In search of the “latest technology” to help with his dental concerns, Arthur Marcum met with University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) graduating fourth-year student Luis Mariusso to discuss his needs and ultimately receive a computer-aided dental implant. UKCD is investing heavily in advanced technology in order to incorporate digital dentistry best practices into both student dentist courses and dental clinics—improving both student learning and experience and overall patient satisfaction with treatment outcomes.
As part of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry’s (UKCD) annual Research Day, held in conjunction with the CCTS Spring Conference, Dr. Martha Somerman, director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), shared various insights with UKCD faculty and students before speaking at the conference.
One piece of safety equipment often ignored when purchasing sporting goods is the mouth guard. Each year, more than five million teeth are avulsed (come out of the socket) due to trauma. The cost to treat an avulsed tooth, over a lifetime, can range from $5,000 to $20,000. Not only do mouth guards reduce the possibility of dental injuries, they reduce the severity of injuries that do occur and the cost of care.
Forty years ago, after witnessing how some patients’ pain conditions did not improve after treatment, Dr. Jeffrey Okeson at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry abandoned the idea that adjusting a patient’s occlusion, the relationship between upper and lower teeth, should be the go-to method to resolve a patient’s facial pain. That decision, which led to the creation of the UK Orofacial Pain Clinic, will be celebrated at the annual UK Orofacial Pain Symposium later this week.
Being mentally and physically healthy enables students to perform at their peak. Oral health is often an aspect of health neglected during college years. To assist in improving the oral health, and overall health, of students, the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry will pilot a new service providing students at UK with easier access to select, no-cost dental care.
When pursuing a career in dentistry, should a student be considering specializing in a certain area, dental public health is generally not at the top of their list. However, for University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) student Tyler Sanslow, it has been top of mind since beginning his study of dentistry. Receiving a $10,000 Herschel S. Horowitz Scholarship recently will help him pursue his passion.
A lot can go unsaid between a physician and patient who share the same cultural background. Shared language and experiences can alleviate anxieties and help create a deeper connection between provider and patient. Students in the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry’s (UKCD) Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA), who serve the increasingly diverse patients at the Mission Lexington Inc. dental clinic, demonstrate this by providing care to the predominantly Spanish speaking patients they see each month.
During spring break 47 University of Kentucky students, faculty and community members will be spending their spring break in Santo Domingo, Ecuador on an interdisciplinary health brigade experience with Shoulder to Shoulder Global (STSG). The Centro de Salud Hombro a Hombro clinic (CSHH), the primary worksite for UK’s STSG volunteers, provides medical care, prevention services, oral health and school-based services to the community. The CSHH clinic opened its doors 10 years ago, as an initiative led Dr. Thomas Young, professor of pediatrics in the UK College of Medicine.
Educators at the University of Kentucky care about their students' success. At the UK College of Dentistry, that means helping prepare our future dentists to deliver leading edge, patient-centered care. Six University of Kentucky educators, including UKCD’s Dr. Gitanjali Pinto-Sinai, have been named a 2017 Great Teacher by the University of Kentucky Alumni Association. Dr. Pinto-Sinai, assistant professor in Restorative Dentistry, will be honored with her fellow award recipients, at the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award Recognition Dinner February 28, 2017.
Dr. Stephanos Kyrkanides, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, sends best wishes for 2017 and provides a brief update of UKCD renovations.