Topics at a glance: Educating in two languages UTDB Hispanic students volunteer at children’s health fair  … UTDB students attend Hinman Student Research Symposium …9% more UTDB employees contribute to charitable campaign …ADEA journal’s November edition features UTDB photo on cover … Dr. Schwartz named Outstanding Community Volunteer  …Donation supports dental van’s work  …Craven scholarship awarded

Iven Gonzalez, Detra Early, Monica Muller-Delgado, and Jairener Reyes of the UT Dental Branch Hispanic Student Dental Association were among volunteers at a Nov. 2 health fair at Reliant Center.

Educating in two languages

UTDB Hispanic students volunteer at children's health fair

The UTDB Hispanic Student Dental Association participated in "Nuestra Familia, Nuestra Salud" Latino Children's Health Fair Nov. 2 at Reliant Center in collaboration with Johanna K. DeYoung, D.D.S., of the Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Oral Health. Approximately 5,000 people attended the health fair. UTDB students provided educational information about preventive dentistry, oral health, the effects of gingivitis and periodontitis, the benefits of sealants, and proper brushing and flossing techniques. They distributed information in both English and Spanish about oral disease and ways to combat it. In addition, the students provided a list of places where dental care may be provided at a reduced cost for low-income families.

UTDB students attend Hinman Student Research Symposium

Eight of the nine UTDB students attending the Hinman Student Research Symposium are pictured, including (from left) Elizabeth Swearingen, Katy Jones, Urvi Jadav, Chris Williams, Heather Luong, Tina Nguyen, Connor Kelley and Shieva Molavi. Philip Pan is not shown.

Nine dental students represented The University of Texas Dental Branch at the Hinman Student Research Symposium Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 in Memphis, Tenn. The meeting was organized by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry with support from the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The meeting's purpose is to honor student efforts in research. Students from every dental school in the U.S. and Canada are invited. UTDB Periodontics Department Chair James Katancik, D.D.S., Ph.D., accompanied the students. Those attending included Chris Williams (mentor, Rade D. Paravina, D.D.S., Ph.D.), Elizabeth Swearingen (mentor, Wenjian Zhang, D.D.S., Ph.D.); Philip Pan, Tina Nguyen and Urvi Jadav (mentor, Chung H. Kau, B.D.S., Ph.D.); Shieva Molavi (mentor, Gary Frey, D.D.S.); Connor Kelley and Heather Luong (mentor, Jackie Duke, Ph.D.); and Katy Jones (mentor, John R. Klein, Ph.D.). Five students gave oral presentations and four presented posters. MORE PHOTOS.

9% more UTDB employees contribute to charitable campaign

The University of Texas Dental Branch had an excellent response to the 2008 State Employee Charitable Campaign, with a 9 percent increase in overall participation, according to campaign chairs Mamie Ellis and John O'Black. Donations also increased by more than $2,300 over that for the prior year, for a 2008 total of $15,101. Forty-eight percent of the classified staff and 18.8 percent of the faculty donated to the campaign. The 2008 participation rate was 32 percent, versus only 23 percent last year.

At right, Mamie Ellis, an executive assistant in the Endodontics Department, and Instructional Media Director John O’Black chaired this year’s State Employee Charitable Campaign at the Dental Branch. Photo by Brian Schnupp.

ADEA journal's November edition features UTDB photo on cover

The November edition of the Journal of Dental Education published by the American Dental Education Association features a photo of DDS Class of 2008 valedictorian Melissa Lent delivering the her commencement address in May. Communications Specialist Rhonda Moran shot the picture with a Canon digital camera, and when ADEA issued a call for graduation photos earlier this year, she obtained permission from the graduates and submitted several photos for consideration. To see the journal cover, CLICK HERE.

Dr. Schwartz named Outstanding Community Volunteer

Susan Coulter, J.D., vice president for institutional advancement at The UT Health Science Center, with Stephen F. Schwartz, D.D.S., after he was named as an Outstanding Community Volunteer.

Stephen F. Schwartz, D.D.S., has been named one of 10 "Outstanding Community Volunteers" from The University of Texas Health Science Center. They were honored at the 2008 National Philanthropy Day Luncheon Nov. 13 at the Hilton Americas Hotel. Schwartz is an alumnus of the UT Dental Branch ('68, '70) and practiced endodontics for nearly 40 years. Currently, he serves as chair of the school's Open to Health fundraising initiative and as special advisor to the dean. He is also a member of the UTHSC-H Development Board and chairs the Dental Branch Advisory Council. The honorees received medallions, underwritten by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, commemorating the occasion. National Philanthropy Day celebrates and honors Houston's top philanthropic entities including individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations that have shaped the community with gifts of time, talent and resources. The mission of the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon is to celebrate and strengthen volunteerism and philanthropy.

Donation will support
dental van's work

UT Dental Branch alumnus William R. "Bill" Clitheroe, D.D.S. ('57) presents a check for $5,000 from the International College of Dentistry, USA Section Foundation, to Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., to fund community outreach via the school's Dental Van. Clitheroe sponsored UTDB's request to the foundation as a member of their selection committee.

Photo by Brian Schnupp.

Craven scholarship awarded to first-year student

First-year dental student Christopher Stevenson is this year’s recipient of the Moritz and Judith Craven Endowed Scholarship. He is shown here with Judith Craven, M.D. who presented the scholarship. Her husband, Moritz Craven, D.D.S., is a UT Dental Branch alumnus (’60).

Photo by Brian Schnupp.