Ann Arbor, MI — September 14, 2011 — A three-star U.S. Army General, who is also that military branch’s Surgeon General and Commanding General of the Medical Command, was impressed with the students, faculty, and technology being used in clinics at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. 

Lt. General Eric Schoomaker, a Detroit native and U-M alumnus (BS 1970, MD 1975, PhD 1979) who visited the School last week, also recalled his experiences as a dental school patient as fourth-year dental student Jillian Dettloff demonstrated how some of the new technology is being used to deliver patient care. 

Dettloff and other dental students are using 3M’s Lava Chairside Optical Scanner in their all-ceramic dental restoration curriculum.  The digital impression-taking system and related technologies are preparing dental students for an increasingly technology-driven environment that is designed to increase the efficiency of clinicians and enhance the quality of care patients receive, not just in private practices or public health agencies, but also in the military.

Dettloff is the recipient of a Health Professions Scholarship from the U.S. Army that pays 100 percent of tuition to qualified students who pursue professional degrees from universities or colleges that have accredited medical, dental, veterinary, or similar programs.  The scholarship also pays for a student’s books, equipment, and most academic fees.

“This was my first presentation to a high-ranking officer,” Dettloff said.  “It was a great honor and a once in a lifetime opportunity to be selected for the privilege of leading a tour of the U-M dental school for someone as esteemed as the Army Surgeon General.”

Schoomaker recalled receiving care at the School when he was working on his bachelor's degree.  “I got great care here.  In fact, I had my molars taken out in one of these clinics when I was a student,” he said with a smile as he talked to Dean Peter Polverini and Dr. Ronald Heys, director of the 2 Green Clinic. 

Near the end of his visit, Schoomaker commented about the military’s use of technology to provide oral health care.  “We are always cost conscious when it comes to using technology when we provide dental care.  But quality care is our first priority,” he said.  “Technology evolves, but my focus is finding the best people who have been trained to use the leading technology and who can handle a broad range of dental care issues.  I am very pleased with Jillian Dettloff and others like her at the School of Dentistry.  The Army is always looking for the best people, and she certainly is one of them,” he added.

Commenting about Schoomaker’s visit, the Chief of the Army Dental Corps, Major General Ted Wong, said, “it’s not often the Army Surgeon General visits dental schools.  I have been truly impressed with the dedication and talents of our new dental school officers.  It speaks highly of them and the dental schools who prepare them.  Thanks for what you do at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.”

Dettloff, who graduates next May, will join the Army Dental Corps as a captain.  But she won’t know where she will be assigned until early next year.