Topics at a glance: Komen press conference highlights Dental Branch research … 50 Years at UTDB: Up to 6,000 students learned from Professor Brady … UT Dentists celebrates million-dollar milestone … Segovia sworn in as U.S. citizen in July ceremony … Shelton attends American Indian dental meeting in Phoenix

Komen press conference highlights Dental Branch research

Janice Jucker of Three Brothers Bakery serves pink cookies to UTDB researcher Charles Streckfus, D.D.S., and Stephen Schwartz, D.D.S., at the press conference kicking off the Komen Houston Race for the Cure.® Photo by Brian Schnupp

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® foundation chose The University of Texas Dental Branch as the site for a press conference July 31 to kick off the 18th annual Komen Houston Race for the Cure®, scheduled this year for Oct. 4. The Dental Branch was highlighted because of its research into using saliva to detect breast cancer at very early stages. Earlier this year, Komen for the Cure® awarded an Investigator-Initiated Research Grant of just over $380,000 to support the work of lead researcher Charles Streckfus, D.D.S. In early studies, Streckfus and colleagues found that certain proteins in saliva can indicate the presence of breast cancer or benign tumors, and distinguish between them. The study is currently being repeated with a larger number of patients. Work is also under way to develop an easy, affordable way to administer the saliva test outside the laboratory. For more information about participating in the Komen Houston Race for the Cure® visit www.komen-houston.org.

Professor Kenneth Brady, D.D.S.

50 Years at UTDB:

Up to 6,000 students
learned from Professor Brady

Professor Kenneth Brady, D.D.S., has now logged 50 years on the faculty of The University of Texas Dental Branch, but his roots stretch further back than that. He was once a UT dental student himself, attending classes in an old brick building at the corner of Fannin and Blodgett streets.

In 1955, the dental school moved to the current location at 6516 M.D. Anderson Boulevard and got a new name, too - The UT Dental Branch - but Brady's classmates had another name for the new building. "We called it 'The Pink Palace' because of the granite," Brady said. "It was a tremendous change to come here. It was like an entirely different world."

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UT Dentists clinic celebrates million-dollar milestone

UT Dentists Executive Director Stephen Laman, D.D.S., and Dean Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S., take the lead in cutting the cakes at the reception celebrating the clinic's $1 million milestone.

The UT Dentists clinic on the first floor of The University of Texas Dental Branch reached a milestone in July when the clinic's gross revenue passed the $1 million mark. To celebrate, the Dental Branch hosted a reception featuring a "million dollar" cake and praise for a job well done.

UT Dentists is the faculty practice at UTDB, not to be confused with dental services provided by students under guidance of their instructors. UT Dentists opened Sept. 1, 2006 and is staffed by faculty members who enjoy treating patients. It functions as any other private dental office would, taking appointments and accepting dental insurance.

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Maria Segovia

Segovia sworn in as U.S. citizen

UT Dental Branch Senior Support Specialist Maria Segovia became a U.S. citizen July 2 along with 1,900 others. She was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Maria is the daughter-in-law of Rachel Segovia, who recently retired from the Dental Branch after nearly 25 years of service. Maria Segovia has worked in the Patient Services Department for nearly seven years.

Kacie L. Shelton

Shelton attends American Indian
dental society meeting in Phoenix

Kacie L. Shelton, a dental student who will begin her second year at the Dental Branch this month, attended the annual meeting of the Society of American Indian Dentists in Phoenix, Ariz. earlier this summer. She said the meeting offered continuing education about Indian health issues such as diabetes and periodontal disease, plus the links between oral and systemic health. Shelton, a native of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw tribe, is also a registered nurse.