umich.edu
Percent of Value. Many attorneys recommend executor is discharged.
“percentage-of-estate-value” bequests rather than It is important to make sure your executor • Tom Herbert, J.D.
monetary bequests. All beneficiaries share in has the power and authority needed to settle Assistant Vice President
increases or decreases of the estate after the will your estate. Ask your attorney to provide the & Director of Planned
is executed. appropriate powers and authority for your Giving
Contingent Bequests. Name contingent executor.
University of Michigan
beneficiaries to take a bequest if the primary
9000 Wolverine Tower
beneficiary predeceases you. Some Final Advice
In-Kind Bequests. In appropriate cases, In the past, wills were very personal, 3003 S. State St.
your will can bequeath specific real or personal frequently emphasizing the personal philosophy Ann Arbor, MI 48109
property to a beneficiary. However, if the property of the testator and explaining his or her motive (734) 647-6084
is not in your estate when you die, the bequest for every bequest. therbert@umich.edu
may become void and the beneficiary will not Today, the opposite seems to be true.
receive any part of the estate. If you feel you have something important to
Residuary Bequests. It is important to note say to your children, for example, it makes sense
the specific bequests in your will are paid and to write your message carefully and include it
satisfied first. Whatever is left following those in your will. Care should be taken to make sure
specific bequests, taxes, and estate costs have been the message does not create confusion about the
paid, remaining bequests to beneficiaries can be disposition of your estate.
made in a residuary bequest. You may also want to include a bequest to
one or more organizations, such as the University
Selecting the Executor of Michigan School of Dentistry, that have added
Many people name their spouse or child as the meaning to your life. It’s a way of giving back
executor of their estate. Unless the estate is large or and continuing to help make a difference in the
complex, this is generally a good decision. (In actual lives of others.
practice, much of the work is done by an attorney.)


DEVELOPMENT
- Golf Outing - Homecoming

September 21 October 26,
The University’s and the School of Dentistry’s

Homecoming Weekend celebration will take
place on the same weekend this fall.
The simultaneous celebrations will give
dental school alumni an opportunity to visit
former classmates from other schools and
colleges, according to Richard Fetchiet, director
of external relations.
“It will also give our alums an opportunity
to see the Michigan football team play a Big Ten
opponent, something that many of our graduates
have expressed a desire to see in recent years,”
he added.
T h e S c h o o l ’ s H o m e c o m i n g We e ke n d
activities begin on Thursday, October 26, with
The School of Dentistry’s annual golf outing the emeritus pinning ceremony, class picture,
will take place on Thursday, September 21, at the and luncheon, followed by the Hall of Honor
U-M Golf Course. induction ceremony.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., the shotgun On Friday, October 27, the Morawa Lecture
start begins an hour later. and class reunions will be held.
More information about the event, including On Saturday, October 28, there will be a tailgate
how to register, will soon be mailed and will party and the Northwestern football game.
also appear on the School of Dentistry’s Web site
www.dent.umich.edu.
2005 Results The School will hold its fourth Hall of Honor
Winners from last year’s event were: induction ceremony on Thursday, October 26.
1st place – Dave Montague, Jim Montague, Two individuals will be inducted, joining 32
John Cook, Mike Meszaros others who have been honored since the Hall
2nd place – Crayton Kidd, Darnell McKandes, was established in 2003.
John Morris, Brent Davidson Like last year, this year’s ceremony will
3rd place – Jim Berg, Dick Wunderlich, Mark take place beginning at 2:15 p.m. following the
Hanselman, Bill Himm emeritus reunion and Hall of Honor luncheon.

Weekend
Homecoming 2006
27, 28 Calendar of Events
Morawa Lecture Thursday, October 26

This year’s Morawa Lecture will feature Emeritus Pinning Ceremony
presentations by two School of Dentistry faculty Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
members, Dr. Phil Richards and Dr. Jack Gobetti. Location: School of Dentistry, Room G390
Each will present a three-hour program. Emeritus Class Picture
Richards will speak in the morning on Time: 12:30 p.m.
“Practical Periodontics.” The half-day program Location: Foyer staircase outside the Sindecuse Museum
is designed to provide a fresh interpretation of Emeritus Reunion and Hall of Honor Luncheon
established periodontal disease and treatment Time: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
concepts that are directly applicable in clinical Location: Sindecuse Atrium
practice. Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony
Strategies for planning, implementing, Time: 2:15 to 2:45 p.m.
and evaluating periodontal therapy will be Location: School of Dentistry, Room G390
discussed, as will the importance of effectively
Friday, October 27
communicating with patients. A case-based Morawa Lecture
format will be used to reinforce many of the Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
topics presented. There will also be time for Location: Kensington Court Hotel, 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor
discussion at the end of the session. Speakers: Dr. Philip Richards (morning) – Practical Periodontics
Gobetti’s topic, “Medical Emergencies Dr. Jack Gobetti (afternoon) – Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office
in the Dental Office,” will cover basic office Homecoming Celebration Dinner
preparations needed to effectively and efficiently Honoring: Dental and Dental Hygiene classes with graduation years
treat common medical emergencies in a dental ending in 1 and 6.
Doors Open, Registration Begins: 6:00 p.m.
office. The afternoon course will emphasize
Cocktail reception: 6:00 p.m.
training of office staff, preparing an emergency Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
kit, and treating emergencies. It will also include Location: Kensington Court Hotel, 610 Hilton Boulevard, Ann Arbor
video “trigger tapes” of actual emergencies that
participants will discuss. Saturday, October 28
Time: 3 hours before kickoff
Location: Elbel Field
Football Game – University of Michigan vs. Northwestern
Time: Kick-off time to be announced
Location: The Big House

Who Would You Nominate?
Distinguished Service Award Nominations Sought
School of Dentistry alumni…
we need your advice. Previous Distinguished
Service Award Recipients
Each spring during graduation ceremonies,
the School’s Alumni Society Board of Governors 2006: Dr. James Harris
presents its Distinguished Service Award to Dr. William Maas
one or more individuals. The award recognizes 2005: Dr. Lysle Johnston, Jr.
and honors a living person who has made an 2004: Dr. Frank Comstock
outstanding contribution to the U-M School of Dr. Richard Corpron
Dentistry, the School’s Alumni Society, or to the 2003: Dr. James Avery
2002: Dr. Brien Lang
profession of dentistry. Nominees are selected
2001: Prof. Albert Richards
on the basis of their professional development, 2000: Dr. Arnold Morawa
service, innovation, and promotion of the dental 1999: Dr. Robert Browne, Dr. James Enoch
profession. 1998: Dr. Edward Cheney, Dr. Mark Gilson
Not eligible are those currently employed 1997: Dr. Hugh Cooper, Jr.
by the University, an officer or employee of the Dr. Robert Streelman
Alumni Association, or a person serving on the 1996: Dr. Fred Kahler, Dr. Charles Murray
1995: Dr. H. Dean Millard, Dr. Carl Woolley
School’s Board of Governors.
1994: Dr. Gerald Charbeneau
A list of individuals who have received the Ms. Pauline Steele
award in the past is on this page. 1993: Dr. Eugene Bonofiglio
Is there anyone you think deserves recognition Dr. Joseph Cabot, Dr. Richard Shick
and should receive the Distinguished Service 1992: Dr. Major Ash, Dr. Faustin Weber
Award? Dr. George Gillespie
Let us know in one of three ways. 1991: Dr. Samuel Harris, Dr. James Hayward
1990: Dr. Kamal Asgar, Dr. Ray Stevens
You can call Amy Reyes in our Office of
1989: Dr. William Brown
Alumni Relations at (734) 764-6856. Or you can Dr. Charles Cartwright
send her an e-mail at: alreyes@umich.edu. Dr. Al Morris
The third way is to complete the form on 1988: Dr. Gerald VanderWall, Dr. John Nolen
page 59. 1987: Dr. Robert Doerr, Dr. Sigurd Ramfjord
The Board’s Nominations Committee will 1986: Dr. Floyd Peyton, Dr. Floyd Ostrander,
review and discuss your suggestions for the Ms. Zelma Meyers
1985: Dr. Fred Henney, Dr. Dorothy Hard
award that will be presented next spring.
The deadline to respond is September 1,
2006.

Who Do You Recommend?
School of Dentistry alumni…we need your advice.
At graduation ceremonies each spring, the School’s Alumni Society Board of
Governors presents its Distinguished Service Award to one or more individuals.
These individuals have distinguished themselves with their contributions and
service to the School, or to the School’s Alumni Society, or to the profession of
dentistry.
The award recognizes a living person who is not actively serving the
University of Michigan or the School of Dentistry and is not an officer of the
Board of Governors, the School’s Alumni Society, or a University employee.
In the space below, please let us know who, you think, deserves this award.
The Board’s Nominations Committee will discuss the names submitted prior to
making its decision and presenting the award at graduation ceremonies next
spring.
Recommendation Form
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Please return your recommendation form before September 1, 2006 to:
Amy Reyes
Office of Alumni Relations
School of Dentistry
1011 N. University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078

BALLOT
School of Dentistry’s Alumni Society Board of Governors
Please take a moment to vote for candidates who will serve on the School’s Alumni Society Board of Governors. On the ballot below,
choose four dentists and one dental hygienist who will serve a three-year term beginning in September. Then clip and mail your ballot
to the School of Dentistry at the address on the ballot. Ballots must be postmarked by August 1, 2006.
Dr. Jerry B. Booth earned his dental degree from U-M in 1961, completed the oral and
maxillofacial training program at the U-M hospital three years later, and received his master’s
BALLOT degree in 1964. After practicing briefly in Detroit, he resides in Jackson, Michigan where he
is still active in a full-service oral and maxillofacial practice.
Vote for 4 dentists: Dr. Charles Caldwell has a private practice in orthodontics in Grand Rapids, Michigan and
a satellite office in Hastings, Michigan. A 1977 graduate of the U-M School of Dentistry, he
Dr. Jerry B. Booth earned a master’s degree in orthodontics two years later from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Caldwell has been a multiyear board member and past president of the West Michigan
Dr. Charles Caldwell
District Dental Society, the Downtown Grand Rapids Rotary Club (400 members), and Indian
Dr. Daniel Edwards* Trails Camp for those with physical and mental disabilities. He has served as a trustee of the
Michigan Association of Orthodontists and as an examiner for the State of Michigan specialty
Dr. Gerald Howe* license exam in orthodontics.

Dr. Gary Hubbard* Dr. Daniel Edwards *, a 1997 graduate of the U-M School of Dentistry, is currently a member
of the School’s Alumni Society Board of Governors and chairs the Student/Alumni Relations
Dr. Metodi C. Pogoncheff Committee. An active member of the ADA, MDA, and Washtenaw District Dental Society, he
serves as a member of the MDA’s Membership Committee. He practices in Ann Arbor and
Canton and is an adjunct clinical instructor at the School of Dentistry.
Vote for 1 hygienist:
Dr. Gerald Howe *, a member of the School’s Alumni Society Board of Governors, practiced
Janet Souder Wilson*
orthodontics for 39 years in Monroe, Michigan. A 1961 graduate of the U-M School of Dentistry,
* Incumbent he was a clinical instructor for one year and served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for two
years. Dr. Howe earned his master’s degree in orthodontics from Northwestern University in
1966 and has served on the insurance committees of the MDA and the American Association
Envelope with ballot must be
of Orthodontists.
postmarked by August 1, 2006.
Dr. Gary Hubbard * is a 1978 graduate of the U-M School of Dentistry and former clinical
Please mail your ballot to: instructor at the School. He maintains a private practice in Lansing focusing on cosmetic,
University of Michigan restorative, and family practice dentistry. A member of the ADA, MDA, and Central District
School of Dentistry Dental Society, Dr. Hubbard also belongs to the AACD, the Academy of Osseointegration, and
1011 N. University is a member and past president of the Vedder Society and CDDS. He currently chairs the Peer
Office of Alumni Relations Review Committee and is a member of the School’s Alumni Society Board of Governors.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
48109-1078 Dr. Metodi C. Pogoncheff is a 1976 graduate of the U-M School of Dentistry who has a private
general dentistry practice in Lansing, Michigan. A member of the ADA, MDA, and Central
District Dental Society, he is also a member of the Kingery Prosthodontic Study Club and a
charter member of the Academy of Sports Dentistry. His goal is continued development of the
School’s core facilities to create the best possible experience for dental students.
Janet Souder Wilson * is a full-time clinician in private practice in Northville, Michigan. She
is a current member and past president of the MDHA and WDDHS, serves on the School’s Alumni
Society Board of Governors, and is on the Alumni Leadership Council of AAUM.

School of Dentistry
Hall of Honor
I nominate The Hall of Honor posthumously honors
some of the legends of the dental
_________________________________________
profession who have been associated
for consideration to the University of Michigan
with the U-M School of Dentistry.
School of Dentistry Hall of Honor.
Please provide any professional information you may have about this individual that would help the
Selection Committee. You may use additional pages if necessary.
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Your name ______________________________________________________________________________
Your address ____________________________________________________________________________
Your U-M School of Dentistry degree(s) & year(s) ________________________________________________
Your phone number ( _____ )_______________________ E-mail _________________________________
Please return this form to: University of Michigan School of Dentistry

Office of Alumni Relations
Attn: Amy Reyes
1011 N. University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078
The envelope with your nomination must be postmarked by November 1, 2006.

Homecoming Weekend 2005
Homecoming Weekend Highlights

Per Kjeldsen
U-M School of Dentistry dental and dental hygiene graduates enjoy

returning each fall to Ann Arbor to participate in various events and
activities during the School’s three-day Homecoming Weekend. Last fall
was no exception.
The weekend began on Thursday, November 10, when Dean Peter Polverini welcomed
emeritus alumni and their spouses to the Pinning Ceremony.
Twenty-three members of the Dental Class of 1955 received pins celebrating the
50th anniversary of their graduation. Eleven members of the Dental Hygiene Class of
1955 also received pins.
Before calling each to the podium to receive their pin, Polverini said that “much of
our School’s success is due to the legacy you and other alumni have left us. For that,
we are grateful.”
Following the ceremony, alumni and their spouses toured the Dr. Roy Roberts
Preclinical Laboratory, attended a luncheon in their honor in the Dr. Gordon Sindecuse
The Dr. Roy Roberts Preclinical Atrium, and attended the Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony.
Laboratory was a reunion venue for Drs.
Robert Nominelli (left) and JackHumm. Highlights of these and other events are on the pages that follow.
High-Tech Preclinic Excites Alums

Per Kjeldsen
As they entered the Dr. Roy Roberts Preclinical Laboratory, Dr. Merle Jaarda greeted
them and asked, “Do you want to sit down and do some work?”
Without missing a beat, someone replied, “We stood up when we worked.”
After the laughter subsided following the reply, Jaarda demonstrated how he and
other preclinical instructors are using technology to teach today’s first- and second-year
dental students.
Stephanie Benton-Langejans, a second-year dental student who was in the preclinic,
answered questions from alumni and described some of the new technology at her
workstation.
“Some of them commented about the instruments they used as students, but most
seemed impressed with how we are using the mannequin head to practice different
procedures,” she said.
“They also wanted to know how many of today’s dental students were women,”
she added. By comparison, the only woman who graduated from the Class of 1955 with
Dr. Franziska Schoenfeld, the only woman to earn a a dental degree was Franziska Schoenfeld.
dental degree in 1955 from U-M, talked to second-
year dental student Stephanie Benton-Langejans Dr. Richard Boff (DDS 1966), whose wife Dorothy attended as a dental hygiene
at her workstation in the Dr. Roy Roberts Preclinical graduate of the Class of 1955, was amazed at what he saw. “This is such a far cry from
Laboratory. Today, approximately half of the
students receiving dental degrees from the the benches and slate top we had in Dr. Moyers’ lab,” he said. “This is just fantastic.
School of Dentistry are women. It’s unbelievable.”

6 Acclaimed for Contributions
to Dentistry and Dental Hygiene
Hall of Honor
F
Per Kjeldsen
ormer colleagues and family

members fondly remembered
the five men and one woman
who were formally inducted into
the U-M School of Dentistry’s Hall
of Honor last fall.
The six who were honored
during Homecoming Weekend
activities joined 26 others inducted
in 2003 and 2004.
Dean Peter Polverini said “this
ceremony is an important one for
all of us. Those being inducted
represented the best from the
University of Michigan School of
Relatives of Victoria Tondrowski look at an album about her life and career prior to the School’s Hall of Honor
Dentistry. They made not only ceremony. Tondrowski and five others were posthumously inducted last November. Kathleen Buckner, a distant
significant contributions to this relative of Tondrowski’s, is holding the album. On her right is Delores Ryan, Tondrowski’s niece. Looking over
Buckner’s right shoulder is Tom Ryan, Delores’ son, and Lee Buckner. The album, which includes photos of
School, but to society.” Tondrowski when she was growing up and traces her career, was created by Charlotte Wyche, Tondrowski’s
grandniece.
Per Kjeldsen
Dr. William Brown,

spoke about one of the
inductees, Dr. Oliver Clark
Applegate. “He was one
of my teachers, and a good
one,”Brown said. “He
was friendly, helpful, and
an outstanding mentor.”

Hall of
Per Kjeldsen
Deborah Dowson spoke

affectionately of her father,
Dr. John Dowson, who was
also honored. “I always
remember him as being
here, at this School, when
he wasn’t home,”she said.
She’s seen here with a replica
of the Hall of Honor plaque
that honors her father.
Per Kjeldsen
Gerri Cherney, executive

director of the Michigan
Dental Association, spoke
of Dr. John G.Nolen’s
contributions to the dental
profession. “Dr. Nolen
was a dental pioneer who
left a markon dentistry in
Michigan,”she said. “He was
a mentor, role model, and the
consummate professional.
His family contributed more
than 230years of service to
the dental profession.”
Per Kjeldsen
“I’m grateful that you are

honoring my Uncle Rick,”
said Elinor Link, the niece of
Dr. Ura G. Rickert. “He was
a giant of a man who left a
wonderful legacy.” Behind
her is Dr. Eli Berger who read
the inscription on the plaque
honoring Rickert.

Honor
Per Kjeldsen
Charlotte Wyche, the grand

niece of Victoria Tondrowski,
said of her, “She had size four
shoes that were difficult to fill
because they were so big.”
Behind Wyche is Susan Pritzel
who said of Tondrowski,“I’m
fortunate to have had this lady,
Victoria Tondrowski, as my
mentor. She did everything
mentioned on the plaque in a
truly dignified manner.”
Per Kjeldsen
Dr. Bill Brownscombe,

chair of the School of
Dentistry’s Alumni
Society Board of
Governors, read the
plaque honoring Dr.
George Northcroft.

U-M Fanfare Band Rocks!
Jerry Mastey
It was a homecoming weekend that they

will always remember, especially Friday’s
Homecoming Celebration Dinner.
Sure, the dinner was an opportunity for
classmates to meet and talk about the past as
well as the present. It also featured something
more — a surprise — an appearance by the
University of Michigan Fanfare Band.
There were hints something big would
happen.
As about 500 alumni sat down for dinner,
Rich Fetchiet, director of external relations, said,
“I think what we have planned for tonight will
get you ready for tomorrow’s game against
Indiana.”
As dinner ended, staff with the office of
Jerry Mastey
alumni relations began giving everyone a gift
— blue baseball hats, with a yellow block-M
logo on the front and the word “Dentistry” on
the back.
Moments later, the 30-member band marched
down the main hallway of the Kensington Court
Hotel, opened the doors to both grand ballrooms,
and began playing The Victors. People jumped
to their feet and began singing along, vigorously
thrusting their fists into the air and giving
classmates high-fives.
Alums savored the moment.
“It was the first time we have been able to
get nearly all of the classes in a single area,”
Fetchiet said. “And to have everyone there to
hear the band play The Victors and singing
along and cheering was something that made
the evening very special.”

Together Again
Nearly 500 School of Dentistry dental and dental hygiene graduates
and their spouses attended the Homecoming Dinner Celebration. Some
of those who attended are in these photos taken by the School’s Diane
McFarland.

“This is the Golden Age of Dentistry”
Jerry Mastey
“They’re enthused, they’re excited about the

dental profession,” he said. As he reflected on his
career and the conversation with the students,
Christensen added, “I wish I could do it again.
Dentistry has been fantastic for me and my
family.”
Christensen said several factors have
converged to make this “the Golden Age of
Dentistry.”
One is the economy. “Although you’re having
troubles here in Michigan, the economy is great
across the country,” he said.
Another factor he cited was the demand for
cosmetic dentistry. “It’s enormous and continues
“We are fortunate We are fortunate to be living and practicing
to grow.”
to be living and in the Golden Age of Dentistry.”
He also mentioned the “great variety of
practicing in the That was the theme of the remarks and one of
Golden Age of procedures available in dentistry, more than
the slides Dr. Gordon Christensen presented to about
Dentistry”Dr. 150, and the freedom of choice dentists have in
1,200 dentists from across Michigan at this year’s
Gordon Christensen determining where they want to practice, the
told dentists at annual Kenneth J. Ryan, DDS Memorial Seminar in
type of practice they want to establish, and the
this year’s Kenneth January at the Power Center on the U-M campus.
time they spend in practice.
J. Ryan, DDS, Christensen, who helped establish dental
“We also have the best materials, the best
Memorial Seminar schools at the University of Kentucky and the
at the Power devices, and the best equipment we have ever
University of Colorado, has presented more
Center. had,” he said.
than 45,000 hours of continuing education
worldwide and has published hundreds of books
and articles. He is the founder and director of an Need for Innovation Emphasized
international continuing education organization However, Christensen said he was troubled
for dental professionals, Practical Clinical by what he was seeing and learning in his trips
Courses, which was established in 1981. He and overseas.
his wife, Rella, are co-founders of the non-profit “We have an enormous need to learn from
Clinical Research Associates. Both organizations what others in other countries are doing,” he
are based in Provo, Utah. said. “We’re not doing very well with inventing
and that needs to change.”
Meeting U-M Dental Students Christensen is a member of the postgraduate
His enthusiasm for dentistry and the dental faculty of several dental schools, an adjunct
profession has not waned. professor at Brigham Young University, and a
Early in his presentation, Christensen spoke clinical professor at the University of Utah.
about an opportunity he had to talk to a group The Kenneth J. Ryan, DDS Memorial Seminar
of U-M dental students the night before his was presented by the Delta Dental Fund in
presentation. conjunction with the U-M School of Dentistry.

Children’s Oral Health – Per Kjeldsen
More Vigilance Needed

Study Shows Effects on Quality of Life
O ral health care professionals, teachers,

and parents need to pay closer attention
to children’s oral health.
That’s the advice a U-M School of Dentistry
faculty member offers based on the results of a
Teachers Surprised
Inglehart said the study found that more
than half of the students had untreated caries.
Another ten percent had abscesses and/or “pulpal
involvement” (a condition where the cavity was
study showing how poor oral health affects the so deep that it went into the nerve of the tooth).
quality of life of kindergarten and elementary More than 17 percent of the children said they
school students from socio-economically had a toothache the day their oral exams were
disadvantaged backgrounds. conducted, 35 percent said they had pain when
Good oral health, the study shows, plays a they ate something hot or cold, 31 percent had
major role in a child’s general health, quality of pain when they chewed, and 23 percent reported
life, and even their academic achievement. pain when they ate something sweet.
“Those pains showed clearly how strongly
Thousands of Students Studied poor dental health affects their lives in general
For the past two years, Dr. Marita Inglehart and, specifically, their ability to achieve
and colleagues from the dental school and the academically,” Inglehart said.
pediatric dental clinic at Mott Children’s Health Twenty percent of the children said a toothache
Center in Flint have been collecting data from kept them up at night, 13 percent said a toothache
nearly 4,000 students at 35 kindergarten and kept them home from school at times, and nearly
elementary schools in Flint and Genesee County. 20 percent said a toothache made it difficult for
The data has been collected in school-wide oral them to pay attention in the classroom.
health screenings, face-to-face interviews with She said that teachers were also surprised
children, questionnaire responses from their with the results.
Dr. Marita Inglehart
teachers, and telephone interviews with more “These findings allow us to help teachers
than 500 parents. recognize how poor oral health problems can
Inglehart, an associate professor in the affect student learning,” she said.
Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, But the problems are more than academic.
said for children from socio-economically They also appear to be social.
disadvantaged backgrounds, poor oral health “Children with bad oral health usually don’t
makes a big difference. smile and have a poor self image. When that
“There’s a tendency to think that if children happens, it’s more difficult for them to make
don’t complain, then there is no pain, and nothing friends and may even make them more liable to
is wrong. But we’re finding that’s not the case,” she be picked on by others,” she said.
said. “Our study shows that many of these children
have major oral health problems that affect their Other Surprising Discoveries
quality of life. That, in turn, affects their ability to Inglehart said two findings from the study
learn in the classroom, make friends, or get along surprised her. One was discovering how many
with other students their age.” children share a toothbrush.

Jerry Mastey
She said nearly 20 percent of kindergarten

students share a toothbrush with another
member of the family. The percentage dropped
to about 19 and 15 percent, respectively, by
the second and third grade. Not surprisingly,
children who shared toothbrushes had poorer
oral health than children who did not.
The other surprise was the number of
children with TMJ problems.
“We learned that more than twenty percent
of five year olds said they heard clicking when
they chewed on the side of their mouth or opened
their mouth wide,” she said. Those problems
could result from rough playing or receiving a
Second-year pediatric dental residents Drs. Matthew Pollock(left) and Orest Pilipowiczwere among blow to the back or side of the head.
those who examined children in elementary schools in Genesee County as part of a School of Dentistry When the study is completed, Inglehart
study that shows the effect poor oral can have on the quality of life of elementary school students
from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
hopes to use the findings to give teachers,
physicians, nurses, social workers and others
Jerry Mastey
new tools and information they can use to help
children get the oral health care services they
need.
“I also want to see more parents actively
involved in the oral health care of their children,
especially young, first-time mothers who are
23 years old or younger so that they clearly
understand how important good oral health is
to their child’s general health, their quality of
life and, indeed, their academic success.”
Collaborating with Inglehart were dental
school faculty members Drs. Robert Bagramian,
Tilly Peters, and Sven-Erik Widmalm; Dr.
Elizabeth Moje, U-M School of Education; Dr.
Daniel Briskie, executive director of dentistry at
Pediatric resident Dr. Orest Pilipowicztries to help an elementary school student relaxby talking about
basketball before conducting an oral exam. The student was one of 140 who were examined earlier
Mott Children’s Health Center; Gloria Bourdon,
this year at an elementary school in Flint by Pilipowiczand Dr. Matthew Pollockas part of a School of director of the Genesee Intermediate School
Dentistry study investigating the effects of poor oral health on academic performance and quality of District’s Health, Safety, and Nutrition Services;
life. Over Pilipowicz’s right shoulder is a dental assistant who conducts a face-to-face interview with
a student and enters the information into a database. and Dr. Robert Feigal, former director of pediatric
dentistry at the U-M School of Dentistry,
now at the University of Minnesota School of
Dentistry.

RESEARCH NEWS
Mistretta New Associate Dean for Research

U-M Research Nears
Per Kjeldsen
$800 Million
D r. C h a r l o t t e “She is an outstanding teacher and
M i s t re t t a , w h o mentor who has successfully nurtured
Research expenditures by the
directs the School the careers of many predoctoral and
University of Michigan reached $778
of Dentistry’s Oral graduate students.”
million in fiscal year 2004-2005,
Health Sciences In addition to serving on
a 3.4 percent increase from the
doctoral program, numerous School and University-
previous fiscal year, and are headed
is the new Associate level committees since coming to
for $800 million in the 2005-2006
Dean for Research and PhD Training. Ann Arbor in 1972, Mistretta has been
fiscal year ending June 30, according
Dean Peter Polverini announced her extensively involved with national
to Stephen Forrest, vice president of
appointment last fall. and international organizations. Her
research. He made the remarks at
An accomplished investigator work and achievements, including a
a meeting of the Board of Regents
with a long history of NIH funding, feature on the School’s Oral Health
in February.
Mistretta helped to create the Oral Sciences PhD program, were profiled
In the last 10 years, he said, the
Health Sciences PhD program and has in the Spring & Summer 2005 issue of
University’s research expenditures
directed it since its inception in 1994. DentalUM.
have nearly doubled from about
“I’m delighted Charlotte is willing She succeeds Dr. Renny Franceschi
$400 million in 1995.
to take on yet another challenge on who was named associate dean for
behalf of the School,” Polverini said. research in the fall of 2002.
Taichman Awarded $100,000 for Prostate Cancer Research
A School of Dentistry researcher Medicine, received the one-year award a tendency to invade and survive
h a s b e e n a w a rd e d $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, in bone. Once the tumor spreads to
to investigate factors that cause the world’s largest philanthropic source distant tissues, survival drastically
prostate cancer to spread to the bone, a of support for prostate cancer research. declines. Taichman hopes his research
hallmark of advanced prostate cancer. The Foundation places seed money will provide significant information
The researcher, Dr. Russell Taichman, into novel areas and/or high risk, about the specific mechanisms that
said his investigations into the bone high impact projects in the hopes that prompt the migration of cancer cells
debilitating disease might some day sufficient preliminary data will allow to bone tissue and, ultimately, improve
help prostate cancer patients. “They investigators to obtain subsequent researcher’s understanding of how
might also even help dentists restore funding from other organizations. damaged bone, including those in the
damaged bone structures in a patient’s orofacial region, can be repaired in any
mouth,” he said. Background disease setting.
Taichman, a professor in the Cancers of the prostate gland, and For several years, Taichman’s lab
Department of Periodontics and Oral those in many other tissues, display has been studying the mechanisms

RESEARCH NEWS
Keary Campbell
cells use that pathway, instead of

merely surviving, they are induced to
grow.”
Taichman believes that by studying
this pathway, “not only will we learn
more about how prostate cancers grow
in the bone, but we might also identify
new methods to prevent the spread of
tumors.”
I n a d d i t i o n , Ta i c h m a n s a i d
preliminary work on the pathway
suggests that it might contribute
to the overgrowth of new bone, a
common and unwanted side effect
of metastastic prostate cancer. “If
the mechanisms that tumors use
to generate new bone tissue can be
harnessed, a new realm of therapy for
A question about the spread of prostate cancers to bone raised by undergraduate research assistant Stephanie
diseases resulting in bone loss can be
Zalucha prompted Dr. Russell Taichman to conduct further research which led to the Prostate Cancer Foundation imagined,” he said.
awarding Taichman $100,000 to conduct further investigations. “Prostate cancer is the most
common cancer in America,” said Leslie
involved in metastasis. About two “As I was discussing how blood D. Michelson, chief executive officer of
years ago, his laboratory discovered stem cells cling to bone marrow, the Prostate Cancer Foundation. “By
a link between the migration of blood Stephanie asked if this same process funding this innovative research into
stem cells to the marrow during bone could also contribute to how prostate bone growth and metastasis at the
marrow transplantation and the cancers spread to bone and grow. I had University of Michigan, we hope to
spread of prostate cancer cells to bone to admit that I didn’t know,” Taichman accelerate the development of better
tissue. In the work funded by the continued. “As a result of her question, treatments for the two million men
Prostate Cancer Foundation, Taichman we began our investigations which, and their families who are battling
and those in his laboratory will build in turn, resulted in this award from prostate cancer.”
upon what they have already learned the Prostate Cancer Foundation to
and further explore these mechanisms continue our research.”
in metastatic prostate cancer. “As luck would have it,” Taichman
said, “we discovered that these stem
The Role of a Student’s Question cells appear to use the same pathway
Interestingly, Taichman’s work as do metastastic prostate cancer
in this area was prompted by a cells in migrating to the marrow
question from an undergraduate in his and surviving in that environment.
laboratory, Stephanie Zalucha. However, when the prostate cancer

Starving Cells that Promote Cancer
by Karl Leif Bates, UM Life Sciences Communications
Keary Campbell
Roman general Fabius Maximus he earned his PhD under Polverini,

earned himself the heroic name “the and now holds a faculty position with
Delayer” during the Second Punic War numerous collaborators in and out of
(218-202 BC) because he understood the dental school.
that Hannibal’s invading troops did Nör’s latest work is trying to
indeed march on their stomachs. understand just what it is that cancer
Rather than facing further defeats cells secrete to keep the endothelial cells
in frontal attacks, Fabius cut off healthy and make them start building
Hannibal’s supply lines with small blood vessels. In an environment where
forces in strategic locations and saved most normal cells suffer and die,
Rome. the tumor cells somehow manage to
The same tactic, it turns out, sustain the normal endothelial cells
may also be useful in the war against Dr. Jacques Nör (left) and Dean Peter Polverini are they will need to build blood supply.
researching how blood vessels stimulate the growth of
several human diseases, such as cancer, oral cancers. Here the two lookat a film that contains the The endothelial cells, in turn, secrete
glaucoma, and rheumatoid arthritis. results of an experiment in Nör’s laboratory. some sort of “growth factor” that helps
In other diseases, like periodontitis or the cancer cells thrive.
diabetes, enhancing the supply lines Others Involved But that’s just one of many
(blood vessels) may be the answer. During the past two decades, directions of angiogenesis research
“I started out working on how Polverini and his students, fellows, and that Nör’s 18-person lab is pursuing.
angiogenesis – the establishment faculty colleagues have been learning Cun-Yu Wang, a professor of biologic
of a blood supply – must be a the signals involved – genes and and materials sciences, Polverini, and
component of chronic inflammation proteins – that allow cancer to do this Nör, recently described a new signaling
and inflammatory diseases,” recalls trick. The researchers have two goals pathway by which cancer cells may
Dean Peter J. Polverini. “Here we are in sight: to fight cancer, inflammation promote angiogenesis, totally apart
25-30 years later, and it’s obvious and many other diseases by learning from the endothelial growth factors
angiogenesis is important to a lot of how to turn angiogenesis off; and to being pursued by other groups. They
things.” restore tissue or build it anew by being found some additional molecules
Cancer cells, in particular, are able to turn angiogenesis on. involved in the “crosstalk” between
notorious for their ability to bring “There is a sort of symbiosis going tumor and endothelial cells, and are
new blood vessels to themselves. on,” says Jacques Nör, an associate pursuing a patent application because
Initially, a cancer cell can survive on professor of cariology, restorative of its promise as another method of
the diffusion of nutrients it borrows sciences, and endodontics, as well as tumor inhibition.
from neighboring cells. But as the alien biomedical engineering. He’s talking
cluster of cells becomes a tumor mass about the relationship between tumor A Biology and Mathematics
larger than a few millimeters, it needs cells and normal endothelial cells. Connection?
its own network of blood vessels to But he may as well be talking about With LS&A mathematicians
sustain its inner cells. U-M’s research environment, where Trachette (Trace) Jackson (an associate

RESEARCH NEWS
professor of mathematics) and Harsh

Jain (graduate student), Nör is working
Karl Wins Top AADR Research Award
on mathematical models of the interplay
between cancer and endothelial cells A researcher in the “ M y h o p e i s t h a t ,
that will be used to predict response to University of Michigan ultimately, we will learn
anti-angiogenic cancer treatments. “We School of Dentistr y’s more about this process
think both biology and mathematics will Oral Health Sciences PhD and the role these proteins
be needed to understand these complex program won first prize may play so that we can
relationships,” Nör says. in a prestigious awards try to control the growth
Wi t h b i o m e d i c a l e n g i n e e r competition during the and spread of tumors,”
Shuichi Takayama from the college of recent spring meeting of Karl said. “With that
engineering, Nör is working on synthetic the American Association knowledge, I hope that
devices with tiny cell-lined channels that of Dental Research. someday we will be able
mimic blood vessels. T h e r e s e a r c h e r, Elisabeta Karl to help control the growth
Polverini and Pawan Kumar, a Elisabeta Karl, received and spread of not just oral
research scientist in the department the top honor in the AADR/Pfizer Hatton cancers, but other cancers as well.”
of biologic and materials sciences, Awards competition, senior division, Associate Dean for Research and
are looking to disrupt endothelial cell for her work that is attempting to PhD Training, Dr. Charlotte Mistretta,
survival pathways in order to accelerate determine what role, if any, two praised Karl and her work.
the death of tumor blood vessels and proteins may play in angiogenesis, “Elisabeta came to the OHS
increase the efficacy of conventional which is the formation and growth of PhD program five years ago with
anti-tumor therapies. new blood vessels from existing ones. a prestigious scholarship from the
As Polverini’s first post-doctoral The process helps the body repair itself Brazilian government. Since then,
fellow, Dr. Alisa Koch was interested in following injury. However, in other she has more than realized her
what other things angiogenesis control instances, and for reasons that are still potential to excel as an emerging
could do. Today, she’s the Frederick G.L. unknown, angiogenesis can contribute scientist, as exemplified by the
Huetwell and William D. Robinson, M.D. to the growth of tumors, such as oral Hatton Award,” Mistretta said. “She
Professor of Rheumatology at the U-M cancers. is totally committed to her science and
Medical School. Her lab is looking at also thinks deeply about our world.
the role of angiogenesis in rheumatoid Investigating Growth and Elisabeta will one day be a fine faculty
arthritis, which is characterized by Spread of Tumors member in academic dentistry and
runaway inflammation in the joints. “My research is trying to determine always will remain a scientist of depth
Rheumatoid arthritis couldn’t persist how two particular proteins (Bcl-2 and and sensitivity.”
without angiogenesis to bring in an Bcl-xL) may work together, or how they For winning the top award, Karl
oversupply of white blood cells. may work independently to induce received $1,000 and will have an
“In the early days, we were the formation of new blood vessels,” opportunity to compete with other
discovering genes, we were discovering she said. Karl said her research differs researchers from around the world at
proteins, but we didn’t have a clue how from most research in this area which this summer’s International Association
it all fit together,” Polverini says. But tends to focus on cell survival. of Dental Research program.
with decades of great work and a legion
of collaborators, those pieces are starting
to fall into place.

AADR Fellowship Winners
Research Day
Eight dental students received AADR Student Per Kjeldsen
Research Fellowships at this spring’s annual

meeting. The fellowships give students an
opportunity to continue their research and
travel to AADR and IADR meetings. The eight
students, their mentors, and titles of their
research projects are listed below.
• Stacy Baker (Dr.William Giannobile, mentor):
Evaluation of ICTP as a Chairside Diagnostic for
Active Periodontitis.
• Abra Jay Essad (Dr. Robert Bagramian,
mentor): Alcohol Abuse and Dependency
Dental Care Providers’ Knowledge and
Actions.
• Thien-Thao Thi Le (Dr. Renny Franceschi,
mentor): Regulation of D1x3 Homeodomain
Protein During Osteoblast Differentiation.
• Jamie Scott Luria (Dr. Paul Krebsbach,
mentor): Biological Effects of Bone Dr. Daniel Malamud, professor of basic science and craniofacial biology, and the
Morphogenetic Proteins in Oral Cancer Cells.
director of the HIV/AIDS research program at New York University College of
• Katie Miettunen (Dr. Tilly Peters, mentor):
The Effect of Sonication on the Bond Strength Dentistry,was the keynote speaker at this year’s Research Day program at the School
of Glass Ionomer to Dentin. of Dentistry. Malamud, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan, said during
• Johnson Miin (Dr. Stephen Feinberg, mentor):
his afternoon presentation that “it’s quite a pleasure, after all these years, to come
Oral Mucosal Progenitor/Stem Cells Separated
by Gravity-Assisted Cell Sorting. backto my alma mater.”
• Kalisha Morin (Dr. Marita Inglehart, mentor):
Bringing Dental Care to Underserved Children, His research, which has been continuously funded by NIH for more than twenty years,
Exploring the Potential of Utilizing Mobile deals with HIV pathogenesis, the design of anti-HIV drugs, and novel diagnostics
Dental Units.
using oral samples. His investigations in these areas have involved human salivary
• Steven Obreiter (Dr. David Kohn, mentor):
Effects of Age on Mechanical Properties and proteins that inhibit HIV infection and the discovery and development of anti-HIV
Fatigue-Induced Microdamage of Bone. compounds that can be used to prevent HIV infection in women.
Another award winner was John Thomas, who

won third place in the AADR’s National Student
Research Group Caulk/Dentsply Competition for
his project, Dental/Dental Hygiene Education
About Child Abuse and Neglect.

RESEARCH NEWS
Award Winners: Research Day 2006 Ealba New President

of AADR Student
Second-year dental student Erin Ealba won the Grand Prize at this year’s annual Research Day Research Group
program, a trip to the ADA’s147th Annual Session in Las Vegas October 16-19.
“Our research shows that enamelysin, MMP-20, may not only be important in enamel
formation, but also important in the disappearance of the dental basement membrane,” she
said. “This would be important to know when determining how to treat patients with enamel
and dentin abnormalities, such as amelogenesis imperfecta or dentinogensis imperfecta.”
CATAGORIES
Clinical Applications 3rd prize – Adam Mileski (D2):
1st place – Paul Kloostra (D3): Expression Pattern of Ubiquitin Ligase
Anxiety, Depression, Street, and Periodontal E3 (UBE3B) in Mouse Ear, Eye, and Tooth
Treatment – Providers’ Perspectives Mentor: Dr. T.W. Gong
Mentors: Drs. Robert Ebert and Marita
Inglehart Graduate & Post Doctorate
Second-year dental student Erin
2nd place – Carlos Smith (D3): 1st prize – Glenda Pettway (PhD Post Doc): Ealba became president of the AADR’s
Socio-economically Disadvantaged Minority Temporal Dependence of PTH (1-34) for
National Student Research Group in
Middle School Students – Oral Health- Anabolic Actions in an Osteoregeneration
March.
Related Issues Model
Mentor: Dr. Laurie McCauley In remarks to the group during
Mentors: Drs. Todd Ester and Marita
the organization’s annual meeting
Inglehart 2nd prize – Jinjui Liao (Phd Post Doc): in Orlando, she emphasized the
3rd place – Kelly Misch (MS Certificate): Extracellular Calcium as a Mediator of importance of research to her peers.
Periodontal Diagnosis Using Cone Beam Prostate Cancer Skeletal Metastasis
“Without continued collaboration
Computed Tomography Mentor: Dr. Laurie McCauley
between researchers and clinicians,
Mentor: Dr. David Sarment
3rd prize – Wei-Wen Hu (PhD Post Doc): our profession may be hindered,” she
Localized Gene Therapy for Critical-Size said. “If clinicians and researchers do
Basic Sciences
Defects Compromised by Preoperative not work in conjunction with each
Grand Prize – Erin Ealba (D2): Radiotherapy
Enamelysin: Degradation of Collagens other, we will not be providing the
Mentor: Dr. Paul Krebsbach
Belonging to the Dental Basement Membrane general public with the best care.”
Mentor: Dr. James Simmer Saying that evidenced-based
Audience Choice
1st prize – Thien-Thao Thi Le (D2): dentistry “is the future of dentistry,”
Richard Koh (D3):
Role of the Dix Transcription Factors in Ealba added, “the skills we learn about
Finishing Systems on the Final Surface
Osteoblast Differentiation research while in dental school will
Roughness of Composites
Mentor: Dr. Renny Franceschi Mentor: Dr. Gisele Neiva help us to use and evaluate research in
2nd prize – Imani Lewis (D3): a way that will benefit our practices
Cooperative Interactions between Adenovirus in the future.”
Vectors Expressing BMP2 and 7 on Bone She urged her peers to “stress
Regeneration the importance of research to our
Mentor: Dr. Renny Franceschi classmates and colleagues.”

NIDCR Executive: Loesche in top 5% of
“Research Important to Dental Students” NIH Awards
Per Kjeldsen Keary Campbell
Dr. Bruce Baum talked about why research is important to dental students during the School’s convocation Dr. Walter Loesche
ceremony last fall.
Research is a crucial part of every have occurred in the past twenty “I have always had one or more
dental student’s education. That was or thirty years, Baum said that grants during my career at Michigan,
the message Dr. Bruce Baum delivered these discoveries in laboratories but was surprised to learn that,
during the School of Dentistry’s second “are changing all of medicine, relative to all of NIH, that I am in the
annual convocation ceremony last including dental medicine. Research top five percent of grant awardees,
fall. is the intellectual foundation of our even though I have been retired for five
Baum, who heads the Gene profession and the link to other health years,” said Dr. Walter Loesche, School
Therapy and Therapeutics Branch of professions.” of Dentistry professor emeritus.
the Gene Transfer Section at NIDCR, Baum said change will continue Loesche, who retired in December
said, research matters to dental and dental students today will need 2000 following an illustrious 30-year
students “because it helps one to to be prepared for tomorrow because career, was advised of the achievement
develop the critical thinking skills “thirty or forty years from now, by NIH earlier this year.
that are vital not just in a laboratory, dentistry won’t be what it is today,” The information was brought to his
but that can also be transferred to a he said. attention when Loesche was advised
clinical environment.” These critical He advised students to prepare that a team of health economists is
thinking skills, he added, “are just themselves by developing the critical conducting research about the positive
as important to dentists as are their thinking skills that are central to influence prominent researchers have
manual skills.” research, including reading and on the research productivity of their
Citing some of the advances that discussing various research topics. colleagues.

Bashutski Wins Tarrson Award U-M GPR Residents in Marquette
Photo Courtesy of the Michigan Dental Foundation
A first-year
periodontics
re s i d e n t w o n a
Tarrson Award last
fall during the
American Academy
of Periodontology
Foundation’s annual
meeting.
The resident, Jill
Bashutski, was the
first recipient of the
Tarrson Regeneration Scholarship and the first from Three graduates from the U-M School of Dentistry
the School of Dentistry to win the award. participated in the GPR program in Marquette County last
Bashutski, who graduated from the University summer, courtesy of a grant awarded to that county’s health
of Western Ontario (Canada) dental school last June, department by the Michigan Dental Foundation.
will receive $37,000 annually for the next three Pictured with Dr. James Hayward (DDS 1973), director of the
years to encourage her research in periodontal Marquette County Health Department Dental Clinics, is one of
tissue regeneration. The award is also designed to the GPR residents, Dr. Adam Fineman (DDS 2005). With Hayward
encourage talented periodontists to pursue a career are two staff dentists with his department, Drs. Diana Jan-Ellis
as periodontal educators. In return, scholarship (left), and Mary Clifford (DDS 1992). Not pictured are the two
recipients must commit to spending one year of full- other GPR residents, Drs. Dahlia Hadad and Seema Varghese.
time teaching in a U.S. periodontal training program They saw nearly 100 children and young adults and
for each year they have received the funds. provided more than 240 services to the patients in 19 days.
Working with Drs. Laurie McCauley, William Each resident also participated in treating two young children
Giannobile, and Robert Eber, Bashutski is investigating with extensive early childhood caries in the operating room in
if parathyroid hormones can promote periodontal one or both of the county’s two hospitals.
regeneration. The research is being conducted at “Experiences like these are always a triple-win for everyone
the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research. involved,” Hayward said. “More needy patients receive dental
The scholarship is awarded every three years. care, residents develop their pediatric behavior management
skills, and staff have an opportunity to teach.”
Established in 1998, the Michigan Dental Foundation is the
philanthropic arm of the Michigan Dental Association. The MDF
seeks to build a permanent legacy of support for individuals
and programs by identifying, developing, and coordinating
resources to ensure the best oral health care for those unable
to receive it in Michigan.

DENTAL HYGIENE
100% Participation by DH Class of 2006!

Keary Campbell
“It’s quite an achievement, and I’m proud of all of my

dental hygiene classmates who made a pledge to the School
of Dentistry’s fundraising efforts,” said Farah Anwarullah,
president of the Class of 2006.
Earlier this year, every member of the Class of 2006, 34
total, pledged $6,300 for the fundraiser.
The 100 percent participation surpassed the 97 percent
involvement among last year’s graduating class and 93 percent
who pledged in 2004.
Anwarullah said after the group’s first meeting, “I already
knew we would reach high numbers because more than half
of the class said they would participate.”
Wanting to surpass what previous dental hygiene classes
had achieved, Anwarullah said the class agreed to pledge
$5,000. “At first, I think the class was surprised at my high
expectations,” she said, “but I knew they would live up to the
challenge.”
Not only did the class live up to the challenge, they exceeded
their initial goal by 26 percent, raising $6,300, along with 100
percent participation.
“I was honored to give this great news to my classmates,”
Anwarullah said. “The success of our class has raised the bar
for classes that will follow.”
Keary Campbell
Farah Anwarullah (left),

president of the Dental
Hygiene Class of 2006,
and Natali Gut, class vice
president, prepare to cut
a cake celebrating the
participation of all dental
hygiene students in the
School’s fundraising drive.

DENTAL HYGIENE
DH Students Help Give Kids a Smile “Many Doors

President
T
Jerry Mastey
he President of the American Dental

Hygienists’ Association, Katie Dawson,
told dental hygiene students at the School
of Dentistry that their training and education
“will open many doors of opportunity” to them
in the years ahead. Founded in 1923, ADHA is
the largest national organization representing
the professional interests of more than 120,000
registered dental hygienists in the U.S.
Those opportunities, she said, would
complement, not replace, their experiences
in private practice and encompass other
areas including public health, education,
administration and management, research, and
Five year old Dental hygiene students teamed up with advocacy. Dawson made the special visit to the
Vivian Chiao was dental students and faculty members in the School of Dentistry last fall prior to attending the
all smiles after ADA’s annual Give Kids a Smile program held Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association House
dental hygiene
student Terri
in a School of Dentistry clinic in February. of Delegates meeting in the Traverse City area.
Johnson cleaned They gave children from Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Talking to students about her life, Dawson
her teeth and and surrounding communities oral exams and said she conducted a self-assessment in the early
taught her the provided information about brushing, flossing, 1970s and realized, that as a recently-divorced
correct way to and maintaining good oral health. mother who was working as a secretary for
brush during the One of the participants, third-year dental a government agency in Alameda County,
annual Give Kids A
Smile program.
hygiene student Terri Johnson said she has California, her future was limited. “So I took the
enjoyed volunteering at this and other events. money from my retirement account, paid off my
“This will help me become even more prepared bills, and began with a clean slate,” she said.
to advance after I graduate,” she said. With encouragement from her brother, a
“Volunteering has given me opportunities dentist, Dawson said she pursued her dreams
to gain additional knowledge and skills, as well and landed a job in the Registrar’s Office at
as appreciation of what dental hygiene as a Alameda College while completing her dental
profession can do for people in communities, hygiene prerequisites. Dawson graduated from
especially those who are underserved,” Johnson the dental hygiene program at the University of
added. “I believe that all of us who are blessed California (San Francisco) School of Dentistry in
with such a rewarding career should seek 1976. In her junior year at UCSF she was dental
opportunities like this to address dental needs hygiene class president and in her senior year
in the community.” was vice president of the Associated Dental

Per Kjeldsen
of Opportunity Open to You” ADHA

Tells U-M Dental Hygiene Students
Students. After graduation, Dawson joined the working together at the School’s Michigan Center
local chapter of the American Dental Hygienists’ for Oral Health Research on various projects.
Association in Oakland. “That was one of the She also encouraged students to consider
best things that happened to me because it gave becoming administrators and managers. In
me an opportunity to become involved in other response to a question, Dawson said as ADHA
ways, such as seeing how legislation is shaped. president she works closely with the executive
I found I liked doing that,” she said. director, Ann Battrell, who is the first dental
hygienist to hold the position, supervises a staff
Opportunities to Make a Difference of 42 people, and works with division directors.
Dawson told students the public health “So I’m responsible for what goes on with our
area would probably be the biggest opportunity organization,” she said.
for them to grow professionally and personally. Following her remarks and a question and
She cited examples of states allowing dental answer session with dental hygiene students,
hygienists to work, not only in dental offices, Dawson was presented with a hand-made,
but in other ways including providing preventive embroidered blanket from the second-year dental
care to patients in nursing homes, in rural areas, hygiene class. Class president Crystal Vernier ADHA President Katie Dawson
and in some of the poorest communities. said the gift was from all 27 students in her visited the School of Dentistry
“I want to emphasize that these new class. last fall to talkto dental hygiene
students and faculty about the
roles will not replace our current roles, nor Wendy Kerschbaum, director of the
future of the profession.
are we trying to compete with dentists,” she School’s dental hygiene program, said, “It was
said. “We’re simply talking about using our phenomenal to have Katie take some time from
knowledge and training to provide services to her busy schedule to come to our School and talk,
those who have no access to care, or who have not only to dental hygiene students and faculty,
very limited incomes, especially the unserved but the Dean, staff members, and others. We
and the underserved.” hope she comes back again.”
Dawson also encouraged the dental hygiene Per Kjeldsen
students to think about careers as dental

educators and researchers. “Many of today’s Crystal Vernier,
teachers will be retiring in the years ahead, second-year dental
and there is going to be a need to find someone hygiene class
president, presented
to replace them,” she said. There will also be a
Dawson with an
need for researchers “because so many of our embroidered blanket
policies are based on research and evidence, following her
and you can help here too,” she said. Dawson presentation.
said she was impressed with how U-M School
of Dentistry dentists and dental hygienists are

DENTAL HYGIENE
THE Dental Hygiene Textbook
The textbook, Clinical Practice Dental Hygiene Alumnae
of the Dental Hygienist, has
been used by dental hygiene by Anne Gwozdek, DH 1973, University
students worldwide for nearly
50years. Dubbed “the bible”
by many students, the color of
the cover of each edition has associate professor of dental hygiene, U-M
been changed, which prompts School of Dentistry.
dental hygienists to asktheir
colleagues at conferences and With 1,189 pages and 66 chapters, the 9th
reunions,“What color was your edition is a far cry from the 1st edition that
bible?” evolved from mimeographed handouts Wilkins,
Photo courtesy of Rhonda Gladstone, RDH, MS, New
York University College of Dentistry.
or “Esther” as she is known to the dental hygiene
community, created for her classes in the 1950s
What color was YOUR bible? when she was director of the dental hygiene
Ask any dental hygienist who has been program at the University of Washington.
practicing for the past 47 years and they may The latest edition is accompanied by a 389-
answer, “Various shades.” page workbook Wyche developed.
They will also be able to name the title and
author, Dr. Esther Wilkins, without hesitation. The Tondrowski Connection
Why? Wyche was introduced to Wilkins by one
Because the textbook, Clinical Practice of the of the legends of the dental hygiene profession,
Dental Hygienist, has been considered “the gold Victoria Tondrowski. Tondrowski, inducted into
standard” of dental hygiene education since it the U-M School of Dentistry’s Hall of Honor last
was first published in 1959. fall (see stories on pages 63, 65, and 84), taught
Used by thousands of students in more than dental hygiene from 1936 to 1969.
250 dental hygiene programs in the U.S. and “Vickie was my father’s aunt,” Wyche said.
other countries, several earlier versions have “In the mid-1980s, she asked me to drive her to
been translated into other languages including the Detroit airport to meet Esther. I was excited
Portuguese, Korean, Italian, Japanese, and French because this was my opportunity to meet the
(Canadian). person who wrote the textbook I used when I
was a dental hygiene student and someone I
U-M School of Dentistry’s Role really admired.”
Two U-M School of Dentistry dental hygiene The two connected and maintained
graduates and an associate professor have co- contact.
authored several chapters of the 9th edition Several years later, Wilkins asked Wyche
which was published early last year. They are: to help her “write a few chapters for the
• Charlotte J. (Lawrence) Wyche – Dental hygiene 8th edition.” She agreed. That edition was
certificate (1979); BS, Dental Hygiene (1989); MS, published in 1999. “I must have made an
Dental Hygiene Education (1992). impression,” Wyche said, “because Esther later
• Durinda (Hutchinson) Mattana – BS, Dental asked me to work on the 9th edition.” Wyche
Hygiene (1981) and MS, Dental Hygiene (1987). wrote two chapters on dental hygiene care
• Joan McGowan – MPH (1980), PhD (1984), planning.

and Faculty Member Co-author Chapters
of Michigan
Photo courtesy of Charlotte Wyche
Mattana, an associate professor of dental Also included are critical thinking exercises
hygiene and director of continuing education at that are based on brief case studies (writing
the University of Detroit Mercy dental school, said care plans, role playing, and patient interaction)
she became involved because of her knowledge and exercises encouraging students to look
of fluorides and water fluoridation. beyond the textbook for information. The
“Charlotte knew of my interest and teaching workbook also includes suggestions on building
these subjects,” Mattana said. “When she a learning portfolio that demonstrates achieving
explained some of the information she wanted competence in basic skills, educational methods
to include in the new edition and asked me to of documenting individual learning activities,
help, I agreed.” and measuring progress in achieving dental
hygiene competencies.
Other Rewards Work has been underway for several months
Mattana said she was involved for other on the second workbook and 10th edition of the
reasons. textbook. Both may be published in 2008.
“I thought it would be an honor to work Innovation continues to be a part of the
with Esther, the original author of the textbook workbook. One new item will include a feature, Esther Wilkins (right), authored
that was my dental hygiene bible when I was Questions Patients Ask, which offers students the first edition of the textbookin
a student at Michigan,” she said. “But I also hints about ways to respond. 1959. Wilkins, who still actively
oversees the publication of new
saw this an opportunity for me to help others “I’ve spent a lot of time revising the chapter editions, including the latest, the
in dental hygiene programs here in this country about fluorides,” Mattana, said, “but I don’t mind 10th, is seen here with Charlotte
and internationally. I couldn’t pass that up.” because I know that I will be making an impact (Lawrence) Wyche who taught
Wyche developed a workbook, Student clinical radiology to both dental
on future dental hygienists not just here in this
and dental hygiene students at
Workbook for the Clinical Practice of the Dental country but around the world, and that’s pretty U-M from 1992 to 1994.
Hygienist, which accompanied the 9th edition exciting to think about.”
of the textbook. Wyche, who is writing two chapters
She said that Wilkins asked her if she would focusing on care planning and co-authoring a
be interested in spearheading the development chapter with Wilkins on homebound patients,
of a workbook. “Little did I know what I was said she too enjoys the reward of knowing her
getting into, so I said ‘yes’,” Wyche said with a work is making a difference.
laugh. She also praises her mentor for her vote of
The workbook follows a learning process that confidence and her continued involvement.
takes a student from knowledge to competency “Esther is very involved in reviewing
to discovery learning. It features various virtually every word in every chapter of every
exercises, including fill in the blanks, crossword edition. The book is much better because of her
puzzles, and labeling to help students retain hands-on approach,” Wyche said. “I’ve never
information. known anyone like her. She’s amazing.”

DENTAL HYGIENE
Tondrowski Inducted into

Hall of Honor DH Alums & Spouses
A U-M School of Dentistry legend in dental Dental hygiene students who

hygiene was recently inducted into the graduated in years ending in 0 and
School’s Hall of Honor. Victoria Tondrowski 5 were among those present for the
was inducted during Homecoming Weekend School’s Homecoming Weekend
ceremonies last November. activities last November.
The plaque bearing her name and “It was enjoyable to see many
picture describes her contributions which former students and have a chance
included playing “a key role in clinical
studies that improved dental hygiene Diane McFarland
techniques and helped dental hygiene

students detect dental disease.”
It also noted that her contributions
“helped to significantly elevate the stature
of the profession.”
Per Kjeldsen
Among the members of the Dental Hygiene Class of 1995who

attended last fall’s reunion dinner were (left to right): Amy
Blackmore Spees, Arlene LubekLafrate, Heather Haskin-
Woodman, and Danielle Levesque.
Charlotte Wyche Diane McFarland
(BS, Dental Hygiene,

1989) stands beneath
a plaque of Victoria
Tondrowski who was
inducted into the
School’s Hall of Honor
last fall. Wyche was
Tondrowski’s
great niece.
Jemma Allor (left) and Natali Roner were among those

representing the Dental Hygiene Class of 2000.

Rhine Awarded
at Homecoming Scholarship
to talk to them and catch up on what For the second time in as many years, a
was going on in their lives,” said Prof. School of Dentistry dental hygiene student
Wendy Kerschbaum, director of the has been awarded a scholarship from the
dental hygiene program. “I’m looking U-M Center for the Education of Women.
forward to meeting many other former Third-year dental hygiene student
students during homecoming activities Chamessia Rhine received a $5,000
this fall.” scholarship, the Lucile Conger Alumnae
Scholarship, from the U-M CEW last fall. In
2004, dental hygiene students Terri Johnson
and Lisa Clark received a scholarship from
2006 Homecoming the CEW.
Activities Rhine also received a $500 scholarship
from the Wolverine Dental Hygiene
Society.
This fall’s Homecoming Although she wasn’t sure of her plans,
We e k e n d a c t i v i t i e s a r e Rhine said she would like to work for the
scheduled to take place Indian Health Services after she graduates.
October 26-28. Another option, she said, would be starting
her dental hygiene career in Maryland
All graduates of the dental or North Carolina, perhaps in a general
hygiene program are invited to practice or a periodontics practice.
attend, especially those who Per Kjeldsen
graduated in years ending in

1 and 6.
The back inside cover of
this issue of DentalUM has
further details as does the Chamessia
Rhine
School of Dentistry Web site:
www.dent.umich.edu.

DENTAL HYGIENE
McGowan Invited to
International Conference
Photo Courtesy of Christoph Ramseier
Joan McGowan, associate professor of

Joan McGowan, associate dentistry and tobacco cessation coordinator at
professor of dentistry and the U-M School of Dentistry, was among a group
tobacco cessation coordinator
at the U-M School of invited to a special anti-tobacco conference last
Dentistry (front, center) was fall in Switzerland.
among several oral health
care professionals from the Thirty-eight participated in the invitation-
U.S. who participated in only program, The 1st European Workshop
The 1st European Workshop on Tobacco Prevention and Cessation for Oral
on Tobacco Prevention and
Cessation for Oral Health Health Professionals, including McGowan and
Professionals. Others were: three others from the U.S.
Jackie Fried (front, left),
director of dental hygiene at “We worked in groups during the four-day
the University of Maryland; program,” she said. McGowan’s group focused
Christoph Ramseier (back, on ways to get tobacco cessation information
left) a visiting professor at
U-M; Arden Christen (front, into dental and dental hygiene curricula, how
right), tobacco cessation to involve faculty members in tobacco cessation,
program coordinator at
Indiana University; and Robert and how to get patients to quit using tobacco.
Mecklenburg (back), tobacco “U.S. dental schools are further ahead of
and oral health consultant. colleges and universities in Europe in addressing
these issues, so we were able to significantly
contribute to the program,” she said.
Jerry Mastey
The program was organized by Dr. Christoph

Ramseier, a visiting professor in the Department
of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at the U-M
Joan McGowan discussed School of Dentistry. Ramseier is helping the
the dangers of tobacco use Michigan Center for Oral Health Research develop
during the annual Give Kids a
Smile program at the School of “exquisite digital imaging.” [DentalUM, Fall
Dentistry earlier this year. 2005, pages 15-16.]

DH4s Win Honors at Layher Named to ADHA
Research Day Research Council
Fourth-year dental hygiene students won top Mary Layher has been appointed to a one-
honors for their research at this year’s Research year term on the ADHA Council on Research.
Day program. The winners, titles of their As a member of the four-person council,
projects, and faculty advisors are listed below. Layher will help the group update the ADHA’s
national dental hygiene research agenda. The
• 1st place - Tara Miller and Lisa Clark:
group helps to guide research, enhance patient-
Oral Piercings: The Effects on Gingival
Tissue and Enamel. centered care, and fosters other professional
Advisor: Carla Harrel efforts.
A registered dental hygienist and senior
• 2nd place - Kristen Deacons, Anna Desmecht, research lab specialist, Layher manages and
and Jennifer Pixley: coordinates clinical research trials within the
Drug Abuse and Your Patient. Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine.
Advisors: Drs. Jack Gobetti and Preetha
She has also been involved in clinical trials
Kanjirath
focusing on implants, periodontal medications,
• 3rd place – Farah Anwarullah, Lena periodontal therapies, and oral hygiene devices
Iskander, and Christina Vidican: in the School’s graduate periodontal clinic and at
Periodontal Disease and Pre-term Low the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research.
Birthweight. Katie Dawson, ADHA president, announced
Advisor: Dr. Russell Taichman the appointment last fall.
Keary Campbell
Lisa Clark and Tara Miller won first prize among dental hygiene students Mary Layher
for their poster presentation at this year’s Research Day program.

Keary Campbell
110
Get White
Coats at
Ceremony
First-year dental student Diane One hundred and ten members of the Class
Chang receives her white coat of 2009 were officially inducted into the dental
from fourth-year dental student
Brett Teran welcoming her into the profession during the School of Dentistry’s
dental profession. Holding a coat annual White Coat Ceremony last fall at
for the next student to be called
to the stage is fourth-year dental
Rackham Auditorium.
student Meredith Wangerin. Keynote speaker was Dr. Josef Kolling, who,
Behind her is dental student Mike last year, became the first School of Dentistry
Frankman. Calling each student to
the stage to receive his or her coat faculty member in nearly a quarter century
is Emily DaSilva (left), president of to serve as President of the Michigan Dental
the Dental Class of 2006.
Association.
Welcoming students into the profession, Oath of Aspiring Dental Professionals
Per Kjeldsen
he told them the next four years of their
education will be challenging, but that School
administrators and faculty were confident of As I join the ranks of the dental profession, I solemnly
swear the following:
their potential for success since they were chosen
from a pool of 1,751 applicants. I will uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
“You owe it to yourselves, your future
patients, and the profession to always do your I will be an advocate for honor, compassion, respect, and
integrity in all academic, professional, and personal arenas.
best,” Kolling said. He also urged them to unite
as a class, to work hard, and to enjoy their time I will maintain the dignity of this profession by promoting
together. “When you have successfully met the principles of patient autonomy, nonmaleficence,
this challenge and hear the phrase, ‘Hail to the beneficence, justice, and veracity.
conquering heroes,’ it will apply to you too,” he I acknowledge that the pursuit of knowledge will extend
said. throughout my career.
Also addressing students was the President
of the Dental Class of 2006, Emily DaSilva. As a pillar of my community, I am committed to help
She told the first-year students that wearing eliminate oral health disparities through patient education
and service.
the white coat “is an honor and a privilege.
It identifies you as one who values integrity, I believe that the practice of dentistry is a responsibility
Dr. Joe Kolling was the School
of Dentistry’s keynote speaker.
education, service, and respect. …Don’t allow and a privilege, and I vow to exemplify the highest
poor judgment to sully our profession,” she standards of excellence and care.
continued. “Take care to uphold and maintain
Written by the Dental Class of 2006 and
the highest standards of dental ethics and
recited by the Dental Class of 2009
patient care.”

Dental Students Stage Operation
Smile Fundraiser
Keary Campbell
It was a different experience for four

School of Dentistry faculty members.
Two preclinical dental instructors,
Drs. Merle Jaarda and Ken Stoffers,
Preclinical instructor Dr. Mary
volunteered to have their heads shaved, Ellen McLean puts the electric
Dr. Phil Richards agreed to be taped to razor to Dr. Merle Jaarda’s head
a wall in a lecture hall, while Dr. Jeffrey during the Operation Smile
fundraiser.
Shotwell had a facial impression taken.
The good-natured fun was a part of an
effort by dental students to raise money
in early January for the School’s chapter Keary Campbell
of Operation Smile. The organization

performs cleft lip and palate surgeries for
children in countries who otherwise would
Dr. Ken Stoffers enjoys the
not receive care for their conditions. The “buffing”from third-year dental
students hoped to raise $1,500. Because student Gwen Buckafter she
of the participation of the four faculty shaved his head.
members, the students exceeded their goal
and raised nearly $1,600.
Third-year dental student James
Powell came up with the idea for the
fundraiser. Per Kjeldsen
“I learned about Operation Smile

when I was doing missionary work in the Walcott Wins
Philippines from 1997 to 1999,” he said. “I $54,000 on TV
was impressed with the organization and, Game Show
looking back several years later, thought
Third-year dental student
our school and dental students might be Brett Walcott won $54,000
able to help and do so in a way that was on the television game
fun and entertaining.” show, Wheel of Fortune. He
appeared during the game
Originally, Powell said the School’s show’s “College Week”
chapter hoped to raise $750 for one that aired last October 28.
surgical procedure. “But we reached and Walcott won a two-weektrip
surpassed that goal in just two days. So to the Mediterranean and a
one-weektrip to Acapulco.
raised our goal and tried to raise $1,500 With his cash and prize
to fund two surgeries,” he said. winnings, he advanced to
But Jaarda is not retaining his new the Bonus Round and won a
Ford Fusion. Walcott’s father,
look. “Since hair grows about a quarter of
Wayne, is a clinical instructor
an inch a month, it’s going to be at least a at the School of Dentistry.
year before mine grows back,” he said with
a laugh.

Alumni News
Susan E. Hinman (DDS 2004), a Lieutenant with the U.S. Wayne Olsen (DDS 1981) of Traverse City, Michigan, has
Navy, has successfully completed and received an advanced been selected to be an examiner for the State of Michigan’s
degree in general dentistry at the Marine Recruit Station at Specialty Certification Exam for Oral and Maxillofacial
Parris Island, South Carolina. She will serve the next two Surgery. Currently a staff member at Munson Medical
years on the USS Abraham Lincoln who will be part of a Center and consultant for Cadillac Mercy Hospital, Olsen is
five-person dental team serving 2,000 aviators and 3,000 also on the Executive Committee for Oral and Maxillofacial
sailors on the aircraft carrier. Surgery.
Paul Musherure (DDS 1996; MS, pediatric dentistry, 1998) Michael Cangemi (DDS 1979) of Auburn, Maine, recently
of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, is serving on the Board of retired after more than 20 years with the U.S. Public Health
Trustees at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. A practicing Service. Now with a large group practice in that state, he
pediatric dentist with the not-for-profit HealthPartners in said he “would like to hear from my friends in the Class of
St. Paul, his four-year term expires in 2008. 1979.” He can be reached by e-mail at: Michael_Cangemi@
hotmail.com.
Mark Nearing (DDS 1996; endodontics certificate, 1998)
of Gaylord, Michigan, was recently named a diplomate of George A. Smith (DDS 1977) of Portsmouth,
the American Board of Endodontics. In 2005, he was also Virginia, was recently inducted into the
asked to serve on the Board of Directors of the Michigan U.S. Army Field Artillery Officer Candidate
Association of Endodontists. School Hall of Fame. Of the school’s
approximately 47,500 graduates, only 987
Nicole Fields (DDS 1993) of Detroit is the new president have been inducted into the Hall. Currently
of the Wolverine District Dental Society. The 70-member the Chief Dentist for the Virginia Department of Corrections,
organization will host the National Dental Convention in Smith oversees the department’s dental program, budgeting,
2008. planning, training, and the clinical supervision of dentists.
He served in Vietnam as an Army captain, aerial observer,
William Hoffman (DDS 1981) of battalion intelligence officer, and battery commander. After
Minnetonka, Minnesota received recognition earning his dental degree, he returned to active duty as a
for his volunteer efforts last year from dental officer in the Commissioned Officer’s Corps of the
both the Minnesota Dental Association U.S. Public Health Service. He retired from USPHS in 1998
and Minneapolis radio station WCCO. The with the rank of Captain.
statewide dental group presented him with
its 2005 Humanitarian Service Award for providing free Helene Bednarsh (DH certificate 1974)
oral health care to children at clinics at several locations received the Alfred Fones Award late last
throughout the state, including the Give Kids a Smile year from the American Dental Hygienists’
program. The second honor, the Good Neighbor Award, Association. The award recognizes
is presented annually by the Minneapolis radio station outstanding achievement and dedication to
to individuals who are respectful, trustworthy, and who the dental hygiene profession.
perform good deeds in their community.
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Burton P. Weisberg (DDS 1966) of Asheville, A fascinating story about George Venk (DDS 1951) and
North Carolina, may have retired as a how he is using his dental skills to restore and examine
practicing dentist in 1995, but he has the remains of dinosaurs that roamed the earth more
found a new way to help others. He is than 100 million years ago appeared in the Summer 2005
now working part time for Pre-Paid Legal issue of Sooner Magazine, published by the University of
Services, Inc., a company that helps more Oklahoma dental school.
than 1.5 million families across the U.S. and Canada. “My
role is different now than when I was practicing dentistry Richard Hagerman (DDS 1951), of Wendell,
by myself,” he said. “In my new role, I’m helping individuals Idaho, has become somewhat of a media
and families by making sure they can get access to the legal celebrity in recent months. Last summer,
system if and when they need it.” a picture of him appeared on the cover
Also, Weisberg said the organization helps those who have of the August 2005 subscriber’s issue of
been victims of one of the country’s fastest growing crimes, Smithsonian Magazine. The picture was
identity theft, restore their good names and credit. “I’m part of a major story about VJ Day that included a letter
enjoying myself, despite two knee replacement surgeries,” he he wrote from Germany that day, August 15, 1945, to his
said with a chuckle. One surgery was in November, the other, fiancée, Dorothy, now his wife of 58 years. “She kept all
last April. of my letters, so it was easy to locate and describe what
I was doing,” said Hagerman who served with a medical
Harry Huffaker (DDS 1966), now retired detachment of the 1123rd Combat Engineers attached to
and living near Sun Valley, Idaho, reports George Patton’s Third Army. Also on the cover, in the lower
he was recently inducted into the Hawaii left hand corner, was a smaller picture of his wife and his
mother, Bess Hagerman Edwards.
Swimming Hall of Fame. Among his
In the letter, Hagerman describes how he spent V-J Day.
achievements, he wrote, includes “eight
“First, it rained all day,” he wrote. “Second, we are all so
successful swims across all major channels
interested in what will happen to our outfit that the news
between Hawaiian islands, the only person to swim the
didn’t cheer us much. Third, two of our men are being
Alenuihaha Channel (31 miles) between Hawaii and Maui,
punished and have walked around the athletic field all
and the only person to swim the Molokai Channel (26 miles) day carrying full field packs and rifles in the rain. Fourth,
in both directions.” I worked all day with the medical officer. I looked into 200
mouths and throats, checking for tonsillitis, etc.”
Mirdza Neiders (DDS 1958) of Buffalo, New Three of his former classmates – Drs. Robert Morrison,
York, was awarded an honorary degree, Don Hallas, and Don McKinnon – saw the picture, read the
Doctor Honoris Causa, from Riga Stradins story, and contacted Hagerman. Since the pictures and
University’s dental school in Riga, Latvia. article were published, Hagerman has been featured in the
Since 1990, she has been helping the dental local newspaper and may soon appear on a local public
school there become more familiar with television station.
dentistry in the U.S. Neiders’ mother, Erika, was a 1930
graduate of the school and celebrated her 100th birthday
last year.
DentalUM
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In Memoriam
Dr. Billy A. Smith Joan Barth

(DDS 1952; MS, periodontics, 1963) Joan Barth, an information officer and editor at the School
Dr. Billy A. Smith, who taught at the U-M School of Dentistry, died December 31, 2005 in Ann Arbor. She was
of Dentistry for more than 20 years, and who was 83. In 1957, Barth came to the dental school from the U-M
interim director of periodontics from 1987-1989, died Mental Health Research Institute. Beginning in 1979, she
November 30, 2005. He was 81. wrote and edited the School’s alumni magazine, Alumni
Born in Burt, Michigan, in 1924, he served in News. Barth retired as editor in January 1985.
the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, and later attended
the U-M School of Dentistry, where he earned his Dr. Donald J. Draper Dr. Otis Smith
dental degree in 1952. He then practiced dentistry (DDS 1953) (DDS 1956)
in Montrose, Michigan, until 1961. Sun City West, Arizona Redford, Michigan
That same year, he returned to U-M to begin February 6, 2006 June 19, 2005
working on his master’s degree in periodontics. Dr. R. Bruce Curry Dr. Orlando Roberts
In the Spring 1990 issue of Alumni News, the (DDS 1970) (DDS 1967)
name of the School of Dentistry’s alumni magazine Eaton Rapids, Michigan Flint, Michigan
January 28, 2006 June 1, 2005
at the time, Smith said he came back to U-M after
talking to Dr. Donald Kerr. “He’s the one who brought Dr. John B. Vernier Dr. John T. Schwartzbek
me back into education from my practice. …He was (DDS 1971) (DDS 1935; MS, orthodontics
Oxford, Michigan 1939)
the motivator. He was very important in my life.”
December 2005 Tampa, Florida
While working for his master’s degree, Smith May 26, 2005
also taught at the School of Dentistry in 1963. He Dr. J. Clinton Brand, Jr.
(DDS 1943) Dr. Robert Rapp
was a clinical instructor, later, a clinical instructor
Albany, New York (MS, pediatric dentistry 1956)
in periodontics, and then a clinical assistant October 14, 2005 U-M School of Dentistry faculty,
professor. early- to mid-1960s
Dr. Leon A. Montague
Fourteen years later, in 1977, he left teaching to Squirrel Hill, Pennsylvania
(MS, orthodontics 1956)
devote time to his periodontics practice in Saginaw. Corunna, Michigan April 6, 2005
But he didn’t stay out of teaching very long. October 12, 2005 Dr. William S. Brandhorst
In 1982, at the urging of some of his colleagues, (MS, orthodontics 1948)
Dr. Harry O. Trumbell
he returned to the School of Dentistry to become an (DDS 1951) Kirkwood, Missouri
associate professor. In 1987, he was named interim Saranac, Michigan March 15, 2005
director of periodontics, a position he held for two August 28, 2005 Dr. Joseph J. Drapek
years. Dr. Robert Hill (DDS 1953)
In 1989, he was a visiting professor at the (DDS 1987) Waterford, Michigan
University of Bern in Switzerland. Manistique, Michigan March 5, 2005
As he reflected on his career prior to retiring in August 13, 2005 Dr. George H. Chang
1990, Smith said Drs. Major Ash and Sigurd Ramfjord Donna Miller (DDS 1954)
were his primary mentors. (Dental Hygiene certificate 1927) Scotts Valley, California
East Grand Rapids, Michigan February 12, 2005
Smith was also active in numerous professional
organizations including the American Academy of July 11, 2005 Dr. John Hardin
Periodontology, the Midwest Society of Periodontists, Dr. Wallace B. Maynard (DDS 1980)
(DDS 1950) Cheboygan, Michigan
the Michigan Society of Periodontics, the American April 15, 2006
and Michigan Dental Associations, and other local Cary, North Carolina
June 19, 2005
organizations.

Homecoming Weekend
October 26, 27, 28
Thursday, October 26
Upcoming
Emeritus Pinning Ceremony
Continuing Dental Education Courses Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Per Kjeldsen Emeritus Class Picture
Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22, 2006 Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Foyer staircase outside the Sindecuse Museum
Implant Therapy in Periodontics
Speaker: Hom-Lay Wang, DDS, MSD Emeritus Reunion and Hall of Honor Luncheon
Professor of Dentistry and Director, Graduate Periodontics Time: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Sindecuse Atrium
This course is designed to help dentists incorporate implant Time: 2:15 to 2:45 p.m.
dentistry, especially implant esthetics (soft tissue management
around dental implants), into their daily practices. A hands-on
implant placement, guide bone augmentation, and simple
restorative laboratory course will be offered. Friday, October 27
Morawa Lecture
Saturday, October 7, 2006 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Digital Photography in the Dental Office
Speakers: Dr. Philip Richards (morning), Practical Periodontics
Speaker: Scott Pelok, DDS Dr. Jack Gobetti (afternoon), Medical Emergencies in the
Assistant Clinical Professor
Dental Office
Homecoming Celebration Dinner
The use of digital images in dental offices has increased Honoring: Dental and Dental Hygiene classes with graduation years
dramatically in recent years. This course will cover tips and ending in 1 and 6.
techniques for achieving quality images with a digital camera, Doors Open/Registration Begins: 6:00 p.m.
including how to choose and use a digital camera. Cocktail Reception: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 28
More information about these and other continuing dental
education courses may be obtained by contacting the
University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Office of Continuing
Time: 9:00 am
Dental Education at 1011 N. University Avenue, Room G508, Location: Elbel Field
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078 or by visiting the School of Dentistry
Web site: www.dent.umich.edu. Football Game – University of Michigan vs. Northwestern
Time: Kick-off at 12 noon
On the homepage, put your cursor on “continuing dental Location: The Big House
education” and then click.

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Homecoming Weekend

October 26, 27, 28

DentalUM magazine is published twice a year by the

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 1

4 New Orleans Woman “Overwhelmed” by Kindness at

4 16 Addressing Needs…the Internationally Trained Dentist

20 Building a Pagoda…in Beijing

26 Alumni Profile: The Doctors McIntosh – Harry, Rebecca,

However, one can only appreciate Cancienne’s

“I am so overwhelmed at the kindness of everyone I have

4 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 5

because most children, from what I know, aren’t

6 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

First-year dental students (left to right) Madeline Masteller, Diane Chang,

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 7

“We’re starting with a blank slate and want everyone

Dean Peter Polverini

faculty, staff, and students.

8 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

challenged by U-M administrators “to take a

committee “wants to hear comments, ideas,

10 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 11

Polverini Says Change Coming

12 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 13

When he became Dean of the School of Dentistry, Dr.

14 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

What makes a good school administrators

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 15

16 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

“The number of individuals who have applied

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 17

18 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 19

At the entrance to the Academy of China where he conducted genetic

20 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

Workers used shovels and pick-

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 21

Meghan Genovese Receives Major U-M Award

22 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

A staff organization that provides career

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 23

Diane Nixon Elected ABWA Vice President

Diane Nixon, manager of the U-M School of

24 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

A senior finance specialist with twenty

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 25

“It seemed dad always

26 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

Passing the Torch Summers in Ann Arbor

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 29

Photo courtesy of Lt. J. Brett Mangum

Mangum said being involved

30 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

In this picture, Brett Mangum treats a Marine at a

DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006 31

As a dentist,” Lee continued, “I recognized

32 DentalUM Spring & Summer 2006

Bill Piskorowsk i New Outreach Director Stephen Bayne

and work to develop new outreach

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