Topics at a glance: Quarter century and counting...Henson contributes to dental hygiene textbook...14th Annual University Classified Staff Workshop June 11...Dr. Sadowsky named special care dentistry diplomate...UTHSC-H Student InterCouncil awards scholarships, honors deans...Faculty Senate hosts tribute to Dr. Flaitz...

Quarter century and counting:
Longest-running CE course draws international following

Dean Catherine Flaitz presents a certificate to Dr. Francisco Ramirez of Mexico at the dinner that each year concludes UTDB’s general dentistry course in Spanish.  Ramirez is credited with helping the course gain popularity in Mexico. Pictured from left are Course Presenter Elsa Echeverri, D.D.S.; Ramirez, Flaitz and Course Director Rodney Beetar, D.D.S. Photo by Brian Schnupp.

The longest-running continuing education course in the 104-year history of The University of Texas Dental Branch marked its 25th anniversary this spring as it always does – by attracting international dentists. Dental professionals from Latin American countries attended the four-day “Curso de Odontologia General” (General Dentistry Course in Spanish) in April, where they could earn up to 21 hours of CE credit for courses relating to dental implants, dental care for cancer patients, and pediatric dentistry. The course attracts dentists from many countries, and until politics got in the way, a large contingent from Venezuela attended regularly, said Course Director Rodney Beetar, D.D.S. He still believes the UTDB course enhances America’s reputation in Latin America by building personal relationships between professionals. It is believed to be the only Spanish-language CE series currently offered in the United States. FULL STORY.

Henson contributes to dental hygiene textbook

Harold A. Henson, R.D.H.

Associate Professor Harold A. Henson, R.D.H., of the Department of Periodontics, was a chapter contributor in the third edition of Mosby’s Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice by Michele L. Darby and Margaret M. Walsh.

The Darby and Walsh textbook is considered one of the eminent textbooks used in dental hygiene education. Henson authored Chapter 60, titled “Practice Management.” He has been course director for the dental hygiene practice management course at the Dental Branch since 2003. “It was an honor to be asked by these two distinguished dental hygiene educators to contribute to their latest edition,” he said.

14th Annual University Classified Staff Workshop June 11

The 14th Annual University Classified Staff Workshop is set for 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11 in the auditorium of the UT Brown Foundation Institute for Molecular Medicine Auditorium. The guest speaker will be David L. Meinz, R.D., and the topic will be “You Be in Charge; Health Matters.” To register to receive an invitation to attend the workshop, visit http://www.uth.tmc.edu/ucsc/workshop/2009/workshop.htm to fill out the online submission form. Registration will be accepted through May 18. You must have your supervisor’s permission to attend. For more information, contact Dental Branch UCSC Representative Trish McFarland at 713-500-4105 or Patricia.McFarland@uth.tmc.edu.

Dr. Sadowsky named special care dentistry diplomate

June Sadowsky, D.D.S

Assistant Professor June Sadowsky, D.D.S., has been named a diplomate of the American Board of Special Care Dentistry (ABSCD), which awards diplomate certification to Special Care Dentistry members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishments in care of people with special needs in the areas of geriatric dentistry, people with disabilities or hospital dentistry. Sadowsky’s focus has been on geriatric dentistry.

She received the award at the organization’s 21st annual meeting April 17-19 in Baltimore. Special Care Dentistry also offers fellowship programs sponsored by the American Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities, the American Association of Hospital Dentists, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry, as well as the diplomate program through the ABSCD.

UTHSC-H Student InterCouncil awards scholarships, honors deans

First-year orthodontics resident Michael Robertson, D.D.S., receives a scholarship at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Student InterCouncil Dean’s Reception in April.

The Student InterCouncil (SIC) of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston held a dean’s reception and awards banquet in April, where first-year orthodontics resident Michael Robertson, D.D.S., was one of five UT Health Science Center students to receive SIC Scholarship Awards.

Others attending from the Dental Branch included Dean Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S. and SIC historian Sarah Azhar. A UTDB alumnus, Jeremy Chance, D.D.S. (’84) was scheduled for induction into the SIC Alumni Association.

Faculty Senate hosts tribute to Dr. Flaitz The Dental Branch Faculty Senate hosted a tribute May 11 in honor of Dean Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S., who has announced plans to step down as dean after the May 22 graduation ceremony. During the tribute, various Dental Branch personnel had the opportunity to commend her publicly for achievements during her seven-year tenure as dean, which began with two years as interim dean, followed by five years as dean. At this week’s ceremony, she was presented with an engraved crystal vase. Pictured from left are Faculty Senate members Robert Tate, D.D.S.; Janet Grobe-Hood, D.D.S.; Flaitz; President-Elect Gary Frey, D.D.S.; President Kamal Busaidy, D.D.S.; Rodney Beetar, D.D.S.; Charles Streckfus, D.D.S.; Jackie Duke, Ph.D.; and Ryan Quock, D.D.S. Photo by Brian Schnupp.