Making a Difference During an Unforgettable Year

The Covid 19 pandemic, and other major events throughout 2020 will always be remembered as a significant part of history.

At the onset, we were a bit surprised that a pandemic was occurring in the United States in the 21st century. Suddenly there was so much to think about, react to, and plan for.

Reflection over the last year reminds us that history repeats itself. George Eastman opened the Rochester Dental Dispensary in 1917 to help those facing barriers

“My grandmother [Dorothy D. Voorhees] recalled that her father [Dr. Burkhardt, pictured] soldiered on through the 1918 pandemic, though he wore a mask all the time and school was sometimes outside, even in winter.” - Richard D. Quodomine, Dr. Burkhardt’s great grandson. to dental care. We learned that the Dispensary stayed open to serve the community when the Flu pandemic hit the area in the fall of 1918.

Ever since then, serving the community and improving access to care is exactly what we’ve been doing, and this pandemic was no exception. Treating patients with infectious diseases is nothing new for oral health care providers. But with Covid-19, there was so much we didn’t know early on. The initial trepidation and uncertainty didn’t weaken the commitment and dedication of our staff, residents and faculty, who hit the ground running. We worked closely together and with URMC leadership to continue doing what we’ve always been leaders in: Treating patients. Educating. Gathering scientific evidence. Innovating. Breaking barriers. In this issue, you’ll find examples of all of these.

The Howitt Urgent Dental Care team triaged 80-100 patients a day, who traveled from 48 surrounding counties because care was unavailable elsewhere. Staying compliant with physical distancing, every EIOH department helped treat these emergency patients throughout the building during the shutdown. This was critical to help keep dental emergencies away from the hospital EDs. With the invaluable help of Keith Bullis, Dr. Jack Caton, Linda Lipani and her staff, faculty and course directors, we quickly transitioned to online education. Dr. Yanfang Ren worked with many to gather compelling evidence that provided sound solutions for patient and provider safety.

We organized and hosted a widely attended International Forum, led by Drs. Cyril Meyerowitz and Yanfang Ren, where oral health leaders around the world gathered virtually in real time to learn from each other’s unique experiences and discuss ways to safely treat patients and engage in meaningful research. More than 1800

in real time. We’re delighted to share that we’re expanding our alliance to include another Institute near and dear to George Eastman, who gave $200,000 in 1929 to build and equip a Dental Department at Meharry Medical College.

None of this would be possible without the wonderful support of the EDC Foundation Board, the individuals and corporations who support us financially, our friends at home and abroad who donated PPE during the early weeks when supplies

Keeping patients safe through physical distancing and a separate triage area with our SMILEmobile and tents.

people tuned in from around the world to learn from experts from five different countries.

Holly Barone and Courtney Speers and their team were onsite daily to efficiently and swiftly address the numerous challenges of clinic operations. With a large percentage of EIOH employees furloughed, we managed with a skeleton crew, greatly reducing expenses to help offset the lost clinical revenue.

While some basic science research was put on hold, other research continued, even getting creative at the curbside. For optimal patient care, we established a Teledentistry Division, led by Dr. Sean McLaren, and developed our own Dental Assistant Training Program, led by the General Dentistry Department, to help alleviate shortages.

Despite the daily challenges, we continued to advance initiatives in other areas. Eastman Institute for Oral Health now ranks 7th in NIDCR funding, up from ninth the previous year. We’ve hosted several Eastman International Alliance Global Rounds, where residents and faculty from each institute continue to share and discuss each other’s complex specialty cases Eli Eliav, DMD, MSc, PhD

Professor & Director, EIOH Vice Dean for Oral Health, School of Medicine & Dentistry Vice President for Oral Health, University of Rochester Medical Center were low, and Patrick Royce, who worked tirelessly to establish supplier partnerships to procure diminishing supplies.

I’ve never been more proud to work alongside such a group of dedicated, talented professionals as I have at EIOH and URMC. Together, thanks to the teamwork and leadership throughout Eastman Institute for Oral Health and the University of Rochester Medical Center, we continue to be ever better. ♦

Experts from five countries and seven universities discussed the impact of COVID 19 in real time in early May. Each shared their unique COVID 19 experiences, including the pandemic’s impact, safety measures and research opportunities.

Grateful for the many friends around the world who donated PPE during the time when they were needed most: Peking University School of Stomatology; Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital; Qingdao Hospital of Stomatology; Yinchuan Hospital of Stomatology; Henan University College of Medicine School of Stomatology; Henan University Sath Hospital of Stomatology; Zenni Optical; iHealth Labs.

BREAKING BARRIERS

Some 100 patients from 48 different counties traveled to Eastman Dental for emergency dental treatment during the pandemic, keeping hospital emergency departments less burdened.

EIOH Specialty Care Director Dr. Wayne Lipschitz and his team were able to help patients with developmental disabilities who experienced emergencies during the pandemic, and are normally treated in the operating room, which were closed for several weeks.

EDUCATION

Dr. Cynthia Wong (Pedo ‘13, MS ’16), associate professor and program director, EIOH Pediatric Dentistry, participated in UR’s Warner School of Education’s Advanced Series in Online Teaching for Faculty, designed to help those transitioning courses to an online format. “The pandemic hit us midsemester, and it was a great opportunity to bring the knowledge we learned to immediate use. The support from the faculty at the Warner School also helped us rapidly transition to full online teaching.”

“Thanks to the various technological advancements made available to us at URMC (zoom, online learning and everything in between) we were able to transition to this new norm in a seamless manner. I am grateful to be able to continue learn, serve patients and work towards my Orthodontics career despite the pandemic.” – Dr. Francesca Pietri (Ortho ’21)

INNOVATION

Top & Bottom: To prevent a lapse in treatment during the pandemic, EIOH NAM (nasoalveolor molding) experts Drs. Shope and Yanez treated baby Elijah, born with a cleft lip and palate, at the curbside.

Left: EIOH was able to continue some research during the pandemic by gathering samples at the curbside. Dr. Nisreen Al Jallad (GenDen ’21) collects a saliva sample for a study that is exploring a link between yeast and the onset of early childhood caries.

Dental Hygienist Vicky Thomas painted words of encouragement on small rocks and gave them to patients and staff during the pandemic.

Each patient was thoroughly screened before entering the building.

Air filters were quickly placed throughout patient areas to minimize aerosols.

SAFETY

Left: "I always felt comfortable in the clinic, because Eastman Dental always ensured safety for providers and patients.” – Elzbieta Hindman, Dental Assistant

Right: The pandemic changed PPE requirements, as Dental Assistant Patricia Kaufman demonstrates.

EIOH partnered with the City of Rochester to distribute toothpaste and toothbrushes at five meal distribution locations. Before (and after) the shutdown and universal masking protocol, our team at Eastman Dental Downtown stood ready to serve the Rochester community.

EIOH’s leadership and community service garnered much media attention throughout the pandemic.

Thanks to Dr. Bill Calnon (GPR ‘79), president of the EDC Foundation Board, who surprised front line EIOH workers with delicious snacks and a huge thank you!

Some of the pediatric dentistry residents enjoyed safely visiting one of the region’s favorite attractions.

GPR’s safe holiday celebration included food and gifts delivered to residents, followed by a Zoom party

EIOH Director Dr. Eliav and Chief Operations Officer Holly Barone distributed holiday cookies with their appreciation for the hard work this year.

ONE YEAR LATER

EIOH faculty, staff and residents joined the entire University in a moment of silence to reflect on the year's sadness for the lives lost, the challenges overcome together as a community, and the hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The majority of faculty, staff and residents have been vaccinated.