(l-r) Sasha Manchanda DMD 18, Luri Lee DMD 16, and Alyssa Mazzoli DMD 16 at the Mattapan Health Revival

Approximately 20 members of the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) community volunteered at the Mattapan Health Revival on September 6, 2014. Held at the Mattapan Health Center in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, the mission of this event is to improve the quality of life for residents of Mattapan and surrounding communities by providing health care services.

Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri and Health Policy & Health Services Research Clinical Instructors Drs. Lina Benslimane and Martin Ugarte-Chavez were faculty sponsors for GSDM’s involvement in the Mattapan Health Revival. Through a collaborative effort between the Office of Global & Population Health and the Student Chapter of the National Dental Association, volunteers provided dental screenings for a total of 68 adults and children. Many of the volunteers stayed all day, interacting with and providing oral health information to people from the community in the GSDM main tent as well as the children’s areas.

Student volunteers included: Amr Aly DMD 17, Yousef Behbehani DMD 16, Margi Chan DMD 16, Rubbiya Charania DMD 16, Debbie Desravines DMD 17, Sloane Kaminski-Ditzel DMD 18, Sara Elashaal DMD 17, Ahmed Jawad DMD 16, Salman Khannani DMD 16, Dave Lane DMD 16, Luri Lee DMD 16, Sasha Manchanda DMD 18, Alyssa Mazzoli DMD 16, Nora Nakshabendi DMD 16, Divya Reddy (pre-dental), and Daniella Rizzo DMD 15.

Lituri praised the volunteers, “These events are only successful because of volunteers such as you who give your time and expertise.” Dean Hutter agreed and added, “I am continually amazed at the level of commitment to our community that is demonstrated by our students, our faculty, and our staff members. I am so very proud to be Dean of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and such a fine group of individuals.”

Pictures are available on Facebook and Flickr.

GSDM students and faculty at the Brazilian Independence Day Festival

On Sunday, September 7, 2014, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students and faculty volunteered their time at the Brazilian Independence Day Festival at the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Herter Park in Boston. Attending the event was an opportunity for GSDM students and faculty to interact with Brazilian families from around the area, learn about Brazilian culture, and to promote oral health.

The Festival was hosted by the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS), whose mission is to improve the lives of Portuguese-speaking individuals and families from Massachusetts and help them become contributing, active participants in American society while maintaining a strong ethnic identity and a sense of community. MAPS works with and for the Brazilian, Cape Verdean, Portuguese, and other Portuguese-speaking communities to increase access and remove barriers to health, education, and social services through advocacy, leadership, and community development.

Also onsite were representatives from the Boston Public Health Commission HIV Dental Program to raise awareness about HIV and all aspects of oral health as it pertains to children and adults—such as oral health considerations for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The event kicked off with a performance of the Brazilian National Anthem followed by activities such as face painting, drawing, pony rides, live performances, and ethnic food tastings. Various health-related organizations were on site to provide screenings for attendees. GSDM students and faculty offered dental screenings and talked to attendees about the importance of oral health.

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter said, “I want to thank our student and faculty volunteers for attending the Brazilian Independence Day Festival event.”  He continued, “Your efforts promoting oral health to the local community are highly valued and greatly appreciated.”

GSDM faculty volunteers were: Pre-doctoral Patient Treatment Center Practice Leader Dr. Angela Cancado, Director of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs Dr. Larry Dunham, Clinical Instructor in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research Dr. Martin Ugarte-Chavez, and Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri. GSDM student volunteers were Omer Al Azizi DMD 15, Monique Alves DMD 17, Bernadette Campos-Therriault AS 15, Nicholas Capezio DMD 18, Shelby Curtis DMD 16, Michelle Darocha DMD 15, Tamara Gordon DMD 18, Peyman Kafri DMD 16, Navtej Kang AS 16, Ana Keohane AS 16, Sandip Ladani AS 16, Lana Le DMD 16, Andrea Lugo AS 16, Aaron Mertz DMD 16, Caroline Michaels DMD 18, Rafaella Sampaio DMD 18, Shivani Shirgavi AS 15, Neha Sood AS 15, Nobiru Suzuki DMD 18, Faraz Tartibi DMD 16, John Westres DMD 15, and Tiphannie Yin DMD 17. Also in attendance was GSDM graduate Abdul-Rahman Addas DMD 14.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Student Research Group members discuss research opportunities

The Student Research Group (SRG) hosted its second Research Fair on Thursday, October 23, 2014, in room G-701 at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM).The Research Fair is an annual event intended to educate DMD and AS students about the research opportunities available to them should they choose to participate in the APEX (Applied Professional Experience) or IREC (Intensive Research Elective Course) programs available at GSDM. A panel of SRG officers and SRG members shared their personal research experiences,
giving new students a first-hand account of what it is like to participate in research as a part of their dental education.

This year’s Research Fair was an informative and well attended event. The participants listened to testimonials from their fellow students who have taken part in research at GSDM. SRG vice-president Mohamed Bayoumy DMD 17 made introductions and gave a brief overview of the research options available. One by one, each presenter shared their background in research and how they benefited from the experience. After the presentation, Assistant Director of Pre-doctoral Research Afaf Hourani and Director of Community-Based Education Dr. Ana Zea fielded questions from the group. Ms. Hourani also distributed informative materials on the APEX and IREC programs, research areas, and faculty mentors. Following the meeting, the SRG made themselves available to meet one on one with any participants who may have had additional questions or wanted to learn more.

Bayoumy, who helped organize the event, believes that getting new students excited about doing research is an important undertaking. “By giving the first year students a chance to interact with fellow dental students who have completed research experiences throughout their dental education, we hope to demonstrate that research can be conducted in a wide variety of fields and provides a unique experience throughout our dental education.” Bayoumy continued, “Interested students were able to hear from members of SRG currently involved in research within the Departments of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics & Craniofacial Orthopedics, and Molecular & Cell Biology, and many more.”

The feedback from first year students who attended the Research Fair has been exceedingly positive. Corrine Kunkle DMD 18 was one of the 25 new students to attend and had this to say about the event, “Hearing students talk about their personal experiences helped me to make my decision in pursuing research. The event was both personal and interactive.”

The Research Fair takes place every fall and is open to new students, or any student who would like to learn more about the vast opportunities in research GSDM has to offer. If you would like to learn more about pre-doctoral research opportunities at GSDM, contact Afaf Hourani at ahourani@bu.edu. If you would like to become involved with the Student Research Group, contact them at gsdmsrg@bu.edu.

Photos from the event are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Stephanie Leung DMD 15 works on a patient in Gracias, Honduras

This past September, two Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students volunteered their time and talent treating Honduran residents in a very small, remote town called Gracias. During the week of September 13–20, 2014, Stephanie Leung DMD 15 and Thomas Mosley DMD 15 participated in an externship under the guidance of Medical, Eye, and Dental International Care Organization (MEDICO), a nonprofit humanitarian service organization based in Austin, Texas, that has provided comprehensive health care in Central America since 1990. Its mission is to deliver medical, eye, and dental care and educational services to people in developing countries who have little or no access to health care.

Prior to their arrival in Gracias, Leung and Mosley admitted that they didn’t know what to expect and what oral-related challenges they would see in such a remote location. Since Honduras has a population of 8 million, with 65 percent of the population at or below poverty and a physician density of 57 physicians per 1,000 people, they felt it was safe to assume they would be exposed to somewhat complex cases.

Their assumptions were confirmed on the first day the makeshift dental treatment center opened, when patients began lining up to be seen in the early morning hours. Working under the supervision of and alongside MEDICO’s President, Dr. Robert Gurmankin and GSDM alum, Jahan Monirian DMD 13, Leung and Mosley hit the ground running providing amalgams, cleanings, composites, and a large number of tooth extractions.

Extensive tooth decay was common among the patients. Dental floss is very hard to come by in the region and the students noted that the majority of patients had already undergone multiple tooth extractions in the past and many specifically requested more due to continuing pain. At the end of the week, the team had seen a total of 364 patients. They performed 204 extractions, 112 composites, 143 cleanings, and 55 amalgam restorations (mainly in the back teeth).

When asked how the trip to Honduras contributed to their education, Mosley said, “A lot more practice.” He continued, “There were a limited number of providers and an unlimited number of patients waiting to be seen. The volume of hands-on patient contact each day was eye-opening.”

Leung added, “As GSDM students, work integrity is paramount. Due to the high volume of patients we saw in Honduras, we learned to think fast and work efficiently, while providing excellent dental care.”

Dean Hutter commended Leung and Mosley, “I appreciate and applaud their enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer for this elective externship to Honduras,” he said.  He continued, “I am very proud of all of our students who commit to serving those in need.”’

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Bing Liu DMD 03 brandishes the ceremonial gavel

On the weekend of September 19, 2014, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) welcomed home and celebrated its alumni. Alumni from around the globe journeyed back to Boston for a chance to remember and honor their alma mater.

The Dean’s Advisory Board and the GSDM Alumni Board met during the week, and alumna Kathy Jendrasik-Savitsky DMD 94 gave a lunch and learn presentation about CEREC and the use of digital dentistry in her private practice. Afterward, Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Joseph Calabrese DMD 91, AEGD 92 led a tour of the School for the Class of 1994 and their families.

On Friday, September 19, GSDM alumni gathered with faculty, staff, students, and friends at the Four Seasons Boston for a reception including dinner and live music. Alumni reminisced about all those long nights in the lab setting teeth, the early morning Fixed SIMS, and that faculty member who inspired them to pursue their dreams.

The reception also marked a changing of the guard in the leadership of the Alumni Association. Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry and Alumni Association President Mitchell Sabbagh DMD 87 handed over the ceremonial gavel to Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry and new Alumni Association President Bing Liu DMD 03.

Dr. Liu has served on the GSDM faculty since 1999. He began his career at GSDM as a Research Associate and, after graduating from the Advanced Standing program in 2003, was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry. Dr. Liu has been teaching pre-doctoral students in the Simulation Learning Center and in the Pre-doctoral Treatment Centers ever since. His introduction was met with a standing ovation and Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter said, “Bing, I know that I speak for all of us when I say that we are thrilled to have you in this alumni leadership position.”

Immediately following the introduction of Dr. Liu, Dean Hutter presented the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the School to Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Tina Valades DMD 84.

The Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the School is presented to an alum who has gone out of his or her way to promote and serve GSDM. Dean Hutter said, “Through her years of service and dedication to the School, Dr. Valades has demonstrated that she embodies the spirit and culture of GSDM.” She was presented with this award in recognition of her tireless efforts on behalf of GSDM, the alumni, faculty, staff, and students. She has been a valuable member of numerous committees throughout GSDM, and has been a tireless teacher for 28 years. As an alum, she has been an active and passionate advocate for her alma mater, most recently serving the GSDM Alumni Association as Immediate Past President.

The following day, the classes of 1984, 1989, and 1994 who were, respectively, celebrating their 30, 25, and 20 year class reunions, joined together for a reunion party at the Forum Restaurant hosted by Dean and Mrs. Hutter.

Photos of the Alumni Reception are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Photos from the Reunion Party are available on Facebook and Flickr.

(l-r) Margi Chan DMD 16, Jimmy Li DMD 17, Jonathan Kuang DMD 17, Guanghui Ling AS 16, Anh Phi Nguyen DMD 07, and Kathy Lituri

The Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Asian Dental Student Organization (ADSO), in collaboration with Global & Population Health  and the Tufts Asian Dental Student Association, participated in the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival on September 13, 2014, from 3–8 p.m. at Townfield Park in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is traditionally celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunisolar month, when the night moon is supposed to be the brightest and fullest. Due to inclement weather, however, this year organizers decided to hold the event on the thirteenth day of the month. The 3,000-year-old tradition is a family celebration usually accompanied by many outdoor activities. According to Chinese and Vietnamese tradition, families stay up late, eat moon cakes, and gaze at the moon—a symbol of peace, prosperity, and family reunion.

Approximately 100 members of Chinese and Vietnamese communities attended the free festival and enjoyed food tastings, lion dances, lantern decorating, raffles, and other activities. ADSO members were on site to provide oral screenings and promote oral health. The event concluded just after dusk with the traditional lighting of the “Kongming” lanterns or “sky lanterns”, popular with Chinese and Vietnamese children.

Faculty sponsor and Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri helped organize and prepare for GSDM’s involvement at the event. GSDM volunteers included: Margi Chan DMD 16, Jonathan Kuang DMD 17, Jimmy Li DMD 17, Guanghui Ling AS 16, and alumna Anh Phi Nguyen DMD 07.

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter said, “Thank you to Kathy Lituri and all the ADSO volunteers that worked to make the School’s outreach at the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival a huge success.” He continued, “It is through efforts like this that the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine succeeds in its mission of excellence in community service.”

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

(l-r) Kathy Lituri, Gladys Carrasco, Vrushali Mirajkar AS 16, Mary Degregorio (Bay Cove), Aditi Rajul AS 16, and Ifeanyichukwu Okoye AS 16

On September 18, 2014, volunteers from the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) participated in the Bay Cove Human Services annual wellness fair at the Gill Wellness Center in Jamaica Plain.

Bay Cove Human Services is a private, non-profit corporation that provides a wide variety of services to individuals and their families who face the challenges of developmental disabilities, aging, mental illness, and drug and alcohol addiction.   The organization holds the wellness fair to improve health awareness through education and prevention.

Some of the offerings to attendees of the fair were health screenings, blood pressure and glucose checks, and information on community-based health services. Attendees were treated to music and food and also participated in various wellness activities.

Led by Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri, the GSDM volunteers offered oral health care education, screenings, and referrals to the attendees. The volunteers were Clinical Instructor of Health Policy & Health Services Research Gladys Carrasco, Matthew Jones DMD 18, Vrushali Mirajkar AS 16, Ifeanyichukwu Okoye AS 16, and Aditi Rajul AS 16.

Photos of the wellness fair are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Roger Reizovic, Ghost Buster, eliminates ghosts from the party

Embracing the spirit of Halloween, the Staff Forum at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine hosted the second annual Staff Forum Halloween Party on October 30, 2014. The party provided an opportunity for staff members to gather together, meet new faces, and foster a sense of community between departments. Costume contest co-winner Equipment Technician Roger Reizovic—dressed as a Ghost Buster—protected partygoers by keeping pesky apparitions at bay.

Revelers gathered in room 302 for a fun-filled hour of sandwiches, salad, cupcakes, and Halloween themed music, including a music video of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The main feature of the affair was a costume contest where winners received gift cards as prizes. Staff Forum representatives voted on the winners.

Tied for first place, for the second year in a row, were Reizovic and Lab & Gold Coordinator Laila Irqsusi as the evil child-doll of horror flicks, Chucky. Clinic Care Supervisor Emily Regan and Administrative Coordinator Erin Bastyr took second place with their twin Waldo and Wenda costumes. In third place, were Patient Coordinator Latoya Johnson as the Blue Power Ranger and Data Manager/Analyst Christina Gebel as Cora from the hit show Downtown Abbey. Other costumes included Harry Potter (Central Sterilization Manager Sarah Irias), an owl (Supply Store Assistant Kimberly Whitaker), the Devil (Clinical Assistant Rebecca Johnson), and a marathon runner (Financial Services Coordinator Larissa Weiner).

The Staff Forum was created under Goal 6 of the Applied Strategic Plan, which seeks to “Sustain an environment of mutual respect and a strong sense of community and ownership.” One of the ways the Staff Forum has contributed to this goal and foster a sense of community is through annual events such as the Halloween Party.

With more than twice the attendance of the event last year, the party was hailed as a success.

If you have suggestions for future events, Staff Forum representatives can be reached at gsdmsf@bu.edu.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

ASDA District 1 members on the steps of the Massachusetts State House

On October 6, 2014, the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) organized the first ever Bay State Student Lobby Day at the Massachusetts State House to advocate for issues impacting dentistry and dental education.

Bay State Student Lobby Day was inspired by GSDM ASDA students who had an interest in advocacy and expressed a need for more legislative events in the Boston area. In the past, the only dental lobbying event in Massachusetts was the Massachusetts Dental Society’s Beacon Hill Lobby Day. This event largely drew attendance from the same small group of students who were actively involved in legislative efforts.

To build a larger group of ASDA legislative advocates for the Bay State Student Lobby Day, the GSDM ASDA students organized a dinner at the Heibert Lounge on October 2, for all interested ASDA District 1 members. During the event, approximately 60 students were briefed on how to speak with legislators, the significance of being actively involved in advocacy, and an overview of the issues currently being considered for this event.

The dinner was sponsored by the Massachusetts Dental Society and featured a keynote address from State Representative Denise Garlick who addressed the importance of open communication between legislators and dental students, especially in acknowledging and extending care for underserved populations such as developmentally disabled patients.

35 ASDA members took what they learned from the dinner to the State House on October 6 to attend a total of 20 meetings with legislators. This was the largest presence of ASDA members in the State House to date.

At the end of the Bay State Student Lobby Day, students reported substantial support from legislators for issues surrounding dental licensure and dental student loan debt. Several legislators requested regular updates on both of these issues once the next legislative session begins in January.

“I am very proud of the students who volunteered to serve as legislative advocates with our state representatives,” said Dean Hutter.  He continued, “It is vital that our profession remain visible and vocal with legislators across the country so that they are aware of the issues of concern to dentists and dental students, as well as the scope of underserved populations in need of access to oral health care.”

The next organized lobby events will be the ASDA National Student Lobby Day in Washington, DC, April 13–14, 2015 and the annual Massachusetts Dental Society Beacon Hill Lobby Day on April 15, 2015. Both of these events will serve as opportunities for ASDA members to directly protect and promote the future of the dental profession.

Photos of the October 2 dinner are available on the BU ASDA Facebook Page.

Doogey the Dog is a puppet used to teach children proper bushing techniques

On September 15 and 16, 2014, pre-doctoral students from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) joined Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri for two days of dental outreach at Nurtury, a preschool-based program serving infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.

Students worked with the children in small groups and talked to them about the importance of teeth and why they always need to brush them. They engaged the children with the use of puppets and a song about brushing teeth. The students then prepared the children for dental screenings and fluoride varnish application by practicing the “tell, show, and do” technique. First, they told them about what they were going to do, then showed them, and when the children understood what was about to happen, the students were able to do the oral screenings and apply the fluoride varnish.

Margi Chan DMD 16 said, “We filled out a report card to put inside the children’s goodie bags. These served to communicate directly with the parents or caretaker at home to inform them about the child’s oral health if we detected caries or poor oral hygiene, or to reinforce the good effort they have been making to take care of the child’s teeth.”

The service learning program is connected with the third year pre-doctoral Pediatric Dentistry course for DMD3 and AS2 students. The purpose of the program is to better acquaint pre-doctoral students with pediatric patients and to provide oral health outreach to preschool age children.

Volunteers included: Margi Chan DMD 16, Sai Ramani Krishna Kumar AS 15, Jinjoo Lee DMD 16, Kathy Lituri, Mona Najafi DMD 16, Alyssa Peracchio DMD 16, Ali Basha Shaik AS 15, and Diana Torres AS 15.

If you are interested in attending an upcoming preschool visit, contact Kathy Lituri at lituri@bu.edu.

(l-r) Kathy Lituri, Ayman Sulieman (pre-dent), Siavash Golaby Sanajany DMD 15, Divya Reddy (pre-dent), and Durrani Palwasha (pre-dent)

On Tuesday, September 9, 2014, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) volunteers, with Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri, led oral health promotion activities at the Suffolk University Annual Health and Wellness Fair.

The Health and Wellness Fair is an opportunity for GSDM students and volunteers to provide valuable oral health related information to Suffolk University students, faculty, and staff. It also allows Suffolk University students to increase their awareness of healthy lifestyle choices, behaviors, and resources within the Boston area.

Siavash Golaby Sanajany DMD 15, Durrani Palwasha (pre-dental), Divya Reddy (pre-dental), Ayman Sulieman (pre-dental), and Ms. Lituri provided oral health promotion, screenings, referrals, education, and activities to the Health and Wellness Fair attendees. Suffolk University students are eligible for the Boston University Student Dental Health Plan.

“Thank you to Ms. Lituri and the four volunteers who attended the Suffolk University Health and Wellness Fair,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “Your dedication to promoting oral health awareness is highly valued, and I’m sure the Suffolk University community greatly appreciated your efforts.”

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Dr. Soto with her poster

On October 16, 2014, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) first year Geriatric Dental Medicine Fellow in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Annetty Soto presented a poster entitled, “An Exploration of Clinicians’ Attitudes and Practices in Oral Health for Older Adults” at the Evans Research Days event in the Hiebert Lounge. The annual two-day event features basic and scientific lectures, as well as poster and oral presentations on the ongoing research activities of the Evans Department of Medicine and the Boston University Medical Campus. Dr. Soto’s poster was a part of the Presidential Poster Session of the American Geriatric Society 2014.

“The Evans Research Days event is a great opportunity to showcase ongoing oral health research in an interdisciplinary setting,” Dr. Soto said. “Feedback received from colleagues across the medical campus will be used going forward in the interventional phase of the project.” Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Laura Kaufman served as Dr. Soto’s mentor on this project.

Oral health has been identified as one of the top nine indicators of health needing improvement for older adults, according to Healthy People 2020, a government program which sets nationwide health promotion and disease prevention goals. This fact raises a serious question about primary health care professionals giving enough attention to the oral health of older adults during their physical exams. For this reason, Dr. Soto and her colleagues conducted a study with the goal of learning more about the clinicians’ knowledge and practice of oral health care in older adults.

Dr. Soto and her colleagues developed an oral health knowledge and oral health screening practice survey, which was then administered and completed by twenty-seven physicians and nurses in the Section of Geriatrics at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. Seventy-seven percent of the section responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 96 percent agreed on the importance of performing oral health assessments on edentulous patients and 82 percent reported they would change a patient’s medication if it negatively impacted their oral health. Unfortunately, just 22 percent of these clinicians rated themselves as knowledgeable about oral health issues, and 26 percent were confident in their oral health assessment skills.

Dental professionals are faced with the challenge of keeping track of older adult patients who, due to cognitive or physical impairment, tend to discontinue regular dental office visits. The role of a Geriatric Primary Care team is to identify those patients who need regular oral health examinations. The study suggests that medical clinicians treating older adults should include an oral health assessment as part of routine care. Despite the many years of experience of the clinicians in the sample, the survey results suggest a gap in clinicians’ knowledge, confidence, and performance of oral health assessments and referrals.

While the results of this survey showed a few interesting trends, there has been a positive outcome. Dr. Soto and her colleagues will begin conducting in-house trainings for medical providers in the Section of Geriatrics to help establish better practice protocols for oral health care in the routine medical care of geriatric patients. This will help enable medical providers to reduce the barriers in accessing oral health care for older adults and the homebound.

“Dr. Soto’s survey and findings here in the Geriatric Section at Boston Medical Center of are eye-opening,” said Director of Geriatric Dental Medicine and Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese.  He continued, “These findings and the resulting trainings will serve as an important step forward in geriatric oral health care.  I would like to congratulate Dr. Soto for being chosen to present at the Evans Research Day and at the American Geriatric Society’s 2014 Annual Session in Orlando. I look forward to more outstanding contributions in the area of geriatric dental medicine from Dr. Soto.”

Drs. Eleni Kanasi and Serge Dibart mingle at the reception

On September 20, 2014, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) hosted its annual Periodontal Alumni Reception at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. The reception is held every year during the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Annual Meeting. This year, the meeting held special significance as it marked the 100^th Anniversary of the AAP. Turnout exceeded previous years, with approximately 80 GSDM alumni in attendance.

Due to his hosting the GSDM Alumni Reception as part of the BU Alumni Weekend,  Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter was unable to attend the AAP meeting.  Professor in the Department of Periodontology and the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone attended the meeting in his absence, and expressed the Dean’s regrets to the attendees

Dr. Leone said, “The alumni reception was a huge success, with over 80 old and new alums enjoying one another’s company and reminiscing about the many friendships made during their years in the GSDM Postdoctoral Periodontology Program.” He continued, “It was extra special because the annual meeting celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the American Academy of Periodontology, a still vibrant organization in the dental profession.”

Professor and Chair in the Department of Periodontology and Director of the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Periodontics Dr. Serge Dibart, who hosted the reception, spoke to the crowd and highlighted several activities the Department of Periodontology is undertaking, including: further interdisciplinary collaboration throughout the School, offering additional Continuing Education courses, and adding a Clinical Masters track to the Program which will lead to a Masters in Periodontology. He also discussed his desire for GSDM alumni to be more involved and more present at future AAP meetings.

The AAP Spring Conference is scheduled to take place in Chicago, May 2–3, 2015. Visit www.perio.org for more information.

Photos of the reception are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Guanghui Ling AS 16 gives toothpaste and a toothbrush to a young visitor at the Wang YMCA Holiday Party.

In collaboration with the Asian Dental Student Organization (ADSO), members of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) and Oral Health Promotion Director Ms. Kathy Lituri volunteered at the Wang YMCA Holiday Party, held on December 14, 2014. Working alongside ADSO members Derek Leung DMD 15 and Guanghui Ling AS 16, the volunteers promoted oral health and served as positive role models for the children who attended this annual holiday celebration.

The Wang YMCA was decorated with balloons and a Christmas tree, and the young party goers enjoyed a bounce house, games, face painting, and other children’s activities. Stations run by GSDM students featured age-appropriate interactive oral health activities along with toothbrush and toothpaste giveaways. For the past seven years, GSDM has participated in this festive event which draws over 400 families from the community.

Other student volunteers included Amanda Brogley DMD 15, Angela Wu AS 16, Rizwan Baig AS 16, Garrett Wingrove DMD 17, and Brittany Dacier (Pre-Dental).

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Hedieh Kousedghi AS 15 performs a dental screening on a child visitor at Christmas in the City.

On December 21, 2014, members of the Boston University Henry M. Goldman  School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) joined thousands of volunteers at the 22nd annual Christmas in the City (CITC). Held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, this festive event benefited over 4,000 homeless children, parents and caregivers from Boston area homeless shelters. The holiday party featured a banquet, live entertainment, a “Winter Wonderland” with games, rides, a petting zoo, and other kid-friendly activities. In addition, Santa gave each child a personalized gift from his or her Christmas list.

This marks the third year that GSDM participated in CITC. Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri and the GSDM volunteers offered dental screenings and helped address oral issues pertaining to individual children. They also promoted oral health by providing age-appropriate, hands-on activities and distributed toothbrushes and other information on proper oral hygiene. Anthony Kofoworola-Kuti AS 16 took photos throughout the event, capturing the volunteers in action as they interacted with hundreds of visitors.

“This event tugs on our heart strings more than any other event we participate in,” says Lituri. “It is really an honor to be a part of it, and every year we try to make our small part not only bigger, but also more meaningful for the attendees. All of the families that visited the GSDM dental station were so appreciative and grateful for what we had to offer.”

GSDM faculty volunteers were: Clinical Instructors in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research Drs. Lina Benslimane and Gladys Carrrasco, Clinical Professor in the Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics Dr. Kenneth Drizen, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Laura Kaufman, Clinical Assistant Professor and Practice Leader in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Waleerat Kaweevisaltrakul, Oral Health Promotion Director Ms. Kathy Lituri, and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Global & Population Health Dr. Mohammad Mourad.

The student volunteers were: Amanda Alon DMD 18, Rizwan Baig AS 16, John Costello DMD 16, Kayla Cuddy DMD 16, Sara Elashaal DMD 17, Zhan Huang AS 16, Navtej Kang AS 16, Ana Keohane AS 16, Anthony Kofoworola-Kuti AS 16, Hedieh Kousedghi AS 15, Andrea Lam DMD 16, Neemi Lama Sherpa AS 16, Hyunah Lee DMD 16, Guanghui Ling AS 16, Jayesh Patel DMD 18, Lavanya Tortiker AS 16, Angela Wu AS 16, Ping Zhang AS 16, and Lina Zhong AS 16.

Other volunteers were Lee Costello (GSDM’s liaison to the event) and Mr. Martin Weeks.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Orthodontic residents showing off their award winning Gingerbread House modeled after the house in the movie Up

Armed with buckets of frosting, food coloring, and seemingly endless bags of candy, participants in the Second Annual Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Gingerbread House Building Competition put away their high-speeds and loupes and picked up their construction tools as they built, frosted and gum-dropped their way to candy-coated houses. The contest was held on Thursday, December 11, 2014, in the GSDM cafeteria preceding the annual GSDM Holiday Party hosted by Dean and Mrs. Jeffrey W. Hutter.

The rules were simple. Use only the supplies provided and construct a house within the allotted amount of time. Participants were provided with everything they needed: a gingerbread house kit, a tub of frosting, food coloring, candy, candy, and more candy. While outside supplies weren’t permitted, some groups got creative and used pieces of the box from the gingerbread kit and plastic wrapping from candy bags to help make their houses more structurally sound or to add additional flair.

This year, seven teams participated in the contest. The teams were comprised of staff, pre-doctoral students, residents, and one faculty member.

The houses were displayed at the GSDM Holiday Party in Hiebert Lounge and each attendee had the chance to vote for their favorite house. The winners were awarded a dinner at a restaurant of their choosing in Boston.

The teams were as follows: The Dean’s Office designed a classic gingerbread house with a marshmallow sheepdog in the yard and Santa Dean going down the chimney. The team included Director of Finance & Reporting Analytics Erica Abruzzese, Manager of Faculty & Staff Administration Kara Boucher, Executive Director of Finance and Operations Tim McDonough, and Administrative Assistant Kelsey Mussler.

The Lab and Facilities team made a gingerbread version of the 100 East Newton Street building. The team included Lab & Gold Coordinator Laila Irqsusi, Clinical Lab Manager Johnny Sihakhamfong, and Manager of Facilities & Operations James Taillefer.

Members of the Registrar’s Office took the “house” idea in a different direction by constructing a treehouse. The team included: Registrar Coordinator Annie Duong, Assistant Registrar Nikki Longe, and Administrative Coordinator Annie Nash.

The DMD 18 class made a strong showing with their traditional colorful house. Members included Scott Jegard, Caroline Michaels, Rafaella Sampaio, and Jonathan Ye.

The Geriatrics/Alumni Office team crafted a very colorful house lined with a candy cane fence. The team included Alumni Coordinator Leslie Caiola, Geriatric Administrative Assistant Leslie Gascon, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Laura Kaufman, and Geriatric Fellow Dr. Annetty Soto.

The Clinical Research Center turned their house into a church complete with a detailed stained-glass window. Members of the team included Clinic Coordinator Carol Nicholson, Equipment Technician Roger Reizovic, and Administrative Assistant Kendrick Smaellie.

The winner of the competition was the Department of Orthodontics with their representation of the house from the animated film Up. The team included: Berokh Bavar ORTHO 16, Carmen Doumit ORTHO 16, Ana Serrenho ORTHO 16, Sara Lalani ORTHO 15, Elise Vincelette ORTHO 15, Sarah AlMugairin ORTHO 19, Meghan Graham ORTHO 17, Mary Evan Thacker ORTHO 17, Nada Tashkandi ORTHO 19, and Martha Neeley ORTHO 16.

Photos of the event are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Dean Hutter presents the GSDM Award for Distinguished Service to Marta Diaz

A meeting of the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) faculty and staff was held Monday, December 22, 2014, at the 670 Albany Street Auditorium. The meeting recognized the latest recipient of the Henry M. Goldman Award for Distinguished Service and provided updates on progress toward short and long term goals at the School.

Keeping with tradition, Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter opened the meeting by inviting each new member of the faculty and staff to introduce themselves and warmly welcomed all of them to the GSDM family.

Dean Hutter then announced the winner of the Henry M. Goldman Award for Distinguished Service which is presented annually to one GSDM staff member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the School and has made an important impact on the community by working to fulfill the mission of the School. The 2014 winner was first floor Patient Supervisor Ms. Marta Diaz.

“A number of exceptional nominations were submitted on behalf of Marta,” said Dean Hutter. “Colleagues described her as incredibly responsible, respectful, dedicated, and compassionate. Marta truly embodies the ideal of excellence that is fundamental to our Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and she is most deserving of the Henry M. Goldman Award for Distinguished Service.” Diaz was joined by her partner Gilberto Cruceta and their daughter Aleesa Cruceta.

The following presentations provided the faculty and staff with progress updates on key initiatives at GSDM:

• a presentation on the reporting of crimes on the medical campus by Boston University Police Department Sargent Daniel Healy;
• an update on the GSDM Faculty Forum by Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and (then) Faculty Forum representative on the GSDM Executive Committee Dr. Eva Helmerhorst;
• a summary of recent and future activities of the GSDM Staff Forum by Central Sterilization Manager and Staff Forum representative Ms. Adela Irias and Supply Store Assistant and Staff Forum representative Ms. Kimberley Whitaker;
• a presentation on the status of admissions for the 2014–2015 academic year by Assistant Dean for Admissions Ms. Catherine Sarkis;
• a summary of the School’s Academic Program Review by Dean Hutter and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone;
• an update on the School-wide implementation and incorporation of digital dentistry by Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials and Digital Dentistry Task-Force Implementation Chair Dr. Russell Giordano and Professor and Chair ad interim of  the Department of General Dentistry and Digital Dentistry Task-Force Curriculum Incorporation Chair Dr. Celeste Kong;
• a review of GSDM facilities projects by Executive Director of Finance & Operations Mr. Tim McDonough and Director of Facilities & Operations Mr. Andy Burke; and
• an update on GSDM space programming and master planning by Dean Hutter.

In closing, Dean Hutter said, “I do hope tonight’s presentations have demonstrated to you that we are well on our way to achieving our vision for our School to become the premier academic dental institution promoting excellence in dental education, research, oral health care, and community service to improve the overall health of the global population. In addition, you all should depart this evening with a better understanding of what we have already accomplished, what we are presently accomplishing, and what we are planning on accomplishing.”

Aline Miller receives a Certificate of Completion from Dr. Margaret Errante

On Friday, November 14, 2014, students in the Dental Assistant Training Program, offered through Continuing Education at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, received Certificates of Completion at a ceremony marking the end of their program.

During the nine-week program, the participants learned essential skills required to be part of a dental team such as four-handed dentistry and setting up a patient treatment room. While the first four weeks were devoted to classroom learning, the final five weeks featured observations in the Patient Treatment Centers as well as hands-on practice. In addition, the participants became certified in CPR and Radiology, and were prepared for the Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control exams.

Along with faculty and staff from the dental assistant program, participants’ family members joined them in the celebration marking the completion of the program. The celebration was complete with congratulatory cake, coffee, and a slideshow of photos taken during the program. Assistant Dean for Business Development Dr. Margaret Errante congratulated the course participants on their accomplishment and presented them with their certificates.

“Our goal is to provide the dental assistant participants with an enriching program, valuable hands on experience, and an opportunity to learn from the best professionals in the field,” said Dr. Errante. “We are proud of our participants and wish them the best in their future endeavors”.

Congratulations to the individuals who successfully completed the program: Aline Miller, Tammy McCormack, Jazmeine Few, Melissa Mikeu, Song Lu, and Hope Keady.

Photos of the completion ceremony are available on Facebook and Flickr.

Members of the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) made the holidays more joyful for Boston’s children in need this past December by collecting and distributing toys for the Toys for Tots Foundation.

Organized by the ASDA Community Outreach Committee with help from the ASDA Diversity and Inclusion Committee, students collected 89 new, unwrapped toys for children newborn to age 10. BU ASDA students Baljeet Khaira DMD 17, David Lane DMD 16, Monica Schmidt DMD 17, and Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese personally delivered the toys to the Toys for Tots warehouse in South Boston on December 17.

Toys for Tots was established in 1947 by the United States Marine Corps with a primary goal to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters. “We were able to create more drop off locations throughout the School this year to make it easier for everyone to participate,” said David Lane. “The collective effort was a tremendous success.”

“Thank you to both the ASDA Community Outreach Committee and the ASDA Diversity and Inclusion Committee for your extraordinary efforts for such a great cause,” said Dean Hutter. “Community outreach is an important component of the School’s mission and I am sure you put smiles on the faces of those less fortunate.”

Dean Hutter joins members of the GSMD community at the 44th Annual Session of the American College of Prosthodontists

On Thursday, November 6, 2014, members of the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) community gathered at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans for an alumni reception held during the 44th Annual Session of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). The reception was hosted by Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, Professor and Chair in the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials Dr. Dan Nathanson, and (now former) Professor of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials and Director of the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Prosthodontics Dr. Steven Morgano.  Both Dean Hutter and Dr. Nathanson provided remarks during which they thanked Dr. Morgano for his dedicated service to GSDM and welcomed Dr. Arthur Sun as the Director ad interim of the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Prosthodontics.

The ACP Annual Session, which drew around 1,200 attendees, featured speakers’ analysis on topics such as systemic and oral health challenges, treatment rationales, and the integration of digital technology into prosthodontic practice.

“I was thrilled to see such a strong showing of GSDM alumni at the reception,” said Dean Hutter. ”The Session was an excellent learning experience and a great opportunity to interact with colleagues.”

Alumni and faculty in attendance were: Reem Abualsaud Pros 15, Aws Arrejaie Pros 10, Hamed Alenezi CAS 08 DMD 11, AEGD 12, Abdallah Awada Pros 14, Nadim Baba Pros 99 00, Hamad Burashed DMD 13, Juan Cardenas Pros 93, Najla Chebib AEGD 01, Edward Chaoho Chien Pros 15, Michael Donovan DMD 13, Leonadro Frydman DMD 94, Pros 02, Dean Jeffrey Hutter, Professor and Chair ad interim in the Department of General Dentistry Celeste Kong Pros 84 DMD 87, Samer Khayat Pros 04, Thamer Marghalani Pros 02 05, Dr. Steve Morgano, Michael Moscovitch Pros 78, Dan Nathanson Pros 90, Mohammed Nazarian Pros 12, Gary Nord DMD 10, Mohamed Shafter Pros 15, Delsaz Sultan DMD 13, Dmitri Svirksy DMD 94 Pros 96, Mark Wang DMD 94, George Wu Pros 12, Fong Wong Pros 02, Arthur Sun Pros 82 DMD 84, Hideo Yamamoto Pros 90 DMD 92.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.