FACULTY

Dr. Dan Edwards Receives MDA's New Dentist Leadership Award

Dr. Daniel Edwards (DDS 1997), an adjunct clinical lecturer in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, and a member of the School of Dentistry's Alumni Society Board of Governors, recently received a major award from the Michigan Dental Association during its annual session.

Edwards received the organization's New Dentist Leadership Award that recognizes new dentists who demonstrate leadership and serve as role models for other new dentists. In addition to working in two private practices and teaching part time at U-M, his activities include assisting dental students during Dental Health Day and the annual Mouth Guard Clinic.

In presenting the award, the MDA noted, "he is a new dentist who really possesses leadership qualities, ethics, volunteerism, and a commitment to professionalism."

In 2004, Edwards created a Board of Governors-sponsored Lunch & Learn Program to help dental students become more familiar with some of the professional experiences they are likely to encounter after graduation. [DentalUM, Fall 2005, page 55.]

Edwards also chairs the MDA's Membership Committee, is active in the Chicago Dental Society, and is a host to visiting lecturers at the annual Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Dr. Sunil Kaplia Featured in AAO Bulletin

Dr. Sunil Kapila, chair of the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, was featured in the July issue of the American Association of Orthodontists publication, The Bulletin.

He discussed the major influence a research grant he received from the AAO Foundation in setting the stage for his academic career. The award was one of thirteen the Foundation presented for the first time in 1994.

Kapila, the Robert W. Browne Endowed Professor of Dentistry, said in the article, "To date, every single grant that I have obtained from the NIH, now totaling several million dollars, is directly connected to an initial investment made by the AAOF."

Characterizing the grant as "a great return on investment for members' contributions to the AAOF," Kapila added that the research activities and knowledge generated from those studies that have been funded by the Foundation "helps in the understanding of other medical and craniofacial conditions, including craniofacial anomalies, osteoporosis, and arthritis, among others" and will eventually result in a better quality of life for patients.

AAP Award to Dr. T.J. Oh

Dr. T.J. Oh, clinical associate professor in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, is the recipient of the American Academy of Periodontology's Award for Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontics. Announcement of the award was made at graduation ceremonies in May.

Dr. Laurie McCauley, chair of the department, said the award is presented annually to a periodontal educator at each dental school "who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in providing education in the full scope of clinical periodontics and relays that enthusiasm to students."

Oh, who has been at the School of Dentistry since 1996, co-directs the predoctoral implant program.

"We are fortunate to have outstanding faculty members like T.J. Oh who are dedicated to excellence in teaching periodontics and who can connect with students in a positive and lasting way," she said.

Previous School of Dentistry award recipients include Dr. Phil Richards and Dr. Rodrigo Neiva.

Marunick Receives Writing Award

Dr. Mark Marunick, an adjunct clinical professor in the Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, recently received the Judson C. Hickey Scientific Writing Award from the editorial council of the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry for his article that appeared in the publication's July 2006 issue.

His article, "Prosthodontic Treatment During Active Osteonecrosis," offers suggestions to prosthodontists as to how they might approach a treatment plan for patients with osteonecrosis in the jaws secondary to treatment with oral bisphosphonates and radiation therapy.

Nör "Honorary Professor" in England

"It was totally unexpected," said Dr. Jacques Nšr when he was asked to become an honorary professor at the University of Birmingham (England).

Nör, a professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, said Dr. Anthony Smith, a professor at the university and editor of the Journal of Dental Research, extended the offer about a year ago.

As an honorary professor, Nör said that once a year for the next three years he will travel to the university and, during the course of one or two weeks, will present lectures and talk to faculty members about his research and learn more about theirs, exploring opportunities for future collaboration. He said Smith, a pulp biology researcher and lecturer, "also has a strong interest in angiogenesis, my field of study and research."

Since 2005, Nšr has been a "visiting professor" at the Universidade de Sao Paulo and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.

Snyder New 3-Blue Clinic Director

Dr. Mark Snyder is the new director of the School's 3-Blue clinic.

Snyder, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, will be responsible for oversight of the work done by dental students in the clinic, meet with them to review patient care needs, and work with both students and faculty in the clinic.

Snyder received his DDS from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry in 1988. After earning the degree, he taught at U-M, worked in a private practice, and with a county health department in Nebraska. In 1990, Snyder returned to Michigan and practiced full time in Grandville until becoming a full-time faculty member at the School of Dentistry in August 1996.

Snyder succeeds Dr. Jeffrey Shotwell who will retire next spring.

The 3-Blue clinic, and three other comprehensive care clinics, are a part of the School's Vertically Integrated Clinics (VICs) which combine classroom and real world experience by offering students in all four dental classes and all three dental hygiene classes an opportunity to work together, with faculty supervision, to achieve high levels of clinical competence.

Other VIC directors are Drs. Donald Heys (2-Blue), Ronald Heys (2-Green), and Henry Temple (3-Green).