Penn Dental Medicine Journal, Fall 2019

PDMJ PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019

RESTORING SMILES, BUILDING HOPE NEW COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVING REFUGEES WHO SURVIVED TORTURE, OTHER TRAUMA

FROM THE DEAN

Building on our Strengths THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. July marked my oneyear anniversary as Dean and what a tremendous honor it continues to be every day to serve in this role. The students, faculty, staff, and alumni who make up our Penn Dental Medicine community inspire me daily as together we work to build on the School’s leadership in dental education, research, and patient care.

Among recent efforts, I’m particularly proud of the faculty, students, and staff who brought a new outreach program to life this summer, serving refugees who have survived torture and other trauma (see story, page 12). Led by Dr. Olivia Sheridan, our students are providing much-needed care to this vulnerable population, restoring smiles and hope while gaining invaluable experience as developing clinicians.

We are also building upon our patient care services and students’ educational experiences through a number of other new initiatives: the addition of a registered dietitian to our staff is strengthening health promotion and patient-centered care (see story, page 4); a grant-sponsored program is enabling us to provide implants at greatly reduced fees while adding to our students’ case management experience (see story, page 5); and our plans are moving forward to create a Care Center for Persons with Disabilities (see story, page 2).

In the area of faculty recruitment and development, we are continuing to add to our full-time faculty. Among some key leadership appointments, we welcomed Dr. Rodrigo Neiva in September as the new Chairman of our Department of Periodontics (see story, page 18) and Dr. David Hershkowitz joined us as Chief of the Division of Restorative Dentistry in October (see story, page 5). Both bring exceptional clinical and academic experience along with a focus on building a positive, team environment — a critical component of successful leadership — and we are pleased to have them with us.

In this issue, we also highlight students and alumni who have chosen to serve those who serve our country as military dentists (see story, page 26). Nearly 10% of our current DMD students are pursuing their degrees as commissioned officers of the U.S. military and will go on to share and develop their skills in the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

We also are committed to ensuring Veterans within our surrounding Penn Dental Medicine community are getting the care they need — this fall, hosting our second annual New Patient Admissions Fair for Veterans — a day of free dental and oral cancer screenings and a way to help Veterans know the School can be their ongoing dental care home.

Indeed, this academic year is off to a great start, and I’m looking forward to what we’ll achieve together in the year ahead as we continue to build on the strengths of this great institution and everyone within our Penn Dental Medicine community.

Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD Morton Amsterdam Dean

INSIDE 12 2 11 16 22 31 32

Restoring Smiles, Building Hope

New Community Outreach Serving Refugees Who Survived Torture, Other Trauma

On Campus School News in Brief Faculty Perspective Views on Dental Topics & Trends Research Spotlight Translating Science to Practice Academic Update Department/Faculty News & Scholarship Student Perspective Views on the Educational Experience Alumni Highlights Profiles, Gatherings & Engagement

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Dr. Rodrigo Neiva

New Chairman Eagerly Building on the Department of Periodontics' Legacy of Excellence

26

The Satisfaction of Service

Students and Alumni Experience the Opportunities and Rewards of Military Dentistry

37 39

Class Notes News from Fellow Alumni

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL: Vol. 16, No. 1 University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine www.dental.upenn.edu

In Memoriam Remembering Members of the Penn Dental Medicine Community

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2019/2020 Calendar Upcoming Events & Programs

Dean: Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD Vice Dean of Institutional Advancement: Elizabeth Ketterlinus Associate Dean for Leadership Giving: Maren Gaughan Director, Publications: Beth Adams Contributing Writers: Beth Adams, Juliana Delany, Debbie Goldberg, Katie Unger Baillie Design: Dyad Communications Photography: Mark Garvin, Peter Olson Printing: The Pearl Group at CRW Graphics Office of Institutional Advancement: 215-898-8951

ON THE COVER: As part of a new outreach effort, Penn Dental Medicine has partnered with Nationalities Service Center (NSC), a refugee services organization, which is referring individuals who have survived torture and other trauma to the School for dental care without paying out of pocket. Clients of NSC painted stones as part of a wellness exercise. See story on the outreach, page 12.

Penn Dental Medicine Journal is published twice a year by the Office of Communications for the alumni and friends of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. ©2019 by the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Penn Dental Medicine. We would like to get your feedback — address all correspondence to: Beth Adams, Director of Publications, Robert Schattner Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 240 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6030, adamsnb@upenn.edu.

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SCHOOL NEWS IN BRIEF

Care Center for Persons with Disabilities Plans Moving Forward Plans are moving forward for the next key capital project at Penn Dental Medicine — a Care Center for Persons with Disabilities. With the goal of opening in the fall of 2020, the Center will be designed to establish the School as a leader in educating students to provide care for patients with disabilities and in serving this population.

“Nearly a third of our patient population has a significant disability requiring assistance of one form or another. This isn’t a special need — it’s a basic need,” says Morton Amsterdam Dean Mark Wolff. “Training dentists who can make a difference for every member of society is a responsibility we take seriously.”

Approximately 5,000-square-feet on the second floor of the School’s Robert Schattner Center will be allocated to create the Center, a space that will be specifically designed for patients with disabilities. It is proposed to feature 12 operatories, all of which will accommodate wheelchairs. Some rooms will also be outfitted with hover dental chairs and at least one room will accommodate patients on a gurney. In addition, a stimulation room with low lighting and sound baffling will serve patients with sensory sensitivities. All students will gain direct experience treating patients in the Center and will be expertly trained to handle the unique needs of people with sensory impairments, behavioral problems, psychosocial issues, and other conditions requiring sensitive and comprehensive handling.

The Center is part of the ongoing Power of Penn Dental Medicine Campaign; for information on ways to support the project, contact Maren Gaughan, Associate Dean for Leadership Giving, gaughan@upenn.edu, 215–898–8952 or visit www.dental.upenn.edu/campaign/community to learn more.

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Department of Basic, Translational Sciences Unifying Research This summer, Penn Dental Medicine unified its basic science departments, forming the newly organized Department of Basic and Translational Sciences. Designed to support and advance research across the School, the goal of the unification is to utilize the research infrastructure that is in place to foster even greater interdisciplinary work. The new department combines the former departments of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pathology.

“This consolidation allows us to span common research between lab groups and optimize laboratory space based on similar research interests, increasing collaboration between individuals and creating synergy to leverage the collective potential of all faculty,” says Morton Amsterdam Dean Mark Wolff. “It will also provide additional opportunities for interaction between graduate and postdoctoral students and between our basic science and clinical faculty as clinical research will be incorporated into each division.”

Serving as Acting-Chair of the Department is Dr. Robert Ricciardi with Dr. Henry Daniell and Dr. Kelly Jordan-Sciutto as Vice-Chairs; the three led the School’s former departments of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Pathology, respectively.

“Drs. Ricciardi, Daniell, and Jordan-Sciutto bring great vision and insight as we shape and define this new Department together,” adds Dean Wolff.

By the Numbers: Recent Grads & Incoming Students CLASS OF 2019

70.7%

OF THE 147-MEMBER CLASS OF 2019 WENT ON TO POSTDOCTORAL STUDY

27.3% pursued general practice 2% entered military practice Well prepared as they move on, the pass rates on the NBDE and ADEX exams were:

Penn Dental Renews Exchange with Hadassah School of Dental Medicine Building upon its global engagement, Penn Dental Medicine has renewed ties with Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem, Israel, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate collaborative exchange and research with faculty and students. The MOU signing was part of the Power of Partnership program, held June 18-19 at Penn Dental Medicine, when the School hosted a delegation from Hadassah.

This two-day program, which included meetings with faculty counterparts from both schools and a continuing education program, also celebrated the late Dr. D. Walter Cohen, Dean Emeritus of Penn Dental Medicine, who had close ties to Hebrew University over his lifetime.

“We are so pleased to reignite this relationship with colleagues from Hadassah,” says Dr. Mark Wolff, Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean. “Already through this gathering, researchers and faculty have met and our relationship is alive and growing, and doing it in the name of Walter, is particularly rewarding. It is wonderful when a legacy like his can carry on.”

Dr. Cohen, a 1950 graduate of Penn Dental Medicine who led the School as Dean from 1972 to 1983, shared a strong bond with Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine.

His father, Abram, was the first Chairman of the Palestine Dental School Committee, which helped plan the dental school, and both father

and son played central roles in its history. In 1997, these efforts were celebrated with the creation of the D. Walter Cohen, D.D.S. Middle East Center for Dental Education at Hebrew University.

The Power of Partnership dinner celebration, held June 18 at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, honored Dr. Cohen. Along with the signing of the MOU by Dean Mark Wolff and Dr. Aaron Palmon, Dean of Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, tributes were made to Dr. Cohen by Stanley Bergman, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Henry Schein, Inc.; Daniel Perkins, CEO of AEGIS Communications; and Dr. Marc Rothman, past Chair of the Alpha Omega Foundation.

The continuing education program on June 19 included the inaugural D. Walter Cohen Memorial Lecture, presented by Dean Mark Wolff on The Global Challenge of Managing Oral Health. Other lecturers included Dr. Henry Salama, Dr. Gabriel Nussbaum, Dr. Markus B. Blatz, Dr. Gerard Chiche, and Dr. Syngcuk Kim. It is anticipated that Penn Dental Medicine and Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine will gather annually for a collaborative meeting with the 2020 program to be hosted at Hebrew University.

95.2% on NBDE Part 1 (national average 86.7%) 96.7% on NBDE Part 2 (best performance on Part 2 over 10 years of data; nat. avg. 91.4%) 97.8% on Restorative Clinical ADEX (nat. avg. 95%) 99.3% on Periodontics Clinical ADEX (nat. avg. 98%) 99.3% on DSC written exam (nat. avg. 98%) 99.3% on Prosthodontics Mannequin ADEX (nat. avg. 93%) 95.9% Endodontics Mannequin ADEX (nat. avg. 89%)

CLASS OF 2021 PASS STUDENTS

25

FOREIGN-TRAINED DENTISTS (14 WOMEN AND 11 MEN) JOINED THE 2ND-YEAR CLASS IN JANUARY 2019 AS PART OF THE PASS PROGRAM

11 countries are represented in this 33rd class of the PASS program (Cuba, Egypt, India, Iraq, Iran, Asia, Pakistan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen)

CLASS OF 2023

135

STUDENTS MAKE UP THE FRESHMAN CLASS, 86 WOMEN AND 49 MEN SELECTED FROM 2,100 APPLICANTS

25 states and 6 foreign countries (Canada, People’s Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam) are represented 18 foreign languages spoken (Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, French, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian French Creole, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Malayalam, Mandarin, Persian, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese)

ABOVE: Dean Mark Wolff (right) signs an exchange agreement with Dr. Aaron Palmon (left), Dean of Hadassah School of Dental Medicine.

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Building on Prevention:

Registered Dietitian Joins Penn Dental Medicine Patients getting dental treatment at Penn Dental Medicine can now also have a consultation with a registered dietitian/nutritionist as part of their comprehensive care – one outcome of an ongoing initiative to build on health promotion and patient-centered care at Penn Dental Medicine. Matthew Whipple, RDN, LDN, joined Penn Dental Medicine’s Division of Community Oral Health in March in this new role.

“As a registered dietitian, Matthew brings a strong clinical perspective. He is helping students incorporate nutritional instruction as an integral part of their preventive dental care,” says Dr. Joan Gluch, Chief of the Division of Community Oral Health. “It’s about promoting oral and general health and understanding patients’ health conditions and the best dietary factors for them.”

Whipple provides one-on-one nutritional counseling with patients, most of the time talking with them chairside as part of their scheduled appointment. “We want to make this as convenient for patients and students as possible,” explains Whipple, “so we have set up a referral process within our patient records system where students can insert a time for a nutrition consultation within an already scheduled patient appointment block.” If patients prefer, they can also set up a separate time for a nutritional counseling appointment.

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Working with students to help them identify those patients who may benefit most from a nutritional consultation continues to be a key focus in introducing this program.

Along with a medical history, health promotion risk assessment — including caries risk assessment, periodontics risk assessment, and the 24-hour dietary recall and food intake questionnaire — has long been part of what

As for the patients Whipple has been seeing, those with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, cardiac disease, or obesity are routine candidates for referrals. “We also have a large geriatric population who may have nutritional challenges in terms of healthy food access, unintentional weight loss, or chewing difficulties, all of which can prompt a discussion to refer them for a nutritional consultation,” he says.

This academic year, he will also be identifying third- and fourth-year students to serve as nutrition champions for each of the primary care units within the clinic to help encourage fellow students to promote this resource and increase referrals.

Along with educating patients, Whipple is teaching in Community Oral Health courses and seminars, selectives and participating in community outreach events. And through his “Meet the Dietitian” demonstrations, he is educating the entire Penn Dental Medicine community on healthy eating by preparing samples of a featured recipe each month over lunchtime.

“The tastings create an opportunity for me to get out among students, faculty, and staff to provide nutritional information and answer questions,” says Whipple, “while also sharing a healthy recipe for them to make at home.”

The recruitment of Whipple is part of the Penn Dental Medicine Nutrition Education Program, created through support from Penn

“As a registered dietitian, Matthew brings a strong clinical perspective. He is helping students incorporate nutritional instruction as an integral part of their preventive dental care.”

— DR. JOAN GLUCH students perform with each new patient. Now, based on the outcomes of those assessments, dental students and faculty can offer a nutrition consultation in addition to preventive oral health recommendations.

“With this nutrition consultation component, we are taking it a step further as part of an integrated health care approach,” says Whipple, who sees dentists playing a unique role in monitoring the overall health of their patients and educating them on the integral role of oral health.

Dental Medicine alumna and Board of Overseer Dr. Joanne Chouinard-Luth (D’79) and her husband, John Luth (WG’79), to expand dental education in nutrition through a patient-centered approach.

ABOVE: Registered Dietitian Matthew Whipple provides one-on-one nutritional counseling with patients chairside.

Implant Donations Enhancing Patient Care, Student Experiences

Penn Dental Medicine patients in need of replacing a single missing tooth as well as those with or getting removable dentures looking for a more stable solution can now receive care at greatly reduced fees thanks to an implant program launched this academic year. Supported by implant donations from dental-product manufacturers Dentsply Sirona and Nobel Biocare, the program was developed to provide a service to the School’s patient population, while enhancing students’ experience with restorative cases involving interdisciplinary care and collaboration.

“Penn Dental Medicine is a safety net dental health provider for metropolitan Philadelphia and beyond,” says Dr. Markus Blatz, Chair, Department of Preventive & Restorative Sciences. “Through this effort, we will not only provide a valuable educational experience for our students, but can also greatly impact the quality of life for the patients we serve.”

The initiative serves patients of the School’s clinics who present with a missing tooth and are candidates for a single-tooth implant as well as those individuals about to get or who have complete removable dentures from the School who are interested in and candidates for converting the lower (mandibular) dentures to implant-supported removable overdentures. Dentsply Sirona is supporting the single-tooth implant portion of the program, donating implants and abutments; Nobel Biocare is providing the implants for the dual-implant overdenture cases.

Both aspects of the program involve collaboration in treatment planning and patient care between the School’s predoctoral DMD students and postgraduate students. In the case of the single-tooth implants, the DMD students in consult with periodontics residents produce the digital wax-ups and surgical guides, the implant surgery is then performed by the resident, and patients are referred back to the DMD students for the restoration. In the mandibular implant-supported overdenture cases, DMD students produce the surgical guide by duplicating the patient’s current mandibular denture; periodontics, oral surgery, or prosthodontics residents perform the implant surgery; and the patients return to the DMD students, who manage the modification and placement of the mandibular denture over the implants.

“We are providing access to treatment modalities that patients otherwise may be unable to afford,” notes Dr. Blatz. “At the same time, we see this as a great learning experience for both our predoctoral and postgraduate students, who work together to plan and manage these cases.”

Division of Restorative Dentistry Chief Named

Penn Dental Medicine welcomes Dr. David Hershkowitz as Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry and Chief of the Division of Restorative Dentistry. His appointment to this new role was effective October 1.

As Chief of the Division of Restorative Dentistry, Dr. Hershkowitz will oversee the preclinical, clinical, and postgraduate education initiatives within the Division as well as its faculty Dr. David Hershkowitz and staff. This is one of three divisions within the School’s Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, led by Department Chair Dr. Markus Blatz.

Dr. Hershkowitz comes to Penn Dental Medicine from New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry, where he has served on the faculty since 2008, most recently as Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Chairman of the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care. There, he managed the predoctoral clinical facility and the more than 400 faculty and staff of the Department. He also had oversight of the school’s AEGD program.

Prior to his time at NYU, Dr. Hershkowitz served on the clinical faculty at the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine from 1995-2008. Among his roles at Stony Brook, he served as Director of Emergency Care, Director of Anesthesia, and Director of the General Practice Program.

Dr. Hershkowitz holds a DDS from State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (1986). He is also a Certified Anesthesia Assistant and completed a general anesthesia residency at the Hospital of the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1987.

“Along with his wealth of clinical care knowledge and academic experience, I know that Dr. Hershkowitz also brings collegiality and teamwork to all his endeavors,” says Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, Dr. Mark Wolff. “I’m excited to have him joining our team.”

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Premier International Conferences

This June, Penn Dental Medicine presented three premier conferences, drawing thought leaders, educators, researchers, and clinicians from across the country and around the world. The meetings included the 4th Penn Periodontal Conference, Advanced Esthetics Week 2019, and Project Accessible Oral Health’s Champions for Oral Health Care in the Disability Community.

4TH PENN PERIODONTAL CONFERENCE Held June 23–27, the 4th Penn Periodontal Conference brought together 168 attendees to exchange the latest research in the field of periodontics. Held biennially, the School launched the first Conference in 2013 to not only bring together leading researchers in their respective fields of study but also to encourage the development of junior researchers working with them. Chaired by Dr. Dana Graves, Vice Dean of Research and Scholarship, and Dr. George Hajishengallis, Thomas W. Evans Centennial Professor, the Conference featured speakers representing 35 universities and institutions within the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. A poster presentation session was an integral part of the conference, providing the opportunity for participants to share their work with each other. The next Penn Periodontal Conference is anticipated to be held in 2021.

PROJECT ACCESSIBLE ORAL HEALTH With the mission to act as a collective catalyst for improving access to oral health care for persons with disabilities, Project Accessible Oral Health (PAOH) was born two years ago with Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, Dr. Mark Wolff, one of the co-founders along with John D. Kemp, President and CEO of The Viscardi Center and Chairman of PAOH and Steven Kess, Vice President of Global Professional Relations for Henry Schein, Inc. and Founding President of the Henry Schein Cares Foundation. Operating under The Viscardi Center’s network of nonprofit organizations, PAOH is a global public-private partnership — the first nationally to connect a diverse consortium of stakeholders in pursuit of equal access to quality oral health care. On June 18, the group gathered at Penn Dental Medicine for its second formal meeting, bringing together educators, industry leaders, policymakers, clinicians, caregivers, and people with disabilities to continue to move its mission forward.

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ADVANCED ESTHETICS WEEK 2019 Designed to capture the breadth of esthetic dentistry, Penn Dental Medicine launched Advanced Esthetics Week last year to become an annual program that features lectures and a hands-on component with highly respected leaders in the field. With the goal of personalizing the educational experience, attendance is limited to create a small group setting. Among the invited speakers at Advanced Esthetics Week 2019, held June 19–22, was Dr. Christian Coachman, Dr. Brian LeSage, Dr. Neimar Sartori, and Dr. Sean Han with Penn Dental Medicine’s Dr. Markus Blatz, Chair of Preventive & Restorative Sciences, Course Director, and Dr. Julian Conejo, Chairside CAD/CAM Director, also featured speakers. Topics ranged from minimally invasive esthetics and full arch protocols to digital workflow and adhesive cementation.

Strengthening Faculty Retention with HRSA Loan Repayment Grant With the goal of strengthening faculty retention, Penn Dental Medicine has awarded loan repayment funds to three current faculty members through a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant for faculty loan repayment. The School was awarded funds from HRSA to launch the program in the 2018–2019 academic year for full-time faculty in the disciplines of general dentistry, dental public health and/or pediatric dentistry with the first disbursement of the funds made at the close of the academic year in June. Selected from a pool of applicants, loan repayment funds were awarded to Dr. Maria Velasco, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry; Dr. Temitope Omolehinwa, Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine; and Dr. Oswaldo Nieves, Instructor of Restorative Dentistry.

“Instituting a loan repayment program will provide a stronger financial base for Penn Dental Medicine to retain existing faculty and compete successfully for new faculty,” says Dr. Joan Gluch, Associate Dean for Academic Policies, who is Project Director of the HRSA loan repayment grant and Chair of the Selection Committee. “Drs. Velasco, Omolehinwa, and Nieves are tremendous junior faculty and a great asset to the School and we are pleased to create this opportunity for them.”

These selected recipients will receive a 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 percent annual repayment schedule over the five years of the grant. Within this academic year, the goal is to use the loan repayment program as an incentive for the recruitment of two new faculty members, who will then receive funds in years two, three, four, and five of the grant.

Dr. Maria Velasco

Dr. Temitope Omolehinwa

Dr. Oswaldo Nieves

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Upcoming CDE Programs Cross Disciplines Penn Dental Medicine’s upcoming continuing dental education (CDE) programs cross a host of disciplines. Mark your calendar now for these and learn more about them and all upcoming continuing education programs at www.dental.upenn.edu/cde.

PENN PERSPECTIVE: A DAY OF CDE AT GNYDM

NATIONAL PROSTHODONTICS AWARENESS WEEK SYMPOSIUM

December 2, 2019 As part of the Greater New York Dental Meeting, Penn Dental Medicine faculty will present morning and afternoon sessions worth 3 CDE credits each. Morning lectures include Dean Mark Wolff on cariology and caries management, Dr. Thomas Sollecito on oral cancer, and Dr. Eric Grandquist on TMJ surgery, with the afternoon program featuring Dr. Samuel Kratchman on endodontic microsurgery, Dr. Julian Conejo on chairside digital workflow, and Dr. Hector Sarmiento on peri-implantitis.

April 24–25, 2020 This two-day CDE program will include a day of lectures from leading prosthodontists on April 24, including keynote speaker Dr. Charles Goodacre, Professor, Loma Linda University, and Dr. Stephen Hudis, President of the American College of Prosthodontists, which celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2020. Day two will feature a hands-on program on using dental microscopy for prosthodontic treatment. In 2020, the School will also mark the first class to graduate from the Advanced Prosthodontics Program at Penn Dental Medicine. Learn more at www.dental.upenn.edu/NPAW2020

AMELOBLASTOMA: THE EVOLUTION OF OUR UNDERSTANDING & CONTEMPORARY CONSIDERATIONS March 14, 2020 A slate of experts will discuss the progress in the diagnosis and management of ameloblastoma as well as offer novel approaches to treatment. As part of the program, the 2nd Peter D. Quinn Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Robert E. Marx from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine on “Ameloblastomas Big and Small 2020: Curative Surgery and Bone Replacement Without a Donor Site.” The day will also feature a clinical and scientific poster session devoted to oral and maxillofacial pathology and reconstructive surgery. Save the date for the Penn OMFS Alumni & Friends Reunion and the Peter D. Quinn portrait unveiling on the evening of March 13. For more information about the program, visit www.dental.upenn.edu/AC2020

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DENTISTRY 2020: COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY IN FOCUS June 5–6, 2020 Penn Dental Medicine and the Cohen Amsterdam Education Foundation (CAEF) will present this 12-credit CDE program. Speakers from around the globe will address topics in esthetics, digital dentistry, implants and periodontics, perio-ortho and perio-prosthesis. A reception will benefit the D. Walter Cohen Scholarship and Weisgold & Amsterdam Periodontal Prosthesis Scholarship funds. Honorees will be Dr. John Kois (D’77) and Dr. Arnold Weisgold (GD’65), and posthumously, Dr. Jay Seibert (D’53). Learn more at www.dental.upenn.edu/dentistry2020.

ENDODONTIC MICROSURGERY TRAINING 2019–2020 This intensive two-day, 16-credit CDE course offers hands-on training and live demonstrations of endodontic microsurgery. The upcoming dates are: Nov. 11–12, 2019, and looking ahead in 2020, March 16–17, May 11-12, June 1516, Sept.14-15, Oct. 19-20, and Nov. 16-17. Learn more at www.dental.upenn.edu/microsurgery.

Supporting Graduates with Free CDE Penn Dental Medicine has launched a new program to support young alumni in their continuing education as they begin their dental careers.

Starting with the Class of 2019, DMD and postdoctoral program graduates can take any didactic or virtual CDE course at Penn Dental Medicine at no cost for 5 years after their graduation date (hands-on courses excluded).

To learn more about all upcoming continuing education programs, visit www.dental.upenn.edu/cde

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Looking for a job? Looking for a new associate? Remember Penn Dental Medicine has a Career Opportunities page on its website, where you can search for job openings or post a job you are looking to fill. Visit www.dental.upenn.edu/careers.

New Career Services Resource Supporting Students’ Next Steps Penn Dental Medicine DMD students now have a new resource to help prepare for their next steps after graduation with the formation of the School’s Career Services Office. Leading this new effort as Director of Career Services is Sue Schwartz, who, in May, transitioned from Assistant Dean for Student Affairs to this role — an outgrowth of the School’s Office of Student Affairs, which she has been part of for nearly 20 years.

“I’m excited to help build on our services and programs to better meet the needs of our students as they are preparing to graduate,” says Schwartz.

Schwartz explains that while she and others in the Office of Student Affairs have been doing aspects of what she’s developing in her new role for some time, being able to focus solely on career services will allow for more student support and program development.

Eagerly taking up the task, one of the first key areas Schwartz is building upon is assistance with students’ CVs and personal statements. She has already advised more than 50 students, often meeting several times with each individual through the review process. “Through a series of one-on-one meetings and getting to ABOVE: In the new role of Director of Careers Services, Sue Schwartz (right) meets with students to help them with their CVs and personal statements.

know students from a different perspective, it’s really interesting where some of our discussions lead as students think about where they want to go from here,” she says. “My goal is not only to help them highlight their strengths, but also encourage them to build experience in their areas of interest while they are still here.”

year’s orientation in August and foresees that will continue to be an area she will build upon in this role. “Together with Penn’s Student Financial Services Office, we addressed everything from getting a loan, establishing good credit, budgeting and saving, credit card and debt management, as well as understanding the responsibilities of loan repayment,” says Schwartz.

“I think this is an important component of career services — to help students see the big picture and how that impacts the future.”

Schwartz has also begun mock interview sessions with the support of Dr. Uri Hangorsky, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and is partnering with the Office of Institutional Advancement to organize a Career and Professional Development Week in February.

The week will include presentations by faculty, staff, and alumni on topics such as contract and salary negotiation, practice management, and navigating the job search as an international student. The week will also include a career fair including dental offices, DSOs, the military and representatives from the National Health Service Corps and Indian Health Service.

In addition, hearing from other Penn Dental Medicine graduates and how their career paths have evolved can be invaluable, observes Schwartz. “Our alumni panels in the past have been very popular,” she says. “I see alumni

“I see alumni as a great resource for our career services efforts, and I’m eager to get more alumni involved.”

— SUE SCHWARTZ Over the summer, while most of the CV and personal statement sessions were with then rising fourth-year students, Schwartz plans to target third-year students early in 2020 as they begin to think about postgraduate programs, but stresses that she sees career services as supporting students from the time they enter dental school.

"The Office of Student Affairs meets with every first-year student to make them aware we are here to support them and begin to get them thinking about their professional goals beyond dental school,” adds Schwartz.

A topic she views as particularly important is the development of financial literacy. She introduced a financial literacy component to this

as a great resource for supporting our career service efforts, and I’m eager to get more alumni involved.” Schwartz is working with the Alumni Executive Committee to explore alumni engagement possibilities in areas such as mock interviews, practice management shadowing, and panel discussions.

Interested alumni can connect with Schwartz directly at susansz@upenn.edu. She also welcomes young alumni looking for support as they complete residency programs or transition to new positions to reach out as well.

“There are so many different facets of career services,” says Schwartz, “and I look forward to continuing to build new resources and new programs.”

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ONCAMPUS “At some time in our practices, we will all treat people with special needs and have an opportunity to turn what might have been a bad experience into a good one.”

STUDENT PROFILE: SARA DANIEL (D’20)

— SARA DANIEL (D’20)

A Champion for Patients with Special Needs As a first-year student at Penn Dental Medicine, a personal interest led Sara Daniel (D’20) to join Penn’s chapter of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD), which promotes programs and policies to advance the care of patients with special needs. The group and its mission would become an important focus of her extracurricular experience for the next three years.

The AADMD’s mission struck a chord with Sara, whose family settled in Miami after coming to the United States from Haiti. Sara’s uncle has autism, and her family has always struggled to find good care for him.

“So many healthcare professionals react to him with insensitivity and frustration,” she says.“Dentistry can be scary for the average patient, let alone for someone with special needs. We can take an active role to prevent dental care from becoming a traumatic experience for these patients.”

MAKING PEOPLE SMILE Sara, who grew up with a love of science, shadowed professionals in numerous fields through high school and college. “Dentists seemed to have it all,” she says. “They actively use their hands all day. They get to interact one-on-one with patients. And,” she adds, “they make people smile.”

Sara arrived at Penn Dental Medicine determined to do just that for dental patients with disabilities, becoming increasingly involved in the AADMD as the years passed. In her second year, she was named vice president

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of the group, and last year she was chosen as its president. In that role, she led members in attending walks and runs for people with disabilities and volunteering at Carousel House, a city-sponsored social and recreational program for Philadelphia residents with disabilities.

A CRITICAL PIECE OF DENTAL EDUCATION The group also sponsored a new course in Penn Dental Medicine’s Selectives program, which offers elective mini-courses designed by students and faculty. The course, “Specialties and Special Needs,” featured practitioners in pediatric dentistry and oral medicine who discussed techniques for treating special needs patients.

It turned out to be a significant learning experience for her and for her fellow students.

“We learned that it’s important to be adaptable and willing to change our approach on the spot based on the needs of the patient.

It’s also important for us to be very confident in our actions without rushing,” she says. The popular course also focused on how to build empathy, and discussed the value of the “tellshow-do” model, which gives patients the time and information they need to feel comfortable with a procedure.

Sara feels that the course represents a critical piece of dental education. “It’s important for all dental students, regardless of the specialty they pursue, to have experience with special needs patients,” she says.

NEW LEADERSHIP Now in her fourth year and making postgraduate plans, Sara is no longer president of the AADMD, although the organization’s activities still remain a priority for her.

“We elected a phenomenal third-year student, Michelle Feldman (D’21), to take over as president,” says Sara. “We have worked closely together over the last couple of years on a lot of great initiatives, and I strongly believe that under her leadership the AADMD will rise to new heights.”

The AADMD recently received confirmation of a key project that Michelle and the group worked hard on last year, a collaboration between Penn Dental Medicine and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children for a program that will bring dental students into schools for people with disabilities, where they will provide education on oral health. The AADMD looks forward to launching the program soon.

Sara, who is currently applying and interviewing for residencies in orthodontics, appreciates the insight and firsthand learning that the AADMD experiences have provided.

“At some time in our practices, we will all treat people with special needs and have an opportunity to turn what might have been a bad experience into a good one,” she says.

FACULTYPERSPECTIVE VIEWS ON DENTAL TOPICS & TRENDS

Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions Since the 1999 American Academy of Periodontology Classification Workshop, periodontal diseases had been classified using the “Armitage Classification,” which included chronic, aggressive (localized/generalized), necrotizing, or a manifestation of systemic conditions. However, recent advances in the understanding of risk factors, etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment modalities necessitated a new evidence-based classification. The new approach was developed and officially launched at the 2017 World Workshop, jointly presented by the American Academy of Periodontology and the European Federation of Periodontology.

Here we review the new classification scheme.

PERIODONTAL HEALTH, GINGIVAL DISEASE AND CONDITIONS The concept of gingival health includes absence of histologic and clinical inflammation. It is important to note that the concept of health also applies to three categories of patients: • Patients with less than 10% of probed sites exhibiting bleeding on probing.

• Patients with absence of inflammation, but with reduced periodontal support due to previous crown lengthening surgery and/or recession.

• Patients with a history of periodontal disease who were successfully treated and are currently stable.

PERIODONTITIS The new classification recognizes that periodontal disease is similar to many other progressive medical conditions which are strongly influenced by the host’s systemic health as well as by various risk factors. The important aspects of this classification include:

• The terms “staging” and “grading,” similarly used in oncology, have been incorporated into the new system: Staging: Identifies the severity, extent (localized/generalized/molar-incisor distribution) and complexity of the treatment (Stage I – Stage IV).

Grading: Indicates the rate of disease progression (Grade A – C), and estimates the future risk and impact on the systemic condition of the patient (smoking and diabetes).

• Both chronic and aggressive periodontitis are now grouped under the single classification of periodontitis because the current evidence fails to support the difference between the two.

• Necrotizing periodontal diseases, which are associated with host immune response impairment are classified as a distinct subgroup of periodontitis.

• The diagnosis of endodontic-periodontal lesions is based on the presence of root damage and/or periodontitis.

• Periodontal abscess is classified as present in the presence or absence of periodontitis.

PERIODONTAL MANIFESTATION OF SYSTEMIC DISEASE/DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUIRED CONDITION This new group includes systemic diseases which adversely affect the periodontal apparatus. Such conditions may include diabetes, cancers, and external factors such as smoking.

Other new key findings include: • The term “biologic width” has been replaced by “supracrestal tissue attachment” and the “biotype” has been replaced by “phenotype.”

• Excessive occlusal force now is concluded as no evidence, but the splitting is recommended when traumatic occlusion causes progressive mobility.

Contributed by Dr. Yu Cheng Chang and Dr. Joseph Fiorellini, Dept. of Periodontics

PERI-IMPLANT DISEASE AND CONDITIONS For the very first time, this new classification clarifies and addresses peri-implant disease: • Peri-implant health: Absence of the sign of inflammation and further additional bone loss after the initial healing.

• Peri-implant mucositis: Presence of inflammation without further additional bone loss after the initial healing.

• Peri-implantitis: Presence of inflammation, evidence of bone loss and increasing probing depth after the implant restoration in placed.

• Soft and hard tissue deficiencies It is noted that defining the health status of a dental implant by the range of probing depth alone is not appropriate. It is recommended that the clinician should always obtain the radiographic and probing measurements.

We hope this introduction can be beneficial to your daily practice. For more detailed information about the new periodontal classification, please refer to the American Academy of Periodontology, www.perio.org.

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 11

RESTORING SMILES, BUILDING HOPE

NEW COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVING REFUGEES WHO SURVIVED TORTURE, OTHER TRAUMA IN A PRIVATE SPACE IN PENN DENTAL Medicine’s Henry Schein Cares Clinic in honor of Edward & Shirley Shils, a pair of fourth-year dental students lean in toward a reclining patient, clad in jeans and white high-tops. Positioned to the side of the dental chair, a rolling monitor projects a friendly faced, live translator, ensuring the patient and practitioners understand one another clearly as they discuss the patient’s oral exam and treatment needs. The students check in periodically with Dr. Olivia Sheridan, who is overseeing the clinic, before moving on to the next stages of the appointment.

OPPOSITE: Some of the 20 fourth-year students selected to provide care to refugees referred to Penn Dental Medicine. Serving individuals who have survived torture and other trauma, the students have volunteered to give their time to the clinic for the full academic year. Leading the clinic is Dr. Olivia Sheridan (center), supported by Clinic Coordinator Joanna Jimenez (behind Dr. Sheridan).

RIGHT: Clients of Nationalities Service Center (NSC), a refugee services organization, are referred to the School for dental care. As part of a wellness program at NSC, clients painted stones.

In many ways, the procedures and care are precisely the same here as they are for every patient occupying a dental chair in the School’s clinics. But the visiting patient population is different. Here, students and clinicians are dedicated to treating people who have come to the United States seeking asylum, specifically those who have survived torture and other trauma in other countries. At Penn Dental Medicine, they’re receiving comprehensive care without paying out of pocket.

“This clinic epitomizes one of our goals as a school: To find the most vulnerable people in Philadelphia and to help them,” says Dr. Mark Wolff, the Morton Amsterdam Dean of Penn Dental Medicine. “And for our students, working with these patients gives them a personal satisfaction that is incredible, beyond anything that can be described.”

As part of the survivors of torture clinic, the School has partnered with Nationalities Service Center (NSC), an organization that helps connect immigrants and refugees with a variety of support, including legal and medical assistance. NSC, working closely with Penn Dental Medicine, refers select clients to

receive treatment at the School. In addition to survivors of torture, NSC is referring those who have undergone other types of trauma, including human trafficking, violent conflict, or persecution.

“Our clients have a lot of dental needs,” says Ariel MacNeill, manager for health access and specialized support at NSC. “Many may not have had dental care before, especially preventative care. This clinic is meeting a huge need for us.”

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 13

RESTORINGHOPE BUILDING ON A STRENGTH

ASSEMBLING THE TEAM

This special outreach offering was a direct product of Dean Wolff’s desire to augment the School’s community engagement initiatives.

Since arriving at Penn last year, he has overseen expansions in the capacity at a number of the school’s community-based clinics. The program also mirrors a similar one he implemented at New York University (NYU), where he served on the faculty before coming to Penn.

At NYU, he had heard from a physician about the pressing oral care needs for survivors of torture, and worked with others to quickly put together a program to serve them.

This past spring, Dean Wolff took that information straight to the office of Dr. Olivia Sheridan, Professor of Clinical Restorative Dentistry.

“Olivia is truly incredible,” Dean Wolff says. “She manages to do things for our patients that I think are very, very important and she transmits that to our students.”

Dr. Sheridan took on the project with full force. With support from Dr. Najeed Saleh, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, she claimed a space within the Henry Schein Clinic that is somewhat secluded, and put

“I was looking for students who had experience working with special populations … and with very high social sensitivity.”

– DR. OLIVIA SHERIDAN “These were people who had been tortured by having a bright light shined in their eye, or with sounds, with pain, some were tortured orally by inflicting damage and injury to their teeth,” he says. “It required us to do our very best as dentists at understanding and coping with the individual’s needs.”

At Penn, he already knew the students, faculty, and staff were highly experienced at meeting these needs with sensitivity in a variety of populations, including pediatric, elderly, and disabled patients. “And we’ve been highly successful,” says Dean Wolff. To extend that outreach, he turned to Dr. Joan Gluch, Chief of the Division of Community Oral Health at Penn Dental Medicine, to identify an organization the School could partner with to reach survivors of torture. Dr. Gluch pointed him to NSC.

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processes in place to ease the paperwork and check-in process for patients.

“We set up everything internally so we have our own clinic coordinator, Joanna Jimenez, who interfaces with NSC,” says Dr. Saleh. “We typically receive their medical histories in advance from the primary care providers of these patients through NSC. And because we are covering costs that aren’t otherwise handled by insurance, they can bypass the patient financial services area as well.”

Beyond coordinating those logistics, one of the most significant tasks associated with the launching of the clinic for survivors of torture involved reaching out to students to participate in it. After sharing the opportunity with fourth-year dental students, Dr. Sheridan screened applications and selected 20 to take part.

“I was looking for students who had any experience working with special populations, either in dental school or before,” she says, “students with international experience, and definitely students with very high social sensitivity and social skills, who could also work independently.”

Among those chosen was Amy Malakoff (D’20), whose background as an undergraduate psychology major sets her apart from many other dental students. “The administrators of the program said they were looking for people who demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and resilience,” Malakoff says. “Those are areas I like to focus on growing as a clinician, treating a patient not just from a biological perspective but from a psychosocial one.”

Goldie Razban (D’20), another student selected to participate, felt similarly about her desire to hone the emotional intelligence required to serve a vulnerable population.

“Since members of this population are still healing from physical and psychological wounds,” she notes, “it’s a matter of allowing yourself to step back from just doing the dentistry — the handwork of it — and taking the time to understand the patient fully and have them be comfortable in your chair before you even start treatment.”

Razban had garnered previous experience with refugees and asylum seekers as part of Penn’s Bridging the Gaps program, which connects students in the health fields with underserved populations in need of health services. During her first two years in dental school, Razban had worked with organizations, including NSC, helping recent immigrants gain access to welfare services and other benefits.

“When I first heard about the clinic here, I was immediately blown away because, through my previous experiences, we were trying to include dental services for refugees,” Razban says.

A DEFT APPROACH Beginning in May, the students on board, Dr. Sheridan organized several workshops to get everyone up to speed on some of the issues they would need to be prepared to encounter.

“We did a whole series on immigration policy in the U.S.,” says Dr. Sheridan. “We had one evening that we spent discussing some of the things that they have experienced that might be triggers in a clinical setting. We had another session on the physical manifestations of torture, and common maladies associated with both refugee camps and with torture.”

Such conditions could arise from physical torture; for example, being hit in the face or mouth, causing injuries to joints, lost teeth, or soft tissue injuries. Students were also taught about post-traumatic stress disorder,

“We are teaching our dental students through experiential learning. Our commitment is to treat these people and bring them back a sense of joy in life and dignity in their smiles.”

– DR. MARK WOLFF, MORTON AMSTERDAM DEAN and given strategies for approaching care that could help patients avoid possible triggers.

Student Irada Rahman (D’20), an immigrant herself, was drawn by the opportunity to help people through a difficult time of their lives.

“It’s been eye-opening,” she says.

“Everyone who goes through an experience like this experiences it differently. We were taught to put ourselves in their shoes and learn their story, know what things to ask for, or if they’re not comfortable sharing, not to push for things.”

Rahman has also been grateful for the financial support of the school that has taken away any barriers to treatment. “We’re free to provide the best treatment we can give,” she says. “Knowing the position that these patients are in, that freedom makes me so happy.”

'GREAT INVESTMENT’ The clinic launched smoothly in July. It runs one afternoon each week, and the students, split into pairs, operate as a team, trading off practitioner and assistant duties. They’re committed to give their time to the clinic for the full year, and their involvement is all volunteer-based, over and above their other clinical and community requirements.

“We keep adding to the list of things that did work and that didn’t work,” says Dr. Sheridan, who leads them in a recap discussion after each session. "We want to keep learning so we can improve each week.”

When asked what drew her to the project, Dr. Sheridan doesn’t miss a beat. “Patient care,” she says.

From feedback thus far, the clinic is exceeding expectations in that regard.

“I’ve heard a lot of really positive feedback from clients and from our liaison who visits the clinic,” says MacNeill.

“They’re being able to communicate well with the students who are working with them, they’re happy with the quality of care, and the fact that they don’t have to pay huge sums to get it is huge. If they show up with dental pain, they’re not just getting a prescription for pain meds, they’re actually getting the work done that they need.”

In response to clients who have asked if their children can be seen, Dr. Sheridan and the students will be providing pediatric care in the clinic as well, with backup from the School’s Division of Pediatric Dentistry.

“We’re getting a lot of support from specialty programs around the School,” she says.

“They’re stepping up to give that specialized work that’s needed.”

Though the initiative is being framed as a pilot program, Dean Wolff, Dr. Sheridan, Dr. Saleh, or NSC don’t have an end date in place.

“We look at this as a great investment,” says Dean Wolff. “We are teaching our dental students through experiential learning. Our commitment is to treat these people and bring them back a sense of joy in life and dignity in their smiles.”

— By Katie Unger-Baillie

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 15

RESEARCHSPOTLIGHT TRANSLATING SCIENCE TO PRACTICE

Faculty, Student Research Showcased at IADR General Session Showcasing Penn Dental Medicine research on an international stage, a significant number of faculty and students were part of the scientific program at the 2019 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session & Exhibition, held this summer in Vancouver. A group of 32 faculty and students presented research on a host of topics that ranged from periodontitis and cariogenic biofilms to stem cells and CAD/CAM ceramics.

Penn Dental Medicine also hosted a reception for alumni attending the meeting, where attendees also celebrated IADR award recipients from the School (see story, page 17).

Those faculty and students participating in the IADR scientific program, included the following.

SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

POSTER DISCUSSION SESSION

Optimization of a Novel Organic-mineral Bone Adhesive for Dental Bone Grafting Dr. Joseph Fiorellini, Dept. of Periodontics

DNA Methylation Inhibitor Ameliorates Periodontal Bone Loss Dr. Manjunatha Benakanakere, Dept. of Periodontics

Clinical Application of FOXO1 Inhibitor in Diabetic Minipig Skin Wounds Dr. Hyeran Helen Jeon, Dept. of Orthodontics

Keynote Address: CAD/CAM Ceramics— Myths and Reality Dr. Markus Blatz, Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Mechanisms by Which Diabetes Alters the Host Response and Oral Microbiota to Increase Periodontitis Dr. Dana Graves, Dept. of Periodontics C. albicans - S. mutans Interactions in Cariogenic Biofilms: A Cross-kingdom Collaboration Dr. Michel Koo, Dept. of Orthodontics & Divs. of Pediatric Dentistry/Community Oral Health Gingiva Derived Mesenchymal Stem and Progenitor Cells for Soft Tissue Regeneration Dr. Anh Le, Dept. of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery A Roadmap to the Biomarkers of Periodontitis Progression: Are We There Yet? Dr. Flavia Teles, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences

HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS Round Table Discussion Facilitator Dr. Mark Wolff, Dean

Epigenetic Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Extends Lifespan Dr. Chider Chen, Dept. of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Epithelial Stem-like Cells in Ameloblastoma Resist to BRAFV600E Inhibitor Dr. Ting Han Chang (GD'20)

FOXO1 Activation in Dendritic Cells Controls T-cell Polarization to Regulate Periodontal Disease Susceptibility Dr. Dana Graves, Dept. of Periodontics

Pro-osteogenic Effects of DPSC-derived Extracellular Vesicles on Jaw Bone-derived MSCs Dr. James G. Choi (D'14, GD'17, M'17)

Role of NF-κB in MSC Expansion during Diabetic Fracture Healing Matt Kralik (D’20)

Role of PERK in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders Grace Chung (D’20)

Dual-Targeting Approach Degrades Biofilm Matrix and Enhances Bacterial Killing Dr. Zhi Ren, Dept. of Orthodontics & Divs. of Pediatric Dentistry/Community Oral Health

Nasal Reconstruction with Paramedian Forehead Flap — Case Report Zachariah Cole (D’17, M’20, GD ’23)

The Role of TLR2 and TLR3 Synergy via MYD88 Dependent Inflammatory Response Hellen Teixeira (GD'16, GD'19)

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Accuracy of 3D-Printed and Milled CAD/CAM Models Dr. Eva Anadioti, Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences

Alcohol: A Protective Factor for Late Implant Failure?

Dr. John Coburn (D'20)

Determining the Immunologic Profile of Primary HSV-1 Infections in Humans Sahil Gandotra (D’20) Effect of Saliva on Cross-kingdom Biofilm Development and Acidogenicity Dr. Geelsu Hwang, Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences Diabetes-induced NF-κB Dysregulation in MSCs Exacerbates Inflammation during Osseous Healing Dr. Kang Ko (D’15, GD’ 20, DSCD’ 20) Mechanical Properties of a Novel PVM/MA Incorporated Acrylic Resin Dr. Christopher Lai (D’19) Radiographic Identification of Confined Trabecular Bone Lesions: A Systematic Review Dr. Mel Mupparapu, Dept. of Oral Medicine

Inhibition of Human Mast Cell MRGPRX2 Signaling Involved in Chronic Urticaria and Periodontitis Iryna Mysnyk (D’20) Regulation of MRGPRX2/Gαq Interaction in Mast Cells by GRK2-RH Domain Moor Q. Omar (D’20) New Attachment Outcomes Differ after Demineralization of Dentin, Cementum or Pulpal Surfaces Dr. Alan Polson, Dept. of Periodontics Bacterial-fungal Consortia in Saliva Modulate Biofilm Architecture under Cariogenic Environment Dr. Áurea Simon-Soro, Dept. of Orthodontics & Divs. of Pediatric Dentistry/Community Oral Health

Dynamics of Bacterial-fungal Interactions in Oral Biofilms Sherry Wan (D’20) Five-year Clinical Performance of Two Giomer Resin Materials in Class-I Restorations Dr. Jacqueline Yip (D’19) Cytolethal Distending Toxin Intoxication of Macrophages is Dependent upon Cellugyrin Milo Jinho Yu (D’20) Wisdom Tooth: A Potential Tooth for Autotransplanting into Periodontitis Defects Dr. Da-Yo Yuh (GD'19)

STUDENT RESEARCH RECOGNIZED Among the postgraduate and predoctoral candidates from Penn Dental Medicine presenting at the IADR General Session, three were awarded recognition for their research — Dr. Aurea Simon-Soro with the IADR Women in Science Award for Distinguished Research, Matt Kralik (D’20) with the IADR MTG Outstanding Young Investigator Award for Student Research, and Grace Chung (D’20), who placed in the inaugural AADR National Student Research Group 411 Rapid Research Competition.

The Women in Science Award recognizes excellence in oral/dental/craniofacial research by a female researcher, given for a single research paper published in the previous year by the nominee, who must be a first or senior author. Dr. Simon-Soro received the award for the paper titled “Combined analysis of the salivary microbiome and host defense peptides predicts dental disease,” Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 24; 8(1):1484.

Presently in the Biomedical Postdoctoral Program at Penn, Dr. Simon-Soro is working in the research lab of Penn Dental Medicine’s Dr. Hyun (Michel) Koo, Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Divisions of Community Oral Health and Pediatric Dentistry, where she is applying her skills in bioinformatics, microbiome analysis, and biofilm imaging.

She is researching the interaction of oral fungi

LEFT: Dr. Aurea Simon-Soro, recipient of the IADR Women in Science Award for Distinguished Research, with Dean Mark Wolff and Dr. Michel Koo, who leads the lab where Simon-Soro is conducting research.

RIGHT: Students Grace Chung (D’20) and Matt Kralik (D’20) were recognized for their research with Chung placing in the 411 Rapid Research Competition and Kralik receiving the IADR Mineralized Tissue Group Outstanding Young Investigator Award.

and bacteria in saliva related to environmental factors, such as sugar intake, and how it affects the development of virulent dental plaque in early childhood caries.

Matt Kralik (D'20) was recognized by the IADR Mineralized Tissue Group with the Outstanding Young Investigator Award for Student Research. His project was the Role of NF-κB in MSC Expansion during Diabetic Fracture Healing, which he gave as an oral presentation at the meeting, detailing work done on bone mesenchymal stem cells with periodontics resident Dr. Kang Ko (D’15, GD’ 20, DSCD’ 20)

and Dr. Dana Graves, Professor, Department of Periodontics.

As part of the 411 Rapid Research Competition, Grace Chung (D'20) was one of seven students nationwide selected to compete in the basic science category, taking third place for the study titled Role of PERK in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders, for which she made a poster presentation. She completed this study under faculty preceptor Dr. Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, Professor, Dept. of Basic & Translational Sciences.

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 17

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Neiva joining the Penn Dental Medicine family. He brings great experience as a clinician, researcher, and educator to this leadership role, and we believe he will continue to build on the Department’s history and reputation for excellence.”

— DR. MARK WOLFF, MORTON AMSTERDAM DEAN

DR. RODRIGO NEIVA

NEW CHAIRMAN EAGERLY BUILDING ON THE DEPARTMENT OF PERIODONTICS’ LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

On his first day as Chair of the Department of Periodontics at Penn Dental Medicine, Rodrigo Neiva, DDS, MS, met with the department’s 31 graduate students. “A degree from Penn Dental Medicine comes with a lot of responsibility,” he told them. “If you’ve trained at Penn, people will always want to hear what you have to say.”

That stellar reputation is part of what attracted him to Penn Dental Medicine, which he joined September 1 from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, where he was Graduate Program Director and Clinical Professor in the Department of Periodontology.

“This school has so much tradition in my field, it really helped write the history of periodontics,” says Dr. Neiva (who also will be appointed Professor of Periodontics pending approval of the appropriate School of Dental Medicine committees, the University’s Provost Staff Conference and the Trustees).

“I want Penn to continue to be known as a powerhouse of clinical periodontics.”

OPPOSITE: Dr. Rodrigo Neiva joined Penn Dental Medicine in September as the new Chairman of the Department of Periodontics.

With the School’s three certificate programs in advanced periodontal training (Periodontics, Periodontal Prosthesis, and the combined Periodontics/Orthodontics program), Penn Dental Medicine has one of the largest number of postdoctoral periodontal students in U.S. dental schools. Students are exposed to all aspects of clinical periodontics in the D. Walter Cohen and Morton Amsterdam Periodontal Clinic, including periodontal and implant surgery, tissue grafting, periodontal prosthesis, adjunctive orthodontics, and complex dentistry.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Neiva joining the Penn Dental Medicine family,” says Morton Amsterdam Dean Mark Wolff.

“He brings great experience as a clinician, researcher, and educator to this leadership role, and we believe he will continue to build on the Department’s history and reputation for excellence.”

With this legacy in mind, Dr. Neiva took time during his first week on campus to outline ambitious plans to reinforce and strengthen the department’s influence and leadership across teaching, research, and clinical initiatives in periodontics.

As he starts his new position, Dr. Neiva says one overarching challenge in the specialty is to reassert its traditional focus on saving teeth, and replacing them only when other options are exhausted. Implantation has at times become more of a convenience than a need, he says, one that may be less costly and easier sometimes than the complex dental care, including root canal and crown, required to save a tooth. Another reason to save teeth when possible, he says, is that the longer patients can retain their teeth, the more likely it is that a future implant, if needed, will last their lifetime. “Every implant to me comes with an expiration date,” he says.

“I believe we should be the leading specialty in the replacement of teeth, and implantation is a very important part of periodontics,” Dr. Neiva says. “But let’s not forget our roots as the specialty that helps save and preserve teeth.” And with Penn’s reputation and leadership, he adds, “I think we can influence other schools.”

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 19

RODRIGONEIVA FOSTERING COLLABORATION Collaboration between dental specialties and other schools at the University of Pennsylvania is a trademark of a Penn Dental Medicine education. Dr. Neiva wants to strengthen interdisciplinary opportunities for periodontal students and ensure the department’s doors are wide open to others.

“Periodontics traditionally has been the center of all specialties, and I want our residents to be trained in an interdisciplinary environment,” he says. “I want them to rotate into oral surgery so if one day they have to pull an impacted molar, they will learn to do it from oral surgeons. And I want our doors open for other specialties, so if an oral surgeon wants to do a tissue graft, come learn from us. I plan to work closely with every specialty department in the school and value what each department has to offer.”

For DMD students, who rotate into the periodontal clinic, Dr. Neiva would like to provide a more intensive experience with more hands-on opportunities, including basic surgical procedures as part of a DMD Periodontal Honors program. He hopes this will not only encourage more students to choose periodontics as a specialty, but also help those going into general dentistry or other specialties become more familiar with working with periodontists to improve patient dental health throughout their careers.

Research is another priority for the new Chair. Building on Penn Dental Medicine’s strong research enterprise, Dr. Neiva would like to encourage periodontal research with a focus on procedures, materials, and products that can readily be applied to patient care.

“Laboratory research can only achieve significance if the gap from the bench to the dental chair is bridged,” he says. “We have great scientists here in this school, let’s see what we can do to bring those ideas to the dental chair.” Among his plans to help advance research would be to renovate the periodontics clinic with flexibility to expand access for patient care and DMD student rotations, with dedicated space for clinical research.

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“I believe we should be the leading specialty in the replacement of teeth, and implantation is a very important part of periodontics. But let’s not forget our roots as the specialty that helps save and preserve teeth. And with Penn's leadership, I think we can influence other schools.”

— DR. RODRIGO NEIVA While all levels of research, from basic to translational, are important, Dr. Neiva says his priority is to “help our scientists bring ideas to life, creating new treatment strategies, products, methods, and materials, and with that, have better ways to treat our patients.”

To help maximize these efforts, Dr. Neiva wants to encourage more partnerships with other academic institutions, industry researchers, and pharmaceutical companies doing clinical trials, in addition to supporting collaborative research within Penn Dental Medicine and throughout the University.

With his move to Penn Dental Medicine, Dr. Neiva hopes to have more time to devote to his own research. He is currently working on 12 preclinical and clinical trials as co-investigator and expert consultant and has developed many surgical techniques that have been used daily to better serve patients

worldwide. He says he is especially excited at the prospect of collaborating with some of the school’s outstanding researchers.

In particular, Dr. Neiva is interested in investigating and developing new materials and techniques for periodontal regeneration, as well as bone and soft tissue augmentation for implant dentistry through translational and clinical research.

“Not every material used for tissue regeneration is capable of adequate turnover,” he explains about some of the testing he has done. “For instance, if you add material to act

ABOVE: Dr. Neiva in the periodontics clinic with Dr. Jonathan Korostoff, Professor, and periodontics resident Dr. Joshua Mayer (GD’22).

OPPOSITE: Dr. Neiva with a DMD student in the periodontics clinic; he hopes to enhance the DMD rotation in periodontics with more hands-on opportunities and to establish a periodontal honors program.

as a scaffold to help with tissue regeneration, this material should be gradually replaced by new tissue that grows into the existing tissue defect. Some materials act more as fillers than true scaffolds, affecting the composition and quality of the newly formed tissue.

Over the years, we’ve been able to identify materials that are more capable of achieving the ideal.”

A NEW PATH IN ACADEMIC DENTISTRY Growing up in a Brazilian family of doctors and dentists, Dr. Neiva earned his DDS from Vale do Itajai University in Brazil. He intended to go into private practice, but at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry (where he earned his MS and certificate in periodontics), one of his mentors, William Giannobile, DDS, MS, DMSc, now Chair of Michigan’s Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, urged him to take a three-year clinical faculty position — a fortuitous move that suited him so well it led to a career in academic dentistry.

In 2010, he joined the University of Florida College of Dentistry, where he helped turn periodontics at the school into a more competitive program, with some 80 applicants now vying for four spots. The program became known for the quality of clinical training and 100% passing rate in the American Board of Periodontology written and oral exams.

At both the University of Florida and University of Michigan, Dr. Neiva actively mentored and advised a host of master’s degree student candidates. He has been recognized for his distinguished teaching with numerous awards, including the American Academy of Periodontology Educator Award in 2006 and 2016. Dr. Neiva is a Fellow in the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the American College of Dentists. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and of the International Congress of Oral Implantology.

Dr. Neiva now serves as Examiner for the American Board of Periodontology and was recently elected the youngest ever Director of the American Board of Periodontology.

With his extensive experience in teaching, research, and as a clinician, Dr. Neiva is well positioned to build on the legacy of Penn Dental Medicine’s Department of Periodontics and ensure it continues to be a leader in the specialty in the 21st century. “One of the things that excites me most about being here at Penn is to help the school be even better than it has always been,” he says. And he knows it will take a concerted effort of many to achieve the greatest benefits.

“Ultimately,” Dr. Neiva says, “a successful Chair is determined by the success of the faculty and students in the department.”

— By Debbie Goldberg

RODRIGO NEIVA, DDS, MS EDUCATION DDS Vale do Itajai University, Brazil, 1997 Certificate in Periodontics University of Michigan, 2003 MS, Periodontics University of Michigan, 2004

RESEARCH INTERESTS Regeneration of hard and soft tissue, including investigating and developing new materials and techniques for periodontal regeneration, as well as bone and soft tissue augmentation for implant dentistry.

ORGANIZED DENTISTRY American Board of Periodontology Board Director American Board of Periodontology Oral Exam Committee American Board of Periodontology Board Examiner

ASSOCIATE EDITOR International Journal of Oral Implantology

REVIEWER Journal of Periodontology International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry International Journal of Oral Maxillofacial Implants

“Ultimately, a successful Chair is determined by the success of the faculty and students in the department.”

— DR. RODRIGO NEIVA

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 21

ACADEMICUPDATE

DEPARTMENT/FACULTY NEWS & SCHOLARSHIP

BASIC & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES SELECTED PUBLICATIONS A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold).

Alawi, F. There is strength in numbers: A call to develop new collaborations.

Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol. 2019a, 127, 193–194.

Alawi, F. Using rare diseases as teaching models to increase awareness. Oral Surg.

Oral Med. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol.

2019b, 128, 99–100.

Alkanfari, I.; Freeman, K. B.; Roy, S.; Jahan, T.; Scott, R. W.; Ali, H. Small-Molecule Host-Defense Peptide Mimetic Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents Activate Human and Mouse Mast Cells via Mas-Related GPCRs. Cells 2019, 8, 311. doi: 10.3390/cells8040311.

Awasthi, S.; Hook, L. M.; Swaminathan, G.; Cairns, T. M.; Brooks, B.; Smith, J. S.; Ditto, N. T.; Gindy, M. E.; Bett, A. J.; Espeseth, A. S.; Cohen, G. H.; Friedman, H. M. Antibody responses to crucial functional epitopes as a novel approach to assess immunogenicity of vaccine adjuvants.

Vaccine 2019, 37, 3770–3778.

Cairns, T. M.; Ditto, N. T.; Atanasiu, D.; Lou, H.; Brooks, B. D.; Saw, W. T.; Eisenberg, R. J.; Cohen, G. H. Surface Plasmon Resonance Reveals Direct Binding of Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoproteins gH/gL to gD and Locates a gH/gL Binding Site on gD. J. Virol. 2019, 93, 10.1128/ JVI.0028–19. Print 2019 Aug 1.

LEAF ENZYMES

Chavakis, T.; Mitroulis, I.; Hajishengallis, G. Hematopoietic progenitor cells as integrative hubs for adaptation to and fine-tuning of inflammation.

Nat. Immunol. 2019, 20, 802-811.

BASIC & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES

The School’s basic science departments have merged into the Department of Basic & Translational Sciences, being led by Acting Chair Dr. Robert Ricciardi and Vice Chairs Dr. Henry Daniell and Dr. Kelly Jordan-Sciutto (see story, page 2).

Habibi, P.; Daniell, H.; Soccol, C. R.; Grossi-de-Sa, M. F. The potential of plant systems to break the HIV-TB link. Plant.

Biotechnol. J. 2019.

Hajishengallis, G.; Chavakis, T. DEL-1-Regulated Immune Plasticity and Inflammatory Disorders. Trends Mol. Med. 2019, 25, 444–459.

Work from the lab of Dr. Henry Daniell is using his plant-based platform to create enzymes used in industry. In a recent study, they validated newly launched leaf-enzyme products for the detergent and textile industries. See the following article:

Daniell, H.; Kulis, M.; Herzog, R. W. Plant cell-made protein antigens for induction of Oral tolerance. Biotechnol.

Adv. 2019a.

Daniell, H.; Ribeiro, T.; Lin, S.; Saha, P.; McMichael, C.; Chowdhary, R.; Agarwal, A. Validation of leaf and microbial pectinases: commercial launching of a new platform technology. Plant Biotechnol. J. 2019b, 17, 1154-1166.

Hajishengallis, G.; Kajikawa, T.; Hajishengallis, E.; Maekawa, T.; Reis, E. S.; Mastellos, D. C.; Yancopoulou, D.; Hasturk, H.; Lambris, J. D (co-author Div. of Pediatric Dentistry). Complement-Dependent Mechanisms and Interventions in Periodontal Disease. Front.

Immunol. 2019, 10, 406.

Kumari, U.; Singh, R.; Ray, T.; Rana, S.; Saha, P.; Malhotra, K.; Daniell, H. Validation of leaf enzymes in the detergent and textile industries: launching of a new platform technology. Plant Biotechnol. J. 2019, 17, 1167–1182.

Gleeson, P.; Tanaka, T.; Alawi, F.; Alhendi, F.; Fadugba, O (co-author Dept. of Oral Medicine). Fixed Drug Eruption of the Tongue Due to Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.

Pract. 2019.

Jensen, B. K.; Roth, L. M.; Grinspan, J. B.; Jordan-Sciutto, K. L. White matter loss and oligodendrocyte dysfunction in HIV: a consequence of the infection, the antiretroviral therapy or both? Brain Res. 2019, 146397.

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Li, J.; Wang, M.; Li, Y.; Zhang, Q.; Lindsey, K.; Daniell, H.; Jin, S.; Zhang, X. Multi-omics analyses reveal epigenomics basis for cotton somatic embryogenesis through successive regeneration acclimation process. Plant. Biotechnol. J. 2019, 17, 435–450.

Liu, Y. Li, X., Graves, D., Wang, S., Mao, K., Chen, Z., Zhang, X., Li, B., Kou, X., Shi, S., Kim, S., Liu, Y., Yang, S (co-author Dept. of Periodontics). Meeting Report: A Close Look at Teeth, Orofacial and Bone Development and Regeneration.

Dentistry 2019, 9: 543.

Lu, W.; Campagno, K. E.; Tso, H. Y.; Cenaj, A.; Laties, A. M.; Carlsson, L. G.; Mitchell, C. H. Oral delivery of the P2Y12 receptor antagonist ticagrelor prevents loss of photoreceptors in an ABCA4/- mouse model of retinal degeneration.

Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2019, 60, 3046–3053.

Ng, A. Y. H.; Li, Z.; Jones, M. M.; Yang, S.; Li, C.; Fu, C.; Tu, C.; Oursler, M. J.; Qu, J.; Yang, S. Regulator of G protein signaling 12 enhances osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Nrf2-dependent antioxidant proteins to promote the generation of reactive oxygen species. Elife 2019, 8, 10.7554/eLife.42951.

Nuth, M.; Guan, H.; Xiao, Y.; Kulp, J. L.; Parker, M. H.; Strobel, E. D.; Isaacs, S. N.; Scott, R. W.; Reitz, A. B.; Ricciardi, R. P. Mutation and structure guided discovery of an antiviral small molecule that mimics an essential C-Terminal tripeptide of the vaccinia D4 processivity factor. Antiviral Res. 2019, 162, 178–185 Nygren, P.; Balashova, N.; Brown, A. C.; Kieba, I.; Dhingra, A.; Boesze-Battaglia, K.; Lally, E. T. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin causes activation of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1. Cell. Microbiol. 2019, 21, e12967.

Qin, L.; Li, J.; Wang, Q.; Xu, Z.; Sun, L.; Alariqi, M.; Manghwar, H.; Wang, G.; Li, B.; Ding, X.; Rui, H.; Huang, H.; Lu, T.; Lindsey, K.; Daniell, H.; Zhang, X.; Jin, S. High-efficient and precise base editing of C*G to T*A in the allotetraploid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) genome using a modified CRISPR/Cas9 system. Plant.

Biotechnol. J. 2019.

Roy S.; Gupta K.; Ganguly A .; Ali H. β-Arrestin2 expressed in mast cells regulates ciprofloxacin-induced pseudoallergy and IgE-mediated anaphylaxis.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019, 144(2):603–606.

ENDODONTICS

ORAL MEDICINE

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

NEWS/ACHIEVEMENTS

Mays, J. W.; Carey, B. P.; Posey, R.; Gueiros, L. A.; France, K.; Setterfield, J.; Woo, S. B.; Sollecito, T. P.; Culton, D.; Payne, A. S.; Greenberg, M. S.; De Rossi, S. World Workshop of Oral Medicine VII: A systematic review of immunobiologic therapy for oral manifestations of pemphigoid and pemphigus. Oral Dis. 2019, 25, 111–121.

A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold).

Bukhari, S.; Karabucak, B. The Antimicrobial Effect of Bioceramic Sealer on an 8-week Matured Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm Attached to Root Canal Dentinal Surface. J. Endod. 2019, 45, 1047–1052.

Kim, S.; Park, S.; Lee, Y.; Lee, C..; Karabucak, B.; Kim, H.; Kim, E. Stress Analyses of Retrograde Cavity Preparation Designs for Surgical Endodontics in the Mesial Root of the Mandibular Molar: A Finite Element Analysis—Part I; 30827768. J. Endod.

2019, 45, 442–446.

Poly, A.; AlMalki, F.; Marques, F.; Karabucak, B. Canal transportation and centering ratio after preparation in severely curved canals: analysis by micro-computed tomography and double-digital radiography. Clin. Oral Invest. 2019.

Safi, C.; Kohli, M. R.; Kratchman, S. I.; Setzer, F. C.; Karabucak, B. Outcome of Endodontic Microsurgery Using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate or Root Repair Material as Root-end Filling Material: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Cone-beam Computed Tomographic Evaluation; 31078325. J. Endod. 2019, 45, 831–839.

Setzer, F. C.; Shou, H.; Kulwattanaporn, P.; Kohli, M. R.; Karabucak, B. Outcome of Crown and Root Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Literature. J. Endod. 2019, 45, 6–19.

Mupparapu, M, Oak S, Chang YC, Alavi A. (co-author Dept. of Periodontics).

Conventional and functional imaging in the evaluation of temporomandibular joint rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.

Quintessence Int. 2019; 50, 742–753.

Stoopler, E. T. Emphasizing Oral Health Care. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 2019, 150, 568.

Dr. Eric Stoopler, Professor, received the Past President Award and Medal from The American Academy of Oral Medicine, and the 2019 Martin S. Greenberg Teaching Award in Oral Medicine from the Dept. of Oral Medicine, Penn Dental Medicine.

A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold).

Gueiros, L. A.; France, K.; Posey, R.; Mays, J. W.; Carey, B.; Sollecito, T. P.; Setterfield, J.; Woo, S. B.; Culton, D.; Payne, A. S.; Lodi, G.; Greenberg, M. S.; De Rossi, S. World Workshop on Oral Medicine VII: Immunobiologics for salivary gland disease in Sjögren's syndrome: A systematic review. Oral Dis. 2019, 25, 102–110.

Reis, E. S.; Mastellos, D. C.; Hajishengallis, G.; Lambris, J. D. New insights into the immune functions of complement.

Nat. Rev. Immunol. 2019, 19, 503–516.

Yuan X, Liu M, Cao X, Yang S. Ciliary IFT80 regulates dental pulp stem cells differentiation by FGF/FGFR1 and Hh/ BMP2 signaling. Int J Biol Sci 2019, 15, 2087–2099.

Ko, E. Primary oral leiomyosarcoma: A systematic review and update.

J. Oral Pathol. Med. 2019.

Three Penn Endo Global Symposia are slated for the coming months and into spring 2020 — to be held in Suzhou, China, Dec. 2–8; in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jan. 7–9, 2020; and in Vilnius, Lithuania, April 23–15, 2020. Learn more at www.dental.upenn/cde.

NEWS/ACHIEVEMENTS

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Kattimani, V.; Lingamaneni, K. P.; Yalamanchili, S.; Mupparapu, M. Use of eggshell-derived nano-hydroxyapatite as novel bone graft substitute–A randomized controlled clinical study; 31324126.

J. Biomater. Appl. 2019.

GLOBAL PENN ENDO

ORAL SURGERY/ PHARMACOLOGY

Magill, D.; Huu Ngo, N. J.; Felice, M. A.; Mupparapu, M. Kerma area product (KaP) and scatter measurements for intraoral X-ray machines using three different types of round collimation compared with rectangular beam limiter; 30346798.

Dentomaxillofacial Radiology 2019, 48.

Dr. Rabie Shanti, Assistant Professor, received the 2019 Relationship-Based Care Award from Pennsylvania Hospital, which recognizes clinicians whose practice reflects the tenets of Relationship-Based Care — leadership, teamwork, professionalism, care delivery, resources, and outcomes Dr. Elliot Hersh, Professor, presented to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine as part of a workshop on identifying research gaps in clinical practice guidelines for prescribing opioids, speaking on pain management after third molar extraction.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold).

Almarza, A.; Mercuri, L.; Arzi, B.; Gallo, L. M.; Granquist, E.; Kapila, S.; Detamore, M. State of TMJ Bioengineering: Working Together Toward Improving Clinical Outcomes. J. Biomech. Eng. 2019.

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 23

ACADEMICUPDATE Haugen, T. W.; Cannady, S. B.; Chalian, A. A.; Shanti, R. M. Anatomical Variations of the Superficial Radial Nerve Encountered during Radial Forearm Free Flap Elevation. ORL J. Otorhinolaryngol.

Relat. Spec. 2019, 81, 155–158.

ORTHODONTICS NEWS/ACHIEVEMENTS

Henry, A.; Inverso, G.; Granquist, E. J. Revision temporomandibular joint arthroplasty for the treatment of acquired metal allergy and review of the literature. Int. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 2019.

Tadlock, L. P.; Barone, N.; Pangrazio-Kulbersh, V.; Sabott, D. G.; Foley, P. F.; Trulove, T. S.; Park, J. H.; Hernandez-Orsini, R.; Chung, C. American Board of Orthodontics: Update on the new scenario-based clinical examination. Am. J. Orthod. Dentofacial Orthop. 2019, 155, 765–766.

Jazayeri, H. E.; Kufta, K.; Lee, K. C.; Chuang, S. K.; Peacock, Z. S.; Ford, B. P. What characteristics do orthodontists desire in orthognathic surgeons? Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol.

2019.

Jazayeri, H. E.; Lee, K. C.; Chuang, S. Le, A. D.; Wang, S.; Shanti, R. M. A 15-Year Review of Trainee Contributions to the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; 30738062. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2019, 77, 1147–1151.

Sperry, M. M.; Kartha, S.; Winkelstein, B. A.; Granquist, E. J. Experimental Methods to Inform Diagnostic Approaches for Painful TMJ Osteoarthritis. J. Dent. Res. 2019, 98, 388–397.

Dr. Hyeran Helen Jeon, Assistant Professor, was the recipient of the 2019 Orhan C. Tuncay Teaching Fellowship Award, from the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold).

Chung, C. Diagnosis of transverse problems. Seminars in Orthodontics 2019, 25, 16–23.

Stubbs, V. C.; Jaffe, S.; Rajasekaran, K.; Cannady, S. B.; Shanti, R. M.; Lee, J. Y. K.; Newman, J. G. Intraoperative Imaging with Second Window Indocyanine Green for Head and Neck Lesions and Regional Metastasis. Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery (United States) 2019.

Theken, K. N.; Hersh, E. V.; Lahens, N. F.; Lee, H. M.; Li, X.; Granquist, E. J.; Giannakopoulos, H. E.; Levin, L. M.; Secreto, S. A.; Grant, G. R.; Detre, J. A.; FitzGerald, G. A.; Grosser, T.; Farrar, J. T. Variability in the Analgesic Response to Ibuprofen Is Associated With Cyclooxygenase Activation in Inflammatory Pain. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 2019, 106, 632–641.

Wang, T. T.; Wolff, M. S.; Panchal, N (co-authors Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences and DMD student).

The Graying of America: Considerations and Training Needs for Geriatric Patient Care. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 2019, 77, 1741–1742.

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Naha, P. C.; Liu, Y.; Hwang, G.; Huang, Y.; Gubara, S.; Jonnakuti, V.; Simon-Soro, A.; Kim, D.; Gao, L.; Koo, H.; Cormode, D. P. (co-author Dept. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences). Dextran-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Biomi metic Catalysts for Localized and pH-Activated Biofilm Disruption. ACS Nano 2019a, 13, 4960–4971.

(NOTE: H Koo has joint appointments in Divs. of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health)

PERIODONTICS NEWS/ACHIEVEMENTS Dr. Rodrigo Neiva has joined Penn Dental Medicine as the new Chair of the Dept. of Periodontics (see profile, page 18) and Dr. S. Esra Sahingur also joined as Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Student Research.

Periodontal residents Drs. Abdulaziz Alblaihess, Omar Mohammad, and Kang Ko presented at the II Tri-Ivy Symposium at Harvard University. Penn will be hosting the third edition of this symposium next year.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold).

PLAQUE FIGHTING MICROROBOTS

In collaboration with Penn’s School of Engineering, the lab of Dr. Michel Koo has shown that microscopic robots with catalytic activity could destroy biofilms.

See the following article: Hwang, G.; Paula, A. J.; Hunter, E. E.; Liu, Y.; Babeer, A.; Karabucak, B.; Stebe, K.; Kumar, V.;Steager, E.; Koo, H (co-authors Depts. of Preventive & Restorative Sciences and Endodontics).

Catalytic antimicrobial robots for biofilm eradication. Sci. Robotics 2019, 4.

Alyami, H. M.; Finoti, L. S.; Teixeira, H. S.; Aljefri, A.; Kinane, D. F.; Benakanakere, M. R. Role of NOD1/NOD2 receptors in Fusobacterium nucleatum mediated NETosis. Microb. Pathog. 2019, 131, 53–64.

Benakanakere, M. R.; Finoti, L.; Palioto, D. B.; Teixeira, H. S.; Kinane, D. F. Epigenetics, Inflammation, and Periodontal Disease. Current Oral Health Reports 2019, 6, 37–46.

Chang Y.C.; Aseri A.; Baker J.; Høilund-Carlsen P.F.,; Korostoff J.; Alavi A. Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Disease Using FDG and NaF-PET/ CT Scanning in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Healthy Subjects. Int Poster J. Dent. Oral Med, 2019, 21.

Ko, K. I.; Syverson, A. L.; Kralik, R. M.; Choi, J.; DerGarabedian, B. P.; Chen, C.; Graves, D. T. Diabetes-Induced NF-kappaB Dysregulation in Skeletal Stem Cells Prevents Resolution of Inflammation.

Diabetes 2019.

Lu, Y.; Alharbi, M.; Zhang, C.; O'Connor, J. P.; Graves, D. T. Deletion of FOXO1 in chondrocytes rescues the effect of diabetes on mechanical strength in fracture healing.

Bone 2019, 123, 159–167.

Palioto, D. B.; Finoti, L. S.; Kinane, D. F.; Benakanakere, M. Epigenetic and inflammatory events in experimental periodontitis following systemic microbial challenge.

J. Clin. Periodontol. 2019, 46, 819–829.

Teixeira, H.; Zhao, J.; Kinane, D. F.; Benakanakere, M. R. IFN-ß secretion is through TLR3 but not TLR4 in human gingival epithelial cells. Mol. Immunol.

2019, 111, 27–31.

PREVENTIVE & RESTORATIVE SCIENCES NEWS/ACHIEVEMENTS The following full-time faculty recently joined the department: Dr. David Hershkowitz, Associate Professor of Clinical Restorative Dentistry and Chief of the Division of Restorative Dentistry (see story, page 5); Dr. Evangelia Kasselakis, Assistant Professor of Clinical Restorative Dentistry; Dr. Geelsu Hwang, Assistant Professor; and Dr. Margrit Maggio, Associate Professor of Clinical Restorative Dentistry.

In addition, promotions within the department included: Dr. Olivia Sheridan to Professor of Clinical Restorative Dentistry, Dr. Betty Hajishengalis to Professor of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, and Dr. Karina Hariton-Gross to Associate Professor of Clinical Restorative Dentistry.

Dr. Joan Gluch, Chief of Div. of Community Oral Health, was recognized by the Penn Community Scholars Program with its 2019 Community Connector Award, presented for exemplary leadership in community-academic partnerships.

William Kessler (D’20) took first place in the clinical case report competition at the 2019 Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry 11th Annual Conference, for a study titled “Approach for Predictably Matching a Veneer and Crown in Maxillary Central Incisors: A Digital Technique,” conducted with Dr. Markus Blatz, Professor; Dr. Julian Conejo, Chairside CAD/CAM Director; Michael Bergler, CAD/CAM Lab Director; and Dr. Leslie Stone-Hirsch, Clinical Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry.

Dr. Victor Alos-Rullan, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Div. of Community Oral Health, received the 2019 Volunteer Award from the Maternal and Child Health Consortium in Chester County, also receiving a citation from the County of Chester for the Award.

He was also the recipient of the 2019 Pennsylvania Immunization Champion Award.

TEACHING AWARDS

The Class of 2019 recognized faculty with the annual teaching awards, presented at Senior Farewell 2019 in May. This year’s recipients included (left to right with awards): Dr. Yu Cheng Chang (GD’15, GD’16, D’18), Predoctoral Director of Periodontics, the Earle Bank Hoyt Award, presented for excellence in teaching to a Penn Dental Medicine graduate who is a full-time junior faculty member; Dr. Joy Bockstein Abt (D’94), Clinical Assistant Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Director of Fixed Prosthodontics, the Robert E. DeRevere Award, presented for excellence in preclinical teaching by a part-time faculty member; Dr. Faizan Alawi, Associate Professor, Basic & Translational Sciences, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Basic Science Award, presented for excellence in teaching within the basic sciences; Dr. Patrice Ierardi (MT’80, D’84), Clinical Assistant Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Assistant Director of Comprehensive Care Clinics, the Joseph L. T. Appleton Award, presented to a part-time faculty member for excellence in clinical teaching; and Art Kofman, C.D.T., Director of Laboratory Affairs and the Office of Laboratory Affairs Supervisor, the Senior Outstanding Teaching Award, presented to a faculty/staff member who has gone beyond the scope of his/her responsibilities to significantly impact the class’s education.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS A selection of recently published work by department faculty (indicated in bold).

Anadioti, E.; Gates, W. D.; Elpers, J.; De Kok, I. J.; Cooper, L. F. Retrospective cohort analysis of maxillary overdentures retained by unsplinted implants. J. Prosthet. Dent. 2019, 122, 30–308.e1.

Fleisher, K. E.; Janal, M. N.; Albstein, N.; Young, J.; Bikhazi, V.; Schwalb, S.; Wolff, M.; Glickman, R. S. Comorbid conditions are a risk for osteonecrosis of the jaw unrelated to antiresorptive therapy. Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol.

2019, 127, 140–150.

Kang, J.; Izutani, N.; D'Angelo, M.; Buis, W.; Wang, Y.; Blatz, M.; Imazato, S.; Ozer, F. Assaying endogenous matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in acid-etched dentinal cavity walls. Dent. Mater. J. 2019.

Lawson, N. C.; Litaker, M. S.; Ferracane, J. L.; Gordan, V. V.; Atlas, A. M.; Rios, T.; Gilbert, G. H.; McCracken, M. S.; National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Collaborative Group Choice of cement for single-unit crowns: Findings from The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. J. Am. Dent. Assoc.

2019, 150, 522–530.

Terry, D. A.; Powers, J. M.; Blatz, M. B. The Inverse Injection Layering Technique: PART 2: Form Defines Esthetics. Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry 2019, 35.

Miyajima H.; Awadzi G.; Ozer F.; Mante F.K. Effect of surface physico-chemico-biological modifications of titanium on critical and theoretical surface free energy.

Journal of Applied Surface Science.

2019, 470, 386–394.

Division of Community Oral Health Alos-Rullan, V. Households’ age, country of birth, and marital status, stronger predictor variables than education in the prevalence of dental sealants, restorations, and caries among US children 5–19 years of age, NHANES 2005–2010. BMC Oral Health, 2019, 19:195.

Division of Pediatric Dentistry Brand, A. J.; Lieberman, M. B.; Hajishengallis, E. Severe Gingivitis Associated with Ascorbic Acid-Deficiency in a Pediatric Patient. J Dent Child (Chic) 2019, 86, 125–128.

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 25

THE SATISFACTION OF SERVICE STUDENTS AND ALUMNI EXPERIENCE THE OPPORTUNITIES AND REWARDS OF MILITARY DENTISTRY OPPOSITE: Some of the 58 students who are currently pursuing their dental degrees as commissioned officers in the U.S. military. Of this group, 17 are in the Air Force, 15 in the Army, and 26 in the Navy and 12 are first-year students, 15 are second-year students, 16 are third-year students, and 15 are fourth-year students.

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IN ANY GIVEN YEAR, a significant number of Penn Dental Medicine students — presently 58 in the current academic year, or nearly 10 percent of the School’s DMD candidates — pursue dental degrees as commissioned officers in the U.S. military. These students attend Penn Dental Medicine on Army, Navy, and Air Force scholarships, and, after graduation, “pay back” one year of military dental practice for each year of their scholarships, with a minimum of three years of service required. In return, most receive full funding for tuition, fees, books, and supplies, as well as health insurance and a monthly living stipend.

Of the Penn Dental Medicine students receiving military scholarships this academic year, 17 are in the Air Force, 15 in the Army, and 26 in the Navy. Nine 2019 graduates recently began payback assignments in locations around the country, from North Carolina and Virginia to Colorado and Washington State. Most of these alumni will complete some form of advanced or specialty dental training at the military’s expense. Some will choose to stay and make their life’s work in the military, joining generations of Penn Dental Medicine alumni who have pursued fulfilling and varied careers in military dentistry.

“The military offers our graduates many valuable benefits, including education, the opportunity to experience different cultures throughout the world, and of course, the privilege of serving our country,” says Sue Schwartz, Director of Career Services at Penn Dental Medicine.

WHY MILITARY DENTISTRY? While some students apply for military dental scholarships in college, others make the decision after arriving at dental school. Students choose to undergo the rigorous, competitive application process for many reasons.

“Both my parents were in the Army, and my brother is in the Army Reserves,” says Nicolette Young (D’20), who learned about scholarship opportunities from an Army recruiter in college. “When I heard about the scholarship program, it was a no-brainer to be able to serve like the rest of my family — and to have the opportunity to attend dental school without the stress of loans and debt.”

Gabi Im (D’20) applied for an Air Force scholarship during her first year of dental school. “My main motivation was to offset costs and relieve my parents’ worries about student debt,” says Gabi, who is pursuing a dual degree in dentistry and Public Health.

“But in addition to financial security, I will graduate with a purpose: making sure our airmen are healthy and ready to serve our country.”

“The military offers our graduates many valuable benefits, including education, the opportunity to experience different cultures throughout the world, and of course, the privilege of serving our country.”

— SUE SCHWARTZ Joshua Cho (D’20), who applied for his Navy scholarship while a college student, has always loved learning about other cultures, and knew that being a dentist in the Navy could provide him with a window to the world. “Traveling, and making a sincere attempt at understanding what makes people different, can help me appreciate the complexity of the world rather than be afraid of it,” he says.

The ability to draw on the Air Force’s resources, including research, materials, and technology, appealed to Soren Christensen (D’20), who attended the Air Force Academy before dental school. “As military dentists, we can provide the very best dental care without restraint from private insurance and other financial restrictions,” he says.

Soren founded the Military Dentistry Club at Penn Dental Medicine to help students network and prepare for active duty after graduation. “It’s been great to have a space to support each other and share information,” he says.

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MILITARYDENTISTRY While some Penn Dental Medicine students complete their payback service and return to civilian life, others choose the many opportunities of a military career, from specialty training and travel to a sense of camaraderie and the satisfaction of service. Here, we profile four Penn Dental Medicine alumni and their experiences in the U.S. military.

A PRACTICAL PATH TO DENTAL SCHOOL

DR. THOMAS R. SCHNEID (D’79) Executive Dean, Postgraduate Dental College Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, San Antonio, Texas

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fter a distinguished 30-year career as a military dentist and educator that included time in both the Navy and the Air Force, consultancies with the Air Force Surgeon General, numerous high-profile academic appointments, and extensive publishing and lecturing in his field, retired Air Force dentist Dr. Thomas Schneid (D’79), now provides academic oversight to all postgraduate dental education for the Army, Navy, and Air Force Postgraduate Dental Schools as Executive Dean of the Uniformed University of the Health Sciences (USU). (In this position, which he assumed in 2015, he collaborates with fellow alumni Colonel Jay Graver and Captain Sean Meehan, deans of the Air Force and Navy postgraduate dental programs, who are also profiled in this article.) The USU serves up to 180 students a year in 20 dental residency programs, all of which award M.S. degrees from the University as well as specialty certificates from the military.

“Our mission is to ensure the dental health readiness of our military patients so that they can do their jobs and serve our country,” he says.

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When he enrolled at Penn Dental Medicine in 1975 after graduating from Princeton University, Dr. Schneid applied for a Navy scholarship and was turned down. “It was an exhaustive, rigorous process,” he remembers, “and I went through it twice. I was persistent.” The second time he applied, in 1976, he was accepted.

His motives for joining the military were practical: “My parents had sacrificed a lot to pay for my undergraduate education, and I needed some financial help to pay for dental school. It was mainly about the money and getting started on a career.”

He became involved in Penn’s Navy Reserve Club, which met once a month. “It kept our enthusiasm going and removed some of the uncertainties we all felt,” he remembers.

After serving his three payback years as a Navy dentist, Dr. Schneid left the military to enter private practice. He re-entered the military, joining the Air Force in 1986, to take advantage of further educational opportunities, eventually completing a residency in prosthodontics and a fellowship in maxillofacial prosthetics. Prior to his retirement from the Air Force in 2013, Dr. Schneid served as the founding Dean of the Air Force Postgraduate Dental School.

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES Dr. Schneid sees many benefits to military dentistry as a career — not only education, research, and travel, but also global collaboration with top military dentists, and the ability to practice dentistry without the distractions of running a business.

He also acknowledges the career’s challenges: the degree of conformity required, the need to move frequently, and the possibility of being deployed. However, he adds, “these things can also be seen as rewards, depending on your viewpoint and your personality.”

He encourages students to give the military path a try. “If you can reduce or eliminate school debt, do it. Serve one tour in the military and see if it’s right for you and your family,” advises Dr. Schneid, who with his wife of 43 years, Cindy, raised two sons, Michael and Greg.

In his current role, Dr. Schneid focuses on creating master clinicians who are wellversed in dental research, scientific literature, and critical thinking. His priorities for the coming years include refining comprehensive research and faculty development opportunities, as well as expanding collaboration with other health sciences universities.

His deanship has reinforced his respect for dentists in all three branches of the military. “They are among the finest people, with the highest level of integrity, that I have ever met,” he says.

COLONEL JAY GRAVER (D’86) Dean, U.S. Air Force Postgraduate Dental School San Antonio, Texas

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ith a father who was a dentist and a faculty member at Penn Dental Medicine, and a mother who was a dental hygienist, dentistry seemed a natural career path for Colonel Graver. His journey has led him from private practice through 27 years as an Air Force dentist, leader, and educator to his current positions as Dean of the Air Force Postgraduate Dental School and the Air Force Surgeon General’s Consultant for Graduate Dental and Continuing Education.

Since taking on the role in 2017, Colonel Graver has been responsible for the executive leadership and strategic direction of the Air Force’s eight dental residency programs, two fellowships, and ten one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) programs across the country. He currently oversees a faculty of 100, and in his previous assignment directed dental operations at 76 Air Force dental treatment facilities worldwide.

FROM PRIVATE PRACTICE TO THE MILITARY Because his father and fellow alumnus, Dr. Heber Graver (D’56, GR’72), taught at Penn Dental Medicine from 1973–1997, Colonel Graver became familiar with the University of Pennsylvania as a teen. He came to Penn as an undergraduate (C’82) biology major in 1978 and stayed on to become a dental student. (He married his wife, Susan in 1985 while still a student. They have four children: Hunter, Elizabeth, Tyler, and Ethan).

Like all military dentists, Colonel Graver built skills outside the scope of civilian dentistry, including treating war-related wounds, which requires a thorough understanding of fluid control, blood loss control, tissue injury management and infections. Military dentists must also provide durable, appropriate dental solutions that hold up in extreme environments. “Our job is to provide dental care for war fighters,” he says. “How do we give these men and women the care they need to fight for our country?”

Answering that question is at the heart of Colonel Graver’s deanship, in which he works to ensure that the Air Force’s dental education is aligned with its military mission.

IMPROVING THE MISSION Colonel Graver’s experience in military dentistry has brought countless rewards. “It’s been a unique and diverse career in which I’ve been able to work closely with others to solve problems and improve our mission,” he says.

“Our job is to provide dental care for war fighters. How do we give these men and women the care they need to fight for our country?”

— COLONEL JAY GRAVER (D’86) After a few years in private practice, Colonel Graver decided to specialize in prosthodontics and felt that the Air Force offered him the best education and career opportunities. He was commissioned in 1992 and served tours of duty as far away as Portugal, attaining numerous dental leadership positions in Texas and Washington D.C. In 2001, he completed both an M.S. in prosthodontics at the University of Texas and a prosthodontic residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

It was a big change: “I started out in a tiny private practice, with one dentist and one assistant. Lackland has over 100 dentists,” he says. “Collaborating with so many talented colleagues was and continues to be an invaluable learning opportunity.”

He recommends the military path to any dental student or dentist who is interested.

“It’s a great opportunity to serve while honing the skills to reach your full potential as a dentist,” he says.

“You can serve your tour and leave the military if you choose. Or you can stay and be part of a great team.”

SERVING VETERANS Penn Dental Medicine continues to reach out to Veterans in the community through its annual New Patient Admissions Fair for Veterans. Launched last year, it provides a day of free dental and oral cancer screenings, free x-rays, and assistance in follow-up care. This year’s Fair is November 12. For ongoing care within the School’s clinics, Veterans receive an initial 20% discount followed with a sliding scale fee schedule.

CAPTAIN SEAN MEEHAN (D’92) Dean, Naval Postgraduate Dental School Bethesda, Maryland

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ive years out of Penn Dental Medicine, Captain Sean Meehan (D’92) had already accomplished a great deal. He had completed a general practice residency and was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), a uniformed service corps overseen by the Surgeon General of the United States. He left the USPHS for a teaching position at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he was selected as “Teacher of the Year.” Despite his achievements, however, Captain Meehan was looking for something more.

“I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself,” he says. “I was looking for a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.”

He found all of those things in the Navy.

As a Naval officer, Captain Meehan traveled across the country, to Europe, and to the Far East, providing dental care to members of the Navy and Marine Corps. In 2002, he began a distinguished career in academia that led him to the Naval Postgraduate Dental School (NPDS), where he was appointed full professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 2010. He was named Dean of NPDS in 2016.

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MILITARYDENTISTRY A LEADER IN DENTAL EDUCATION As Dean, Captain Meehan oversees the schools eight residency programs. “We take general dentists and make them specialists,” he says.

As his four-year tenure approaches its final year, he is especially proud of the school’s most recent reaccreditation visit from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which resulted in zero reporting requirements, and of NPDS’ participation, through Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in the Joint Commission Accreditation Survey, a rare accomplishment for a dental school. The Joint Commission promotes patient safety and quality of care.

NPDS has also made many technological advances: a full upgrade to digital radiography and digital dentistry, including dental applications for 3-D printers, and a total dental instrument replacement.

BACK TO HIS ALMA MATER Last fall, Captain Meehan (who, with his wife, Angie, has two children, Sean and Emma) was asked to speak to Penn Dental Medicine’s Military Dentistry Club about his career. After a school tour, he met with members at an informal lunchtime seminar.

He enjoyed the experience so much that he accepted an invitation to be part of Penn Dental Medicine’s 2019 commencement ceremony. Following the commencement, he led a recommissioning ceremony for military graduates, who reaffirmed their oaths.

Afterwards, Captain Meehan spoke with students and their parents, who were excited and nervous about active duty. “They were very curious and wanted advice,” he says.

“They had a lot of questions about specialty training and about duty assignments.”

Returning to the place where his dental education began to talk with students and graduates about their own careers is an experience Captain Meehan treasures: “It is fulfilling to connect with these promising young dentists as they plan for their futures.”

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DR. MARY BETH SORRENTINO (D’11) Tidewater Endodontics Virginia Beach, VA

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oday, Dr. Mary Beth Sorrentino (D’11) is a private practice endodontist, but she launched her career as a military dentist, accepting an Air Force scholarship in her first year at Penn Dental Medicine.

“Initially, I never thought of myself enjoying the military,” she says. “But I realized that I could take advantage of some really cool educational opportunities without going into a massive amount of debt, and use the skills I gained to serve my country.”

“Taking the military path was the best personal and professional decision I have ever made.”

— DR. MARY BETH SORRENTINO (D’11)

INTENSIVE TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT Dr. Sorrentino’s three-year scholarship covered tuition, fees, books, and supplies at Penn Dental Medicine, enabling her to attend dental school without financial concerns. Upon graduation in 2011, she became a Captain in the Air Force Dental Corps and reported to Montgomery, Alabama for six weeks of commissioned officer training.

There she received an intensive military

initiation, complete with physical conditioning, and learned the proper way to wear her uniform, salute, and march.

“It was a little terrifying, but also very exciting,” she remembers. “I was expected to be an airman first and a dentist second.”

After reporting for active duty, Dr. Sorrentino completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

While caring for veterans and active duty personnel, she learned advanced skills like IV sedation and complex surgery, and was trained as a forensic dentist, with the ability to identify human remains using dental records. She also cared for military working dogs; performing root canals on these important members of the military helped her develop an interest in endodontics.

Her AEDG residency complete, Dr. Sorrentino was assigned to Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina, a small base with no specialists, where she completed her three-year payback assignment, handling everything from oral surgery to orthodontics.

SETTING DOWN ROOTS While on active duty, Dr. Sorrentino met Justin Whitford, a security forces officer who is now her husband. Together, the couple decided to return to civilian life.

“I’m a homebody, and I was ready to set down roots,” says Dr. Sorrentino, who completed a civilian endodontics residency and now practices in her hometown of Virginia Beach.

She enjoys showing patients that a root canal doesn’t have to be a bad experience.

“I love being able to save people’s teeth and take away their pain,” she says.

Dr. Sorrentino remains grateful for the excellent training and experience she received in the Air Force.

“Taking the military path was the best personal and professional decision I have ever made,” she says. “The opportunity to serve my country is something I will always value.”

— By Juliana Delany

STUDENTPERSPECTIVE VIEWS ON THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

“Penn has changed quite a bit from when I first started, and it's exciting to see how the dental school has grown so much.”

— DR. CATHERINE LEE (D'18, GD'20)

Dr. Catherine Lee (D’18, GD’20) is presently pursuing postdoctoral specialty training in the School’s pediatric program.

Transitioning to Postdoctoral Study Contributed by Dr. Catherine Lee (D’18, GD’20)

With the arrival of the Class of 2023 to Penn Dental Medicine, it’s only given me pause to think about how I was once in their shoes.

Starting dental school was such an exciting time knowing that this was just the beginning of an adventure. The years flew by with lectures in B13, late night wax-ups in the lab, and study sessions across Penn’s different libraries.

Soon that four-year adventure became a sixyear one as I started a pediatric residency at Penn Dental Medicine.

My two biggest fears of starting residency were that I wouldn't wake up to the sound of the pager while on call and I wouldn’t actually love the field that I had picked. Looking back at my first concern, I can now see that it was ridiculous – there is absolutely no way you can sleep through the incessant noise of a pager in the middle of the night. Now that I’m finishing off my last year of residency, I can say that my second concern was also absurd. Residency

has shown me that pediatric dentistry is exactly what I should be doing. I won’t lie and say that every day is sunshine and rainbows, but I can at least look back and know that I did my best to help each and every patient that I saw.

Dentistry is a unique field because you have the option to return to specialty training at any point in your career. I know that it can be daunting to make a decision about the rest of your life so early in dental school, and that’s why I recommend to really explore the different fields and programs. Even though I had spent a good amount of time within the pediatric clinic while a DMD student, the residency was still very different from what I expected. For instance, I had never appreciated the sheer volume of patients seen by the pediatric residents, the average medical complexity of these patients, or how many unique rotations the residents had access to because of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). While I

thought I had a good grasp of the program at Penn, in reality, I had greatly underestimated the program’s strengths until I got to the interview. It had been easy to overlook something I had taken for granted for the past few years.

This is why I definitely recommend shadowing private practices or doing an externship at residency programs to help understand the amount of variety that exists.

Staying at Penn for two more years was also a big decision for me. Most of my classmates were excited to pursue other opportunities outside of Philadelphia, and at first, I thought that’s what I wanted as well. However, after going on interviews across the continent, I quickly changed my mind. Things that I valued at first, such as location or stipend, were replaced with strong mentorship and experiences. Honestly, I can’t imagine going through residency without my current attendings, and especially Dr. Betty Hajishengallis, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry.

At the end of the day, everyone asks if I’m enjoying residency and if I’m happy to have stayed at Penn. For me, that answer has always been a definite yes. Although there are days when my smile falters from a long night of call or a tricky patient, I have no regrets of staying for two more years. Penn has changed quite a bit from when I first started, and it’s exciting to see how the dental school has grown so much.

I have learned so much from my time at Penn, and I’ll always be thankful for everyone that has made my experience so much better!

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ALUMNIHIGHLIGHTS

PROFILES, GATHERINGS & ENGAGEMENT

Legacy of Leadership within ASDA

Alumni Board in Action

The Alumni Board Executive Committee, currently led by President Eric Spieler (D’84), is not merely a group of alumni who meet throughout the year, they are actively involved in activities at Penn Dental Medicine and with the students.

Alumni Board members have all signed up to mentor students and young alumni; they also provide “Dinner with Dentists” and office shadowing opportunities and volunteer to develop Selectives courses to help answer some of those hard-to-answer questions. The Alumni Board is also engaged in fostering positive relationships between alumni and students by networking at events in Philadelphia and beyond; in helping to develop valued-added benefits for alumni like free continuing education courses; and in supporting fundraising efforts.

See the current Alumni Board list on the inside back cover of this issue; to learn more about the Board, please contact Maren Gaughan, Associate Dean of Leadership Giving, at gaughan@upenn.edu.

ABOVE: Alumni Board President Dr. Eric Spieler (D’84) networking with students at a recent event.

In the Spring 2019 issue of the Penn Dental Medicine Journal, we reported that with the election of now third-year student Craig McKenzie (D’21) as President of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) it was the second year in a row for a Penn Dental Medicine student to assume this national leadership role, succeeding Dr. Roopali Kulkarni (D’19). We also noted that this was the first time since 1979-80 that there were back-toback ASDA presidents from the same school.

What we didn’t realize at that time is that it was also Penn Dental Medicine students who accomplished this feat the first time — namely Dr. Ralph Van Brocklin (D’81) and Dr. Stuart M. Ginsberg (D'81).

Dr. Van Brocklin served as national ASDA President in the 1979–80 academic year and Dr. Ginsberg followed him as ASDA President in 1980–81. Dr. Van Brocklin, who passed away last year, went on to become an oral surgeon and practiced in Johnson City, Tenn., where he continued his political career as Mayor of that city, among other offices. Dr. Ginsberg went on to work in the Washington, D.C. legislative office of the American Dental Association for

Dr. Ralph Van Brocklin (D’81) Yearbook photo

Dr. Stuart M. Ginsberg (D'81) Yearbook photo

a number of years after dental school while attending Georgetown Law School; he later practiced business law. He has maintained his involvement in health affairs as a long-standing member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Professional Oversight Committee of Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., which is part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

“My experience with ASDA was fantastic, and our dean at the time, Dr. Walter Cohen, was extremely supportive of our involvement,” says Dr. Ginsberg. “My congratulations to Craig McKenzie and Roopali Kulkarni for continuing a long tradition of leadership

by Penn Dental Medicine students in that organization.”

JOIN US IN SOUTH FLORIDA Penn Dental Medicine will be hosting three events in Florida, Jan. 11–13. Plan to attend to network with fellow alumni from the region; meet Penn Dental Medicine’s Dean, Dr. Mark Wolff; and earn continuing education credit at the January 11 program, featuring the new Chairman of the Department of Periodontics.

JANUARY 11: A continuing education program presented

by Dr. Rodrigo Neiva, Chairman, Department of Periodontics, on the topic “Saving Teeth in the Era of Pulling Teeth,” Farmer's Table at The Wyndham Boca Raton, Fla.

JANUARY 12: Enjoy brunch at The Breakers-Flagler Steakhouse, West Palm Beach, Fla.

JANUARY 13: Network at the Naples Alumni Reception, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Fla. To learn more and to register, visit www.dental.upenn.edu/ events or call 215–898–8951.

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Alumni profile: Dr. Brigitte White, D’07: Using Social Media to Inform and Connect DID YOU KNOW that #kiwi is considered a #dental power food? High in calcium, it neutralizes acid in the mouth and boosts enamel defense. #brightwhitespc #dentist #dentistry #oralhealth #nutrition #funfact #tuesdaytrivia

That post is from the Instagram feed of Dr. Brigitte White (CGS’04, D’07), in which she provides a wide range of information on oral health, dental procedures, cosmetic options, and general wellness. Although not an internet native born into connectivity, cell phones, and social media, Dr. White has embraced the world of YouTube, Instagram, and hashtags to communicate more fully with her patients and followers.

In recent months, she has addressed dental fears (“Be sure to let your dental team know about your concerns so they can help get you on a positive path to better #oralcare”), teeth grinding (“A #dental nightguard can help prevent this pattern and relax your muscles overnight so you are even less likely to clench during the day”), and whitening (“There are 40 different #tooth shades and longer days mean more natural light to illuminate your brightest smile”), all posted with photographs and multiple hashtags.

When Dr. White graduated from Penn Dental Medicine, Twitter was in its infancy and Instagram was still three years from its launch. “I had millennial envy,” she says. “I had to teach myself a crash course in branding.” Although she had started blogging several years earlier, her experience has been particularly useful since she opened her practice, BrightWhites Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, in Alexandria Va., in 2017.

A native Philadelphian, Dr. White earned her B.A. in public policy and international affairs from Princeton University. After graduating from Penn Dental Medicine, she practiced for three years in Washington, D.C., where she met her husband, Aleksandar. At the same time, she was thinking about how to fulfill her dream of living in Europe. In September 2010, she and her husband decamped for the U.S. military base in Stuttgart, Germany, where for three years she practiced a wide range of general dentistry on military members, their families, and international military members such as NATO personnel.

When her family returned to Washington, D.C., she worked at Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, a non-profit, until starting her practice.

While living in Stuttgart, her now sixyear-old son Luka was born, prompting Dr. White to start what she called a “mommy” blog, writing mostly about raising a bilingual child. Over time, she saw a need for accurate information on oral care and started focusing more on dental health and general wellness.

One of her most popular posts was a 2015 YouTube video on baby oral care that garnered 26,000 views.

“The mommy market is my biggest reach, but I want to meet all my patients where they are,” she says, noting her oldest patient is 94. She says aspiring dental students and other providers have reached out

Dr. White has embraced social media to communicate more fully with her patients.

But while she believes social media is a positive tool to communicate with patients, as well as market her practice, she cautions that “it takes a lot of time to keep up.”

Meanwhile, despite her busy schedule running her practice and raising her son, Dr. White also has found time to self-publish a young adult novel and two children’s books, including “Making the Cut,” focused on oral health and featuring the characters Max, the BrightWhites, and Bacteria Billy, which is available on Amazon.

to her for information on how social media platforms “can be used in such a great way for community outreach, professional development and support.”

She also views social media as an opportunity to address the wide range of oral care products on the market today, while helping to dispel misinformation.

“There is so much misinformation on the information highway,” she says. “I feel I have to engage in social media as a tool to educate and properly inform people.”

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ALUMNIHIGHLIGHTS

Hygiene Alumni Join Full Alumni Association OKU Welcomes 2019 Inductees The Eta Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) at Penn Dental Medicine welcomed its newest inductees from the Class of 2019 during the School’s annual Senior Farewell, held May 14. Each year, the top 20% of the graduating class are eligible for induction to this national dental honor society. This year’s inductees included: Brian Carr, Casey DePauw, Sabrina Dorfman, Eliza Gowell, Catherine Graham, Brian Lee, Matthew Librach, Kathleen Mascardo, Puja Patel, Alexa Schweitzer, Katherine Shi, Abby Syverson, Timari Yow, and Alexandra Zega.

In addition, this year’s faculty inductee was Dr. Frank Setzer, Assistant Professor of Endodontics, and the honorary inductee was Dr. Bruce Shenker, Professor, Department of Basic & Translational Sciences. Annually, the OKU Chapter also presents the Kramer Award to a third-year student who exemplifies the academic and leadership qualities of the society; this year’s recipient was Catherine Wroclawski (D’20).

ABOVE: The Class of 2019 OKU inductees with some other OKU faculty and staff members

Estate Gift to Support Periodontics Postgraduates Postgraduate students within the Department of Periodontics now have a new scholarship resource thanks to a recent estate gift from a Penn Dental Medicine alumnus. The late Dr. Richard W. Marcus, a 1955 DMD graduate, named the School his beneficiary, leaving $1.8 million to establish an endowed fund.

The fund will provide scholarship opportunities for students pursuing postgraduate study in the School’s Department of Periodontics. Awards will begin with next year’s postgraduate application cycle.

With the goal of strengthening ties and engagement among all Penn Dental Medicine alumni, the Penn Dental Medicine Dental Hygiene Association has merged with the School’s full alumni society. The Dental Hygiene Alumni Association voted on and approved this change at its annual meeting held during Penn Dental Medicine’s Alumni Weekend 2019 in May.

As part of that meeting, Dr. Eric Spieler (D’84), President of the Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Society, welcomed the dental hygiene alumni to the Society and noted that the group’s bylaws now state that all dental hygiene graduates are automatic members.

“We want very much for our dental hygiene alumni to be involved in all aspects of the School going forward, and this merger will help support that goal,” says Judith Zack Bendit (DH’81), former President of the Dental Hygiene Alumni Association. “We appreciate the commitment of the dental school administration to the vital role of dental hygiene alumni.”

Presently, the dental hygiene alumni are represented on the Alumni Society Executive Committee by Judith Zack Bendit (DH’81) and Ann Eshenaur Spolarich (DH’82); Charlene Jennings Fenster (DH’75) was a long-time member of Executive Committee, serving as Vice President before recently moving from that role to become part of the Dean’s Council.

The Committee will continue to solicit nominations of other dental hygiene alumni. Penn Dental Medicine had a dental hygiene program of instruction from 1922 through the 1980’s and has approximately 1,400 living graduates.

ABOVE: Hygiene alumni (left to right) Ann Eshenaur Spolarich (DH’82), Charlene Jennings Fenster (DH’75), Judith Zack Bendit (DH’81), and Elisabeth McClellan Peebles (DH’59) with Dean Mark Wolff at Alumni Weekend 2019.

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ALUMNI-STUDENT NETWORKING EVENT On September 12, Penn Dental Medicine alumni, residents, faculty, and students gathered at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia to expand their professional networks. This event provided an opportunity to connect our mentor volunteers with current students. Over 250 people were in attendance for this annual fall event.

INDUSTRY EVENTS — ALUMNI RECEPTIONS The Office of Institutional Advancement hosted alumni receptions at industry events around the country and world — from Chicago to Vienna.

AAOM in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 23

AAPD in Chicago, Illinois on May 25

NDA in Washington, DC on July 19

IADR in Vancouver, Canada on June 20.

ESE in Vienna, Austria on September 13

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ALUMNIHIGHLIGHTS ALUMNI WEEKEND 2019 Penn Dental Medicine welcomed alumni back to campus May 17–18 for Alumni Weekend 2019. This was the reunion year for classes ending in “4” or “9”. Save the date for Alumni Weekend 2020, May 15–16!

Get away with Penn Dental Medicine!

JOIN US IN BONAIRE! HARBOR BEACH VILLAGE

JOIN US IN VAIL! MANOR VAIL LODGE

First Alumni Scuba Trip

Annual Alumni Ski Trip

Hear Recognized Speakers, Earn 6 CDE Credits www.dental.upenn.edu/scuba

Hear Recognized Speakers, Earn 9 CDE Credits www.dental.upenn.edu/ski

FEBRUARY 7-10, 2020

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MARCH 4-8, 2020

CLASSNOTES

NEWS FROM FELLOW ALUMNI

1970s Linda Cook (DH’78) retired after working for 30 years as an attorney for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

After graduating from Penn, Linda practiced as a dental hygienist for just a few years before earning a Juris Doctor in 1984. She is enjoying a relaxed lifestyle in south Florida.

Richard James Moses II (D’72) enjoys Civil War reenacting with his wife. He portrays a Civil War era dentist and displays an officer’s haversack with an approximation of the Penn Dental Medicine seal and the inscription of the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery from 1852.

Benjamin Iuvone (D’74) works limited hours in private practice alongside his son, Anthony. He enjoys exercising, traveling, and spending time with his family, including four children and five grandchildren. He recently celebrated 45 years of marriage to his wife, Roseann.

Leslie Stetzer Finkelstein (DH’79) has been married to Aaron Finklestein for 40 years. They have three sons and seven grandchildren!

Nancy Hilma Bevacqui (DH’79) is residing at the Jersey Shore just south of Sandy Hook. She just celebrated her 40th active year in dental hygiene private practice. She is the proud mother of two daughters and is soon to be blessed with her fourth grandchild.

Robert J. Decidue (D’88) was honored as the D. Walter Cohen, DDS, and Claire H. Reichlin Professor of Dental Biosciences at Thomas Jefferson University.

Shari Sparkler Karpo (DH’79) has been working at Dentistry @1818 Market St. for the last 25 years. She has been married to Alan for 39 years. Her son, Brandon, was married on January 27, 2018, and she became a first-time grandmother to Luca on April 9, 2019.

1980s Five of the dual-trained dental specialists of the Amsterdam Dental Group were named Top Dentists of 2019 by Philadelphia Magazine. Prosthodontists Harold Baumgarten (D’77), Howard Fraiman (D’91, GD’93, GD’94), Jeffrey Ingber (GD’71, GD’72), and Brian Kasten (D’13, GD’17) were recognized.

Dr. Caleb Cross (D’11, GD’15) was also recognized for his work in Cosmetic Dentistry.

Jim Hudson (D’82), Egidio Farone (D’84), and David Pitman (D’86) met up at the Penn Club during the American College of Dentists meeting.

Keira Ginsberg, daughter of Jeffrey Ginsberg (D’81), started her specialty residency in Pediatric Dentistry at Colorado Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado this July. Congratulations!

A few members of the Class of 1989 were unable to make it down to Philadelphia for Alumni Weekend, but that didn’t stop them from having their own reunion! Pictured: Mark Koncki, Sheryl Zeligson, Adam Goodman (D’89), Lisa (Minnig) Muff (D’89), Nancy Jacobson (D’89), Neil Hoss (D’89), Tracy Sulc (D’89), Liz Merkler (D’89), Terri Hoss, and Not pictured: Marc Gutt (D’89)

1990s James H. Doundoulakis (D’82) was recently elected as General Chairman of the Greater New York Dental Meeting, where he served for the last five years as Chairman of the Implant Program.

The class of 1999’s 20th reunion committee members, Susan Propoggio Vigliante (D’99), Caryn Siegel Finley (D’99), and Andy Shur (D’99), presented Dr. Jeffrey B. Alifanz (D’77) with the coveted “Professor Impact Award” during their 20th Reunion Celebration dinner at the Continental on May 17, 2019.

Eric Stoopler (D’99, GD’02) attended the US Open Tennis Championship in August with his wife. He cheered on the athletes in his Penn Dental Medicine sweatshirt.

2000s Joshua Bresler (GD’05) was inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists USA Section for his “conspicuous service rendered in the art and science of Dentistry.”

Dr. Luis J. Fujimoto (D’90, GD’93) was invested as a Knight of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta.

He was also elected President-Elect of the Academy of Dentistry International.

He also serves as the President of the American Association of Dental Boards and the President-Elect of the New York County Dental Society (NYCDS).

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 37

CLASSNOTES

2010s

South Jersey Magazine named Matthew Venuto (D’11) a Top Dentist for 2019, the second consecutive year he has received this honor for General Dentistry.

Natalie Laucius (D’14) and Jonathan DiFabio celebrated their marriage on May 26 in New Hampshire. In attendance were several other Penn Dental Medicine grads, Kristin Santroch (D’14), Eunice Lee (D’15), Fred Chen (D’14), and Tina Chou (D’16).

Submit a Class Note to www.dental.upenn.edu/classnotes Or, you can send your submissions to:

Katherine Shi (D’19) recently won the coveted Charles R. Morris student research award from the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (AAOMR), presented at its annual session in August, for her project, “Threedimensional standardization for the segmentation and quantification of the nasal airway-ITK-SNAP CBCT study.”

Robert Schattner Center Penn Dental Medicine Office of Institutional Advancement 240 South 40th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104–6030

Katherine conducted the study with Dr. Mel Mupparapu (D’96) Professor of Clinical Oral Medicine, while she was a student at Penn Dental Medicine. She is currently an endodontics resident at Tufts University, but stopped by the school to visit Dr. Mupparapu (left) and Dean Mark Wolff (right) while in Philadelphia for the AAOMR Annual Session.

SHARE YOUR NEWS

SMILE. The Future is in Your Plans.

Penn Dental Medicine is a leader in education. Since its inception, the School has invested in educating the best and brightest students, along with expanding innovations in research and patient care.

Plan a bequest today and continue this tradition. Consider including Penn Dental Medicine as part of your estate planning. Naming the School as a beneficiary of your will or trust, or as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy are easy yet powerful ways to ensure Penn Dental Medicine remains the leader in oral health eduction, patient care, and discovery.

DEN Ad Fall 2019 revised 9.16.19.indd 1

38 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU

A FEW WORDS ARE ALL THAT IS NEEDED. Contact us for specific language.

Elizabeth Ketterlinus Vice Dean Penn Dental Medicine Office of Institutional Advancement 215.898.3328 ekett@upenn.edu www.powerofpenn.upenn.edu/gift-planning

9/20/2019 2:00:49 PM

INMEMORIAM

REMEMBERING MEMBERS OF THE PENN DENTAL MEDICINE COMMUNITY

Jean Geiger Christie (DH’43) Grove City, PA August 22, 2019

Russel H. Bernd, Jr. (D’53) Clearwater Beach, FL May 1, 2019

Donald B. Lurie (GD’59) Shrewsbury,PA March 10, 2019

Bronley L. Walker (D’70) York, PA March 21, 2019

Harry S. Galblum (D’43) Bethesda, MD May 8, 2019

Mark S. Tome (D’53) Hanover, PA August 2, 2019

T. John McNeill (D’59) Princeton, NJ March 12, 2019

John C. Gentile (D’72) Peoria, AZ January 21, 2018

Mary Flanagan Hornish (DH’46) Milford, CT August 3, 2019

ErrikosConstant (D’54) Okemos, MI February 8, 2019

Edwin R. Hatch (GD’60) Villa Rica, GA January 1, 2019

William J. Wentz (D’72) Santa Rosa Beach, FL March 3, 2019

Rita Helen D’Alexander (DH’49) Shenandoah, PA July 16, 2019

John L. McCabe (D’54) Pineville, NC January 25, 2019

Richard T. Secord (D’61) South Tamworth, NH September 18, 2018

Peter Brothman (GD’77) Bala Cynwyd, PA April 13, 2019

Helen Durol Shields (DH’49) Denver, CO December 30, 2018

Thomas A. Fosnocht (D’55) Royersford, PA April 16, 2019

Alan H. Cooper (D’64) Hamden, CT June 17, 2019

Kenneth L. Reichard (D’77) Kingston, PA February 14, 2019

C. Donald McLean (D’50) Macungie, PA May 6, 2019

Alvin Eller (D’56) Seattle, WA March 1, 2018

Joel R. Goldberg (D’64) Denver, CO December 1, 2018

Bonnie L. Hageman (DH’81) Scotch Plains, NJ June 25, 2019

Bruce L. Malcolm (D’51) Easley, SC February 26, 2019

William W. Weiss, Jr. (D’56) Lake Worth, FL July12, 2019

William E. Jacoby, Jr. (D’64) Ridgewood, NJ June 2, 2018

Lawrence D. Singer (D’96) Alexandria, VA April 10, 2019

Irwin L. Marcus (GD’51) Burlingame, CA April 15, 2018

Warren Gray (D’57) Delray Beach, FL March 8, 2019

Morton A. Langsfeld III (D’64) Meadowbrook, PA August 19, 2019

Anne R. Morrey (DH’51) North Chesterfield, VA July 31, 2019

Joseph Stock (D’57) New York, NY June 28, 2019

Martin I. Richmond (D’64) Lake Worth, FL March 13, 2019

Marshall D. Vaughters (D’51) Audubon, PA June 25, 2019

Gilbert Shuster (D’58) Millville, NJ May 3, 2019

Joel E. Abraham (D’66) Woodcliff Lake, NJ March 29, 2018

Wistar B. Paist (D’52) Emmaus, PA March 24, 2019

Mary Gower Troisi (DH’58) Glenside, PA October 23, 2018

Edward M. Knights (D’69) Conroe, TX March 31, 2019

NOTABLE PENN DENTAL MEDICINE FACULTY Roy S. Feldman North Miami, FL March 8, 2019

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE JOURNAL | FALL 2019 39

2019/2020CALENDAR UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS

NOVEMBER

JANUARY (CONT.)

MARCH (CONT.)

MAY

NOVEMBER 22–23, 2019

JANUARY 13, 2020

MARCH 14, 2020

MAY 2, 2020

CDE: Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Analgesia Certification Penn Dental Medicine

Naples Alumni Reception The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, FL

CDE: Ameloblastoma Symposium Smilow Center for Translational Research, Philadelphia, PA

American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Alumni Reception Atlanta, GA

JANUARY 31, 2020

DECEMBER DECEMBER 2, 2019 CDE: Penn Perspective: A Day of CDE at GNYDM Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Greater NY Dental Meeting Alumni Reception The Penn Club of New York Greater NY Young Alumni After-Party Stout Flagship, New York, NY

MARCH 17, 2020 Yankee Dental Meeting Alumni Reception Westin Boston Waterfront, Boston, MA

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 7–10, 2020 CDE: Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Scuba Trip Harbor Beach Village, Bonaire

CDE: American Academy of Cariology 4th Annual Conference Washington, DC

Tax Talk Penn Dental Medicine DECEMBER 6–8, 2019 Penn Endo Global Symposium Suzhou, China

JANUARY

Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Pop-up Reception Chicago, IL

MARCH

MAY 14, 2020

IADR/AADR/CADR Joint Session Alumni Reception Washington, DC

Research Day Penn Dental Medicine

Academy of Osseointegration (AO) Alumni Reception Seattle, WA

JANUARY 11, 2020 CDE featuring Dr. Rodrigo Neiva, Chair, Department of Periodontics Boca Raton, FL JANUARY 12, 2020 West Palm Beach Alumni Brunch The Breakers-Flagler Steakhouse, West Palm Beach, FL

40 WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU

APRIL APRIL 1, 2020 American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Alumni Reception Nashville, TN

MAY 15–16, 2020 Alumni Weekend 2020 Penn Dental Medicine MAY 18, 2020 Commencement Penn Dental Medicine

JUNE

MARCH 4–8, 2020

APRIL 19–25, 2020

JUNE 5–6, 2019

CDE: Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Ski Trip Manor Vail Lodge, Vail, CO

National Prosthodontics Awareness Week (NPAW) Penn Dental Medicine

CDE: Dentistry 2020: Comprehensive Dentistry in Focus Penn Dental Medicine

MARCH 5, 2020

APRIL 23, 2020

Valley Forge Dental Conference Alumni Reception Valley Forge, PA

American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) Alumni Reception Orlando, FL

JANUARY 7–9, 2020 Penn Endo Global Symposium Tel Aviv, Israel

Senior Farewell The Bellevue, Philadelphia, PA

MARCH 19, 2020

FEBRUARY 20, 2020 DECEMBER 4, 2019

MAY 12, 2020

MARCH 13, 2020 Penn OMFS Alumni & Friends Reunion Jordan Education Center, Philadelphia, PA

APRIL 23–25, 2020 Penn Endo Global Symposium Vilnius, Lithuania APRIL 24–25, 2020 CDE: NPAW Symposium and Hands-on Micro Prosthodontics Course Penn Dental Medicine

Learn More...

Visit www.dental.upenn.edu/events or call 215–898–8951 for information on alumni events.

Visit www.dental.upenn.edu/cde or call 215–573–6841 for information on continuing dental education programs.

PENN DENTAL MEDICINE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2019–2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Eric Spieler, D’84 President Members-at-Large Deena Alani, D’13 Pam Alberto, D’80 Judith Zack Bendit, DH’81 Hope Berman, C’77, D’83 L. Bui, D’18 Jennifer Caughey, D’19 Larry Chacker, D’85 Scott Chanin, D’83 Stefani L. Cheung, C’08, D’11 Gail Speigel Cohen, C’76, D’80 Keith Dunoff, D’84 Lee B. Durst-Roisman, D’83 Marshall J. Goldin, C’60, D’64 Alyssa Marlin Greenberger, D’02 Mark Guevarra, D’16, GD’18 Wendy Halpern, D’99,GD’02, GD’03 Sehe Han, D’18 JV Kracke, D’17, GD’19 Daniel Kubikian, D’01, GD’04, GD’05 Bernard Kurek, D’73, WMP’03 Bret Lesavoy, D’19 Rachel Levarek, D’11 Mana Mozaffarian, D’06 Ngozi Okoh, D’12 Michael B. Rulnick, D’74, GD’76 Trevan Samp, D’14 Joshua Simpson, D’16 Matt Sones, D’12 Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, DH’82 Steven Ureles, D’83 Gary Wegman, D’83 Michael Yasner, C’79, D’83, GD’84, GD’86

BOARD OF OVERSEERS

PDMJ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

William W.M. Cheung, D’81, GD’82, Chair, Power of Penn Dental Medicine Campaign Co-Chair Nancy Baker, Esq. Stanley M. Bergman, PAR ‘02 Sidney M. Bresler, Esq. Dirk Brunner Julie Charlestein Joanne Chouinard-Luth, D’79 Richard Copell, D’80 Teresa Dolan, DDS, MPH Matthew J. Doyle, PhD Patrik Eriksson C. Mitchell Goldman, WG’75, Esq. Anne E. Klamar, MD Anne L. Koch, D’77, GD’93 Haruo Morita Vincent Mosimann Lewis E. Proffitt, D’73, WG’80 Maria Ryan, DDS, PhD Ken Serota David Tai-Man Shen, D’79, GD’81, Power of Penn Dental Medicine Campaign Co-Chair Alfred L. Spencer, Jr. David S. Tarica, D’83 Larry L. Turner, Esq. Robert Zou, WG’94

Beth Adams Director of Publications

Ex Officio Members Martin D. Levin, D’72, GD’74, Chair, Dean’s Council Eric Spieler, D’84, President, Alumni Society

DEAN’S COUNCIL Martin D. Levin, D’72, GD’74, Chair Robert Brody, C’80, D’84 Egidio Farone, D’84 Joseph Fiorellini, DMD, DMSc Howard P. Fraiman, D’91, GD’93, GD’94 Joseph E. Gian-Grasso, C’67, D’71 Jeffrey Grove, D’04 Elliot Hersh, DMD, MS, PhD Charlene Jennings Fenster, DH’75 Anil J. Idiculla, C’98, GD’06 Brian Lee, D’00, GD’04 Saul M. Pressner, D’79 Howard Rosa, D’82 Louis Rossman, D’75, GD’77 Tony Saito, D’95 Gail E. Schupak, D’83 Tara Sexton, D’88 Robert M. Stern, D’87 Susan Stern, C’77, D’81 Arnold Weisgold, GD’65

Dr. Faizan Alawi Associate Professor, Basic & Translational Sciences Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Markus Blatz Professor of Restorative Dentistry Chair, Department of Preventive & Restorative Sciences Corky Cacas Director of Admissions Sarah Burton Flynn Director of Strategic Development & Alumni Relations Maren Gaughan Associate Dean for Leadership Giving Dr. Joan Gluch Division Chief and Professor of Clinical Community Oral Health, Associate Dean for Academic Policies Dr. Dana Graves Professor, Department of Periodontics Vice Dean for Research and Scholarship Elizabeth Ketterlinus Vice Dean of Institutional Advancement Dr. Robert Ricciardi Professor, Acting Chair, Department of Basic & Translational Sciences Susan Schwartz Director of Career Services Dr. Thomas Sollecito Professor of Oral Medicine Chair, Department of Oral Medicine

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Elizabeth Ketterlinus, ekett@upenn.edu Vice Dean of Institutional Advancement Maren Gaughan, gaughan@upenn.edu Associate Dean for Leadership Giving Sarah Burton Flynn sburton@upenn.edu Director of Strategic Development & Alumni Relations Lindsay Murphy, lhonzak@upenn.edu Assistant Director of Annual Giving Megan Connolly, megcon@upenn.edu Assistant Director of Development & Alumni Relations Events Yarrow Randall, yrandall@upenn.edu Development Assistant Beth Adams, adamsnb@upenn.edu Director, Publications

The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6106; or (215) 898–6993 (Voice) or (215) 898–7803 (TDD).

Pam Rice, pamrice@upenn.edu Director of Continuing Education Office of Institutional Advancement: 215–898–8951

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Robert Schattner Center University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine 240 South 40th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104–6030

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