January 31, 2007 | Archive

Mohsin Ali, B.D.S. Ph.D
		Mohsin Ali, B.D.S., Ph.D, assistant professor of Prosthodontics, is one of the newest faculty members in the department of Prosthodontics. He started at the Dental Branch in December and is adjusting quite well. Ali, a native of Pakistan, is teaching both preclinical and clinical courses. He is also looking forward to participating as a member of the UT Dentists faculty practice. Ali holds a B.D.S. from Montmorency College of Dentistry University of Punjab, Lahore,Pakistan. He went on to obtain an M.S.c. in prosthetic dentistry from the University of London and a Ph.D. in Prosthetics from Guy's Dental School, University of London. In addition, he has held several clinical and classroom teaching positions, along with fellowships in maxillofacial prosthodontics.
"I chose to come to the UT Dental Branch because it is a very well-respected institute of dentistry and medicine where you can excel yourself as an academician and clinician." Ali and his wife, Fakeha, have three daughters, Ridaa, Rihab and Hiba. In his free time he enjoys playing squash, cricket and field hockey. Ali is located in Dental Branch Room 435 and can be reached at 713-500-4065.

Karen Ensign
Karen Ensign has joined Graduate Prosthodontics as the new dental assistant. Ensign, who has worked as a dental assistant for six years, is pleased to join the team on the first floor in Bay D. Ensign received her training from Houston Dental Assisting School and was recently employed in a fast-pace oral surgeon's office in Southeast Houston. Ensign said the normal pace was 5-6 surgeries in the morning and approximately 30 post-op appointments and exams in the afternoon. In her free time, Ensign enjoys watching movies and spending time with her husband, Eric, and son, Ethan. Ensign said what she enjoys most is the ability to learn new things in a positive work environment.

Kishore Shetty, D.D.S., has been chosen as a candidate for the 2007 American Dental Education Association Sunstar Americas Inc. Harry W. Bruce, Jr. Fellowship.

If selected, Shetty will serve a three-month residency in Washington D.C., where he will have the opportunity to learn about the legislative process as it relates to dental education.

Shetty will be interviewed by the committee at the ADEA Annual Session and Exposition in New Orleans, LA on Sunday, March 18, to determine whether he will be awarded the fellowship.

DB publication cited in HIV Clinician journal

An article published by Dental Branch researchers was cited in the Winter 2007 issue of HIV Clinician journal.

The original article was: "The effect of complete dentures with a metal palate on candida species growth in HIV-infected patients," authored by Letecia Perezous, D.D.S., clinical assistant professor in Prosthodontics; Gene Stevenson, D.D.S., assistant professor in Diagnostic Sciences; Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of the Dental Branch; Millicent Goldschmidt, Ph.D., professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics; Robert Engelmeier, D.D.S., associate professor of Prosthodontics and Mark Nichols, D.D.S., practitioner at the Bering Omega dental clinic, was featured in the Journal of Prosthodontics in the Sept.-Oct. 2006 issue.

DB says farewell to dedicated faculty

Leticia Perezous, D.D.S., assistant professor in Prosthodontics and John Suchina, D.D.S., associate professor of Endodontics, served their last day on the UT Dental Branch faculty, Wednesday, Jan. 31. The DB family wishes them well in the next phase of their professions. 

Dental Branch HSDA event highlighted

The UT Dental Branch Hispanic Student Dental Association group was featured in the Winter 2007 issue of The Hispanic Dental Association News and Reports journal for its efforts to organize Screen and Be Seen, a community health day that took place at the Lyons Health Clinic last fall.

The event was the first of its kind at the community center. Below poverty and at-poverty level children and adults were able to take advantage of sealants and fluoride varnishes, as well as very thorough lessons in proper oral hygiene technique and diet counseling.

Congratulations to all the members of the UT Dental Branch Hispanic Student Dental Association who made this all happen.