News - School of Dentistry

Putting on that White Coat

UAB School of Dentistry honors Class of 2024 at 22nd White Coat Ceremony

Back to school means back-to-school checkups

UAB experts provide tips on appointments to get your child ready to go back to school.

Louis named Charles A. McCallum Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

This endowment provides important support to the chair holder in their research, teaching and clinical efforts.

UAB partners with Oakwood University to prepare students from underrepresented areas to enter the dentistry field

The program will prepare Oakwood’s promising students with a solid foundation for dental school.

Dental research network receives wide acceptance within scientific community

Since its inception, the network has conducted dozens of studies that either have been completed, are in data collection or are in development.

Study shows pandemic increased depression and anxiety in dental health care workers

The first known U.S. study evaluates the mental health of practicing dentists and dental hygienists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ask the Expert: UAB School of Dentistry’s Dr. Kau highlights early orthodontic management in cleft lip and cleft palate patients

Cleft lip and cleft palate defects show up in approximately one of every 700 babies born worldwide. It is a condition that can cause feeding problems in infancy, and lead to social embarrassment for pre-teens. UAB School of Dentistry Professor and Chair at the Department of Orthodontics Chung H. Kau, BDS, MScD, Ph.D., works with more than 100 such infants each year through the Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Children’s of Alabama.

Dr. Kimberly Carr appointed Co-Director of UAB Sparks Dental Clinic

Kimberly R. Carr, D.M.D., M.A., has accepted the position of Co- Director of the UAB Sparks Dental Clinic. The announcement was made by Janice Jackson, D.M.D., chair of the UAB School of Dentistry’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry. The appointment is effective immediately due to Dr. Stephen Mitchell, the current Sparks Dental Clinic director, assuming the duties of director of the SOD International Dentistry Program.

Dental research network receives wide acceptance within scientific community

Since 2005, the UAB-led National Dental Practice-Based Research Network has conducted dozens of studies involving thousands of dental practitioners and patients. Now there is statistical evidence that the results of those efforts are being well received by the scientific community.

Joy White Fund Lifts Student Burdens

The Covid-19 pandemic hit home for several UAB School of Dentistry students the past couple of years. One student was greatly impacted when her father passed due to COVID and her mother was also hospitalized for several weeks. Subsequently the family and the student suffered financially. The student, and others, who had financial hardships last year, were aided by the School of Dentistry Alumni Association’s Joy White Fund. All told, the association awarded $8,000 in emergency aid to four students.

Alumni Association presents Fuller Award to Dr. John Anderson

John P. Anderson, DMD of Rainsville, Ala was named the 2022 H. Moren Fuller Award winner by the University of Alabama School of Dentistry Alumni Association.

Dr. Stephen Mitchell named next director of International Dentist Program at UAB School of Dentistry

Dean Russell S. Taichman has named Stephen (Steve) Mitchell, D.M.D., M.S., as codirector of the International Dentist Program (IDP) effective July 1, 2022. On December 1, 2022 he will take over the directorship. He will replace Dr. Sonya Mitchell, who intends to step down from the position in December.

Alumni Spotlight: Buckley enjoys serving hometown patients

Graduates from the UAB School of Dentistry can guarantee they will leave with an excellent dental school education and clinical experience. Many will also take with them life-long friendships with classmates and faculty members, and fond memories of living in Birmingham. But every so often, students also leave with something (or, better yet, someone) even more special.

Bridging a dental gap

New Blaze to D.M.D. program provides pathway for promising new School of Dentistry students

UAB School of Dentistry celebrates graduates, recognizes student accomplishments during 2022 commencement ceremony

UAB School of Dentistry honored more than 75 Doctor of Dental Medicine graduates at its commencement ceremony for the class of 2022. Dean Russell S. Taichman, D.M.D., D.M.Sc., presided over the June 4 event at UAB’s Bartow Arena.

Alumni Spotlight: Miller takes leap of faith to open ‘hometown practice’

Growing up in Montgomery, Ala., Dr. Keri Miller’s childhood interests looked a bit different from what you might expect of an aspiring dentist. Instead of focusing on science and healthcare, Dr. Miller spent her childhood engrossed in the fine arts.

Dentistry at Two Hundred Miles Per Hour

One of South Florida’s favorite and fastest sports is Jai-Alai. The ball used in Jai-Alai is called a pelota and it travels at nearly 200 miles per hour. The two contestants bounce the smaller than a baseball pelota off walls with a curbed wicker scoop to score points. The game is fast, furious, and hard to keep up with. The same can be said for Dr. Anissa Broussard Holmes (‘99), who now makes her home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Shaffer embarked on a Navy adventure after graduating from UAB School of Dentistry

It was supposed to be just a quick bite of lunch. Instead, it turned into a chance meeting that propelled second-year UAB School of Dentistry student Gayle Shaffer down the path toward becoming Rear Admiral Gayle Shaffer, Deputy Surgeon General in the United States Navy.

Ask the Expert: UAB School of Dentistry’s Dr. Nate Lawson explores 21st century innovations and advancements in dentistry

A lot has changed in the dental industry since the days of George Washington’s dentures (which actually were made of ivory, not wood). Innovations and advancements have regularly taken place over the centuries, from the invention of the dental drill in the late 1700s to the creation of the modern nylon toothbrush in 1938.

So many stories to tell: UAB School of Dentistry helps provide free dental care to more than 400 underserved through rural medical initiative

UAB School of Dentistry faculty, residents, students, and alumni took part in Alabama’s first remote medical event, helping provide dental care to more than 400 underserved people in Gadsden, AL.

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Leigh Bayer Curtis enjoys journey through dental school and residency at UAB

When asked about her favorite aspect of being an orthodontist, Dr. Leigh Bayer Curtis doesn’t miss a beat.

Oral cancer survivor uses story to warn others about the dangers of oral cancer

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama ranks fifth in the United States for oral cavity and pharynx cancer incidence and seventh among the states for oral cavity and pharynx cancer deaths.

Free medical, dental and vision services to be provided in Gadsden on April 23 and 24

The clinic will provide free vision, dental and medical services at Gadsden City High School. There are no qualifying questions, and no identification is required.

Two UAB School of Dentistry students are among this year’s Schweitzer Fellowship class

Dara Johnson and Zoie McIntosh did not know each other when they arrived at the UAB School of Dentistry a year ago. But they have become such good friends since then that they are now embarking on a 13-month community health project together as members of the 2022-23 class of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Alabama (ASF).

17th Annual Scholars Symposium keynote and faculty speakers announced

The 17th Annual Scholars Symposium will feature Gerald Kugel, DMD, MS, PhD, as keynote speaker. He will deliver an address entitled “Who Cares About Research, I’m a Clinician.” The talk will kick off the afternoon session, which will be held virtually on Thursday, April 7 beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Father and son receive 2021 alumni awards

Dr. Russell Taichman, Dean of the UAB School of Dentistry, used a couple of cliches to introduce the recipients of the School of Dentistry Alumni Association’s 2021 award winners. The recipients are pillars in dentistry and the Gadsden community.

2022 Alumni Weekend Exceeds Expectations

Every year, alumni from across Alabama and the nation converge on Birmingham, Ala for the Alabama Dental Alumni Association’s Alumni Weekend. This year it was different.

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Tara Moncus: The Real-Life Tooth Fairy of Rainsville, AL

When it came to deciding on which career to pursue, Dr. Tara Moncus got a little help… from Oprah Winfrey.

Student research group recognized for new student involvement

UAB’s Student Research Group, a chapter of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) National Student Research Group (NSRG), has been recognized for having the greatest percentage of new AADOCR student members in 2021-2022.

School of Dentistry to have a major impact upon future care of oral health nationwide

UAB researchers are contributing to “Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges,” a national publication aimed at exploring the nation’s oral health over two decades.

How to protect your child’s dental health

This month is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Explore ways to maintain and advance your child’s oral health.

UAB School of Dentistry partners with Xavier University for Early Assurance Program

The program will prepare Xavier’s promising students with a solid foundation for dental school.

Smith selected as Gert Quigley Fellow

Caris Smith, a DMD/PhD student, has been selected for the 2022-23 Gert Quigley Government Affairs Fellowship by the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR).

Alumni Spotlight: Crossing State Lines

Dr. Bruce Camp (’84) grew up in Alabama, graduated from the UAB School of Dentistry, and has lived and practiced dentistry in Georgia for 37 years. For the better part of those 37 years, he has been crossing state lines to maintain a strong bond with the School of Dentistry and its alumni association.

Alumni Spotlight: Dentistry helped make Smith’s dreams come true

Dr. Doug Smith is no stranger to long days and hard work. That is because, on top of serving the Dothan, Ala. community as a trusted dentist of almost forty-five years, Dr. Smith works on his family farm where he raises pure bred Black Angus cattle.

Robinson appointed in NIH Advisory Committee for Research on Women’s Health

A UAB researcher will serve on the advisory committee to promote women’s and minority health, and other gender-related health disparities.

Fouad elected to prestigious national dentistry advisory council

Ashraf F. Fouad, DDS, will help the dental community nationally by applying his scientific knowledge and clinical research expertise to further the dentistry practice.

Alumni Spotlight: Teichmiller excels in dentistry and in service

At the time she was growing up on the family farm in Western Kentucky, Dr. Stephanie Teichmiller (’90) had no inkling she would become a dentist.

Alumni Spotlight: Phillips leads and practices with a servant’s heart

Growing up, Dr. Jim Phillips, Jr. didn’t always know he was going to become a dentist. But he did know he was destined to love sports and Auburn University.

UAB’s banner year boosted higher by record extramural funding

Collective strength of the research enterprise leads to almost $849 million in research grants and awards for FY 2021.

Alumni Spotlight: Wright recalls his leadership roots and journey in dentistry

Dr. Clay Wright (’01) doesn’t look near as big or menacing as he did when he played linebacker and offensive guard for the Troy University Trojans, but he still carries many of the life lessons he learned on the gridiron.

How much dental damage can Halloween candy do?

Maintain good dental health this Halloween by indulging that night, controlling candy intake after the binge, eating more chocolates than sticky, sour candy and brushing teeth twice daily.

Alumni Spotlight: Sasser reaps the rewards of dentistry and service

Charleston, S.C. is home to several nonprofit dental and medical clinics that provide healthcare to underserved communities around the city. And chances are good that, if you walk into any one of these clinics, you might run into periodontist Dr. Bill Sasser.

Alumni Spotlight: A former traveling dentist and recent Pell City retiree - DeShazer shares words of wisdom for new graduates

If you’ve ever attended the Alabama General Dentistry (AGD) meetings in Destin, Fla., you’ve likely seen and heard the man who emcees the raffle drawing each year, possibly wearing a Hawaiian shirt and winning the crowd over with his laidback charm and clever one-liners. That’s Dr. Bob DeShazer, one of the most fun and easy-going dentists to have ever walked the halls of the UAB School of Dentistry.

Amm awarded R21 grant to study non-invasive imaging of rare tumor

This grant will allow Amm to develop a new pre-clinical model for surgically removing ameloblastomas to reduce the chance of recurrence in patients.

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