Dean's Message

Dear students, faculty, alumni, staff and friends,

The word "impact" has been coming up often in my daily life and conversations as of late.

One cannot tour the new, state-of-the-art pediatric dentistry clinic, made possible by the generosity of the Wilson Family Foundation and the Bloomfield family, without thinking about the positive effect that clinic will have on the oral health of the children living in LA's Westside communities.

In addition to the direct impact we have on improving oral health through our patient care and community service activities, the UCLA School of Dentistry makes an impact in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship, resulting in economic benefits to the greater Los Angeles region. Dr. Kathryn Atchison, who in addition to her faculty appointment in Dentistry heads the UCLA Office of Intellectual Property Administration, recently reported that 19 School of Dentistry inventors are credited with 21 patent filings in FY07 and two start-up companies in the past two years. (You can learn more about UCLA's impact on the economy here.)

On Monday, May 5, 2008, Dr. Gregory Prince, DDS '73, PhD '75, president and CEO of Virion Systems, Inc., talked to us all about the importance of choosing a research path that, if fruitful, would have an impact not only on the world of science, but on the world at large. As this message comes from a man whose work has saved the lives of more than one million at-risk infants, it is not only sage but proven advice that I hope our many students just launching their research careers will follow.

Looking ahead to the commencement of the Class of 2008, my thoughts turn to the impact that our invited speaker, Dr. Paul Goldhaber, has had on our profession. Admired for both his scholarship and his leadership, Dr. Goldhaber was one of the first dental medicine researchers to publish in major scientific journals, and during his long career served as dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and president of both the American and International Associations of Dental Research.

I believe the future success of the UCLA School of Dentistry will be measured by the impact we have on Los Angeles, California, and the world. I urge all of you to take inspiration from the role models above--and then make an impact that is all your own.

Sincerely,

Dean No-Hee Park, DMD, PhD

New Chapter for the Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center

School, donors, civic leaders and local community dedicate expanded and renovated clinic, celebrate launch of community-based pediatric dentistry residency program

Project made possible by generous gifts from longtime clinic supporters

A few years ago, Dean No-Hee Park approached Bob and Marion Wilson, longstanding donors to the School of Dentistry, to discuss his plans for a new pediatric dentistry wing at the Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center that would serve as the home of a new community-based pediatric dentistry residency program. Immediately, Bob and Marion knew they wanted to make this plan a reality. They enlisted the support of fellow donor Peggy Bloomfield as well as that of their son, Tom Wilson, president of Duckett-Wilson Development Company, who assumed the role of project manager and retained the services of architecture firm (M)Arch. and contractor Kasper Construction, Inc.

The approximately 1,500-square-foot addition to the UCLA Dental Center consists of a waiting room, four open operatories, three closed operatories, a supply closet, a reception desk and a charting area. The donors also improved the existing facility by re-designing the landscape, painting the building, and making improvements to the parking lot.

In turn, this inspired the School to invest in painting the interior patient care areas and the fence surrounding the property, improving the upstairs office space, updating the main waiting room and conference room and, at the suggestion of the architects, improving the exterior signage and adding graphical elements to both the exterior and interior spaces.

In addition, A-dec, a longstanding corporate benefactor of the School, donated four new pediatric dental chairs.

To officially unveil the new wing and the improvements to the preexisting building, the UCLA School of Dentistry proudly hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community oral health fair on April 12, 2008.

Faculty and Students Shine at the California Dental Association Convention

Honors for Carol Bibb and Don Fisher

Classes of '73 and '78 vie for attendance record

Top prize for Rick Rauth

It gets bigger every year! More than 400 UCLA School of Dentistry alumni, faculty, staff and students gathered Saturday, May 3, 2008 for the annual Alumni Reunion Luncheon. Carol Bibb, DDS '78, professor of oral medicine and associate dean of student affairs, was honored with the title of Alumnus of the Year. In addition, emeritus professor Donald Fisher, who has taught at the School of Dentistry since it was founded, was recognized as the Honorary Alumnus of the Year.

Outside the banquet hall, events were no less momentous. For the first time in recent memory, a UCLA student, Rick Rauth, took first prize in the convention's clinic table competition. Congratulations, Rick!

Scholarship Support Makes a Difference

Students and donors gather for annual recognition ceremony

UCLA School of Dentistry students are among the best-qualified and hardest-working students in the nation. Fortunately, several committed donors provide scholarship support to encourage them in their rigorous course of study.

Awards, Honors & Activities

For the first time in the history of the oral biology master's degree program, three incoming students, Martha Elizabet Arellano-Garcia, Theodore Ko, and Katherine Loi, have been awarded the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship Program Scholarship for their first year of their study.

Megan Arman, Kimberly Quilao, Jane Refela and Dr. Todd Schoenbaum attended the California Association of General Dentists (AGD) Student Leadership Conference on April 6, 2008. There they met with the association president Dr. Yolanda Mangrum and other student representatives from other California Dental Schools to discuss leadership opportunities, pre-doctoral student activities, and applying for fellowships. In turn, they will share what they learned with fellow members of the UCLA chapter of the Student AGD club.

Sydon Arroyo '08 won an award from American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Kathryn Atchison has been awarded the Behavioral, Epidemiologic and Health Services Research Award by the International Association for Dental Research (IADR). This award is one of the 16 IADR Distinguished Scientists Awards, and is one of the highest honors bestowed by the organization.

George W. Bernard was named 2007 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Bernard also has been named a Fellow of the American Association of Anatomists.

Second-year residents David Berrios and Midori Tachibana received a research award at this year’s American Association of Endodontists (AAE) meeting in Vancouver. This is the first ever award of its kind given to UCLA Endodontics residents. UCLA School of Dentistry alumna Weilin Shih, Class of 2006, also was the recipient of an AAE award. Dr. Shih is currently completing an endodontics residency at the University of Pennsylvania.

Isaac Chong represented the UCLA School of Dentistry at a college and career fair at George Washington Carver Middle School on Wednesday, February 27, 2008.

Nadia Chugal, Kenneth Trabert and Mo Kang served as session moderators at the AAE meeting. Drs. Chugal and Kang served as members of the judging panel for resident research awards.

James Crall is the project director of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Head Start Dental Home Initiative which launched in Washington, D.C. on February 28, 2008. In the role of project director, Dr. Crall will oversee all aspects of this initiative and provide overall direction for project implementation. The ultimate goal of this project is to help local Head Start and Early Head Start programs secure quality dental homes for children enrolled in their programs. In addition, Dr. Crall served on the project advisory committee for the most recent edition of "Bright Futures in Practice: Oral Health," a publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Crall also is heading a new Leadership Roundtable Series funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration/Maternal Child Health Bureau's Leadership Training Center.

UCLA Endodontics held an alumni reception at the AAE meeting in Vancouver.

Charlene Flowers has completed the UC system's Management Skills Assessment Program (MSAP) for staff.

Neal Garrett  has been awarded the Research in Prosthodontics and Implants Award by the International Association for Dental Research (IADR). This award is one of the 16 IADR Distinguished Scientists Awards, and is one of the highest honors bestowed by the organization.  In addition, Dr. Garrett was recently installed as an Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Prosthodontics, only the eighth person to be so recognized in the 90-year history of the group which is the oldest specialty organization in prosthetic dentistry.

Melanie Gironda and Karen Lefever received an award from the American Society on Aging which, in collaboration with Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, annually recognizes outstanding programs and services that enhance health-related quality of life in older adults. Drs. Gironda and Lefever were recognized for their work on "preparing dental professionals to identify and respond to elder abuse and neglect."

Susan Haake was honored by the American Association of Periodontists with the 2008 Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontics Award.

Dental student Bryan Houlberg is looking forward to publication in the Journal of Dental Education in June 2008.

Guillermina Gaeta Huizar has been selected to participate in the UCLA Staff Enrichment Program.

Malieka Johnson participated in the UCLA Run/Walk 5K on April 13.

Mo Kang was invited to attend the first ever “emerging leader workshop” sponsored by the AAE to nurture future generation of leaders in the specialty of endodontics.

Carl Maida serves as the chair of the UCLA Sustainability Committee. Ichiro Nishimura is a committee member, and is particularly interested in finding ways to make the Weintraub Center sustainable.

Aaron Molen, head orthodontic resident, presented at conferences in Westlake Village, CA and Herradura Bay, Costa Rica this past February.

Pauli Nuttle was selected to receive the 2008 GSA James Lu Valle Distinguished Service Award. The purpose of the GSA James LuValle Distinguished Service Awards is to acknowledge faculty, staff and administrators who have served the needs of graduate students above and beyond what is expected. The Award is named after James LuValle, the first Graduate Students Association President, for his service and dedication in forming the UCLA GSA.

Eleanor Paray attended the UCLA Academic Business Officers Group (ABOG) meeting April 6-9 in La Jolla to celebrate 40 years of networking and system-wide communication.  This annual event, hosted by the Academic Business Officers Group (ABOG)  serves as a forum for department managers to discuss emerging issues, exchange information on policies and practices, and provide informed feedback to higher levels of administration.

Neilesh Patel '08 was one of three recipients of UCLA's Charles E. Young Humanitarian Award presented May 7, 2008. Neil was honored for his work founding and running Healthcare Volunteer, a non-profit organization that connects medical and dental professionals with volunteering opportunities in the U.S. and around the world.

UCLA School of Dentistry alumnus Mark A. Reber and his partner Delwin R. Hemingway have won two prestigious dental industry awards:  “Dental Office Design of the Year 2007-2008” and “Best Integration of High Technology in a Dental Office.” Take a virtual tour of their office here.

On April 11, 2008, Marcela Romero Reyes received the 2008 Research Grant Award from the American Academy of Orofacial Pain for her project entitled "Involvement of Glia in Orofacial Pain."

Steve Shaevel and his wife represented Southern California at World Kidney Day March 13, 2008 in Washington, DC. There, they served as two of a total of 22 patient advocates in Capitol Hill meetings with senators and congresspersons.

Vivek Shetty was an invited presenter at the recent "Neurological Effects of Blast Injury" workshop organized by the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.  The special NIH-sponsored workshop recruited a select group of academic and military researchers to address the issue of traumatic brain injury--the signature injury of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rick Valdivia skied "Dentist's Way" on Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon in February.

The University of Athens in Greece will present Stuart White with an honorary Doctorate of Odontology in June.

David Wong and his co-investigators Wei Lao and Fang Wei have received a 2008 International Association for Dental Research/Glaxo SmithKline Innovation in Oral Care Award for “SPITDX: A Universal Platform for Salivary Biomarker Detection.” This research project aims to develop a universal platform, where salivary biomarkers associated with disease phenotypes can be rapidly detected in under five minutes. This platform will allow scientific results to be transferred faster, allowing patients who suffer from oral and systemic diseases to be notified sooner and receive the most informative diagnostics.

Spring Break in Japan

Annual cultural and educational exchange made possible by the generosity of Susumu Miyata

During spring break, Drs. Christine Quinn and Lawrence Wolinsky accompanied ten UCLA dental students on a twelve-day cultural exchange visit to Japan.  The group was hosted by Chairman Miyata and distinguished members of the faculty and dental students from Meikai and Asahai Universities. The UCLA group had a unique chance to experience the beauty and wonderful history of Japan. They visited numerous museums, temples and sights (Tokyo Fish Market was a group favorite).  The were able to view the modern facilities at the dental schools and get a firsthand experience of what dental training in Japan is like. The students enjoyed the time they shared with their Japanese student hosts, particularly the exciting nightlife in Tokyo and Gifu.

New Grants

Funding from federal and private sources supports the quest for new knowledge with the power to transform clinical practice

David Wong has received a two-year NIH/NIDCR R21 grant of $381,150 for the "Collection, Stabilization and Storage of Saliva Samples for Cancer Research," and a five-year NIH/NIDCR R01 grant of $1,848,000 for the study of "Salivary Biomarkers for Early Oral Cancer Detection."

The NIH/NIDCR has awarded a five-year, $1,732,500 grant to Cun-Yu Wang for the study of the "Inhibition of Bone Formation by TNF/NF Kappa B Signaling."

Tara Aghaloo, who is studying "The Role of Nell-1 and BMP-2 in critical sized rat cranial defects," has received a grant of $54,750 from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation.

Daniel Fife, a resident working under the mentorship of Sue Haake, has been awarded a $22,000 grant by the American Association of Endodontists Foundation to study "Fusobacterium nucleatum in Endodontic infections."

The American Association of Endodontists Foundation has awarded a two-year, $20,000 grant to Mo Kang for the study of the "Role of Bmi-1 in Regulation of Dental Pulp Stem Cell."

Renate Lux and her co-investigator Wenyuan Shi have received $15,434 from PNNL, Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest Division in support of "Expansion and Improvement of NMR Compatible biofilm Model."

Ha0-Fu Lee is the recipient of the Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Award from the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation. This one-time grant of $15,000 will enable Dr. Lee to study the "Finite Element of Unilateral Cleft Palate Model to Investigate the Asymmetry of expansion in craniofacial patients."

Apollonian Society Update

The Success of the school depends on all of us

Founded by alumni and friends in 2004, the Apollonian Society is dedicated to funding initiatives that enhance the student experience and strengthen the reputation of the UCLA School of Dentistry.  By joining the Apollonian Society, you make a commitment to a new generation of dentists and an investment in the future of the profession.

Guided by generous financial support and the vision of student and alumni leaders, the Apollonian Society provides the following benefits for dental students:

• A White Coat Ceremony for first year students
• A patient care fund that enables low-income patients to continue treatment and allows students to complete clinical requirements
• Funding for The Explorer, the journal of UCLA dental student research
• Renovations, new state-of-the-art equipment, evening workshops and more

The Apollonian Society has reached nearly two-thirds of its $300,000 fiscal year goal, and we ask for your support in the final stretch of the 2007-08 campaign.  As alumni and dedicated oral health professionals, we play a significant role in ensuring that today’s dental students become the future devoted practitioners of dentistry. Motivated and satisfied students appreciate and support the School and the profession, ensuring that the UCLA School of Dentistry continues to reflect favorably on all of us.

Facelift for Main Dental School Lecture Hall

Room 13-041, lecture hall for decades of dental school classes, gets a well deserved makeover

Alumni young and old remember it well: Room 13-041, long known as the Assembly Hall, the main dental school classroom since the 1960s.  In the spring of 2008, the room underwent a major transformation in just 9 highly planned days, thanks in part to a donation from the Class of 2006.  All new flex-back stationary seating with "at will" tablet arms increase personal comfort and mobility. The audio/visual system is now state-of-the-art and all control equipment is housed in a new fixed podium. The original hardwood acoustic paneling was refinished. Terrazzo floors and the official UCLA bricks were cleaned.  And new paint, new tile, new drapes, new carpet and a new palette of colors give the room a fresh appearance.

New Hires, Promotions & Fond Farewells

Robert "Bob" Lindemann will begin a two-year leave of absence from the School of Dentistry July 1, 2008. Bob is heading to Scandinavia, where he will serve as director of the University of California Study Centers at Lund University and the University of Copenhagen. Stepping into Bob's role as associate dean of academic personnel will be Larry Wolinsky, who previously served in an administrative role as the interim chair of the division of oral biology. Please bid a fond farewell to Bob and welcome Larry to the dean's suite.

In other administration news, upon Stuart White's retirement on June 30, 2008, Edmond Hewlett will assume the role of director of knowledge management with oversight of the curriculum and information technology areas. Dr. White will be still very much present at the School as he will be on recall status.

Read on: There are more than twenty additional staff and personnel actions to report for the spring of 2008.

New Babies of Dentistry

Students and staff take on new role--as parents!

Lloyd Dysim is the proud father of a son, Andrew Jaden, who was born February 10, 2008 weighing 5 lbs. 10 oz. and measuring 19.5 inches long.

Justin Pfaffinger '09 and his wife Kayla welcomed their first baby, a girl they named Lucy Ann, on
March 21, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. She weighed 7 lbs. and one ounce.

Jung Kim, a third-year dental student, welcomed a baby girl. Her name is Rachel Yeawon Kim, and her proud father reports that ever since  she was born at 6 lbs. and 5 oz.  on April 2, 2008, she’s been  eating well and growing everyday, though she doesn’t say much.

First-year dental student Matt Johnson and his wife welcomed their second son, Gaige, on Friday, April 18, 2008.

Brian Lozano and his wife Lorena welcomed their first child, a girl, on May 3, 2008. Olivia Valentina weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and measured 19.5 inches long

Natalie Nguyen '08 gave birth to her first child, a son she and her husband named Matthew, on May 5, 2008.

Jan Slapnicka '08 has a new daughter named Sophia, and she smiles already!