In Fall 2024, Dr. Gitanjali Pinto-Sinai, Division of Prosthodontics, served as the course director for HHS 450: Introduction to Dentistry as part of her joint appointment with the College of Health Sciences. The course is offered by the College of Health Sciences to undergraduate students with an interest in exploring dentistry as a career.

Dr. Pinto-Sinai, who previously participated in this course as a content expert, said,"The opportunity was ripe for intercollegiate as well as interdivisional collaboration within the College of Dentistry."

In addition to Dr. Pinto-Sinai, faculty from several divisions provided lectures in their areas of expertise exposing the students to a substantial breadth of dental knowledge:

•  Dr. Cindy Beeman (Orthodontics)
•  Dr. Rodrigo Fuentealba (Prosthodontics)
•  Dr. Thamer Musbah (Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine, Oral Radiology)
•  Dr. Samela Pereira (Prosthodontics)
•  Dr. Mark Schachman (Endodontics)
•  Dr. Ron Singer (Dental Public Health)
•  Dr. Pam Stein (Dental Public Health)

UKCD Alum ’18, Dr. Spencer Wright, Zoomed from Bowling Green, KY and gave the students a virtual tour of his office while sharing his journey to independent dental practice ownership (Wright Dental Studio).
 
The students spent an evening in D611 participating in activities that supplemented material they had learned didactically. Dr. Regis Scheffel (Prosthodontics) demonstrated his love for all things esthetic as he led the group in creating a multilayered composite work of art, root to incisal edge, while Dr. Schachman had them reaming and filing a plastic tooth and completing a root canal. Dr. Fuentealba provided a full tour and demonstration of the digital technology available in dentistry and the students left with a 3D-printed mini denture as a souvenir.
 
The class enrollment this year was higher than is typical with 26 students.

"The intention is to continue to have a positive impact on the career choices of undergraduate students and to grow the connection with the College of Health Sciences," said Pinto-Sinai .

At the conclusion of the course, Emma Malaway, HHS 450 student and future UKCD Class of 2029, had this to say about her experience: "I am sad that this class is over, as it was my favorite class I have taken in all of college. It gave me a real-life glimpse into my future as a dental provider and kept my interest every week. Thank you, Dr. Pinto for a great class and for inspiring the next generation of future dentists."