UMKC School of Dentistry

CELEBRATING THEIR TRANSITION: The look was different but the purpose was the same at this year’s Transitioning Into the Profession Ceremony. The Dental Surgery Class of 2022 and Dental Hygiene Class of 2021 were welcomed to the clinical phase of their educational programs Sept. 18. Read more about it, and link to photos, portraits and videos of the ceremony: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/classes-celebrate-with-transiti/

CONGRATULATIONS to four members of the UMKC School of Dentistry DDS Class of 2021 who recently published articles in Contour, the magazine of the National Student Dental Association. "How to Vote as an Out-of-State Student," Kika Masunaga "Life-Changing Dental Care for Kids: TeamSmile," Geoff Kerns "5 Steps for Success for Running Your First Race," Alyssa Kieschnick, NSDA District 8 Wellness Chair "Book Review: This Is Your Brain on Sports, Brianne Schmiegelow, Contour ...Contributing Editorial Board You can read their articles here: https://www.asdanet.org/utility-navi/Publications//Contour\ See more

It is our pleasure to have Dr. Kerstin Ludwig join the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Virtual Seminar Series at noon CST Sept. 23rd. Dr. Ludwig's presentation will be live from Bonn, Germany, titled Genomic approaches to dissect the etiology of Orofacial Clefting. For a preview of coming seminars on our program see the 2020 Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Seminar Schedule: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/research/seminar-series/

Alumni are invited to Virtual Trivia next month! https://umkcdentistrytrivia.eventbrite.com How It Works: Find your teammates and sign up! Teams of 4-6 players... 7:00 pm CST - Trivia Starts! There will be 5 rounds of trivia with 10 questions each round. Teams will have 1-minute to answer questions. We will send you a link to join the Zoom and instructions after you sign up How to Register: As a team or as an individual Do you have a team (4-6 players)? Awesome! Come up with a fun team name then have everyone on your team register. (That way everyone receives the event details!) When you register, you will enter your team name so make sure everyone on the team uses it. Team captains can register all players, just choose the number of tickets per people on your team. Don't have a team? No problem! Sign up as an individual and we'll place you on a team or create teams of other individuals. What You Need: We will go live from Zoom (download the app ahead of time) A computer, phone or tablet to join the Zoom Your thinking skills and useless knowledge!

It is our pleasure to have Dr. Marian Young join the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Virtual Seminar Series at noon today to present an update of her investigations on the role of type VI collagen in bone and mass turnover and dissecting the molecular consequences of enhanced TNF-alpha signaling. Please read more about Dr. Young and her work here: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/type-vi-collagen-potential-role/ For a preview of other coming OCS events see the 2020 Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Seminar Schedule: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/research/seminar-series/

WELCOME DEAN MELCHERT! Russell Melchert, Ph.D., took the reins this week as interim dean of the School of Dentistry. Melchert, the dean of the UMKC School of Pharmacy the past 10 years, will help oversee the School of Dentistry during the search for a permanent replacement for retiring Dean Marsha Pyle. Melchert, who also has taught pharmacology at the school for five years, said he long has appreciated its students and the dental care it has provided him. Read more about him! https://dentistry.umkc.edu/welcome-dean-melchert/

THE END OF AN ERA: As Dr. March Pyle retired as dean this week, School of Dentistry faculty, alumni and friends recalled great progress during her nearly 12 years at the helm. Relive some of those highlights, in the words of the dean and others: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/the-dean-pyle-era-achievement-c/

It is our pleasure to have the incoming president of the Society for Craniofacial Genetics and Developmental Biology, Dr. David Clouthier, participate in the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Virtual Seminar Series at noon CST this Wednesday, Sept. 2. Please join us for what we expect will be a fascinating talk on the molecular basis of human developmental disorders affecting jaw identity. Please read more about Dr. Clouthier and his work here: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/establishing-the-molecular-basi/

The UMKC School of Dentistry faculty, staff and students shared a virtual farewell Tuesday afternoon with Dean Marsha Pyle and six others who are retiring with nearly 100 years of combined service to the school. Colleagues paid tribute to Dean Pyle, who is leaving after 11 years at the helm, and these others: Dr. Sharon Furby (20 years), clinical associate professor, Restorative Clinical Sciences Ms. Mona Jarman (17 years), dental assistant II, Dental Clinic Ms. Babs Landess ...(8 years), Office Support Assistant IV (Patient Accounts), Dental Clinic Ms. Joy Neumann (10 years), dental assistant II, Dental Clinic Dr. Gerald Ogilvie (7 years), clinical assistant professor, Advanced Education in General Dentistry/Restorative Clinical Sciences Mr. John Pinkston (25 years), Oral & Craniofacial Sciences You can enjoy the party and here the tributes here: https://umsystem.zoom.us//zMAoKbvs3FNLfdbA9VqBQP4oPKL-eaa8

The Dental Hygiene Class of 2022 and the Dental Class of 2024 got settled in last week with orientation, learning about pandemic precautions and what lies ahead for them. Share their excitement: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/masks-cant-hide-new-students-ex/

It is our pleasure to have Dr. Bret Ulery join the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Virtual Seminar Series at noon today to present an overview of his investigations into biomodulatory materials that his team is creating to regenerate complex tissues as well as treat autoimmune diseases and cancer. Please read more about Dr Ulery and his research here: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/biomodulatory-materials/

When the pandemic closed most university buildings and every hour became "after hours," a team of dedicated faculty members at the UMKC School of Dentistry made sure emergency callers got fast, appropriate dental care. Read all about them and their efforts: https://www.umkc.edu//emergency-team-helped-dental-patient

Congratulations to Dean Marsha Pyle, DDS, MEd, who will be the next senior scholar in residence for the American Dental Education Association. Dean Pyle, who is retiring in September from the School of Dentistry, will succeed her friend and mentor Leo Rouse as the national organization’s senior scholar. Read more about Dean Pyle's new role and her many accomplishments in her 12 years as dean of the School of Dentistry: https://dentistry.umkc.edu/dean-pyle-to-become-senior-scho/