Topics at a glance: Dental Branch makes TDA Smiles Foundation ‘Top 5’ List … Texas Academy of General Dentistry bestows honors …Dr. Vaughan first to win Texas New Dentist of the Year™ Award … CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: Help needed for Special Olympics dental screenings Oct. 23-24 … ADA Foundation announces new E. “Bud” Tarrson Award for dental students …Dental Branch alumnus to lead American Academy of Periodontology …Get your (seasonal) flu shot Oct. 15 at UTDB… Find UTDB on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iTunesU…

Dental Branch makes TDA Smiles Foundation ‘Top 5’ List

Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation has named The University of Texas Dental Branch as one of its “Top 5 Access to Care Volunteers” listed in the foundation’s 2009 Smiles Report. The Dental Branch was the only school on the list of outstanding volunteers.

The TDA Smiles Foundation sponsors Texas Mission of Mercy events around the state, organizing dental volunteers to provide free dental care to low-income patients. The Dental Branch and its students support and participate in these events, wherever they’re held.

Peggy O’Neill, D.D.S., associate dean for patient care at the Dental Branch, thanked the foundation for the honor and noted that volunteers make it possible. “We’re very proud of our students and faculty for their very enthusiastic volunteer spirit,” she said. “Texas Missions of Mercy continue to be special because of the important interaction among dental professionals and our students and faculty in providing much-needed care to underserved populations.”

Dr. Ralph Cooley (right) has been named 2009 Texas Dentist of the Year. He is pictured with longtime friend and colleague John A. Valenza, D.D.S., interim dean of the UT Dental Branch.

TAGD names Dr. Cooley
2009 Texas Dentist of the Year™

The Texas Academy of General Dentistry named Ralph Cooley, D.D.S., as the 2009 Texas Dentist of the Year™, choosing the Conroe dentist from a field of 21 nominees.

A 1980 graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry, Cooley is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston.

Among the other nominees were 10 members of the Dental Branch alumni and Arthur Jeske, D.D.S., associate dean for strategic planning.

The alumni included Roberto Diaz, D.D.S., of McAllen; Karen Frazer, D.D.S., of Austin; Gus Gates, D.D.S., of Temple; Thomas Gerald, D.D.S., of Amarillo; Jerry Katz, D.D.S., of Austin; Brad Loeffelholz, D.D.S., of Fort Worth; Mary Mellard, D.D.S., of Houston; William Nantz, D.D.S. of Beaumont; Timothy Shannon, D.D.S., of McKinney; and David Tillman, D.D.S., of Fort Worth. FULL STORY.

The Texas Academy of General Dentistry has named Steven Vaughan, D.D.S. (left) as the 2009 Texas New Dentist of the Year. He is pictured with Dr. Ron Theiss, TAGD president.

Dr. Vaughan first to win TAGD’s
Texas New Dentist of the Year™ Award

For the first time ever, the Texas Academy of General Dentistry has chosen a Texas New Dentist of the Year™. The honor went to Steven Vaughan, D.D.S., a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials at the Dental Branch. He is a 2004 graduate of The University of Texas Dental School at San Antonio.

Nominees for the new dentist of the year award are Academy of General Dentistry members selected by leaders of their local AGD components. The award recognizes emerging leaders in dentistry to who show a commitment to TAGD’s core values and mission. The core values include lifelong learning, integrity and ethical behavior, freedom of choice, fellowship and belief in the value and benefit of general dentistry.

The TAGD’s mission is advancing excellence in general dentistry. Dental Branch Interim Dean John A. Valenza, D.D.S., was pleased with the news. “What a tremendous honor for Dr. Vaughan,” Valenza said. “Ever since coming to the Dental Branch, he has shown great enthusiasm and innovation as a role model to students and other faculty, especially through our Advanced Education in General Dentistry and General Practice Residency programs. We’re proud to call him one of our own!”

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
Help needed for Special Olympics dental screenings Oct. 23-24

Dr. Sanford “Sandy” Fenton (left) screens a Special Olympic athlete. Volunteers are needed for a similar event Oct. 23-24 in Bryan/College Station.

Volunteers from The University of Texas Dental Branch will team up with
Special Olympics to provide free dental screenings for up to 400 athletes at the Texas Special Olympics Fall Classic Special Smiles Screening Event from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Brazos County Exposition Center, 5827 Leonard Road in Bryan. A block of rooms at a local hotel has been reserved for volunteers who participate both days and need overnight lodging.

Dental Branch Pediatric Dentistry Department Chair Sanford “Sandy” Fenton, D.D.S., said Dental Branch faculty, staff, students and residents are encouraged to volunteer. In addition to dental personnel to do the screenings, volunteers are needed to teach oral hygiene and nutrition; clerical personnel are needed to help with registration; and all-purpose volunteers are needed to escort the athletes through the screening process and help with other tasks. FULL STORY.

ADA Foundation announces Tarrson Award for dental students

The American Dental Association Foundation is seeking applications for the E. “Bud” Tarrson Access to Oral Health Care Award, which recognizes significant dental student outreach efforts to vulnerable communities. One award of $5,000 will be made per dental school on behalf of the student’s or mentor’s winning application. The Request for Applications (RFA) is posted at www.adafoundation.org and applications are due Nov. 3. To learn more about the award, visit www.adafoundation.org and download the RFA or contact Jane Jasek at jasekj@ada.org.

Dental Branch alumnus to lead American Academy of Periodontology

University of Texas Dental Branch alumnus Samuel Low, D.D.S. (Class of 1973), was installed as president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Board of Trustees during their 95th Annual Meeting Sept. 12-15 in Boston. Low is associate dean and professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville, Fla., where he currently lives.

He earned his dental degree, specialty training in periodontics, and master’s degree in biomedical science from the UT Dental Branch, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Florida College of Education. He is also an advisory faculty member to the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education, a dental school that focuses on hands-on educational experiences and a highly developed dental curriculum.

The AAP is the professional organization for periodontists —specialists in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. The AAP has 8,000 members worldwide.

Get your (seasonal) flu shot Oct. 15 at UTDB

The UT Employee Health service will offer flu shots from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 in Room B-25 at the Dental Branch. The shots are $25 each and will protect against seasonal flu, not H1N1 (swine) flu. For more information, contact Cindy.A.Crosley@uth.tmc.edu or 713-500-3254.

Find UTDB on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iTunesU

The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston now has an official presence on Facebook, Twitter, iTunes U and YouTube, opening new doors for communication with current and potential students, employees, patients, collaborators, friends and supporters. Icons for the sites are on the Dental Branch homepage, www.db.uth.tmc.edu.

Events, activities, invitations, announcements, photos and video (as appropriate) can be shared by contacting Senior Communications Specialist Rhonda Moran at Ext. 4023 or Learning Resources Center Manager Richard “Hal” Halpin, Ext. 4216.

Halpin conducted a survey earlier this year that indicated a high number of Dental Branch students use social media, and many faculty members “showed a great deal of interest in the possibility of having the Dental Branch gain extra exposure via these avenues,” he said. “The overwhelming response was that the Dental Branch should take advantage of social networking applications such as Facebook and Twitter but that care should be taken to maintain the integrity of the institution.”