TroDent Fall 2022

SIM LAB A-PLUS!

Earlier this year, Ostrow embarked on what would be its biggest capital construction project in nearly two decades with the complete renovation of Sim Lab A. The upgrade included the replacement of all 150 benches with sleek, modern workspaces, offering more countertop space than ever before and the installation of all new computers, mobile units and manikin heads as well as five X-ray machines. It’s only the latest in a series of major upgrades to the Norris Dental Science Center, including the renovation of Sim Lab B in 2019 plus the total transformation of three auditoriums (Century Club, Guggenheim and Blair), the replacement of all dental chairs throughout the DDS clinics as well as renovations to both the East and West Lobbies. Norris has never looked so good!

PHOTO BY SARAH BLOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

MESSAGE

Welcome to the Winter 2022 issue of TroDent!

It’s been more than three years since Ostrow’s beloved TroDent has been published, taking a necessary hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many of you, I couldn’t be more excited to see its return — not simply for news about the school or the fun featurettes in Front Desk or feature stories about our community members. All of that is great, for sure, but the return of TroDent feels like the return of normalcy. And after the past few years we’ve had, I think we’re all desperate for that sense of normalcy.

In this issue, we catch you up on some news you might have missed during the past few years. On page 6, you can read about Ostrow’s continued ascension up the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research funding list. Today, we are the third top-funded dental institution in the nation — an exciting development and a true testament to the strength of our research faculty and staff members. On page 8, you can read about some exciting technology that our advanced education program in endodontics has acquired to improve patient outcomes. The cone-beam computed tomography scanner gives endodontists a 3-D image inside the tooth. Of course, endodontists live and die by imaging, so the scanners are helping improve patient outcomes like never before.

In this issue’s cover story (p. 22-27), we celebrate the more than 250 volunteer faculty members who come from far and wide to give back to USC and the profession at large by educating generation after generation of dental students. They all have their reasons for wanting to give back, and we’re incredibly thankful for their service. We tell the story of five such faculty members who provide our students with sage advice, real-world experience and hard-fought wisdom — and get an education of their own in return from our students.

We also feature the Class of 2026’s National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholarship recipients. For those of you who do not know, the NHSC scholarship program funds a student’s dental education in full plus gives them a monthly stipend to live off during their dental studies. In return, they must provide treatment in a health professional shortage area for two years — something many social justice-minded individuals might choose to do anyway. We have NHSC scholars in all four years of the DDS program, but we focus on the Class of 2026, which has the largest concentration of NHSC scholars at the school currently. You can read more about that on page 28.

To be sure, there’s a little bit of something for everybody in this issue — from a Q&A with our Director of Continuing Education Alon Frydman PERIO ’O6, who discusses Ostrow’s official podcast, Louped In (p. 11) to the makeover of two of our mobile dental clinics (p. 12) to our new Class Notes section (p. 32), which keeps you informed of all your classmates’ goings-on. So please, sit back and enjoy this issue of TroDent !

Avishai Sadan DMD, MBA Dean G. Donald and Marian James Montgomery Professor of Dentistry Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

ANSWERING THE CALL | 28-29

Asha Green DDS ’26, Daniel Ip DDS ’26 and Somkene Okwuego ’21, MA ’22, DDS ’26 have their dental educations paid for in full, thanks to a National Health Service Corps scholarship that only requires they provide treatment in a health professional shortage area for two years.

FEATURES

OSTROW GOES GREEN | 19-21

With single-use gowns, gloves, plastic packaging and backbar paper, dental education can leave behind a large carbon footprint, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The Ostrow Sustainability Group aims to train dental students how to practice dentistry while improving the planet’s health.

GETTING A JUMPSTART ON SUCCESS

| 30-31

Through USC’s Diversity, Inclusion and Access JumpStart Program, non-USC undergraduates, like Angelita Araujo-Villalba and Maximus Lopez, get an opportunity to spend the summer in USC’s research labs, to prepare them to pursue a PhD.

CONTRIBUTORS

Where might one have seen any of your work?

I’ve written for some 130 colleges and universities around the country — from alumni magazines to blogs — covering the breadth of human and academic experience.

What did you take away from having written this story on our NHSC Scholars?

ence-makers. They approach dentistry and community with care, empathy and an abiding commitment to right systemic inequality. I left our conversations feeling inspired.

What do you like to do outside of work?

ANDREW FAUGHT WRITER, “ANSWERING THE CALL,” P. 28

Asha, Daniel and Somkene are differ-

When I’m not on the hunt for the perfect bowl of chile verde, I enjoy turning up new recipes from around the globe.

WINTER 2022

DEAN AVISHAI SADAN DMD, MBA

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS JOHN HOBBS MA ’14

DESIGN/PRODUCTION GARETT YOSHIDA

CONTRIBUTORS

YAARA BERDAN MBA ’22 ANDREW FAUGHT KATE GAMMON JOHN HOBBS MA ’14

EPIFANIA JUAREZ MICHELLE McCARTHY DANIEL P. SMITH JAMIE WETHERBE

What first drew you to the USC Mobile Clinic?

I was meant to be part of the USC Mobile Clinic. I was working at a county facility when someone who knew Dr. Charlie Goldstein well, talked to me about an open position.

How would you describe the USC Mobile Clinic team?

Mobile clinic is a family-like team working enthusiastically together. We do what we have to do to get the job done, and we do it harmoniously.

ILLUSTRATOR JAYA NICELY

JUAREZ WRITER, “INSPIRED,”

P. 36

At first, I wasn’t interested, but she insisted, saying I was the exact type of person they were looking for. On the day of the interview, I underestimated USC’s lack of parking and had trouble finding the building where the interview took place. I arrived late, yet I still got the job.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I work on becoming a better person physically, mentally and spiritually. I enjoy nature and good food.

SMITH WRITER, “GETTING A JUMPSTART ON SUCCESS,” P. 30

Where might one have seen some of your work?

Chicago Sun-Times , Runners World , Running Insight, Catholic Digest (I write for a lot of trade magazines, largely focused on retail, hospitality and small business as well as for universities such as Northwestern, Michigan and the University of Chicago, so my work is tough to find unless one is any one of those specific orbits.)

What stuck with you the most writing our feature story on the JumpStart program?

I love when undergraduates can get

involved in research and really begin to dive into fields that interest them. What a rich and exciting opportunity for these young students! And that the JumpStart program was available to non-USC students was particularly fascinating — and noble.

What do you like to do outside of work?

My two kids, ages 10 and 8, keep me plenty busy, but I run five to six times a week and still love to play basketball as much as my body can handle it. I’ll bike weekly, too, but my bike goes into hibernation in the fall as Chicago weather isn’t the most bike friendly.

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CONTACT US WITH STORY IDEAS AT: OSTROW.COMMUNICATIONS@USC.EDU

DENTISTRY.USC.EDU

EPIFANIA

DANIEL

A Quantum Leap

Ostrow jumps to third top-funded U.S. dental institution by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

BY JOHN HOBBS MA ’14

If the past few years of pandemic were meant to slow researchers down in their quest for knowledge, no one told the research teams working in Ostrow’s lab spaces across both campuses.

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC has been ranked the third highest-funded U.S. dental institution by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

“It shows an incredible amount of

trust for us to be able to get this support, which enables us to carry out innovative research projects that can truly benefit our patients,” said Associate Dean of Research Yang Chai PhD ’91, DDS ’96

THE TOP-FUNDED GRANTS

In the past few years, the top-funded NIDCR grants to USC researchers were those supporting FaceBase III, a central repository for craniofacial datasets and tools meant to advance craniofacial science that USC has been leading since 2014 as well as training grants meant to support PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in their research.

But it was the funding provided for the Center for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Tissue and Organ Regeneration (C-DOCTOR) — whose third phase launched during the pandemic — that helped propel Ostrow to the No. 3 ranking.

Led by USC, C-DOCTOR is a consortium of California academic institutions

whose mission is to become a sustainable, comprehensive national center that enables the clinical translation of innovative regenerative therapies to replace dental, oral and craniofacial tissues or organs lost to congenital disorders, traumatic injuries, disease and medical procedures.

“C-DOCTOR has been an incredible opportunity for us to work with so many talented people,” said Chai, who is a University Professor, the George and MaryLou Boone Chair in Craniofacial Biology and the Director of the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology.

“We have eight different institutions working together to identify these interdisciplinary translational research projects, foster their development and help them move into an FDA filing. It allows us to really translate innovative discoveries into patient care.”

Chai is a principal investigator of C-DOCTOR, alongside UC San Francisco’s Jeffrey Lotz.

PHOTO BY CHRIS SHINN

CHAI APPOINTED TO UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR

Associate Dean of Research Yang Chai PhD ’91, DDS ’96 has been appointed University Professor, making history as Ostrow’s first faculty member to achieve such distinction. The designation, held by 22 other faculty members across the university, is awarded very selectively to those whose accomplishments have brought special renown to USC. Chai helped create the Center for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Tissue and Organ Regeneration, which enables the development and implementation of innovative approaches to dental, oral and craniofacial tissue regeneration. He’s also the principal investigator behind FaceBase, a central repository for craniofacial datasets and tools meant to foster cooperation and collaboration among craniofacial scientists. Both endeavors have helped establish USC as a premier center for craniofacial research and tissue regeneration.

MASTER’S IN OROFACIAL PAIN AND ORAL MEDICINE ACCREDITED BY THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS

Ostrow’s hybrid online/on-campus master’s degree in orofacial pain and oral medicine was recently accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons –Edinburgh, a venerable, centuries-old institution. The hybrid program had already undergone a successful review by USC’s University Committee on Academic Review, and the accreditation from the Royal College of Surgeons gives the program yet one more stamp of approval. This is the second program Ostrow has had accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons; the hybrid certificate program in orofacial pain — a partnership with Trinity College Dublin — also received the distinction. “Kudos to Dr. Glenn Clark and the entire Distance Education Team for this recognition,” said Dean Avishai Sadan in a community message.

USC PARTNERS WITH TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN FOR NEW CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Ostrow’s Online Dental Programs has partnered with Trinity College Dublin Dental University Hospital/School of Dental Science to launch a hybrid online/on-campus certificate program in orofacial pain. The program, which launched in January 2021, includes a mix of hands-on training at Trinity College with online didactic instruction — including weekly live webinar sessions with faculty and other residents, video lectures and quizzes — provided by Ostrow. Once students complete the certificate program, they have the opportunity to join USC’s three-year master’s degree program in orofacial pain and oral medicine during its second year. The partnership helps raise the profile of orofacial pain in a new area of the world, which could improve outcomes for dental patients in the European Union.

OSTROW JOINS USC HEALTH ENTERPRISE

Earlier this year, USC President Carol Folt announced a reorganization that would draw all of the health sciences schools into the USC Health System under the leadership of USC’s first Senior Vice President for Health Affairs Steve Shapiro. The realignment impacts Ostrow, the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. The synergy will give each school a larger voice in the critical issues facing healthcare and the health sciences while allowing them to maintain their current autonomy. “I am very excited to work with the dentistry school, which since 1897 has shaped talented students into outstanding dental professionals,” Shapiro said. “Ostrow is home to some of the brightest names in the field and its graduates are known for their commitment to excellence and innovation as they further the latest advances in dental treatments.”

USC MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC TREATS NEARLY 100 VETERANS AT RECENT STOP

Earlier this fall, the USC Mobile Dental Clinic put in a stop outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Westwood, where nearly 100 homeless and at-risk veterans received treatment, including comprehensive exams, radiographs, restorations, root canals and extractions. Because the event is part of an ongoing partnership with Village for Vets, a nonprofit dedicated to filling healthcare gaps for veterans, Ostrow’s residents, students and faculty were able to conduct recall exams and cleanings for patients seen at previous veterans’ mobile clinics. “It’s such an honor to see Ostrow making such lasting impacts in the community — and particularly for some of our nation’s bravest,” said Dean Avishai Sadan in a community message.

BRIAN HONG, DERICK TAGAWA STEP INTO NEW LEADERSHIP ROLES

After more than three years as Chair of the Board of Councilors, Carol Gomez Summerhays DDS ’ 78 stepped down from the leadership position in late October. “Given her major contributions, Carol graciously accepted my offer to remain on the Board of Councilors,” said Dean Avishai Sadan, in a memo. In her place, Derick Tagawa DDS ’68, ORTHO ’71 has agreed to assume the Chair position, stepping down as Chair of the Friends of Dentistry (FOD). “Given his vast experience and track record, I am confident he will do a tremendous job in his new role,” Sadan said. The vacancy of FOD Chair will be filled by Brian Hong DDS ’89, PEDO ’96, MS ’97, a current FOD member. “Brian brings with him the professionalism, experience and leadership skills necessary to successfully lead this group, having served as both the Chairman and the President of the Korean American Dental Association,” Sadan’s memo said.

MARZANO

Scanner Gives a GPS Map to Endodontists

The new tech allows endodontists to see in three dimensions, allowing more accurate diagnoses, treatment and evaluation.

BY KATHARINE GAMMON

Endodontists specialize in saving natural dentition, mostly focusing on the tooth’s interior. They live and die by imaging, both to diagnose what’s going on inside a tooth as well as to see how a treatment is working. Historically, that’s been done with traditional two-dimensional radiographs, which offer a flat view of a tooth.

Recently, Ostrow received a cone beam computed tomography scanner for use in the advanced education program in endodontics, thanks to endontist members of the Friends of Dentistry, particularly Samir Batniji ENDO ’87

The scanner rotates once around a patient’s head, giving a crisp 3-D view of what is going on inside teeth that are basically embedded in bone. It opens up new possibilities of seeing inside teeth, before a procedure ever starts.

TAKES THE GUESSWORK OUT

“I call it GPS for teeth,” said Rafael Roges, associate professor of clinical dentistry and director of the advanced education program in endodontics. “It’s like a 3-D map of a tooth’s anatomy, and it really is changing what we do.” The school has done 815 scans since June 2022, he said, at the time of publication.

Roges said the technology gives endodontists a better idea of what is going on inside and around the roots of the tooth before they start working there, making it a far better way than traditional radiographs to diagnose, treat and evaluate patients. The technology was developed in the mid-1990s and has been used in dentistry since the early 2000s.

For Mattison Donaldson ’15, DDS ’20, ENDO ’23, the scanner allowed her to diagnose a patient who could have been overlooked otherwise. Donaldson said she took traditional mandibular radiographs, and what she found looked healthy and normal. But then she took a scan, and found a huge lesion — revealing that the existing root canal was not healing and needed re-treatment. “You see so much more than you can

through other ways,” she said. “It takes the guesswork out of your actual treatment.”

The scanner can also help endodontists plan ahead for surgeries and pinpoint the exact location where they need to work, so they don’t end up removing bone that could otherwise be preserved, said Ariana Malek ENDO ’ 23. “We can see every aspect of the tooth, and even if it looks simple, we have been getting scans on almost every case,” she said. “With it, the surgeries go smoother.”

ONCE WAS BLIND BUT NOW CAN SEE

The scanner is safe to use, Roges said. Having a three-dimensional view often changes a diagnosis: In a study of cone beam computed tomography versus two-dimensional digital radiography, researchers found that having the technology changed a patient’s diagnosis 62 percent of the time.

“It’s becoming the best way to diagnose, treat and evaluate what we do,” he said, adding that the additional cost is mitigated by better treatments that don’t need to be redone. The scanner is mostly used for complicated anatomy, trauma or root canals that need to be redone — but, in Roges’ opinion, it should be used for everyone. “Endodontics was blind, but now we can see,” he said. “We can’t live without it anymore.”

PHOTO BY GLENN

FRONT

The Cutting Edge

BY MICHELLE McCARTHY

For Irene Bu ’19, DDS ’23, figure skating started off like any other new adventure in life. When the Pasadena native first stepped onto the ice at the age of 10, she was “wobbling all around.” But with time — after taking group and private lessons, lots of discipline and putting in hours at the rink — she was able to execute precise jumps and double spins.

“What initially drew me to figure skating was the pretty costumes,” Bu explains. “The people I saw on TV looked so elegant. I looked up to professional skaters like Mirai Nagasu and Yuna Kim. When I tried it, I immediately fell in love with the ice and the sense of freedom it affords. You can just slide and skate super fast.”

Bu says that to become a great figure skater, you must be a great performer. “You can do the moves, have the right technique, land the jumps and do a good spin, but you have to display true artistry.”

When her high school years rolled

around and Bu’s studies took precedence, she had to hang up her skates. “I got busy, and the time needed for figure skating is pretty demanding,” she says. Even so, Bu never lost her passion for the sport.

As a USC undergraduate, she joined the USC Figure Skating Club and participated in intercollegiate figure skating competitions and showcase performances. “It provided a good opportunity for me to continue skating on the side,” Bu says. “For my last two years of college, I wanted to make the most of it. I realized, ‘Yeah, I’m busy, but I can find time for things I’m really passionate about.’”

This required her to wake up every Wednesday at 4 a.m., drive from the USC area to the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, practice from 5 to 6, and then drive back to USC for class. “The hardest part was getting myself to go to sleep early on Tuesday nights,” she says, with a laugh.

While the club didn’t bring home any

trophies, that really wasn’t their motivation. “Our ultimate goal was to have fun,” she explains.

Getting back on the ice after a five-year hiatus wasn’t as difficult as Bu imagined. “It’s kind of like riding a bike,” she says. But, Bu does admit that when she falls, it’s a lot more painful.

Nowadays, if a patient cancels on Bu or she has an empty block in her schedule, she’ll seek out a local rink. Once she graduates from dental school in the spring, she has no plans to leave her beloved hobby behind. “If my first patient is scheduled at 9 a.m., I could easily squeeze in an earlymorning session, like six to seven o’clock. It’s worth it since I love it so much.”

There’s one big difference in how Bu skates now versus when she was a kid: “I stay away from doing double spins,” she says. “I’m a little scared of injuring my hands because I need to use them for dentistry.”

REUNIONS YEARS 25 CLASS FLASHBACK 1997

The Spring 1997 issue of TroDent commemorated the dental school’s 100-year anniversary with a cover photo from the Centennial Gala. Pictured were Chairman of the Dentistry Associates David Eggleston DDS ’70, PROS ’72 ; Century Club President (and co-chairman of the USC Centennial Committee) Harris Done DDS ’63; President of the Dental Alumni Association Bob Avakian DDS ’54; Dean Howard Landesman DDS ’62 and USC Dental Hall of Famer Rex Ingraham DDS ’41, along with the USC Centennial, a guide chronicling the previous century. Inside the TroDent, Landesman wrote in the Dean’s Message of upcoming plans to remodel the Sim Labs, expand and relocate the orthodontics clinic from the basement to the third floor and build an 8,000-squarefoot library and learning center in the basement. He also postulated about the future of dental education, with a section that might make the Zoom-weary bristle. “It no longer matters whether information is transferred directly to an audience sitting in the same room as the speaker, or whether the audience is in the next room, the next city, the next continent and connected to the speaker by online video facilities,” he said.

BY JAYA NICELY

ILLUSTRATION

The Norris Dental Science Center sits in relative isolation in this postcard from yesteryear, where Watt Way was driveable and parking spots were aplenty (!). The parking lot across the street would eventually give way to the USC School of Cinematic Arts’ expanded facilities, and campus would grow up all around the dental school. Today, with the USC Village right across Jefferson Boulevard, the dental school is closer than ever to all the action on campus.

FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

ALON FRYDMAN PERIO ’06 DIRECTOR, CONTINUING EDUCATION

Earlier this year, Ostrow’s CE department launched its official podcast, Louped In, which looks at various topics in dentistry from the foremost experts in the field. We caught up with its host, Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry Alon Frydman.

WHAT GOES INTO PREPARING FOR RECORDING AN EPISODE OF LOUPED IN ?

I usually read a book that is related to the topic so that I can bring insight from a source that has great examples and match it to the guest and their expertise. From there, I have a few goals or ideas of what I want to get out, and the rest is hopefully one of those conversations people would want to eavesdrop on at a coffee shop.

HOW DID YOUR INTEREST IN PODCASTING BEGIN?

It stemmed from my experience of being in private practice and academia. In private practice, you are basically alone, but here at the school we have an environment where we have discussions with other professionals on a constant basis, and the thought-provoking moments are hard to come by when you’re on your own. I wanted to share those same opportunities and moments with a larger community.

WHAT ARE SOME TOPICS THAT ARE COMING UP ON THE HORIZON?

For the next few episodes, I am going to focus on anxiety. So much of what we do in dentistry is procedure-based, and people handle things differently. As a society, self medication for anxiety as well as prescribed medications are presenting some problems for us as practitioners. So I think we need to understand more than pharmacology and anatomy; psychology and the individual are equally in need of understanding.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE WALK AWAY WITH FROM THESE PODCASTS?

My hope is that they pick up some gem or tool they can use in their practice or life. I am lucky to work with most of the guests on the podcast so I benefit everyday, but our community can’t be there for every hallway conversation, and there are some valuable lessons and insights that just need to be shared.

MAKEOVER Mobile Clinic

“Annie” and “Hawk” have new looks after being rewrapped earlier this year. “Annie’s” new look is thanks to a generous donation from the Ostrow Century Club Alumni Association whose name is printed on the vehicle’s side. “Hawk” is home to the Neighborhood Mobile Dental Van Prevention Program, which was retooled recently to include volunteer third- and fourth-year DDS students who provide screenings, prophylactic care and sealants under the supervision of faculty members Carlos Sanchez DH ’08, MPH ’09 and Elizabeth Brummel.

Both “Annie” and “Hawk” join “Thor” and “500” with the slick new look, showcasing one of Ostrow’s crown jewels — its fleet of mobile dental clinics.

PHOTO BY JOHN SKALICKY

The Yearbook Game

Match the Ostrow notables with the headshots from their dental school yearbooks.

DANIEL SCHECHTER DDS ’72

Clinical Assistant Professor

MEHDI MOHAMMADI DDS ’12

Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry

GEORGE CHO DDS ’87, PROS ’90

Associate Professor

NARINE DANIELIAN DDS ’02

Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry

KENNETH HO DDS ’77

Friends of Dentistry Member

KENT OCHIAI DDS ’87, PROS ’89

Friends of Dentistry Member

LISA HOU ’08, DDS ’12

Clinical Assistant Professor

REX YANASE DDS ’02

Century Club Past President (2012-2013)

SAM TARICA DDS ’72

Friends of Dentistry Member

SAMIR BATNIJI ENDO ’87

Board of Councilors Member

Friends of Dentistry Member

Trojan Dentists ROCK!

Ostrow yearbooks are viewable online at the USC Wilson Dental Library website. Stroll down memory lane by visiting tinyurl.com/USCDentistryYearbooks

ANSWERS: 1F, 2E, 3H, 4A, 5G, 6B, 7D, 8J, 9C, 10I

A Sweet Escape

BY JOHN HOBBS MA ’14

USC DENTAL HYGIENE ALUMNA LAUNCHES DIY CHOCOLATE MAKING BUSINESS WHILE SHELTERING AT HOME DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

A Sweet Escape

The COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather fueled by climate change, vitriolic political polarization — if ever there were a time to find even the most simple of ways to comfort yourself, it’s been the past few years.

It was against this chaotic backdrop that Brittany Pourmorady DH ’16 began to indulge her lifelong passion for chocolate.

In early March 2020, just as the state of California began its “Safer at Home” campaign to curb the spread of COVID -19, Pourmorady, like many, suddenly found herself with a lot of time on her hands.

“I was home, unemployed and trying to figure out ways to keep busy and maintain productivity during that time,” says Pourmorady, who had been working at three private practices before the pandemic hit.

Always a chocolate lover — Pourmorady had long enjoyed tinkering in the kitchen, making healthy dark chocolate — she decided to spend her time cooking vegan dark chocolate bars to share with her loved ones.

“Given our stay-at-home situation, I took a step back and decided it would be so much more appropriate and fun for people to make their own dark chocolate bar from scratch at home,” she explains.

And, with that, came the idea for Chocbox, an all-natural vegan do-it-yourself dark chocolate kit shipped to customers so that they can create their own delicious chocolate at home.

“The most important part of this endeavor was that I was very passionate about the idea from day one,” she says. “It really goes to show that when you’re passionate about anything, nothing can get in the way of your success.”

HEALTH THROUGH DENTISTRY, HAPPINESS THROUGH CHOCOLATE

There are seven different boxes to choose from, ranging from Fruity Fiesta to Mayan Spice to Java Junkie, with the Almond Crunch box being the most popular choice.

What started as a pandemic pastime has grown into an actual business; Pourmorady says she’s already sold more than 8,000 boxes to individuals across the country.

“I truly love seeing people all over the country enjoy the unique experience of

making homemade chocolate as well as become addicted to its incomparable taste,” she says.

While it might seem like a conflict of interest — a dental hygienist pushing sweets onto the general population — Pourmorady says that she’s a dental hygienist first, particularly when it’s her patients who are purchasing Chocboxes.

“Once I share my product with my patients, I flip the switch from chocolatier to hygienist and stress the importance of flossing and brushing after they eat it,” she says, with a laugh.

As restrictions eased, and dental practices were once again able to open, Pourmorady had a decision to make, suddenly finding herself the founder of her

own small company.

“Once I was offered the option to go back to work, I decided to reduce my work days and devote more time to Chocbox,” Pourmorady says. “It was a risky decision but also extremely thrilling for me. My life has completely changed, and I have never been happier and felt more in line with my purpose.”

Pourmorady chose a career in dental hygiene because she was always passionate about health and helping people but always dreamed of coupling dental hygiene with other pursuits.

“I’m so fortunate to be able to practice both passions of mine,” she says, “health through dentistry and happiness through chocolate.”

IG: @chocboxla

FIVE THINGS

Zhaoyang Liu

Assistant Professor

Earlier this year, Ostrow welcomed researcher Zhaoyang Liu to the Trojan Dental Family. The tenure-track assistant professor earned her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in China before pursuing a master’s degree in cellular, molecular and structural biology from Miami University-Ohio and a doctorate in biology from the University of Rochester-New York. Here are five more things to know about one of Ostrow’s newest faculty members:

She brings a unique research perspective to the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology (CCMB).

Having conducted orthopedics research as part of her doctoral studies, Liu became fascinated with joints and cartilage. Her research focuses on the molecules and signaling pathways that contribute to the development and maintenance of these structures.

This particular expertise could eventually make a difference in resolving intractable orofacial disorders.

“Our understanding of cartilage and joint disorders in the face, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction, is still very limited,” Liu says. “My research may contribute to filling these gaps — along with other research taking place at CCMB.”

She was attracted to CCMB for its interdisciplinary might.

“The most attractive part of CCMB is that this is a motivating environment with strong leadership that embraces experts in various areas,” she says. “I can easily find support from human geneticists, developmental biologists, biochemists, bioinformaticians and clinicians.”

It was an offhanded suggestion that led her career path to the United States.

“During undergrad, we would read journal articles and discuss cutting-edge findings in the field, and I would have questions,” Liu says. “My undergraduate advisor said, ‘Good question. You can write emails to the authors, or even better, apply to study in the U.S. and ask them in person.’ So here I am.”

Though a researcher through and through, Liu does have an artistic side.

“I am an amateur in seal engraving,” she says. “It is a traditional Chinese fine art to engrave your design on a soft stone with a knife. I feel peaceful when I focus on it.”

PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO

Born out of COVIDITY

As COVID-19 took hold in March 2020, leading to government-enforced closures for all non-essential businesses, it became apparent that Ostrow would need to rethink its admission process. With in-person information sessions and tours no longer feasible, Ostrow partnered with a Webtour technology company to create a virtual tour of the Norris Dental Science Center. Each of the 17 locations offers visitors a fully immersive, 360-degree view of some of the spaces most interesting to prospective students. But don’t just take our word for it: Take the tour yourself, and relive your time at Ostrow by visiting tinyurl.com/TakeTheOstrowTour

IN THE NEWS

“Root canals are procedures that are designed to save a tooth that is either inflamed or infected, and when it’s inflamed or infected, it can be painful. So not only does a root canal save your tooth, but it also removes the pain.” —Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry Stefan Zweig DDS ’86, ENDO ’92 teaches the masses about endodontics on NBC LA. Earlier this year, Zweig became president of the American Association of Endontists. Watch the clip at tinyurl.com/ ZweigonNBC 7LA

“We saw cavities turning into the need for ... fillings, which were turning into [the need for] root canals, or they were getting so infected that we couldn’t even save teeth because of waiting two to three years during the pandemic.” —Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry Sunny Fereshteh DDS ’09, discussing a USC Mobile Clinic event for veterans that took place in April 2022 on Spectrum News. Watch it at tinyurl.com/SunnyonSpectrum

“To watch them grow independently and to thrive has probably been one of the biggest joys in my personal and professional life.” —Associate Dean of Surgical and Hospital Affairs Mark Urata ’85, DDS ’89, General Surgery ’99, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery ’02, Craniofacial Surgery ’03 on Good Morning America, reflecting on the surgical separation of conjoined twins he was a part of 20 years ago. The twins turned 21 this year. Watch it at tinyurl.com/UrataonGMA

Ostrow Goes Green

BY MICHELLE MCCARTHY

IG: @ostrowgoesgreen

The healthcare sector contributes 10 percent of our nation’s carbon emissions. In dentistry alone, think about the amount of single-use items used during a standard appointment to maintain safety protocols.

Dental education adds even further to this sizable carbon footprint through the disposal of large amounts of single-use gowns, paper towels, gloves, plastic packaging and backbar paper. Galvanized by USC President Carol Folt’s focus on sustainability, Ostrow community members are exploring ways in which the school can become more ecologically conscious.

TOSSED OUT

Recycling and conservation have always been priorities for Yaara Berdan MBA ’ 22, assistant professor of clinical dentistry. Having recently received an MBA with a certificate in business and sustainability, Berdan conducted a study as part of her MBA program that explored how dentistry could minimize its environmental impact without affecting the safety and quality of treatment.

The study states that its “purpose … was to determine attitudes toward sustainability at the dental school and to evaluate areas of waste and discover areas for improvement.” The three-pronged approach included a sustainability survey that was sent to all students, faculty and staff; a trash audit of the simulation labs in which waste was categorized; and the creation of a student sustainability group to help promote efforts from the student perspective.

“I was really encouraged by the interest I received,” Berdan says. The survey revealed a general interest from participants about recycling and reducing waste. There was also a demonstrated desire to learn more about the relationship between dentistry and sustainability. What surprised Berdan most about the simulation lab waste audit was the sheer amount of unopened and unused items that were thrown away, such as gauze, gloves, Vaseline packaging and floss singles.

“Part of the problem is just convenience,” she explains. “It is easier to just throw things out than to return them and reuse them.”

RAISING AWARENESS

USC is where Natalie Black DH ’19, DDS ’23 first learned about the importance of sustainability. “It didn’t click until I entered dental school and President Carol Folt took over, because she really emphasized it,” Black says. Now president of the Ostrow Sustainability Group (OSG), which was formed as a result of Berdan’s study, Black leads the organization made up of 41 students in its mission to raise environmental and sustainability awareness at Ostrow and among the surrounding USC community.

“With the healthcare industry, you have to make sure everything is clean and sterilized,” Black explains. “My goal is to increase students’ education on sustainability with the hope that they will think about it at least a little bit more within the scope of their practice.”

OSG is doing so by hosting informational lectures on sustainability and sharing events and tips on its Instagram account.

“We recently hosted a lecture with Dr. Lisa Knowles, a dentist who focuses on practicing sustainability,” Black says. “It was great, and she showed us many realistic tips and tricks for practicing sustainably.”

In addition to raising awareness about matters of sustainability, Berdan hopes OSG will be able to transform this new way of thinking into a formal part of the dental curriculum. “We need to make people aware of how healthcare contributes to carbon emissions,” says Berdan, who serves as the OSG faculty advisor. “COVID made the issue so much more glaring because now we’re using more disposable personal protective equipment than ever before.”

BE THE CHANGE

Berdan’s vision for the future includes having Ostrow adopt official sustainability policies that dictate “this is how we do things at USC.”

And Black plans to expand her reach beyond dentistry by educating students about how to be more environmentally friendly at home. Last year, she headed up Ostrow’s participation in the Nordstrom BeautyCycle Drive, an initiative to collect empty beauty packaging. In total, Ostrow

collected 130 product packages to be recycled. The group is also looking to do a similar drive with Oral B to collect dental supplies like toothpaste and toothbrushes for recycling.

While some may contend it’s too expensive to go green, Berdan says the dental industry needs to look for creative solutions to reduce both waste and costs. For example, at Ostrow’s simulation lab, transitioning from disposable gowns to reusable gowns would save almost $40,000 annually.

Based on numbers from a study in England, Berdan found the highest proportion of carbon emissions comes from travel, both by patients and staff. She believes teledentistry has the potential to improve patient communication and help the environment.

“Dentistry’s hands-on. You can’t do a thorough exam virtually, but when a patient comes in, the first step is to ask about subjective symptoms and talk to them,” Berdan explains. “We could get so much done over the phone.”

Black agrees and says telehealth would be incredibly valuable to dentistry. “When patients come into the school, there’s a screening appointment where we do a thorough patient interview, take down their medical history and log their medications. In private practice, it runs a little bit differently, but there’s a whole appointment that could likely be eliminated. It’s something that could be exciting and hopeful for the future.”

Berdan is not worried about the threat of complacency or anyone who’d rather cling to the ideology of “this is the way we’ve always done things.” “You’re going to hear some of that, but we just need to show that this new way actually makes sense and isn’t a burden,” she says. “We’re saving money. We’re saving time. That’s the way you’re going to get things to change.”

THE FUTURE IS SUSTAINABLE

When it comes down to it, integrating sustainability into the dental field will require a balancing act of innovation and stringent safety. But it’s one Black says the next generation of dental practitioners is ready to take on.

“Students are open to learning more and coming up with ideas about what we can do at the school to improve sustainability,” she says. We sent out surveys, and there were so many responses such as, ‘Why don’t we have reusable this or reusable that?’ It makes sense since we are the future.”

Creating a Sustainable Practice

Sustainable dentistry does not require expensive equipment or a major transformation of office operations. Even minor changes can have a positive impact on the environment over time. Here are some easy steps you can take to make your practice more sustainable:

1. Reduce the amount of disposable items used. Air and water tips, cloth bibs, stainless steel prophy cups and biodegradable dental suction tips are reusable items that can be autoclaved rather than used once and tossed like their plastic counterparts.

2. Consolidate orders, and order in bulk. Combining orders means less packaging and less transportation emissions.

3. Purchase eco-friendly scrubs for the dental team. Don’t use disposable gowns; use cloth gowns that can be laundered.

4. Avoid unnecessary printouts; set printers to double-sided printing. Ask patients how they prefer to be contacted for general information and billing. Many patients pay online so sending paper statements with the return envelopes is unnecessary and wasteful.

5. Apply fluoride varnish with a small brush instead of using disposable fluoride trays.

6. Recycle and compost in the office. Purchase a cup or mug for each employee to use instead of using disposable cups.

7. When reviewing brushing techniques, demonstrate with the water turned off.

8. In lieu of using plastic rinse cups, rinse a patient’s mouth with air and a water syringe or use a compostable paper cup instead.

9. Cut down on electricity by turning the lights off in unused rooms and turning off computers when leaving for the day.

10. Provide an easy place to change and clean up for those who are able to ride a bike to work.

Besides benefiting the environment, incorporating sustainability into your practice makes good business sense. Eco-friendly habits can provide dental practices with significant cost savings, and they’re a great way to demonstrate to current and potential patients that you care about the environment and its potential impact on patients’ overall health.

—Yaara Berdan MBA ’22 Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry

THEThey come from far and wide, spending hours behind the wheel, often commuting 50, 60, 70-plus miles (or nearly 2,500 miles for John J. Lytle Jr., a volunteer faculty member who flies in from Hawaii once a month) traveling the distance to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. In total, Ostrow is home to more than 250 volunteer faculty members — dental professionals dedicated to cultivating generation after generation of young, bright dental students. For some, it’s the desire to give back to their alma mater, the place that gave them their careers. For others, it’s the excitement of sharing their passion for dentistry with enthusiastic dental students. For yet others, it’s staying on dentistry’s cutting edge and learning from the students. For all of them, it’s a completely selfless act with no financial recompense. In this issue of TroDent, we celebrate our volunteer faculty members with a few of their stories.

PHOTOS BY GLENN MARZANO

THE STUDENT BECOMES THE TEACHER

Fresh out of dental school, Nehi Ogbevoen DDS ’15, ORTHO ’18 kept coming back to a USC frame of mind.

BY JAMIE WETHERBE MA ’04

“Right after I graduated, I knew I’d be back,” says Nehi Ogbevoen, an adjunct assistant professor of clinical dentistry, who volunteers his time at USC. “I have mentors who are volunteer faculty members, and they said this was something I should definitely do.”

Volunteer clinical faculty members, like Ogbevoen, selflessly devote their time to train the next generation of dental professionals, without receiving pay.

“What makes USC orthodontics so special is having this diverse array of volunteer faculty who sacrifice time away from their family and offices to teach us,” says Ogbevoen, co-owner of Barkate & Nehi Orthodontics in Orange County. “I learned so much from these professionals, and I wanted to give back.”

The orthodontic department’s rotating team of volunteer faculty works with residents for a full day about once a month. The nine-hour day, which starts around 7:30 a.m., includes reviewing cases and relevant literature and treating about 20 patients.

KEEPING HIM ON HIS TOES

“The residents all have their own patients, and we help manage the cases,” Ogbevoen says. “We’re bouncing around making sure that we’re delivering excellent care, teaching as we go.”

For Ogbevoen, this means providing residents with the real-world experiences and techniques he’s gained through his private practice. And during the process, Ogbevoen gets a lesson of his own.

“I knew the residents would ask questions and challenge me; they keep me on my toes,” he says. “I have to really think about why and how I do things — [the students] spark my curiosity, which is fun.”

Ogbevoen, 33, is one of the youngest volunteer faculty members in USC’s orthodontics department — offering residents not only valuable technical tools, but another important layer of learning.

“I’m not only able to teach clinical skills, but also what life is like as a new grad — something they’ll experience soon,” Ogbevoen explains. “I’m able to add another perspective because there are challenges that I face that more seasoned faculty members might not.”

In addition to working with residents, Ogbevoen enjoys staying connected to the college. “Being on campus and seeing familiar faces; it’s been a really cool bonus,” he says.

THE FULL PACKAGE

Ogbevoen says USC set him up for success in the orthodontics profession, from teaching him to think critically about new techniques to providing a solid business foundation that helped empower him to open his own practice.

“USC really is a full package,” he says. “Many other programs don’t have all these aspects covered.”

A key part of that package is the instructors who quickly became colleagues and friends. “There were several faculty members I would contact to ask for advice; they were always willing to help,” Ogbevoen says. “They wanted me to feel supported, even after I left the program. The Trojan Family is very real, especially in the ortho department.”

Of course, Ogbevoen’s greatest connection is his wife, Sienna Palmer DDS ’15, a general dentist who also attended USC. “I’m married to my dental school sweetheart,” Ogbevoen says. The couple often refer patients to each other and work on cases together. “We also have two daughters under 3, so that keeps us pretty busy,” he says.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

As a volunteer clinical faculty member, Thao Vu is mentoring others and expanding her knowledge base in the process.

BY DANIEL P. SMITH

The invitation surprised Thao Vu ORTHO ’13

In 2017, James Loos ’59, DDS ’61, ORTHO ’66, a volunteer clinical faculty member at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC for the previous five decades, asked Vu to consider serving as volunteer faculty at her alma mater as well.

“Me?” Vu thought.

While Loos was a respected orthodontist holding more than 50 years of professional experience, a deep reservoir of insight and wisdom, Vu questioned what she might impart to residents.

Just four years prior, in fact, she was completing her own studies at USC. Vu, who purchased Loos’ Long Beach-based practice, Bloom Orthodontics, in 2014, considered herself a work in progress, not a seasoned pro positioned to mentor others.

“But if Dr. Loos thought I was qualified enough, then maybe I was,” says Vu, who earned the Harry L. Dougherty Award for Clinical Excellence during her time as a USC resident. “More than anything, though, I just couldn’t say no to Dr. Loos. I respect him way too much.”

By her second day as a volunteer, however, Vu’s feelings of inferiority had evaporated away. Working alongside Ostrow residents on orthodontic cases, Vu realized she had relevant knowledge and skills to share.

“It helped me see how much I had learned just a few years out of training and that I had real and tangible insights to offer residents,” she says.

TIME WITH COLLEAGUES, MENTORS AND MENTEES

Vu’s presence and support — and that of more than 250 other volunteer clinical faculty — became especially important after COVID-19 halted clinical operations at USC. In the orthodontics clinic, in particular, ongoing treatment plans ceased, and some patients took months to return upon reopening.

As a result, many cases went astray. Vu consulted with residents via video calls and emails to define the next clinical steps for tricky cases that had become, suddenly and unexpectedly, even trickier.

“There was a lot of damage control,” Vu says.

Now five years into her role as a volunteer clinical faculty member, Vu says her involvement delivers “constant mental stimulation.” Private practice can be lonely, she admits, and one can easily become trapped in her own silo. Volunteering, however, propels Vu’s professional growth and creates continuous learning opportunities to propel her own clinical efforts.

“As a volunteer, I’m getting introduced to new technology and developments in the field and am able to see how faculty are treating different cases,” she says. “It’s almost like being a resident myself.”

Though Vu recently expanded her practice with the launch of an office in Garden Grove, she continues visiting USC once every six weeks for a full day of volunteer work at the orthodontics clinic.

“I very much enjoy giving back to the same program I learned so much from,” Vu says.

And she has no plans on cutting back. She recalls reading once that a fulfilling professional life required regularly spending time with colleagues, mentors and mentees.

“Serving as volunteer clinical faculty at USC helps me toward that end,” Vu says. “I’m learning and giving back at the same time, which has proven incredibly valuable.”

PAYING IT FORWARD

A volunteer faculty member for more than 40 years, Joseph Tsai DDS ’81 enjoys cultivating generation after generation of dental professionals (including his own son).

BY MICHELLE MCCARTHY

After graduating from the Herman Ostrow Dental School of USC in 1981, he immediately returned as a volunteer faculty member.

But when asked about what started his deep commitment to the program — without receiving even one dollar in return for his time — he waves off the question and jokes, “I had nothing better to do, so I thought, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll spend my time here.’” Then he takes his humility a step further: “Being an instructor, we get exposed to a lot of cases that students are working on, so it’s a good learning experience for me, too.”

A resident of Thousand Oaks, Tsai volunteers at Ostrow one day a week (on Wednesdays), getting in early at 7 a.m. to beat traffic, and works until the clinic closes at 5 p.m. It usually takes him an hour to travel to campus and an hour and a half to get home.

Now, after volunteering for more than 40 years, Tsai says he enjoys watching his students develop into dental professionals and eventually become his peers. “It’s quite rewarding to see all these students graduate,” he says. “I feel that I have something to contribute, that I can help these kids when they’re struggling in the clinic just like I did when I was in school. I can give back, and I find a lot of pleasure in doing that.”

A FEELING OF SATISFACTION

One of Tsai’s former students is now a full-time instructor at Ostrow, and he passes on the knowledge he learned during his time with Tsai. “He tells his students about me,” Tsai says, with a laugh. “How when he was going to the school, there was this pain-in-the-butt instructor in the clinic that told him, ‘Don’t rush anything. Don’t cut corners.’ He realized later in his career that that was the best advice he was given. And now he passes it on. It’s an honor that he finds I am helping him to teach his students.”

Another memorable student over the years was Tsai’s own son, who followed in his father’s footsteps. “He graduated in 2019, so I got to work with him a few times,” he says. “That was a highlight.”

The proud father currently runs a private practice in Tarzana, Calif., working long days when he’s not volunteering at USC. “I’m here at my private practice from seven o’clock to six o’clock every day,” he says. “I don’t go home until after all the hygienists are done.”

Even with a full schedule, volunteering brings Tsai a feeling of satisfaction that keeps him coming back. “I get to see students come and go every year,” he explains. “There’s always a different class, and they all come in very green. They don’t know where anything is. And then when they graduate, they’re prepared for their careers. To see them grow and become a dentist is very rewarding. This is something I enjoy. If I didn’t, I would quit tomorrow. I’d say, ‘Forget it. I can go play golf.’”

Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry Joseph Tsai is a humble man.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO USC

Cheryl Goldasich practices dentistry in Torrance, but spends her day off with the students at USC. Here’s why she does it.

BY KATHARINE GAMMON

Cheryl Goldasich DDS ’99 is one of the most regular volunteer faculty members at the

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical

Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC.

Each Friday, she drives 15 miles from her home in Torrance, Calif., to spend a full day with students, as she has for the past 17 years.

As she makes her way to campus, Goldasich’s thoughts often go to her father Robert Laxineta, who is her inspiration for volunteering and for dentistry. He wasn’t an alumnus of the program, but he taught as a volunteer faculty member at Ostrow longer than she has — she estimates around 18 to 20 years — every week on his day off.

USC liked and respected him so much that, when she graduated in 1999, the school called up her father to hood her at the ceremony — a surprise to her at the time, she says. “I decided when I graduated that, out of respect, I would start teaching so that’s what I’ve done.”

A WIN-WIN SITUATION

She likes working with USC’s dental students. “I think that they deserve to work with a practicing dentist so that we can incorporate USC’s teaching and philosophy and maybe get things done in a timely manner,” she says. As a practicing dentist, she enjoys sharing her expertise with the students, who she says are “some of the best, most motivated students ever.” In her book, that’s a win-win situation.

While the students learn from her skillset, she is also learning pop culture from them. Recently, she was working with a student who called her the GOAT (an acronym for “Greatest Of All Time”). Goldasich didn’t know what the word meant, so she felt annoyed: “I thought he was calling me a farm animal,” she recalls. Hours later, someone filled her in on the meaning of his compliment. “He still gives me a hard time about that,” she laughs, “because apparently that’s how old I am. Now I know.”

SELLING HER HORSE FOR DENTAL SCHOOL

Goldasich is also indebted to USC. When she applied to the dental school, she was already married with a child — and she lacked a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. (Today, a bachelor’s degree is required for application to Ostrow.) “USC took a huge chance on me,” she says. For years, she had worked in her father’s dental practice as an assistant, while pursuing her other passion: training quarter horses. But at some point, she changed her sights and sold her horse to attend dental school. “That’s when everyone knew I was serious about it,” she says. “I have no regrets: I made the right decision.”

Every year, she wonders when she’ll retire from spending a day each week with the dental students.

“I keep saying every year — that’s it! But I haven’t gotten tired of it yet,” she says. “I figure when I get tired of it, I’ll stop, but I don’t know when that will be. Maybe I need to beat the amount of time my dad spent here. All roads lead to me giving back to USC.”

Dentistry

Herman

THE PERIO PRODIGY

Frank Sy hopes to be for USC dental students what his mentors and teachers were for him.

BY JOHN HOBBS MA ’14

Frank Sy is a bit of a prodigy.

While most teens his age were attending high school football games, studying for their SATs or renting tuxes for prom, Sy was already hard at work on his undergraduate studies at California State University-Los Angeles at the age of 14

From there, at 18, he began his dental education, eventually graduating with his DMD degree from Boston University in 2009. And, in 2015, he finished his periodontics certificate from New York University.

As unorthodox as Sy’s educational journey was, he credits his ability to navigate such unfamiliar territory at a young age to one thing.

“Throughout my developmental years, I was able to learn and grow with help from my amazing and gracious mentors and teachers,” Sy says.

THE ROAD TO TROY

Today, Sy hopes to pay that forward, serving as an amazing mentor and teacher to the next generation of dental professionals.

While Sy is not a USC alumnus hoping to give back to his alma mater, he chose USC out of all California dental schools for a specific reason.

“In California, USC produces the most significant amount of dentists, serves the most patients and is a highly reputable institution,” he says. “And specifically, I knew if I could help participate in the education of USC dental students and help underserved patients at the same time, this would be an exciting and highly rewarding experience.”

In 2017, Sy became an adjunct assistant professor of clinical dentistry at Ostrow, supplementing his already busy schedule. Five days a week, he is a practicing periodontist. But, three Fridays a month, he commutes from Huntington Beach to Ostrow — nearly an hour drive.

He typically spends his time, working with students in the Dr. Roseann Mulligan Special Patients Clinic, treating medically complex patients and those with special needs

“Volunteering at the school is a reward in itself,” he says. “I have the opportunity to perform periodontal surgeries to help patients in the Special Patients Clinic. These patients are typically ignored in the private sector. My patients in Special Patients Clinic deserve the best, and I strive to be great for them.”

PRICELESS MENTORSHIP

Sy also works with third- and fourth-year DDS students in the advanced periodontology clinic, where he shares his extensive knowledge of periodontics.

“Dr. Sy is an amazing resource when it comes to anything periodontology related,” says Ngoc Ha DDS ’23. “I always come to Dr. Sy for any questions I have in regards to my patient’s periodontal condition, and I have always left feeling challenged and more knowledgeable.”

Yattzareth Corona DDS ’ 23 agrees.

“Dr. Sy has filled my mind with positive, encouraging, insightful and valuable information that will allow me to grow and flourish as a dental professional,” she says.

Ha adds, “I personally believe it is such a gift to have the faculty we have. When we leave pre-clinic and Sim Lab, we only have what we learned through didactics. However, in the real world, with real patients, there is so much power and knowledge in having clinical experience. Having these faculty volunteer their time to mentor us is priceless.”

BY ANDREW FAUGHT

PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO

It’s a statistic that’s never far from the mind of Asha Green DDS ’26 : just 3.7 percent of dentists in the United States are Black, according to the American Dental Association.

The shortage means that African Americans — particularly those who are low-income or live in areas with fewer healthcare professionals — face a disproportionate risk of tooth loss, periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Green, who is Black, is working to become part of the solution, thanks to a scholarship from the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). The award covers the full cost of tuition, fees and equipment. Additionally, it allots recipients a $1,400 monthly stipend. In exchange, they are obligated to spend at least two years working in a “health professional shortage area” after graduation.

NO BETTER REWARD

“To me, there’s just no better reward,” Green says. “Coming from a low socioeconomic background, you always have that survival mentality in the back of your mind. That’s why I’m so thankful to NHSC. I can be supported financially, but more importantly I’ll support these communities that do not have the help that they need.

“My duty and responsibility are what has fueled me through this entire process.”

Somkene Okwuego ’21, MA ’22, DDS ’26 and Daniel Ip DDS ’26 also received the prestigious scholarship, giving the Class of 2026 the largest concentration of NHSC scholars at Ostrow currently.

It was as an undergraduate at Howard University that Green conducted research examining the impact of socioeconomic status on dental caries among area middle school students. During that time, she learned about the NHSC scholarship. She enrolled at Ostrow because of its diversity. Green hopes to spend her career working in Georgia, where she was raised.

Dentists of color are critical in underserved communities, according to the ADA. More Black dentists (63 percent) participate in Medicaid than White dentists (39 percent). About half of Hispanics, Asians and other races participate in the government health coverage program for low-income adults and children. (White dentists make up the vast majority of the workforce, at 70.2 percent, according to 2020 data; 18 percent were Asian and 5.9 percent were Hispanic.)

ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR MY COMMUNITY

Okwuego says she applied for the scholarship because she wants to exclusively work with marginalized populations.

She initially considered a career in medicine because her grandfather was a doctor in Nigeria. She also considered gerontology after her grandmother suffered a stroke. But it was dentistry that combined elements of art and engineering, passions she developed as a kid growing up in South Los Angeles.

“I thought, ‘oh, this is perfect for me!’ so I started shadowing dentists,” says Okwuego, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. “It definitely felt like a calling.”

The scholarship erased any hesitations she felt about pursuing her dream.

“For a long time, I struggled wanting to commit to going into dentistry because I would always say that I was scared I couldn’t afford the education,” says Okwuego, who decided she’d apply for student loans — until she learned about NHSC during an online search. In her application, she was to the point: “I’ve always wanted to be an advocate for my community.”

The average educational debt at graduation for Black dental graduates was more than $314,000 in 2019, according to ADA, “by far” the highest level among all ethnicities.

Okwuego plans to work in South L.A. after fulfilling her scholarship obligations. Many low-income residents view dental care as a “luxury,” she notes. As an undergraduate, she helped transport elderly patients to doctor appointments. Many of them had lost teeth and had poor diets as a result. Some were able to buy dentures, but complained about them, she recalls.

“A lot of people didn’t want to smile, because they’re embarrassed of how their teeth look,” Okwuego says. “When I told them I was going to dentistry school, they’d say, ‘please go, so you can come and help me.’ Social factors are affected, and so are health factors.”

SUPER THANKFUL FOR THE AWARD

Ip, of Monterey Park, decided to enroll at Ostrow for its reputation, and after shadowing a number of dentists. He was impressed by a longtime Pasadena dentist

who interacted warmly with patients while allaying anxieties about treatments.

“I could really imagine myself in his shoes,” says Ip, who holds an undergraduate biology degree from UCLA. “He played a big role in solidifying my passion for dentistry.”

Ip applied for as many scholarships as he could find, including the NHSC award. He stressed in his application that he wanted to be a “patient-centered” practitioner, in the same vein as his Pasadena role model. He vowed in his personal statement that he would provide innovative solutions to complex problems. Dental health is far more important than people often realize, Ip notes.

“I like to tell people that our teeth aren’t just little bones in our mouths,” he says. “They’re intimately connected to our circulatory system. They’re close to our brain and close to our heart, so taking care of our teeth — not letting them become infected or populated by bacteria, and maintaining good oral hygiene — is so important, because it affects your whole systemic health.”

Ip, of Chinese and Filipino descent, says he’s not sure where his dental journey will take him when his scholarship duties are completed. His Ostrow education will help shape that path, and the scholarship will give him a way to explore the possibilities without the added stress of financial burden, he adds.

“This opens the door to my dreams of pursuing dentistry,” he says. “I’m super thankful for this opportunity.”

In the meantime, the scholarships give each of the students the time to pursue extracurricular activities that will help them forge their careers.

Green is the first ever Black woman to serve as a class president at Ostrow, and she teaches elementary school students once a month on the importance of oral health. She’s also a member of the Hispanic and Korean Dental Association and the Student National Dental Association. Okwuego is a member of the Pan-African Student Association, and she’ll serve as a teacher assistant next semester for one or two gerontology courses. Ip, for his part, is a member of the Chinese, Korean and Christian Dental Student Associations as well as the American Student Dental Association and is networking with classmates — aspiring general dentists and specialists, alike.

“In the end, dental school is what you make of it,” he says.

PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO

The moment Angelita AraujoVillalba heard about the USC Diversity, Inclusion, Access (DIA) JumpStart program at USC, she knew she had to apply.

Then a sophomore at Cal Poly Pomona studying molecular and cellular biology, Araujo-Villalba had just two days to complete her JumpStart application. Hustling to get the job done, she drafted statements on her research interests and professional goals, tidied up her resumé and secured a letter of recommendation and school transcripts just in time to meet the program’s deadline.

“It was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up,” Araujo-Villalba says. “I wanted to get my foot in the door with research experience and extend my network.”

Now a staple on USC’s summer calendar, DIA JumpStart works with USC schools and programs, including the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, to provide historically underrepresented candidates from outside institutions a 10 -week research opportunity in one of the many PhD disciplines across the USC ecosystem.

Designed as a pathway to increasing diversity in the PhD ranks at USC and beyond, JumpStart provides students interested in graduate studies hands-on training, academic and financial support and professional development opportunities, including USC Graduate School-sponsored sessions on topics such as post-graduate admissions, PhD funding and PhD student life.

While the JumpStart program provides a rich collection of experiences and practical skills for students like Araujo-Villalba, it also gives a boost to participating USC labs and promises to push discovery forward.

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR PHD WORK

Selected as a JumpStart 2021 scholar, Araujo-Villalba joined the lab of University

“It would be an understatement to call my JumpStart experience in Dr. Chai’s lab anything less than incredibly valuable and important. It has expanded my knowledge base on how a research-heavy academic environment thrives and has also set me up for future success.”

— ANGELITA ARAUJO-VILLALBA

Professor and Director of the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology Yang Chai PhD ’91, DDS ’96. There, she worked with and around postdoctoral scholars in a cutting-edge lab researching craniofacial birth defects.

Learning the ins and outs of scientific investigation, including how to formulate hypotheses and test and evaluate results to propel research, Araujo-Villalba was introduced to graduate-level lab techniques, such as studying histology and cell culture. She also learned about cell analysis and gained experience with research-critical equipment like CT scan machines.

“As an undergraduate, it’s rare to be in this type of high-level academic and research environment,” Araujo-Villalba says. “But this was an environment where I was allowed to be inquisitive and learn, which made the experience that much more beneficial for me.”

Maximus Lopez earned a JumpStart program slot in Summer 2022 and spent 10 weeks working inside the Chai Lab.

A rising junior at Cal State Long Beach pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering, Lopez calls his JumpStart experience “exceptionally meaningful.” The Van Nuys resident performed genotyping and cultured cells. He worked with mouse models and participated in cryosectioning experiments.

Lopez says his time in Chai’s lab invited him into the world of pediatrics and analytical science, confirming his interest in those fields. His 10- week JumpStart run also demonstrated the unending value of foundational scientific principles and the

earnest commitment necessary to pursue original research.

A WIN-WIN PROGRAM

JumpStart’s benefits, however, extend far beyond the student participants.

For Chai, whose lab has a long-running history of welcoming students from underrepresented populations through its doors, JumpStart injects youth and diversity into research, two ingredients he considers necessary to fueling scientific discovery.

“It’s important to get students excited about science, to expose them to research and how we work,” says Chai, Ostrow’s Associate Dean of Research. “When we can get young scientists with different experiences and backgrounds together, that’s when sparks fly because people are looking at problems from different perspectives.”

Chai says the presence of JumpStart students enlivens his lab with fresh energy and strengthens the experience of his postdocs, so many of whom will land faculty positions in higher education.

“It’s through this interaction with JumpStart students that the postdocs learn how to mentor students and provide guidance, which will be so critical to their research careers as well,” says Chai, who feels a keen responsibility as an educator to create a dynamic, inclusive learning environment for both the JumpStart students and his postdocs. “We need young people to be excited about science, so they embrace it as a career, and science can continue to be innovative.”

Count Araujo-Villalba among the young scientists energized by JumpStart and her time with Chai and his enthusiastic team.

— MAXIMUS LOPEZ

One week before her program ended in August 2021, Araujo-Villalba asked if she could continue working at the Chai lab. She spent much of the 2021-2022 academic year working alongside one of Chai’s postdocs. While Araujo-Villalba enhanced her lab research skills, she also earned a co-author byline on a recent paper discussing a genetic mutation that causes cleft palate.

“I certainly developed lab skills I can carry into my future work, but what most stood out was the focus of the lab’s postdocs and how fully invested they are in their work. It was important for me to see that firsthand because I’m a firm believer you become who you are surrounded by.”

1950S

Richard “Dick” Bauer DDS ’55 , ORTHO ’61 passed away in late 2021 at the age of 92. Bauer served in the U.S. Army for three years and was a children’s dentist in the late 1950s before earning his orthodontics degree and practicing for 33 years. Bauer taught at Ostrow for three decades.

William “Bill” Arnett DDS ’57 died in February at the age of 99, just five months shy of his 100th birthday. He practiced general dentistry in Covina, Calif., for 30 years.

1960S

Bruce Lensch DDS ’60 passed away at the end of September at the age of 87. Lensch was incredibly active in organized dentistry, serving as a delegate in the CDA House of Delegates as well as CDA treasurer, secretary and vice president before becoming CDA president in 1983

1970S

Marsha Brunner DDS ’ 72 passed away in Indio, Calif., in mid-2021. She is survived by her husband Del and her children.

David Raschiatore DDS ’73 passed away in early 2021 from cancer at the age of 73. For nearly 50 years, he ran successful dental practices in Marina del Rey, Canoga Park, Lancaster and as a freelance dentist based in Aliso Viejo.

Andy Vorono DDS ’77 has happily retired after 21 years as a U.S. Army oral and maxillofacial surgeon and 22 years in private practice in Tacoma, Wash.

1980S

Tim Buto DDS ’82, ORTHO ’84 passed away in August at the age of 66. For 36 years, Buto ran a private orthodontics practice in Thousand Oaks and Oxnard. He was very much interested in lifelong education and was a founding member of the Association of Interdisciplinary Dental Excellence.

1990S

Kimberly Hubenette DDS ’93 wrote a book titled GRID: In a Lifetime, You Get to Start Over, a work of fiction based on Hubenette’s own real-life experiences living as a widow and survivor of the California wildfires.

2010S

William Jacobson GPR ’16 just published his book Clinical Dentistry Daily Reference Guide, a one-stop resource loaded with critical information for dental students and dentists. For more information, visit williamjacobson.net.

Jouliana Davoudi Chegani DDS ’17, OFP ’22 conducted a study titled, “Artificial Intelligence for Rapid Clinical Diagnosis in Oral Medicine,” which won the “Most Disruptive” Award from the USC Stevens Center for Innovation and was published in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. The AI tool improves clinical diagnosis of oral lesions by increasing efficiency and accuracy.

Sandra (Dykes) Jennings DH ’69 passed away in July at the age of 76. For 25 years, Jennings taught dental hygiene at Taft College. She loved teaching so much she eventually earned a master’s degree in education.

Mary Anne (Mercer) Kaas DDS ’82 died in early October at the age of 68. Kaas met her husband Oscar Kaas DDS ’81 during dental school. The two ran a private practice in Rancho Palos Verdes for many years.

Stefan Zweig DDS ’86 was elected the president of the American Association of Endodontics. Zweig is an associate professor of clinical dentistry at Ostrow.

Visit dentistry.usc.edu/ trodent-class-notes.

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MEMORIALS & TRIBUTES

NOVEMBER 2019 – OCTOBER 2022

The following were gifts made in honor of or in tribute to individuals who have made a lasting impact on the USC dental community:

In Memory of Emanuel O. Bachmann Emanuel Bachmann Foundation

In Honor of Sandra Bolivar Dr. M. Marlene Godoy

In Honor of Winston Wan-Li Chee Gan Advanced Osseointegration Inc.

In Honor of Dr. Terry Donovan Mr. Joseph Jackson

In Honor of Drs. Larry and Sally Ho Mrs. Sheila Richards

In Honor of Dr. and Mrs. Baldwin and Doreen Marchack Dr. John Lytle

In Honor of Dr. Baldwin Marchack Allman Family Trust Dr. Edward K. Lew

In Honor of John J. Myers, DDS Mr. Kenneth Frutchey

In Honor of Dr. Glenn Sameshima Dr. Yisachar Dov Prero

In Honor of James Tom Dr. Andrew Chen

In Honor of Arman Torbati Dr. Terence Donovan

In Memory of Dr. Robert Barrett

Mrs. Colleen Floryan

Ms. Elizabeth Hood

Mrs. Lori Satzberg

Ms. Eileen Shaffer

Ms. Rebecca Stoll

Miss Shirley Tashima

Mr. Jon Yamasaki

In Memory of Dr. Norman Beyer Dr. Derick Tagawa

In Memory of Dr. Norman C. Bitter Dr. M. Marlene Godoy

In Memory of Dr. Donald Curnutte Dr. M. Marlene Godoy

In Memory of Dr. Larry J. Dermody Dr. Robert Huntington

In Memory of Dr. Clifton O. Dummett Dr. M. Marlene Godoy

In Memory of Sandra Dykes-Jennings

Ms. Patricia Okada

In Memory of Dr. Thomas Feder Dr. M. Marlene Godoy

In Memory of Frank and Virginia Godoy Dr. M. Marlene Godoy

In Memory of Dr. Charles Goldstein Dr. M. Marlene Godoy Mrs. Patrice Valenzuela

In Memory of Mrs. Gloria Kaplan Ms. Marianne Berman Mrs. Marla Kantor

In Memory of Dr. George Kawakami Dr. Franklin Kometani

In Memory of Dr. James Loos Dr. William Beazley Ms. Stephanie Davis Mrs. Sallie Deere Ms. Lea Gerber Cuyler and Shirley Johnson Family Foundation

Ms. Tammy Long Ms. Virginia Mitcham Ms. Charleszetta Stroud Mrs. Joyce Williams

In Memory of George Mayol Dr. Donald Stoughton

In Memory of Dr. and Mrs. Carl and Charlene Rieder

Dr. Mark Collons Dr. Steve Hart Dr. Cherilyn Sheets-Moehlman Mrs. Joan Mopper

In Memory of Dr. Carl Rieder

Dr. James Kenney

Dr. Dean Miller Dr. Cheryl Park Dr. Carol Summerhays

In Memory of Dr. Sakae Tanaka Dr. Ara G. Jil-Agopian

Ms. Mary Aragon

Dr. Dan Banh

Dr. Richard Curtis Dougherty & Tanaka Orthodontic Foundation

Dr. Harry Dougherty Dr. Terrence Fong

Dr. Sean Gardner Dr. Yoonie Heo Dr. Howard Hunt Mr. John Jerome Dr. Scott Kim

Dr. James Loos Dr. Richard Meyer Dr. Scott Moon Mr. Hideo Nakanishi Dr. Yosuke Nakanishi Dr. W. Redmond Dr. Glenn Sameshima

Dr. Robert Schacter Dr. Annie Siu Dr. Donald Stoughton Dr. Derick Tagawa

Dr. John Trotter

Dr. Harry White Dr. Hany Youssef

In Memory of Dr. Leon Unterman

Sari Manusov Ms. Sonia Silverstein

In Memory of Dr. Ed Watson Dr. Richard Mays

In Memory of Mrs. Frieda Wong Dr. Derick Tagawa

In Memory of Patrick Kwong Man Wong Dr. Kenneth Ho

In Memory of Dr. Henry Noboru Yamada Dr. Robert Huntington Dr. Dean Miller Dr. K. Terao

In Memory of Dr. Robert Ziehm Dr. M. Marlene Godoy

If an error or omission has occurred, please contact the Office of External Relations and Student Life at (213) 740-0428 or ostrow.development@usc.edu

Epifania “Epi” Juarez has been with the USC Mobile Dental Clinic for nearly 19 years. Today, she is the lead mobile clinic coordinator — a big job that has her doing everything from setting up contracts and logistics for each mobile clinic event to lifting heavy boxes and cleaning the bottom of dental chairs. “She is the epitome of what Dr. Charlie Goldstein talked about in service, selflessness, compassion and heart,” says USC Mobile Clinic Director Sunny Fereshteh DDS ’09. We asked Epi what inspires her about her work with the USC Mobile Clinic:

I like working here. And, yes, mobile clinic is hard work and long hours, and, at times, takes place in extreme temperatures, but that’s how mobile clinic is. We operate in the open and so that exposes us to any type of climate shifts. The only weather condition we haven’t seen is snow falling.

Although, for the Mobile Clinic crew,

inclement weather conditions are not something that impedes or stops our work, we just go with it regardless.

Is the work here challenging? Absolutely! But life itself is challenging for everyone. The patients we see know it best; let’s keep in mind that these are the patients who often have no voice. They are the ones who have been rejected elsewhere — either because they lack the ability to pay for dental treatment or because of the scarcity of services for DentiCal recipients. At every clinic event, we get a taste of the reality of what life is like out there. People tell us their stories; we know their struggles.

We have mothers who ventured to the United States from afar desperate to find medical services for their children with severe or terminal health illnesses, some with extreme physical disabilities. Others got here migrating in search for a better life — some of whom are alone, young and

inexperienced; others are single teenaged parents with a small kid. Some have made it here through the now sadly famous caravans. Mobile clinic is an oasis of hope, and we are willing and able to do it.

The clinic’s purpose brings us deeper and closer to these patient populations, aligning us with their needs and suffering. Besides the work done in the dental chair to alleviate pain and improve oral health, these patients have the need to smile, to know that someone understands their language and comprehends their ways. Gaining their trust takes a combination of compassion, genuine interest for their well-being and an honest interest in them as human beings.

This is what USC Mobile Clinic is all about. This is why I love my job, and this is why staff and faculty, past and present, have orchestrated the metaphorical song that is mobile clinic for so many years and counting.

PHOTO BY CHRIS SHINN

INSPIRED BY EPIFANIA JUAREZ

FRIENDS OF DENTISTRY

SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNITION DINNER

Thank you to all of our generous donors, including our Friends of Dentistry members. Your invaluable support of Ostrow students has profoundly impacted our Trojan Family, and we are forever grateful. We celebrate and thank all of you for the 175 scholarships worth more than $2.3 million being awarded this year.

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