Topics at a glance: Can UTDB top 2008? Charitable campaign kicks off next week with high hopes … UTDB students teach oral health for Dress for Success client … Highway 288 southbound MacGregor exit ramp to close … Pink foil yogurt lids can advance cancer research

Can UTDB top 2008?
Charitable campaign kicks off next week with high hopes

State Employee Charitable Campaign department contacts include (front from left) Kimberly Magee, Loraine Alexander, Sheila Wells, Gloria Bailey,(second row) Paulette Salanon, Mamie Ellis, Jayne Little, (third row) Mary Baines, John O’Black, Debbie Noel, Cynthia Jackson and Nancy Bass. Not pictured are Yvette Haas, Maria Rodriguez, Vanessa Ponce and Sedra Jackson. Photo by Brian Schnupp

The State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) will kick off at noon Thursday, Oct. 8 with a special program in Room B-81. Interim Dean John A. Valenza, D.D.S., will deliver opening comments, and a Houston Food Bank representative will give a short presentation. Light refreshments will be served. This year’s campaign co-chairs are Deborah Noel of Patient Care and Jayne Little of the Development Office. Designated campaigners for each department include:

• Kimberly Magee, Dental Hygiene
• Loraine Alexander, Patient Services
• Sheila Wells, Restorative Dentistry
• Gloria Bailey, Orthodontics
• Paulette Salanon, UT Dentists
• Mamie Ellis, Endodontics
• Jayne Little, Development (Office of the Dean)
• Mary Baines, Prosthodontics
• John O’Black, Instructional Media
• Debbie Noel, Patient Care
• Cynthia Jackson, Oral Surgery
• Nancy Bass, Diagnostic Sciences
• Yvette Haas, Continuing Education
• Maria Rodriguez, Clinical Services
• Vanessa Ponce, Pediatric Dentistry
• Sedra Jackson, Pediatric Dentistry (HMC)

Despite Hurricane Ike, Dental Branch employees donated 9 percent more in 2008 than in 2007 and also participated in greater numbers in 2008. Campaign leaders are hoping for another good showing this year. For more information on how the campaign works, where the money goes, etc., visit the campaign’s Frequently Asked Questions page. The campaign will continue through Friday, Oct. 30.

UTDB students teach oral health to Dress for Success clients

Second-year dental hygiene students Gretchen Rakowitz, Leslie Bebber, Dandi Johnson and Claudette Mims did a community service presentation in September on periodontal disease for women in the Professional Women’s Group of Dress for Success Houston. Dress for Success is a nonprofit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

The students provided information about the Dental Branch and services available at the school, and also discussed health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, periodontal disease and the role oral health plays in connection to overall health. Free toothbrushes and toothpaste were distributed for the women and their families.

Highway 288 southbound MacGregor exit ramp to close

The Texas Medical Center has announced that the Highway 288 southbound MacGregor exit ramp will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 through 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 to allow for the exit to be widened. For access during this time, use the Southmore and Blodgett exit ramp and travel on the Highway 288 southbound frontage road to North MacGregor. The TxDOT contractor will install detour signs. The Highway 288 northbound exit to MacGregor will remain open. For more information, contact Akbar Tavangarian, Texas Medical Center, 713-591-0814.

Pink foil yogurt lids can advance cancer research

A collection box is now in place outside the UT Dentists faculty practice office on the first floor (Room 101) to collect Yoplait® yogurt lids in support of breast cancer research through the company's "Save Lids to Save Lives" program. For every pink lid dropped off, Yoplait® will donate 10 cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure,® up to $1.5 million, with a guarantee of at least $500,000. The money goes to cancer research and treatment throughout the country.

Chrystal Pierce, R.D.H., encourages everyone to participate by dropping off clean, pink Yoplait® yogurt lids. Her goal this year is 1,000 lids from the Dental Branch. For more information, join the online team, UT Dental Branch, and to view the team's lid tracker, visit http://www.yourlidmatters.com. The team code is 112002. Pierce stressed that the lids should be washed and dried before going in the box. Nearly all adult Yoplait® products are participating in Save Lids to Save Lives. Questions? Contact Pierce at 713-500-4200 or Chrystal.Pierce@uth.tmc.edu