THE BEATING HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
For decades, Ostrow’s Community Oral Health Programs have provided oral health care to the region’s underserved communities — from children to the elderly and every life stage in between.
FIGHT ON, DEAN SADAN!
Earlier this year, Ostrow bid adieu to longtime Dean Avishai Sadan, who had led the school since 2009, a 15-year term during which time the school experienced a historic ascension throughout the entire academic enterprise. Some such improvements occurring during Sadan’s tenure included the addition of academic offerings and curricular innovations; a rise through the NIDCR funding rankings to the current spot of No. 3; an increase in the breadth and depth of community outreach activities; and the launch of a record-breaking $115 million fundraising campaign that included gifts naming the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy as well as a number of large-scale facility upgrades to the Norris Dental Science Center. Here, Sadan addresses alumni, friends and supporters at the Friends of Dentistry Celebration, which took place at the Petersen Automotive Museum in July. Upon Sadan’s departure, Associate Dean of Research Yang Chai PhD ’91, DDS ’96 was named interim dean.
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
DEAN’S MESSAGE
Welcome to the Winter 2024-2025 issue of TroDent!
I am incredibly excited to share with you the next issue of TroDent, covering some of the more newsworthy events that occurred in 2024 here at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. It was a momentous year for Ostrow, as we said farewell to Dean Avishai Sadan, who took on the position of Associate Senior Vice President of Health Sciences Interprofessional Education and Curricular Innovations for USC after 15 years as Ostrow’s Dean. Of course, after that amount of time, it’s easy to feel a true kinship with someone, so we were sorry to see him go, but, like any other family member, we are very excited for the path ahead for Avishai in his new role, and he’s still a faculty member, so it’s not a full-stop goodbye.
I feel very honored to have assumed the role of Interim Dean and, during my time at the helm, I will continue to lead our school to the next level of academic excellence. Your continued support is of paramount importance as we work together to write the next chapter for our Trojan Dental Community.
This issue’s cover story focuses on the huge impact our Community Oral Health Programs have on the region. Our cover story features vignettes from patients across the human lifespan — from infants to the elderly and everyone in between. For decades, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that no one lacks access to oral health care. From our mobile dental clinic fleet — the largest civilian fleet of its kind — to our brick-and-mortar locations across the Southland, we offer a real lifeline to underserved communities in desperate need of dental care. I know I’m not alone when I say these outreach efforts truly make me proud to be a member of the Trojan Dental Family. You can read all about that on pages 17-29.
In this issue, there’s a little something for everyone. We spotlight four of our Community Oral Health Programs faculty members, who earned Health Resources and Services Administration grants to help them pay off their student loans (pages 32-33), a feature on a distance learning graduate who aims to use her new master’s degree in community oral health to advance patient care in geriatric settings (pages 34-35) and a student who received a $50,000 scholarship from the Friends of Dentistry, Ostrow’s premier support group (pages 36-37). Please enjoy the read and, as always, Fight On!
Yang Chai DDS, PhD Interim Dean
Associate
Dean of Research
George and MaryLou Boone Chair in Craniofacial Molecular Biology Director, Center for Craniofacial and Molecular Biology
University Professor of Dentistry, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
PHOTO BY PHIL CHANNING
Nor th to VISALIA
Federal Building in Westwood
USC/ QueensCare Mobile Clinic Pasadena
Norris Dental Science Center
USC Health Sciences Campus
Union Rescue Mission
Hollenbeck Palms
Angeles House
USC Universi Park Campus
South to ESCONDIDO
COVER STORY
THE BEATING HEART OF THE COMMUNITY | 17-29
For decades, Ostrow’s Community Oral Health Programs have been making a difference in the lives of underserved communities throughout the region who might not otherwise have access to oral health care. From infancy to old age, from Escondido to Visalia, Calif., Ostrow’s longstanding dedication to the community is stronger than ever before. In our cover story, we delve into some of the stories from Community Oral Health Programs patients and shine a spotlight on our mobile dental clinic fleet, the largest civilian fleet of its kind in the United States.
DEPARTMENTS
News 6
Clark, Mulligan make investment in the USC Mobile Dental Clinic
News Briefs 7
News 8
Ostrow receives funding to dig into craniofacial development
Ostrow’s Got Talent 11
Ezinne Abba DDS ’27
Track-and-Field Athlete
Five Things 14
Lu Wang
Assistant Professor
Memorials & Tributes 38
Inspired 40
Robert Peters
Clinical Assistant Professor
WINTER 2024-2025
What do you like to do outside of work?
You’ll often find me, my husband and our dog, Kima, exploring parks around Southern California. We also love catching NBA games whenever we get the chance (though Kima sits those out!).
What’s something you learned from writing “Saving Baby Reya?”
Delivering effective first-aid back blows requires a surprising amount of force, even for small children. This was one of the first things Deena mentioned when she described the scary scene at the playground. It was eye-opening to realize just how much strength is needed in such critical moments.
Do you have a lifesaving story of your own?
I was on my way to meet family for lunch when I saw cars ahead of me slowing for an infant wandering outside a home, getting dangerously close to the busy street. I quickly pulled over and scooped up the baby just as it was approaching the curb. Moments later, the baby’s mother came running from the yard, frantic but incredibly thankful.
MOLLY M. KRUSE
Writer, “Back to School,” p. 34
Years as a writer: Nine professionally (and ever since I can remember, unprofessionally!)
Work has appeared in: Scandinavia Standard, NL Times, News 21, The Shawnee News-Star
What did you learn from writing about Maya Fulcher’s journey back to school?
Before writing this feature, I had no idea that elderly communities often don’t have access to proper oral health care. I think it’s powerful when people draw on their personal life experiences to make a difference in their communities — which is exactly what Maya did!
What do you like to do outside of your professional life? I love to spend time in my local community garden, take architecture tours, learn new languages and explore Los Angeles. I also tell people I like hiking (translation: a gentle stroll followed by Mexican food).
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Surround yourself with people you want to be like!
INTERIM DEAN
YANG CHAI DDS, PHD
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
JOHN HOBBS MA ’14
DESIGN/PRODUCTION
GARETT YOSHIDA
CONTRIBUTORS
FAUGHT KATHARINE GAMMON
YASMINE GRIMBLE MCG ’16
JOHN HOBBS MA ’14
MOLLY M. KRUSE
MICHELLE McCARTHY ROBERT PETERS
DANIEL P. SMITH
JAMIE WETHERBE MA ’04
PHOTOGRAPHY PHIL CHANNING GLENN MARZANO
ILLUSTRATOR ANE ARZELUS/I2I ART
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TRODENT
HERMAN OSTROW SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY OF USC 925 W. 34TH STREET, DEN 202 LOS ANGELES, CA 90089-0641 (213) 740-0428
CONTACT US WITH STORY IDEAS AT: OSTROW.COMMUNICATIONS@USC.EDU
DENTISTRY.USC.EDU
YASMINE GRIMBLE MCG ’16
Former Ostrow Employee, 2013-2020 Writer, “Saving Baby Reya,” p. 30
AN
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT | 36-37
It was an unbelievable (and teary-eyed) moment for Andrea Woywitka DDS ’26, when she found out that she had been selected the top winner of the Friends of Dentistry Scholarship worth $50,000. Empowered by the selection committee’s “vote of confidence,” Woywitka aims to continue furthering her career, one day opening a welcoming space for patients from all backgrounds.
SAVING BABY REYA | 30-31
When Deena Fatehi ’20, DDS ’24 took her daughter Rylee to a Fit4Mom class, she couldn’t have guessed she would be called upon to save a life. But when Reya, another baby in the class, began to choke on a dried leaf, Fatehi sprang to action, using her CPR skills learned as part of the Dr. STAT/IV team to save Baby Reya from the unthinkable.
FEATURES
PEACE OF MIND | 32-33
Earlier this year, four faculty members received life-changing news. Thanks to a Health Resources and Services Administration grant pursued by Ostrow’s Community Oral Health Programs, the community-based faculty members were awarded funds to pay off their student loans, freeing them up to inspire generations of dental students to give back to their communities in ways large and small.
BACK TO SCHOOL | 34-35
When illness fell upon Maya Fulcher’s family, the 2003 dental hygiene graduate began to reevaluate her career path. Seeing firsthand how little the well-intentioned caregivers taking care of her sick father knew about oral health care, Fulcher decided it was time to return to school through Ostrow’s Online Dental Programs to better support geriatric oral health care.
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
Clark, Mulligan make investment in the USC Mobile Dental Clinic
Their gift is the latest for the Power of 1,000 Campaign, which aims to raise $1 million for the mobile clinic to allow for treatment to even more underserved communities across Southern California.
BY JOHN HOBBS MA ’14
It was as dental students working alongside the late Charlie Goldstein that faculty members Roseann Mulligan MS ’87 and Glenn Clark were first inspired by the USC Mobile Dental Clinic’s mission.
“Charlie’s dedication to the underserved left an indelible mark on both of us, showing us the profound impact one can have through compassionate care and community engagement,” the couple said via email.
It was with this in mind that they made a significant investment in the mobile clinic.
“By giving back in this way, we hope to ensure future generations of dental professionals will continue to serve their communities with the same passion and dedication we’ve experienced throughout our careers,” they said.
The couple added that they hoped their gift would help enable the mobile clinic to reach more underserved children and their families as well as veterans, provide essential oral health care services to those who typically have little access to it and support the educational experiences of current dental students.
A HISTORY OF GENEROSITY
Clark and Mulligan completed their DDS degrees at UCLA, serving alongside their Trojan counterparts at what was for a time called the USC-UCLA Mobile Clinic, which, though began by USC in 1966, was partially staffed by Bruin dental students in the late 20 th century. Fun fact: Both Clark and Mulligan served as student co-directors during their respective fourth years in dental school, and each was recognized with an award for their mobile clinic work upon graduation.
Mulligan joined Ostrow’s faculty in 1982 , steadily rising through the ranks to her current position as Associate Dean of Dental Public Health and Community Outreach. She holds the Charles M. Goldstein Professor of Community Dentistry appointment.
Clark joined Ostrow’s faculty in 2003, where he also earned several promotions and eventually launched Ostrow’s Online Dental Programs. He is currently Associate Dean of Distance Learning and Telehealth.
NOT JUST A DENTAL CLINIC
It’s not the first time the faculty leaders have made such a donation.
In 2015, the couple provided a naming gift to the Dr. Roseann Mulligan Special Patients Clinic, which treats those with intellectual and
developmental disabilities, the frail elderly and people living with HIV/AIDS.
This latest gift comes on the heels of the launch of the ongoing Power of 1,000 Campaign. This initiative aims to raise $1 million for the USC Mobile Dental Clinic by securing $1,000 donations from 1,000 alumni and friends. The funds will support Ostrow’s vehicle fleet, with its current priority being the acquisition of a new Instrument Management System trailer to provide treatment to even more underserved individuals. At publication, nearly $600,000 ( between crowdfunding and corporate donations) had been raised toward the effort.
“The USC Mobile Clinic isn’t just a dental service,” they said. “It’s a beacon of hope for hundreds who might otherwise go without essential dental care.”
Mulligan and Clark hope that their donation will inspire others to give back in similar ways.
“Your support provides invaluable hands-on experience for dental students, shaping the next generation of compassionate, community-oriented dental professionals,” they said. “You’re not just funding a clinic; you’re investing in the future of dental care.”
To learn more about the Power of 1,000 Campaign, visit tinyurl.com/USCPowerof 1000
GLENN CLARK ROSEANN MULLIGAN
FERESHTEH RECOGNIZED WITH J. DONALD THOMAS AWARD
USC Mobile Dental Clinic Director Sanaz “Sunny” Fereshteh DDS ’09 has earned a J. Donald Thomas Award, recognizing her dedication, perseverance and selfless devotion to the well-being of Pasadena’s children. The J. Donald Thomas Award is bestowed by Young and Healthy, a Pasadena-based nonprofit that has partnered with Ostrow for three decades to bring USC Mobile Dental Clinic services to Pasadena’s underserved children. “We are thrilled to see Sunny honored for her dedication, hard work and advocacy for the underserved communities in Pasadena. While the work we do in the USC Mobile Dental Clinic is a team effort, attributable to the tireless efforts of many, we simply couldn’t ask for a more able leader than Sunny,” said Associate Dean of Dental Public Health and Community Outreach Roseann Mulligan MS ’87. “We thank Young and Healthy for their longtime collaboration with the USC Mobile Dental Clinic and look forward to many more years working together.”
FACEBASE FUNDED BY NIDCR THROUGH 2029
The National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recently awarded $12.5 million to a team of USC researchers — led by principal investigators Interim Dean Yang Chai PhD ’91, DDS ’96 and USC Viterbi’s Carl Kesselman — to continue the development and expansion of FaceBase until at least 2029. Established by the NIDCR in 2009, the FaceBase Consortium sought to advance craniofacial science across the globe by compiling and storing comprehensive datasets of craniofacial development and dysmorphologies for the craniofacial research community. Its goal was to support the reuse of data for new research projects and collaborations. Since then, it has grown to become the central repository resource for a diverse group of dental and craniofacial researchers. The consortium has been led by USC since 2014
AMINO ACID HOLDING SECRETS TO ORAL CANCER?
Upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma is a common, aggressive malignancy that leaves individuals battling fatal tumors in the airways of the head and neck. Until now, there have been few effective therapeutic options, but that could change, thanks to new findings from Assistant Professor Dechen Lin. In a paper published recently in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Lin and his team show that blocking a particular amino acid pathway might be critical to shutting down the growth and proliferation of certain oral cancers. The amino acid, methionine, is not produced within the body; it is found in certain foods such as shrimp, eggs and beef. Using animal models and lab-grown organoids, Lin and his team showed that a diet lacking in methionine blocked the pathway, causing tumors to grow much more slowly. The discovery could lead to additional treatment options, including diet-based interventions.
OSTROW-BORN ROMANCE LEADS TO NEW PERIODONTICS RESIDENT ROOM
Friends of Dentistry members Alexandre Amir Aalam PERIO ’03 and Alina Krivitsky DH ’00, DDS ’05, PERIO ’08 have made a donation to the USC Periodontal Improvement Fund to establish the “Dr. Alina Krivitsky and Dr. Amir Aalam Resident Room” for Ostrow periodontics residents to study, conduct case reviews and relax in between patients. The alumni couple, who celebrated their 20 th wedding anniversary this past fall, sought to give back to their alma mater while paying special homage to the room where they first met — he, as a perio interviewee, and she, as a dental hygiene student. “The USC Perio Program is a very special place to us,” the couple said via email. “It allowed us to find each other, become specialists in periodontology from one of the finest universities in the country and build a very stable and comfortable life for our family.”
PATTISON RECEIVES ESTHER WILKINS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Former faculty member Anna M. Pattison DH ’67 was awarded an Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award from the journal Dimensions of Dental Hygiene earlier this fall. Established in 2010, the prestigious award is presented annually to dental hygienists who have consistently and effectively contributed to the enrichment of the dental hygiene profession. In addition to earning her bachelor’s from USC, Pattison went on to earn a master’s degree in dental hygiene education from Columbia University. She served as an instructor at Ostrow for nearly 60 years and was the chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene from 1984 to 1989. Her master’s thesis became Periodontal Instrumentation — A Clinical Manual, a seminal textbook that has since educated dental hygiene students around the globe. She also advanced dental hygiene by becoming the first editor-in-chief of the journal Dimensions of Dental Hygiene
ENVISTA DONATES $2.1 MILLION TO OSTROW TO FURTHER EXPAND ACCESS TO ORAL HEALTH CARE
The Envista Holdings Corporation (and its charitable arm, the Envista Smile Project) have made a $2.1 million gift to Ostrow’s Dental Health Equity and Access to Care Initiative. The initiative aims to provide comprehensive care, referral services, research and education to underserved and vulnerable populations in California, particularly children with special needs. “Envista’s philanthropic support will enable [Ostrow] to expand and enhance its efforts to create long-lasting positive changes in vulnerable communities,” said Chief Development Officer Michele Cesca. “With their support and partnership, we don’t just change lives, we become the architects of hope, the guardians of smiles and the forerunners of a healthier tomorrow.” Distributed over three years, the donation will provide oral health equipment, products and technology to enhance existing Ostrow community programs.
Ostrow Receives Funding to Dig Into Craniofacial Development
Amy Merrill PhD ’04 recently received an eight-year grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
BY KATHARINE GAMMON
Associate Professor Amy Merrill is driven by the desire to impact clinical care outcomes — especially for rare diseases. By studying rare diseases in the face and head, she can learn about the normal process of skeletal development and shed insights onto more common disorders.
The Acting Associate Dean of Research recently received an incredibly competitive NIDCR grant, titled the Sustaining Outstanding Achievement in Research (SOAR) Award, that has only been awarded 13 times since 2016. The award’s goal is to provide longer-term support to NIDCR-funded, mid-career investigators who have an outstanding record of research, mentorship and professional service.
Merrill plans to use the eight-year grant to further explore the development of the craniofacial skeleton’s soft tissues, such as tendons and ligaments.
STUDYING SOFT CRANIOFACIAL TISSUES
Her research seeks to identify new genes and pathways regulating these tissues, understand their role in common diseases like temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) and investigate their impact on rare genetic pediatric diseases.
“I’m thrilled to have this level of freedom to pursue questions that are important for human health,” she said. “We will be employing new technologies and pursuing high-impact questions that are related to skeletal development and disease.”
Specifically, Merrill is hoping to learn how ligaments and tendons participate in the repair of common diseases like TMJ, which disproportionately impacts women. “It’s really a women’s health issue that we would like to address and understand which genes are involved in their development and maintenance,” she said. She is using mouse models that point to genes in humans — and collaborating with investigators at UCLA, Baylor University and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to identify new disease genes.
Rare diseases bring with them questions — and can point to how normal development works. For example, prema-
ture fusion of cranial sutures in craniosynostosis, which occurs in an estimated 1 in 2,500 births, leads to skull deformity and impaired brain growth. By studying the cells and pathways that build and maintain joint connective tissues, Merrill said her lab will gain a better understanding of how to develop molecular-based strategies to prevent or restore joint damage.
New technologies used in mice will allow Merrill’s team to study craniofacial development in high resolution — on a cellular or even molecular level. Called single-cell spatial transcriptomics and other single-cell technologies, the tools could reveal new insights, she said. “The increased flexibility and duration of the SOAR grant allows us to leverage new single-cell technologies to transform our understanding of skeletal development and disease.”
Finally, the research will point her work back to humans — especially those with rare diseases. By figuring out the genes that regulate tendon and ligament development in mice and relating them to humans, the goal is eventually to find new treatments. “It’s a disease-first approach,” Merrill said, “going back and forth between human disease and mouse models to pave the way for diagnosis and treatment.”
PHOTO BY PHIL CHANNING
AMY MERRILL
OSTROW’S GOT TALENT, FIVE THINGS, GAMES AND MORE!
OSTROW’S GOT TALENT
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
Life in the Fast Lane
Former NCAA track champion Ezinne Abba brings her competitive edge to dental school to be able to one day serve as an inspiration for underserved populations.
BY JOHN HOBBS MA ’14
During a gap year, most might choose to travel the world, get some real-world experience or volunteer for a nonprofit organization, but not Ezinne Abba DDS ’27.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology from UC Berkeley, Abba chose to take a year to “relax” before going to dental school.
For Abba, “relaxing” meant pursuing a graduate certificate in strategic communication at the University of Texas at Austin (UTA) while focusing much more intently on a longtime passion of hers — track and field.
Despite limited high school recruitment, Abba had been able to walk on to the Berkeley track team during her undergraduate years. Abba smashed a number of school records (in both high school and at Berkeley) for the 60-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter sprints, having placed second in the 100 -meter and 200-meter sprints during the Outdoor Pac-12 Championship in 2022 and having been selected as one of four student-athletes to give mini TED Talks about leadership. She was able to accomplish all this — taxing daily practices, exhausting meets — while continuing to excel academically, a point of pride for the track-and-field athlete.
While at UTA, Abba managed to add more accolades to her record, including winning the NCAA Outdoor 4x 100 Championship in 2023, where she also set and broke the collegiate record three times; breaking the 11-second wind-legal, becoming the sixth fastest Nigerian of all time and becoming a finalist during the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championship in the 100-meter sprint.
But, as her gap year came to a close, Abba had a difficult choice to make. Would she pursue a career in dentistry at USC as she had planned,
or would she continue sprinting toward a professional career in track and field?
“Going pro is not for everybody,” says Abba, who saw many of her colleagues stake out professional paths in the sport. “I thought ‘if they can do it, I can do it too,’ but ultimately being a dentist is where I’m supposed to be, so that’s what I’m doing now.”
A CAREER PATH FROM CHILDHOOD
Abba had always been drawn to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, so it was no surprise that, as a 7-year-old who loved going to the dentist, she became interested in a dental career.
“Since I’ve always gravitated toward the sciences and understanding the biological processes behind many things, I felt like health care was a platform for me to use that thought process.”
Although she maintained a heavy science course load throughout high school and college, it wasn’t until her undergraduate years that Abba had another brush with dentistry.
“I did a lot of shadowing in college and other small things with pre-dental societies,” she says. “They just reinforced my passion for dentistry.”
When it came time to apply to dental schools, the Southern California native turned Austin, Texas graduate student longed for a school closer to home, setting her sights on her dream school, Ostrow.
In her dental school application, she emphasized the impeccable time management and leadership skills she had developed as a champion athlete slash star student.
“You can’t be an athlete and a student, especially studying biochemistry as an under-
graduate, without proper time management and leadership skills,” says Abba, who joined the Trojan Dental Family in 2023 as a first-year DDS student.
A BEACON OF HOPE
While her track-and-field days are mostly behind her, Abba finds that the mindset she developed enduring incredibly hard practices and meets serves her well as a dental student.
“It’s important to trust the process,” she says. “Dental school is hard. There are a lot of skills that you’ve never learned before, but giving yourself the grace and understanding that this is your first time — saying to yourself, ‘Let me understand how to make a crown prep, and then find out how you can do it better.’ That’s what we do in track. We have training schedules, and you might do the same practice you did last week, but find a way to make it better.”
Even though she’s no longer a track-andfield athlete, you can often find Abba glued to her screens watching track-and-field events.
“I think about track every day,” she says via Zoom with a line-up of trophies behind her. “A lot of my friends are either professional track athletes or in college, so once the season rolls around, we’re always watching it and talking about their goals, practices, different athletes and the meets.”
And just like her friends, who serve as role models to young people across the nation, Abba hopes to do the same for her patients.
“I know for sure I want to be a beacon of hope in some way, shape or form,” she says. “I feel like a lot of underserved populations don’t get served by people who look like me, and their problems can get overlooked. I want to be a beacon of hope within my own community.”
The Yearbook Game
STAFFDISPENSARYEDITION
The dispensary staff is, well ... indispensable .. to any patient care operation at the Norris Dental Science Center. This issue, we celebrate some of the dispensary staff members with a fun round of the Yearbook Game:
WARREN ANDAYA
Match the dispensary staff member with the headshots from their past yearbooks.
Sterile Processing Technician
WENDY MEJORADO-XIMENEZ
Sterile Processing Technician
MARIA ALVANEZ DE VALIENTE
Lead Sterile Processing Technician
CAMILO EDUARDO PORTILLO
Sterile Processing Technician
ISAAC LOZANO
Sterile Processing Technician
MIRTHA ROMERO
Sterile Processing Technician
NOEMI PADILLA
Lead Sterile Processing Technician
CHRIS CAMACHO
Sterile Processing Manager
BLANCA INTERIANO
Sterile Processing Technician
SUSANA VARGAS
Sterile Processing Technician
LIDIA ALVAREZ
Sterile Processing Technician 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
FIVE THINGS
Lu Wang Assistant Professor
BY ANDREW FAUGHT
Lu Wang is helping to unlock the secrets of the brain. Her research focuses on the role of environmental stress and non-neuronal cells — that 85-billion cell corps that doesn’t conduct nerve impulses but supports the neurons that do — in developing treatments for ailments such as childhood brain tumors. She joined the Trojan Dental Family in mid-2024, after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Gleeson Lab for Pediatric Brain Disease at UC San Diego. Here are five more things to know about one of our newest researchers.
WANG WAS CALLED TO THE SCIENCES FROM AN EARLY AGE. Raised in Lanzhou, China, higher education runs in Wang’s blood. “Both of my parents are professors, so I knew when I was very young that I would continue that trajectory, and that never changed.” Wang holds a doctorate in cellular and molecular biology. While she considered doing postdoctoral research in immunology, she won a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Training Award in 2022 to study brain disorders at the Gleeson Lab. “I fell in love with it,” she says.
SWIMMING AND COFFEE HELP TO FUEL HER RESEARCH AMBITIONS. Wang was a competitive swimmer throughout high school, her best race being the 50-meter sprint. She continues her water-loving ways, swimming up to three times a week to keep physically and mentally strong for her lab work. She fuels herself in other ways, too. “I’m a coffee addict. I used to know every coffee shop in San Diego. Hunting for coffee is fun, and I’ll try every type.”
WANG’S EFFORTS OCCUR AT THE EXCITING INTERFACE OF BIOLOGY AND RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES.
“Most of our knowledge in the field of pediatric brain disorders is from genetics and animal models, however, few treatments have been successfully delivered due to the unique features of the developing human brain.” During her postdoc training, she developed a novel stem cell-based model system, in which she integrates pericytes, which aid in blood vessel formation, into cortical organoids, 3-D structures derived from embryonic stem cells, to improve disease modeling.
TWO LIVES, TWO TEMPERAMENTS.
“I’m a very different person at work than in everyday life. When I’m with family and friends, I’m not the one to make the decisions about where to go to dinner. You’ll find me more chill in everyday life than while I’m at work doing science. At work, I want to be the person to make the decisions. I’m serious and critical. Daily life is for yourself, while science serves all of humanity.”
WANG WAS DRAWN TO USC FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH RESEARCHERS ACROSS THE DISCIPLINARY GAMUT.
Wang chose Ostrow for its diverse collaborations and its vision and commitment to translational medicine — which “translates” research findings into diagnostic tools, protocols, medicines, policies and education. “The Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology has good connections with other institutions on campus, including those focusing on stem cell research and neuroscience, which provide strong support to achieve my own research goals.” 1 2 3 4 5
BOOK THERAPY
WILSON DENTAL LIBRARY EXPANDS COLLECTION THANKS TO COLLECTION EQUITY AWARD FROM THE NETWORK OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
This year, the Jennifer Ann Wilson Dental Library earned a Network of the National Library of Medicine Collection Equity Award, a cash prize meant to fund book collection development amplifying diverse voices writing on health/medical topics. “As a dental library, when it comes to resources, a big part of our mission is to provide books, journals and databases on dentistry and oral health,” says Wilson Head Librarian Hannah Schilperoort. “That continues to be very important, but I wanted to expand our collection to include popular books focused on mental health, well-being and self-care.” The prize money went to fund an additional 66 titles, written by a range of authors, including people of color, LGBTQIA+ people and people with disabilities. “I wanted books that addressed important topics, but I also wanted the books to be enjoyable to read. As such, most of the books in the collection are bestsellers, and many of the books are inspiring memoirs and autobiographies that can change the way you see the world.” And if nothing else, they’re a welcome distraction from the rigors of long study sessions, she adds. “Taking time for yourself with a good book is a nice way to take a break from studying and technology,” Schilperoort says.
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
D g Days
Meet Sir Oliver da Doodle, one of the many canine companions who dropped in recently at a Coffee and Canines event for Ostrow students facing the stress of preparing for final exams. In addition to petting a number of four-legged friends, Ostrow students could grab a coffee or hot chocolate and spend some time with their dental colleagues before putting their heads down to study again. The event was cohosted by FIGS, the Humane Society of USC and the Office of Student Life and Well-Being.
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
The BEATING HEART of the Community
For decades, Ostrow’s Community Oral Health Programs have been bridging the gap to oral health care access for underserved communities across the region. From infancy to older adulthood, our patients have come to rely on the essential services provided, giving them something to smile about. Read on for stories from the frontlines of Ostrow’s community outreach efforts.
INFANTS/ YOUNG CHILDREN
Ages: 0-4
Treated at: URM Angeles House and various community sites
Fast facts:
In Los Angeles County, nearly 50 percent of kindergartners have experienced tooth decay; nearly 20 percent have untreated decay, according to 2020 data.
Infants should attend their first dental appointment upon the eruption of their first tooth and no later than their first birthday, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Healthy habits can be formed during early childhood, so it’s important to instill good oral healthcare practices as early as possible.
CREATING HEALTHY HABITS
Ostrow’s new partnership with URM Angeles House offers dental care to families experiencing homelessness, including those with young children
BY MICHELLE McCARTHY
For parents without housing, the immediate priority is securing food, shelter, safety and warmth for their children.
As a result, dental care can often be neglected. It’s a dilemma Cassandra Cazaras unfortunately knows all too well. When the uncle that she and her three young children — ages 1, 3 and 10 — were living with passed away, they were left with nowhere to go.
Thankfully, a parishioner at Cazaras’ church told her about Union Rescue Mission’s Angeles House, a facility in the Willowbrook neighborhood of South L.A. that caters exclusively to unsheltered families. Among other services, Angeles House provides dental care through a partnership with Ostrow. “It’s stressful during those times when you’re trying to figure out basic things,” Cazaras explains. “I made sure to maintain the kids’ doctors’ appointments, but I wasn’t able to make dental appointments for them when I should.”
USC has partnered with the Union Rescue Mission (URM) on Skid Row for more than 25 years, providing emergency and comprehensive dental services to those experiencing homelessness. URM’s new site, Angeles House, opened in 2022 . “They approached us to offer dental services there as well,” says Mehdi Mohammadi DDS ’12, director of the USC+URM Dental Clinic. “They deal with a different demographic from the Skid Row clinic — women and school-going children. We thought it was important for USC to provide services to this population as well. We were able to secure funding to begin clinic operations one day a week, on Tuesdays, starting this past October.”
DEVELOPING HEALTHY HABITS
Prior to her family’s stay at Angeles House, Cazaras’ 10-year-old son hadn’t visited a dentist in quite some time. “He was complaining about a toothache, and it turns out that he had a cavity,” she says. “My two younger children hadn’t been seen by a dentist at all until we were at Angeles House.”
Mohammadi says it is essential for children to receive dental care early in their lives because it can have negative consequences down the line, physically and psychologi-
cally. “It’s important for them to get proper dental treatment as they grow up so they can have a healthy mouth and a good smile. That will build confidence and have a direct impact on their overall health.”
But the positive impact doesn’t just affect families who are served at Angeles House. USC dental students are also gaining insight into their future professions — while developing empathy for community members who are experiencing life challenges.
“They get the opportunity to expand their knowledge and to provide services to the underserved,” Mohammadi shares. “Our students have found this experience invaluable. And many of them are seeking to go back to one of those community clinics for employment after graduation.”
That’s exactly what happened for Mohammadi, who worked at the Skid Row clinic as a student. “When I graduated from USC, I started working part-time in the clinic and eventually rose to become clinic director in 2013. This is rewarding and fulfilling work. It’s my life’s purpose now.”
PROFESSIONAL AND RESPECTFUL
Since the dental clinic at Angeles House is currently only operating one day a week, it is not yet part of the mandatory curriculum for Ostrow students. For the time being, it is being staffed by student volunteers under the supervision of expert faculty members. But that will hopefully change in the near future. “Eventually when we have sufficient funding to run the clinic, Mondays through Fridays, our goal is to make it a part of the required rotation for students,” Mohammadi says.
Ostrow students are already helping to change lives at Angeles House, one family at a time. For the Cazaras family, the experience has improved their overall understanding of dental care. “We learned how to maintain our teeth better — brush as often as you can and for a certain amount of time, brush and floss after meals, and don’t let the food sit because that can cause tooth decay.”
After six months at Angeles House, things are looking up for Cazaras and her children. Now living with a friend, they are still obtaining dental services from Ostrow students at the facility. And she couldn’t be happier with the service they have all received. “From the beginning, the students and staff were very professional and respectful to me and my children. They didn’t ask any upsetting questions and only focused on our health. As a mother, it was such a blessing. I am forever grateful.”
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
Cassandra Cazaras and two of her three children, Mulogic, age 1 and Za, age 3.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
CHILDREN
Ages: 0-18
Treated at: USC Mobile Dental Clinic (including QueensCare Mobile Clinics and the Neighborhood Mobile Dental Van Prevention Program) and various community sites
Fast facts:
Poor oral health can impact academic performance. More than 440,000 Californian K-12 students missed school due to dental problems, according to Smile California.
Students with toothaches are almost four times more likely to have a low grade point average.
Parents averaged 2.5 absent days from school or work annually due to their children’s dental problems.
Financially devastated years ago by identify theft, L.A. resident Deborah Clark relied on the USC Mobile Dental Clinic to keep her children’s smiles healthy.
BY JAMIE WETHERBE
MA ’04
After being stationed overseas in Afghanistan, Deborah Clark returned Stateside to a shock — she had been a victim of identity theft, starting as early as 2004. “I came back to the States, and I had all these notices from debt collectors,” she says. “I had been destroyed as a human being, financially.”
Clark discovered in 2012 that tens of thousands of dollars of debt had been taken out in her name — and is still learning about more. “I lost my job within the government sector,” Clark says. “I lost everything.”
Without income, Clark couldn’t keep her home, and with damaged credit, she couldn’t rent an apartment either. “We were homeless more than once,” says Clark, who had young children at the time. “It was devastating for my family to have to live through this — I would never wish this upon anybody.”
To maintain her children’s well-being, Clark turned to services like Young & Healthy in Pasadena, which connects underserved children with free medical, dental and psychological care. The nonprofit has partnered with USC Mobile Dental Clinic for decades to identify children and young adults who qualify for free dental services.
LOOKING INTO THE EYES OF A CHILD
Staffed by a team of USC dental students, faculty and staff, the USC Mobile Dental Clinic has provided oral health care to underserved communities in Southern California for nearly 60 years, serving more than 100,000 young people to date.
“Our families face many hurdles, such as finan-
cial hardship, lack of transportation, no access to quality dental care, language barriers and trusting the healthcare providers,” says USC Mobile Dental Clinic Director Sanaz “Sunny” Fereshteh DDS ’09 “We remove the obstacles of accessing much needed dental care for the families we serve.”
Over the course of week-long engagements, some 30 dental students offer cleanings along with a range of treatments, from prosthodontic reconstructions to root canals, to up to 120 children and their families.
“It can often feel like organized chaos,” says Fereshteh, who’s worked at the clinic for more than a decade. “However, looking into the eyes of the child in your dental chair is the perfect reminder of why we are here. It pushes everything else out of my mind, and I can refocus on someone else that has given me their trust to care for them.”
When Clark first arrived at the clinic in early 2020, she didn’t expect much more than a cleaning for her three of her four children.
“I didn’t realize the care was so in-depth,” she says. “The students are phenomenal. They treat everyone with nothing but respect and kindness — and try to make it fun.”
EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING ARE PARAMOUNT
In their fourth year of dental school, students are required to complete at least one one-week rotation with the USC Mobile Dental Clinic as part of their community program requirements. Still, many students choose to start in supporting roles as soon as their first year, and often students opt to volunteer throughout their four years at Ostrow.
“I believe when students actively participate in the mobile clinic, they are reminded of the privilege and power we have as dental care providers,” says Fereshteh, who started volunteering at the mobile clinic her first semester as a dental student at USC.
“We can see the impact of our actions when we take a patient out of pain or make a child feel more comfortable, ensuring they’ll have more confidence at their dental visits for the rest of their lives.”
In addition to watching patients’ progress, Fereshteh enjoys the opportunity to see students evolve throughout their dental education.
“I get to see their fast growth over the years, going from being shy and nervous — and sometimes sheltered — students to building incredible confidence, compassion, understanding and true empathy for the people we care for at the mobile clinic,” Fereshteh explains. “Knowing that they are taking these invaluable characteristics into their long careers is incredibly rewarding and gratifying.”
Empathy and understanding are paramount when treating the clinic’s unique patient population. “When we are in Los Angeles County, 15 to 20 percent of our patients have never seen a dentist,” Fereshteh says. “When we’re serving migrant workers in Kern, Tulare or San Diego Counties, that number increases to more than half.”
INSPIRED TO GIVE BACK
Clark has experienced this level of compassion and care firsthand. During a recent visit, her youngest, now 5 years old, refused to open her mouth for a filling. “A young gentleman who’s specializing in pediatrics came over and miraculously got her to cooperate,” Clark says.
Two decades after her identity was stolen, Clark and her family continue to pick up the pieces. “Our lives are a lot better now,” she says. “But if it weren’t for programs like the mobile clinic, my kids’ welfare and well-being wouldn’t be where they are today.”
Her oldest daughter (not pictured) is now in graduate school studying to work with children with special needs. “She wants to go into a field where she can give back,” says Clark. “Just like the students at USC.”
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
Deborah Clark and three of her four children, Christopher Clark, 18, Autumn Clark, 15 and Summer Clark, 5
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANE ARZELUS/I2I ART
Since 1965, the USC Mobile Dental Clinics have been on the road, providing desperately needed dental treatment to underserved populations across Southern California. What began as an excursion to northwestern Mexico by a kindhearted faculty member and a few students has since grown into the largest civilian mobile dental clinic operation in the United States.
With nearly 60 dental operatories spread across 12 mobile dental clinics*, Ostrow travels from the Central Valley to the Mexican border, providing more than 16,000 dental procedures each year.
*Three QueensCare mobile clinics, staffed by Ostrow faculty and students, are not pictured.
Considered the “heart of the mobile clinic,” the Instrument Management System allows for the safe sterilization of dental instruments.
Opened in 2016, the fleet’s crown jewel is one of the largest single mobile dental clinics in the world, with eight operatories.
The RV Annie provides an additional three operatories for mobile dental clinic events.
An essential part of the fleet, the 500 is the second largest mobile clinic, with four operatories.
Part of the reserve fleet, the aging Titanic is utilized during special circumstances. It is home to four operatories.
The USC is also used for special circumstances only. Efforts will be made to replace both the USC and the Titanic in the coming years.
As part of the Neighborhood Mobile Dental Clinic, Hawk travels to local elementary schools, where K-3 children are treated.
Charlie is also part of the Neighborhood Mobile Clinic program, providing two more operatories for the hundreds of students treated each year.
Currently stationed at Hollenbeck Palms, Winnie’s three operatories are used to provide treatment to Hollenbeck’s elderly population.
A SPECIAL PLACE
SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS
Treated at: Dr. Roseann Mulligan
Special Patients Clinic and Hollenbeck-Palms
Fast facts:
Patients with special needs have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing dental problems due to factors like difficulty with oral hygiene practices, medication side effects and physical limitations.
Between 50 and 70 percent of people with special needs have had negative experiences in trying to access dental care, according to some studies.
In fact, 54 percent of dentists nationally do not treat patients with cognitive impairments and a poor ability to c0llaborate during treatment, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The Dr. Roseann Mulligan Special Patients Clinic helps make oral health care accessible to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the frail elderly and medically complex patients, including those with HIV/AIDS.
BY ANDREW FAUGHT
For medically complex people — including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the frail elderly and those with HIV/AIDS — getting dental treatment is no sure thing.
“We are told over and over again, ‘I went to four different dentists, and no one wanted to touch me,’” says Piedad Suarez Durall MS ’18, director of Ostrow’s Dr. Roseann Mulligan Special Patients Clinic. “What’s different is, we treat our patients with compassion and invest time and patience in desensitizing methods after learning about their fears and working together to modify their behaviors.”
Opened in 1985 , the on-campus clinic has grown from three to eight operatories, staffed by dental students (under faculty supervision) required to complete a week’s rotation as part of their studies at Ostrow. At its founding, the clinic was one of the first dental school-based programs of its kind.
The clinic treats about 1,000 patients every year, nearly half of whom have HIV/AIDS. Referred to Ostrow by the Keck School of Medicine of USC or various community clinics, these patients present with conditions common to poor oral health care: plaque, decay, periodontal diseases or teeth that need extraction.
HIV/AIDS patients have distinct challenges, as weakened immune systems make it harder to fight off infection. Additionally, many take multiple medications, causing dry mouth, which can place them at even higher risk for caries and periodontal diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECT
Many patients, particularly those with developmental disabilities or those who are frail and elderly, tire easily during treatment or become impatient. Suarez says the clinic fosters a friendly atmosphere, where students offer patients positive reinforcements during their time in the dental chair. The nurturing approach has made a difference.
“Successful treatment is sometimes as simple as taking the time,” Suarez says. “We respectfully explain procedures, talking directly to the patients, even though the caregiver or parent is in the room. The patients receive a lot of attention from the students, staff and faculty. This effort doesn’t go unnoticed. The majority of our patients tell us they love us as they leave their appointments. Some even offer a hug.”
Some dentists are reluctant to treat people with complex medical conditions due to the extra time needed to review patient medical histories, consult other medical professionals or consider the impact of mutiple medications on the oral cavity.
“While my goal is for students to see at least two patients per session, that can be difficult if the patient is extremely frail. Each pre-session requires students to thoroughly review multiple aspects of the patients to be seen during that session, including medical conditions, medications, treatment modifications and social determinants of health. This process can be time-consuming, but it ensures thorough patient care,” says Suarez, a professor of clinical dentistry who is also department chair of Geriatrics, Special Needs and Behavioral Sciences.
A WELCOME PLACE
The clinic was founded by Associate Dean of Dental Public Health and Community Outreach Roseann Mulligan MS ’87. She created the facility after “it was clear to me that not everyone was receiving care,” Mulligan recalled in the fall 2015 issue of TroDent. “I set about creating a clinic where people with disabilities could get that care and were welcome.”
Up to eight students at a time, under the supervision of Ostrow’s expert faculty members, perform everything from cleanings and restorations to extractions and prosthodontic care. In some cases, treatment included full-mouth extractions for patients whose teeth were too decayed to remain.
The clinic offers students exceptional
learning opportunities that prepare them for serving diverse patient populations after graduation.
“Some students choose to pursue further study in caring for medically complex patients, and, as a result, go on to general practice residencies with a focus on special needs, Suarez says.
Health care has changed since the clinic first opened and, as a result, so has dental care, Suarez says. “People are living longer, sometimes after having undergone double organ transplants.”
Therein is a critical lesson that Suarez hopes her students take away from the clinical experience.
“Our students need to feel comfortable treating these special-needs patients, because
they could be the only opportunity this individual has to receive dental care,” she says. “The future is now,” Suarez reminds her students. Modern health care, including oral health, is more interdisciplinary than ever.
“We can no longer focus on the oral cavity exclusively but need to consider the patient’s overall health, well-being and social factors as well and interact with other professions to provide the best treatment for each patient.”
Prevention remains a big part of the clinic’s approach: “We educate patients about oral hygiene, nutrition and evidence-based products that prevent caries and manage conditions like dry mouth. Using this approach, students learn that they can change patients’ lives.”
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
Piedad Suarez Durall treats Karen McGuire at the Dr. Roseann Mulligan Special Patients Clinic.
HOMELESS/ VETERANS
Treated at: Union
Fast facts:
California is the state with the largest homeless population, with more than 180,000 people sleeping in less-than-adequate housing each night.
Nearly half of adults experiencing homelessness had an unmet dental need indicated as tooth or gum problems in the past year.
While the Veteran’s Administration does offer dental care as a benefit, many veterans have trouble accessing such care. The VA has begun to negotiate deals with private dental practices on behalf of veterans. Other groups, including Ostrow, attempt to fill the gaps.
RESTORING A VETERAN’S SMILE
For the past 25 years, the USC Dental Clinic at Union Rescue Mission has provided dental care to those experiencing homelessness in Downtown L.A., including many military veterans.
BY DANIEL P. SMITH
For a while there, Gregory Johnson didn’t have much interest in smiling.
A proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, the New Orleans native fell on hard times beginning in 2019, when he lost his job in the service industry, and the ensuing pandemic stifled his chances for a quick rebound. Unable to pay his bills or rent, Johnson was evicted and forced onto the streets, which stripped him of stability and led him to question his own self-worth.
“I got hit pretty hard and didn’t know how I was going to recover,” Johnson says.
In January 2024, Johnson found support at the Union Rescue Mission (URM) on Los Angeles’ Skid Row. Founded in 1891, the city’s oldest mission — and one of the nation’s largest — URM aims to help individuals like Johnson escape the streets, offering food, shelter and education alongside counseling and long-term recovery programs. Johnson found a supportive, encouraging environment at URM and something else completely unexpected — a dental clinic.
“A real blessing in disguise,” the 58-year-old says.
PROVIDING A VITAL SERVICE
Since 1999, the USC Dental Clinic at Union Rescue Mission — staffed by Ostrow faculty and students — has provided emergency and comprehensive dental services to URM residents and other
Angelenos experiencing homelessness, including many military veterans like Johnson.
The eight-chair dental clinic conducts more than 5,000 dental-care visits per year, providing cleanings, restorations, extractions, root canals and dentures to URM guests as well as those from neighboring shelters and programs serving underserved people in Downtown L.A.
“Many of the individuals we see need a lot of dental work because of delayed care, so this clinic provides a vital service,” says Clinical Assistant Professor of Dentistry Melina Minassian Grigorian DDS ’04, who first began volunteering at the URM-based clinic in 2011 and currently works at the site 3-4 days each week.
Grigorian says the clinic rarely turns patients away and delivers much-needed care alongside preventive counseling and guidance, particularly around nutrition.
“It’s fulfilling that we can help virtually anyone who walks in our doors,” Grigorian says, adding that she has personally provided treatment to numerous military veterans who have fallen on tough times. “We see so many people walk out smiling and happy, which is a wonderful reward with this work.”
Notably, the clinic expands the education of dental students by involving them in the care of an often-overlooked population. Every Ostrow student completes a seven-week (one-day-a-week) rotation at the URM site, which Grigorian considers critical to their growth as well-rounded providers. The rotation experience at URM prompts new perspectives, cultivates empathy and sharpens students’ communication skills.
“Most students haven’t seen the population pool the mission serves, so they develop gratitude and compassion in this environment and learn to see the bigger picture,” Grigorian says. “Those
Rescue Mission, USC Mobile Dental Clinic
are all valuable traits as they prepare to head into practice.”
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
For Johnson, who hadn’t visited a dentist in well over a decade, years of neglected oral care showed in his mouth — even if he didn’t have any immediately pressing issues. He says clinic staff,
from the instructors to the students, were polite, thoughtful, professional and attentive as they patiently guided him through his treatment plan and procedures, which included upper dentures and lower partials.
“To have this available to me was a tremendous help and very impactful,” he says. “It’s helped me avoid bigger dental problems down the line.”
The care Johnson received at the dental clinic has contributed to his personal renewal. The Air Force veteran has returned to the job market and is on pace to soon trade his transitional housing at URM for a more permanent place of his own.
“Things are looking up,” he says, “and I’m definitely enjoying my smile now.”
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
Melina Minassian Grigorian and U.S. Air Force veteran Gregory Johnson at the Union Rescue Mission dental clinic
ELDERLY PATIENTS
TREATED AT:
Hollenbeck Palms, Dr. Roseann
Mulligan Special Patients Clinic
FAST FACTS:
96 percent of older adults have experienced tooth decay in their lifetimes, with 1 in 6 currently experiencing untreated dental decay.
3 out of 5 older adults currently have periodontal disease.
Older adults’ health profiles can complicate dental treatment.
From dry mouth caused by certain medications to comorbid illnesses that require specific interventions, oral health can be fleeting for this population.
KEEPING SMILES GOLDEN
In the face of an impending silver tsunami where U.S. seniors will number more than 80 million, Ostrow aims to inspire the next generation of dentists to embrace geriatric dental care — not just as a specialty but as a vital part of human health care.
BY YASMINE GRIMBLE MCG ’16
At 90 years old, Paul Kamachi is more than a resident of the Hollenbeck Palms Senior Living Facility — residents affectionately call him the “Mayor of Hollenbeck” as he ambles across campus, warmly greeting everyone who passes him.
“It’s such a blessing for us to be seen by USC dentists and students just steps away from where we live,” Kamachi says. “Most of us wouldn’t have any other way to see a dentist.”
Kamachi’s connection to Hollenbeck Palms began in 2007 when his wife entered hospice care there. By 2010, he had joined her, moving into the independent living building on campus. It wasn’t long thereafter that a dental emergency prompted him to make his first visit to the USC mobile dental clinic parked onsite.
“I had a tooth so loose and painful I thought I could pull it out myself,” Kamachi recalls, with a chuckle. “My doctor said, ‘No, no, no, you need to go see the USC dentists.’”
Since that visit in 2014, Kamachi has undergone various treatments — from cleanings to removable prosthodontics — and learned new ways to care for his teeth along the way.
“Before that, I hadn’t been to the dentist in over 10 years,” he admits. “It was never a priority in my life. I was busy with work and visiting my wife daily.”
What began as a necessity has evolved into a
partnership that improved Kamachi’s quality of life and highlights the importance of geriatric dental care for the nation’s growing elderly population.
A SPECIALIZED APPROACH TO AGING SMILES
For nearly 25 years, Ostrow has partnered with Hollenbeck Palms to provide on-site dental care for its residents. What began as a program focused on providing residents with removable prosthodontics has since evolved into comprehensive geriatric dental services.
Department Chair of Geriatrics, Special Needs and Behavioral Sciences Piedad Suarez Durall highlights the unique challenges of treating elderly patients.
“A lot of the patients have cognitive decline, so prevention and education are key,” she explains.
Many residents require extensive cleanings or partial removable prosthodontics, often due to years of neglected care. Others face logistical challenges, such as limited mobility or a lack of transportation, making the on-site dental services indispensable.
A TRANSFORMATIVE CONNECTION
Each year, fourth-year USC dental students complete a week-long rotation in the Dr. Roseann Mulligan Special Patients Clinic — which also treats, among many other types of patients, frail elderly patients — followed by one day at Hollenbeck Palms, gaining hands-on experience with elderly patients.
“These rotations allow students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, confronting the complexities of
BY
treating individuals with multiple health conditions,” Suarez says.
To further prepare students, Suarez and her team have developed a specialized manual that covers common conditions, treatment modifications and patient care strategies for elderly patients.
“It’s become our signature,” Suarez says. “The manual allows students to quickly reference conditions like Parkinson’s, hypertension or diabetes and understand how to adjust their treatment plans and apply modifications accordingly.”
The goal is not only to enhance clinical skills but to foster empathy.
“When students interact with these patients — who often remind them of their grandparents — it creates a connection that can be transformative.”
MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF GERIATRIC DENTISTRY
Like many residents, Kamachi initially struggled with the idea of comprehensive dental care after years of neglect.
“My family was poor,” he recalls. “I didn’t go to the dentist much as a child, and when I did, it was just to pull a loose tooth.”
For Suarez and her team, overcoming these long-held attitudes is part of the challenge. Physical limitations, cognitive decline and a lack of family support also complicate treatment.
In one memorable case, Suarez encountered an elderly husband with severe arthritis who was only able to brush the teeth of his wife, who was severely affected with dementia, just once a week.
“Sometimes we have to educate the whole family for support,” Suarez says. “In this case, the husband was doing his best despite his own limitations, so we adapted and dedicated extra time for her care.”
FACING THE SILVER TSUNAMI
By 2050, the portion of the U.S. population over 65 is expected to surpass 80 million, making geriatric dental care increasingly urgent. Suarez refers to this trend as the “silver tsunami,” emphasizing the need for more specialized providers.
“If students aren’t confident treating older adults, they’ll end up referring these patients elsewhere,” she says. “But with proper training, they can better serve their communities and become the go-to providers for geriatric care.”
For Kamachi, the care he’s received from USC has been life-changing.
“They’ve taught me so much and helped relieve my pain,” he says proudly. “I tell everyone here we’re lucky to have them. We need to keep this program going strong!”
PHOTO
GLENN MARZANO
Paul Kamachi, 90, has been treated by the USC Mobile Dental Clinic at Hollenbeck Palms for more than a decade.
Saving BabyReya
A RECENT OSTROW ALUMNA USES HER TRAINING AS A DR. STAT/IV TEAM MEMBER TO SAVE A LIFE IN A BABY-AND-MOTHER FITNESS CLASS. BY YASMINE GRIMBLE MCG ’16
On a crisp December morning, Blake Robbie gently secured her 6-month-old daughter, Reya, into her stroller, preparing for their routine Fit4Mom class at a local park.
After their 60-minute fitness class, which incorporates the stroller into the exercise routine, Robbie and the other mothers headed to the park’s playground to let the children socialize. It was there Robbie noticed Reya, who was crawling just steps away, crunch into a dried leaf she picked up and began smacking her lips.
“I tried to pull the leaf out of her mouth, but I couldn’t see it anymore, and she started gagging and turning red,” Robbie says. “Once the gagging stopped, I realized she was beginning to choke, and I knew that every moment was vital,” Robbie says.
Robbie yelled out for help to the group of mothers who started calling 911 , while another began first-aid back blows, which requires holding a choking baby face down at an angle and thumping them firmly between their shoulders to dislodge any airway blockage.
After a few back blows, Robbie’s panic escalated as Reya still wasn’t breathing, and her face began losing color.
OSTROW STUDENT TO THE RESCUE
Moments later, Deena Fatehi ’20, DDS ’24, who attended the same fitness class with her 15-month-old daughter
Rylee for the first time that day, calmly inserted herself. Fatehi, who had completed her CPR recertification just one week prior, noticed the back blows were not hard enough when she decided to take over.
“It had been about 45 seconds of the baby not breathing, so I was worried that at any moment she could turn blue, and I would have to initiate CPR,” Fatehi says. “I just focused on doing everything I was taught in training to get her to breathe again and hoped it wouldn’t have to get to that.”
After about 20 firm back blows, Fatehi finally heard Reya cry out, a sound of relief because Fatehi knew that it meant her airway was open.
“The moment Deena arrived to help I felt reassured everything was going to be OK,” Robbie says. “I’m so grateful she was there; she saved Reya’s life. She’s inspired me and other moms to take a first aid class.”
In addition to the CPR certification required for dental students, Fatehi credits her training as a Dr. STAT/IV team member for giving her the confidence to step in. The team is made up of 20 third- and fourth-year dental students who are trained to administer local anesthesia, nitrous oxide and provide initial emergency medical response at Ostrow.
“As a healthcare professional, I’m glad I was there for the baby during those critical minutes, but as a mother, I try not to think of what would have happened if I hadn’t been there that day,” Fatehi says.
THE RESPONSIBILITY TO STEP UP
Fatehi got involved in Dr. STAT/IV because she appreciates the intensity, quick thinking and reassurance she can give people in emergency situations.
“During my pregnancy, I was at the USC Village, and I got really dizzy and started seeing black. I was so scared and worried about the baby, so I just laid down,” Fatehi says. “A Dr. STAT member happened to see me and quickly came up and kept repeating that I was going to be OK. Afterward, I knew I wanted to be able to provide the same level of comfort to others.”
Ostrow’s Dr. STAT/IV members are also required to certify in advanced cardiovascular life support and pediatric life support, which Fatehi completed just four weeks after giving birth to Rylee.
“The training to be part of the Dr. STAT team helps prepare us — not just for what happens in dental practices, but in everyday life,” Fatehi says.
“Few people are equipped to handle life-threatening situations, and, as healthcare professionals, we have the responsibility and the skill to do so safely.”
“Few people are equipped to handle life-threatening situations, and, as healthcare professionals, we have the responsibility and the skill to do so safely.”
—Deena Fatehi ’20, DDS ’24
L-R: Elizabeth Brummel, Amirali Mirenayat, Catherine Pham and Kristine Parungao
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
Peace of Mind
Four Ostrow faculty members have been awarded loan repayment grants so they can continue giving back to the community.
BY MICHELLE McCARTHY
“Best email ever.”
That’s how Elizabeth Brummel, assistant professor of clinical dentistry, describes the digital notification that she would be receiving a grant to cover her $60,000 student loan. “It really is life changing, because my husband and I went back to school around three or four years ago. Taking on that kind of debt later in life is always a challenge. Getting mine relieved is going to be extremely helpful as far as our personal finances.”
Brummel is one of four Ostrow faculty members who was recently awarded a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to pay off her educational loans over five years. The HRSA grants are given as part of an effort to attract and retain the best faculty and award those who work with underserved communities.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry Catherine Pham says the HRSA grant couldn’t have come at a better time — her daughter will be starting preschool this year. “It will pay off the remainder of my loan. Child care is not cheap, so it’s nice to be able to use those funds somewhere else.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Kristine Parungao ’13, MS ’21, associate professor of clinical dentistry — who also received funding to pay off the entirety of her student loan. “We have a 1-year-old child, so this award definitely helps a lot, as I’ll continue to get additional training as needed.”
A LIFE OF SERVICE
HRSA grant recipient Amirali Mirenayat DDS ’12 , associate professor of clinical dentistry, says his time at USC sparked the idea of working with the community fulltime. “As a student, I was exposed to working with the underserved and those most in need of dental care. Despite all the dental offices you see on every corner, there are people
who aren’t able to get care. USC definitely opened my eyes to that.”
Parungao says the community programs she took part in provided an alternative career path to private practice. “There are a lot of different programs that USC exposed me to — one of them being the Union Rescue Mission. The health fairs I participated in as a student also introduced me to working in communities such as Inglewood and South Central.
“There’s so much need, especially in the communities we service,” she continues. “We’re trying to help out the community, whether it’s educating them about their health, providing preventive services or linking them to resources they can access. It’s heartwarming to work with them and provide these types of services.”
CAREER FULFILLMENT
When Pham decided on a career in dentistry, financial gain wasn’t the motivating factor. “I enjoy dentistry because you get to see patients more often than you would as a medical professional,” she explains. “You build relationships. And, with pediatric dentistry, you get to see the children grow up over time. It’s so much more rewarding when I’m doing something I really love rather than just trying to do something for the money.
“Ninety-eight percent of the patients we see are on Medi-Cal,” she continues. “They’re sent to us because other providers in the community just don’t have the resources to take care of them. We have patients who come from very far away to see us. Our farthest patient right now lives on Catalina Island.”
Brummel worked in private practice for 10 years and says she didn’t experience the type of fulfillment she currently feels until she volunteered for various organizations that offered free dentistry in places such as Kingston, Jamaica.
“That’s how I knew this is where my
passion is,” she says. “I still get that fulfillment every time I work within the community.”
PAYING IT FORWARD
Mirenayat spent the last decade working in federally qualified health centers. When the opportunity arose for him to teach in a similar setting, he jumped at it. He now trains the next generation of dental professionals at the dental clinic located at L.A.’s Union Rescue Mission. “I hope I can plant an idea in their brain, and maybe some of them will choose the same path for their future careers,” he shares.
It’s not only the next generation of dental professionals who benefit from these programs. Pham enjoys educating young clients and “showing them how important their teeth are — how they’re part of their well-being and overall health. It sets them up for a lifetime of success from a young age.”
For Pham, the HRSA grant means she will be able focus on the task at hand. “Receiving this loan gives me peace of mind to be able to continue to teach in my position without having to worry about all the financial barriers,” she says. “I get to continue to do what I love: taking care of patients.”
Parungao wants to thank everyone who put in the hard work to make her loan repayment a reality. “I’m happy to see that USC cares for its faculty,” she says. “Grant writing is a long, tedious process and requires a lot of effort — so thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Brummel agrees: “I know how busy everybody is, and they took the time to put in the paperwork and write the grant proposal to get the funds needed to cover my education,” she says. “It takes a community to make one another successful, and I can’t thank them enough. I would love to return the favor in any way that I can, and pay it forward.”
BY
PHOTO
GLENN MARZANO
BackSchool to
When recent graduate Maya Fulcher first decided to get her master of science degree in community oral health, she wanted to transition back into teaching. Little did she know that the degree would help her create a new career trajectory bringing oral health support to elderly communities.
BY MOLLY M. KRUSE
Longtime dental hygienist Maya Fulcher DH ’03, MS ’ 24 initially wanted to return to school for a master’s degree so she could teach. But, as she advanced through her online master’s program, she carved out a completely different career trajectory — one that alchemizes difficult past experiences and allows her to give back.
Fulcher had worked as a dental hygienist for nearly 20 years when she reached a turning point. She had stepped away from additional part-time work as a clinical instructor when her husband, and then father, became critically ill and needed care.
“So, life kind of took a different turn,” Fulcher recalls. “And two years ago, I thought about it. I thought, ‘Do I still want to stay in private practice, or what do I want to do?’”
After hearing about the master of science degree in community oral health — offered through Ostrow’s Online Dental Programs — Fulcher made her decision: It was time to return to school.
As she began the program’s first assignments, Fulcher started to discover her true purpose — providing dental care for underserved communities, specifically elderly people in care facilities.
BORN OUT OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
Fulcher’s interest in the topic came straight from personal experience: She had acted as a caregiver for her father, who had Parkinson’s disease. When he became wheelchair-bound, she and her mother needed extra support, so they placed him
in a long-term care facility.
“I realized that all those caregivers were wonderful,” Fulcher says. “They were lovely. But they weren’t formally trained in oral hygiene or oral health.”
Fulcher took it upon herself to provide the caregivers with training on oral health and realized they were “so open to learning,” she said. It was clear that such training was an unmet need for caregivers working with the elderly.
The experience stayed with Fulcher, and, while writing her first report for the master’s program, she researched the issue of oral care for elderly people in longterm care. She found that her experience was common: There is an influx of people entering long-term care facilities that are often under-equipped to provide proper dental care.
The program Fulcher chose was uniquely qualified to help her tackle such a problem. The master of science degree in community oral health teaches students how to reach and empower disadvantaged communities who are not receiving proper dental care. It is basically “public health, but with a dental focus,” Fulcher says.
“Our program was all about community oral health for vulnerable populations … how to assess them, how to figure out what their needs are, work with them and then how to implement an intervention to help that community,” she explains.
FILLING AN UNMET NEED
For her final project, Fulcher put what she had learned into practice by creating an oral hygiene education program for caregivers at a long-term care facility. Her goal was to see if such a program would be
useful in a real-world setting.
The facility Fulcher chose for her project was especially in need of help: 80 percent of its residents were on federal subsidies, and the owner was purchasing all the residents’ oral hygiene aids out of pocket.
“And so, I thought, oh my gosh, they’re in need, you know?” Fulcher recalls. “I created this whole program: I did … [an] oral health literacy check before I did the program, and I did one after, and I took all of the data and put it in charts and reports, and I did a whole 51-page scientific report on it.”
Beyond her capstone project, Fulcher was also able to solicit donations to help the facility, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and denture cleaner.
CONNECTING WITH MENTORS
Fulcher’s master’s degree journey also inspired her to apply for another program to expand her dental hygiene license — the registered dental hygienist in alternative practice (RDHAP) credential — that will qualify her to treat patients in nursing homes. And, in the spirit of her final project, Fulcher also plans to create an oral health training program for caregivers at nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Even though her master’s classes were online, Fulcher says she “went beyond the screen” to connect with fellow Trojans. One of Fulcher’s former dental hygiene professors encouraged her to join the California Dental Hygienists’ Association, where she is now the Los Angeles trustee. And when she organized her first oral cancer awareness walk for the Los Angeles Dental Hygienists’ Society, Fulcher invited her professors to come out and support the cause.
“The highlight has really been making connections with mentors and people in my field who are encouraging me to expand my career, and helping me find different directions,” Fulcher says. “That never would have happened if I wouldn’t have joined this program.”
An Unforgettable Moment
BY JOHN HOBBS MA ’14
Andrea Woywitka DDS ’26 has earned the top Friends of Dentistry Scholarship — an award of $50,000 that will help her realize her dreams of giving back to underserved populations.
BY GLENN
PHOTO
MARZANO
For Andrea Woywitka DDS ’26, the highly anticipated news came via email.
The third-year dental student read and re-read the electronic missive, making sure she hadn’t misunderstood.
“On behalf of the Friends of Dentistry, I would like to formally applaud you for your accomplishments as a dental student,” started the letter from Friends of Dentistry Chair Brian Hong DDS ’89, PEDO ’92, MS ’96. “Thank you for providing us a glimpse of what you have and hope to accomplish. It is admirable to hear about your intentions to give back to your community by providing quality service. [We are] delighted to share with you that you have been chosen to receive this prestigious scholarship.”
With that, Woywitka, who had been one of six finalists delivering presentations to the Friends of Dentistry Scholarship selection committee, had been chosen as the top winner of the 2024 Friends of Dentistry Scholarship, earning her $50,000. Her five competitors also earned scholarships of at least $10,000 — some walked away with even more.
“It brought me to tears,” Woywitka says of the news. “I had to immediately call my family because I was so excited. It’s honestly a moment that I will never forget because it meant so much to me.” With the award, Woywitka joins a number of other students to have earned scholarships this year, helping them pay the increasing price for a dental education.
In fact, Ostrow awarded more than $2 million in scholarship funds this past academic year as it continues its focus on increasing the amount of scholarship funding available each year.
A SPECIAL ORIGIN STORY
Woywitka’s dental journey began early. It was as a junior high school student that the Edmonton, Alberta, Canada native began to look at a career as a dentist, having watched her brother, Vincent, who lives with Down syndrome, manage his dental anxiety to receive oral healthcare treatment.
While Vincent’s early dental treatment was delivered under general anesthesia, the family eventually met a pediatric dentist willing to put in the work to help quash Vincent’s fears, calming him enough to receive routine dental care. The 21-year-old is now so comfortable in a dentist’s chair that he’s recently been fitted for orthodontic braces.
Watching firsthand a beloved sibling — “He’s honestly my best friend, and he’s brought out the best version of me,” Woywitka says — conquer their fear, thanks to a healthcare professional, made a profound impact.
“It was just so inspiring to see how she cared so much to really try to gain his confidence and ease his anxiety,” Woywitka says. “It just takes that one person to take the time to really help someone overcome these anxieties.”
SOCCER OPENS DOORS
When it came time to apply for college, Woywitka had her eyes set on an American college experience and was able to make that dream come true, thanks to her skills on the soccer pitch.
“It was always a dream of mine from when I was young to play in America,” says Woywitka, who played in a starting position for the Cumberland University Women’s Soccer Team while pursuing a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. “Soccer opened the door to me receiving a post-secondary education in the United States.”
Her soccer career ended abruptly for a year after she suffered a torn ACL her freshman year. Woywitka had to undergo a surgical intervention and rehabilitation before returning to the pitch.
The experience — particularly with the surgeon who repaired her ACL injury — offered yet another glimpse into the power of health care.
“I saw how transformative health care was, and I aspire to have the same lifetime impact on my patients as that surgeon had on me,” she says.
She wound up graduating magna cum laude, a testament to her ability to juggle so many challenges at once.
FIGHTING ON FOR HER PATIENTS
After college, Woywitka applied to USC to pursue her doctor of dental surgery degree. “I knew Ostrow had a very strong clinical program,” she says. “During week one, we had a handpiece in our hands, and there was a brand new simulation lab, so that was really enticing to me.”
She also says Ostrow’s community outreach programs were a major draw for her, given her passion for giving back.
During her time at Ostrow, she has volunteered with the USC Mobile Dental Clinic, the Neighborhood Mobile Dental Van Prevention Program and the Special Needs Study Club — all of which offer bountiful opportunities to make an impact in underserved communities.
The experiences have further solidified the need to advocate for underserved patients, particularly those with special needs.
“You hear stories of families who can’t find a private practice to take them,” she says. “It can be a really hard journey for these people who can’t access a lot of oral care.”
As Woywitka begins to eye the end of her dental school journey, she hopes to continue her education with a periodontic residency before settling into a career.
“For me, a successful career means creating a practice that serves patients from all walks of life, emphasizing equality and inclusivity,” she says. “It’s about using my profession not only to provide treatment but also to uplift and empower those who may be otherwise overlooked.”
The Friends of Dentistry scholarship gives Woywitka the vote of confidence she needs to accomplish just that.
“This is one of the impactful moments in my life,”she says. “This feeling I have receiving this is something I want to be fortunate enough one day to give to someone else.”
As part of her scholarship, Andrea Woywitka will deliver an address at the Friends of Dentistry Scholarship Recognition Dinner taking place March 29, 2025 at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.
MEMORIALS
NOVEMBER 2023 – NOVEMBER 2024
The following were gifts made in memory of individuals who have made a lasting impact on the USC dental community:
In Memory of Harold Adishian
Scott R. Adishian
In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ayzin
Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County
In Memory of Emanuel O. Bachmann
Emanuel Bachmann Foundation
In Memory of Dr. Herbert Binder
Mark Collons
In Memory of Helga Boghossian
Natalie Kate Boghossian
In Memory of Dr. Jim Eckhart
Mark Collons
In Memory of Dr. Archie R. French
Robert E. Huntington
In Memory of Charles Goldstein
Phyllis Kazumi Kawada
Michael T.C. Ma
In Memory of Steve Ho
Terry Moreman
Catherine Rice de Berger
Robert A. Huber
Lang T. Hauck
Suzanne R. Russell
Loretta Taam Huahn
Deron Quon
Susan Bagdasarian
Loretta Taam Huahn
Pledgeling Foundation
Sharon Kipersztok
In Memory of Randall (Randy) Kanemaki
Candace Chan Yee
In Memory of Dr. Gerald W. McClellan
Scott F. Calder
Mary A. Dexter
Mary Moore Rabbitt
Kathleen Mary Burke
Mary Jeppe
Katherine Gahagan
Michael Carney
Derick Tagawa
Barbara L. Barnard
Margaret C. Bielen
Marjorie E. Cavalieri
Whitecross Foundation
Thomas C. Corkett
In Memory of Dr. John Ross
Mark Collons
In Memory of Dr. Harold Slavkin
Mark Collons
In Memory of Claire Sekiguchi
Derick Tagawa
In Memory of Dr. Leon Unterman
Patti Mizrahi
TRIBUTES
NOVEMBER 2023 – NOVEMBER 2024
The following were gifts made in honor of individuals who have made a lasting impact on the USC dental community:
In Honor of Dr. David Good
Lori C. Good
Barry L. Forman
The Pediatric Dental Association of University of Southern California
In Honor of Diana Ho Paul Kipnes
In Honor of Miranda Cos. Brat Hope
Manuel Giovanni Marquez
In Honor of Scott Morita
Lianne Y. Morita
In Honor of Anna Pattison
Linda Bartick Brookman
In Honor of the James and Sara Skahen Family
James C. Skahen
After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Robert Peters has chosen to begin his second act helping to prepare the next generation of dental professionals at Ostrow.
Tuesday, August 1, 2023, was a special day for me. It was my final day serving in the U.S. Navy. Standing at attention for the last time, listening to the words of my retirement award as the commanding officer pinned the medal on my uniform, the reality hit me that my time in the Navy had come to an end after 36 years of service.
After a few weeks of relaxation and spending time with family, I began to think about the next chapter in my life. What would it be: going into private practice, or something different, something new, maybe academia? A few months before retirement, I had come across an opportunity to apply for a job at Ostrow, specifically, working at the Dr. Roseann Mulligan Special Patients Clinic. While pondering the possibility of this new position, I reflected on my time in the Navy and how well prepared I felt to pursue this new career possibility. The Navy is a microcosm of the world we live in. I had tremendous experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, serving as a clinic director, building teams for success and being a clinical mentor to junior dentists. Additionally, I had experience with global community outreach programs.
These unique opportunities gave me reallife experience of working with others from different cultures with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of many living in faraway places.
A SECOND ACT
I knew that I wanted my second act to incorporate my passion for serving others, being part of something that mattered and preparing the next generation of dentists for success.
In September 2023, I made one of the best career decisions in my life by accepting an Ostrow faculty position. For the past year, I have been working in the Special Patients Clinic where I mentor D 3 and D 4 dental students as well as those from the ASPID program in providing dental care to patients with complex medical histories. And as I often say, everyone has a story. I am inspired by the personal journeys of our students that led them to Ostrow. It has been so rewarding to work with this highly motivated group and to witness the transformational growth in their clinical skills and ability to confidently manage the oral health conditions of their medically compromised patients.
What an amazing life-changing experience this has been. I am honored to work alongside such talented doctors and colleagues who share the same passion for delivering a world-class dental education to our students. The Special Patients Clinic is a diverse and welcoming learning environment where everyone is a team player, supporting our students and delivering the best care to our patients. One example was observing a patient’s overwhelming joy upon receiving her new dentures and having her smile back after many years of being edentulous. Additionally, I am grateful for the opportunities to participate in the mobile dental clinic community outreach events where our students perfect their clinical skills through “learning by doing.” Looking ahead, I am excited to be actively involved with the school’s efforts to further expand community outreach programs to provide dental care to our underserved communities, including veterans.
As I celebrate my first year at Ostrow, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Trojan Family and the many wonderful experiences collaborating and working with others to educate our incredible student body. Fight on!
PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO
INSPIRED BY ROBERT PETERS
Clinical Assistant Professor
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