Ann Arbor, MI — September 13, 2011 — “I’m not the kind of person who likes to just sit back and watch.  I like to jump in and get involved.  So when I learned the State Board of Dentistry had an opening, I applied,” said Carol Stamm.  A clinic subjects coordinator for research in restorative dentistry in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, Stamm was appointed to a four-year term in late June by Gov. Rick Snyder.

The Board regulates the practice of dentistry by the state’s 7,830 dentists, including 1,095 dental specialists; 10,103 dental hygienists; and 1,400 dental assistants.  It is obligated to investigate oral health care professionals reported to have violated regulations and codes of conduct and to take disciplinary action where indicated.  Stamm was appointed to the Board to represent the dental assistants.

“When I got the call from the Governor’s office in the evening informing me I was appointed, I was so excited I had a hard time falling asleep,” she said.  “We had our first meeting in mid August, and I’m still excited.” 

A registered dental assistant since 1998, Stamm said she began working as a dental assistant for Dr. Mark Iocca (DDS 1974) in Jackson in 1975.  She later worked as a dental assistant in Brighton for 17 years for Dr. Richard Charlick (DDS 1959, MS 1967).  She was president of the Michigan Dental Assistants Association from 2007 to 2008.

Since she began working at the School of Dentistry in 2005, Stamm has been involved in coordinating clinical research studies for CRSE faculty and residents.  She also tracks and monitors patients who are involved in those studies.  “As a Board member, I would like to use my experiences in clinical dentistry and dental research to see if there might are ways to advance, on a state-wide basis, patient care and patient safety,” she said. 

Also appointed to the State Board for four-year terms were two School of Dentistry alumni, Drs. Kerry Kaysserian, and Craig Spencer, and an adjunct clinical associate professor.

Kaysserian (DDS 1981) of Traverse City, is owner and member of Access Dental Group in Traverse City.  He also serves on the School of Dentistry’s Alumni Society Board of Governors and is an adjunct clinical lecturer with CRSE.

Spencer (DDS 1981) of East Lansing, currently chairs of the State Board of Dentistry.  He owns and operates a dental practice in Lansing. 

Briskie heads the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Mott Children’s Health Center in Flint.  He also is an adjunct clinical associate professor of dentistry with the School’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry.