News - School of Dentistry

Dr. Eric Wu – Built from Scratch

In today’s world of multi-media, social media, and bright lights, you’ll be hard pressed to find a thriving dental practice that doesn’t have its own web site. If you start searching for Dr. Jiann-Jang “Eric” Wu’s endodontic practice in Winter Park, Florida you won’t find a website, because he’s never had one.

Research and Enjoy

Third-year UAB dental student Caris Smith encourages others to explore a different side of dentistry.

UAB researcher leads nation’s first dental implant registry

This registry will help practitioners better understand dental implants and their impact on patients’ health, function and quality of life with the aim of improving treatment outcomes of future therapy.

International Dentist Program provides passport to success for foreign students

Basmah Aref was not some wide-eyed novice when she arrived at UAB in 2021 to start her training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. In fact, she was already a dental school graduate with a year of experience working as an assistant at a pediatric practice.

A life-changing experience led first-year dental student Peyton Billingsley to UAB School of Dentistry

Five years ago, Peyton Billingsley could not have imagined that she currently would be a first-year student in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.

UAB received more than $332 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health in 2022

Research funding to UAB from the National Institutes of Health tops $300 million again.

UAB School of Dentistry Alumni Weekend: Back to Breaking Records

The School of Dentistry Alumni Association’s 2023 Alumni Weekend was another huge success, with more than 1,900 total participants.

UAB School of Dentistry Honors Alumni with Awards

The UAB School of Dentistry kicked off its 75^th anniversary on February 2, 2023 in conjunction with the school’s alumni association Alumni Weekend in Birmingham, Ala. One of the highlights of the weekend was the presentation of two special alumni awards.

UAB’s Cheon receives grant to improve dental materials

The funded project began Jan. 1 and is expected to run for two years. The proposal focuses on developing a novel dental pulp capping material by improving bioactivity of pulp tissue while achieving ideal mechanical properties.

Eighteenth annual symposium speakers announced

The eighteenth annual UAB School of Dentistry Scholars Symposium will be held Thursday, March 2, 2023. The symposium will feature Esra Sahingur, DDS, MS, PhD as keynote speaker and Ping Zhang, DDS, PhD as the faculty presenter. The day will begin with poster presentations held in UAB Hospital, West Pavilion Atrium from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

UAB Oral Oncology among first in Southeast to use augmented reality in head and neck cancer surgery

The technology gives surgeons a real-time three-dimensional navigation of complex tumors, so they can easily sort through the layers of the skull and gain insights into the tumor and surrounding anatomical structures like major arteries and skull base.

Robinson named UAB’s senior vice provost for Faculty Affairs

Michelle Robinson, DMD, will be responsible for all faculty-related matters at UAB.

At 75 years young, UAB School of Dentistry continues to provide world-class dental education

The UAB School of Dentistry is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Arrasmith turned a dental injury into a dental career

An injury on the football field led to a career in dentistry for Warren Arrasmith, D.M.D.

Through COVID and construction, the SOD Staff Council works to keep morale high

Pulling people together can be difficult when you can’t physically get together. That was the challenge facing the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry Staff Council during much of Nancy Parsons’ recently completed 18-month term as council president.

Kase maintains connection with Ukrainian dental journal despite conflict

Not long after arriving at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry in 2017, Michael Kase DMD struck up an Instagram collaboration with an overseas oral surgeon, Eugene Fresenko PhD, who that same year was helping start a new dental journal.

UAB fall commencement is Dec. 9-10

At least 1,270 students will walk in two commencement exercises this fall at UAB.

UAB SOD loses a ‘gentle soul’ with passing of longtime faculty member Perng-Ru Liu

The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry recently lost a longtime and beloved faculty member with the passing of Perng-Ru Liu, DMD, DDS, MS.

Sonya Mitchell is retiring from the School of Dentistry to enter new phase of her career

A mere 25 years after graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, Sonya Mitchell D.M.D., M.S.H.A., is about to enter private practice.

12 honored for excellence in teaching

Twelve faculty have been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. The 2022 honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College and the Graduate School.

Alumni Weekend to kick off school’s 75th anniversary celebration

UAB School of Dentistry’s annual Alumni Weekend, February 2-5, 2023, will kick off the school’s yearlong 75th anniversary celebration.

UAB’s research funding tops record $715 million for FY 2022

The university continues its five-year streak of record growth in research and development.

Dental conferences provide students with an additional layer of learning

Students come to the UAB School of Dentistry for both the traditional classroom instruction and the valuable real-world experience obtained through clinic work.

Trick or treat: Dental tips for a healthy Halloween

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.

UAB School of Dentistry Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Wayne Prim

Dothan and dentistry through and through

Dr. Wayne Prim has always loved making beautiful things with his hands. Before he discovered dentistry, he was interested in pursuing a career as an architect.

Dr. Bill Reeder – Cross Country

One might say Dr. O. William “Bill” Reeder, Jr. (’71) has taken the scenic route throughout his life. That not only surmises his professional life but his choice of residences as well. Born in Andalusia, AL and raised in Luverne, the UAB School of Dentistry alumnus was influenced to pursue a dental career by long-time Luverne dentist and also UAB alumnus, Dr. Billy Beall. “The UAB School of Dentistry had a great reputation. I thought my education was fair but very tough and my education put me in a position where I could make a difference,” said Reeder.

$1.5 million grant to help improve the oral health of vulnerable adults in underserved areas in Alabama

The five-year project will focus on improving education and training efforts of dental students on how to care for vulnerable groups, including those undergoing substance use disorders.

Gilbert receives evidence-based dentistry award from the American Dental Association

The award recognizes Gilbert’s commitment to research and its application to clinical practice of dentistry.

Sports safety: how to avoid sports-related injuries

Experts provide safety tips for protecting one’s eyes, mouth and body from sports-related injuries this season.

No filling, no drilling: An expert’s guide to the top tooth tech of 2022

Dentistry’s advances over the decade include cavity fillings without drilling, fillings that fight bacteria and 3D imaging for implants.

Ging-HER-vitis? Women's health and oral health

Ask the Expert: Dr. Mia Geisinger

UAB School of Dentistry renews $3.2 million from NIH to train future dentistry academicians

$3.2 million in funding from the NIH will enhance dentistry research and training and address the nationwide shortage of dental academicians.

Catching up with Dr. Milton Essig and his unique retirement adventures

Anyone who knows Dr. Milton Essig (Class of ’70), knows his attention to detail and his love of dentistry. During his thirty five years as a UAB School of Dentistry faculty member, he trained hundreds of UAB students, and even more through organized dentistry.

Chavali to join International Dentist Program leadership team

Ramakiran Chavali, B.D.S., M.S., has been appointed Assistant Director of the International Dentist Program (IDP) in the UAB School of Dentistry effective September 1.

Dothan to welcome first-of-its-kind UAB dental clinic created to address state’s dental crisis

The clinic — supported by a $3.4 million state appropriation — is part of the UAB School of Dentistry’s innovative efforts to combat the shortage of dentists in rural areas of the state.

UAB School of Dentistry Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Michelle Ireland

An inspiring mission trip turns into a passion for practice

Javed named Associate Dean for Research in UAB School of Dentistry

Amjad Javed, Ph.D., has been named associate dean for research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry following a national search. He served in an interim capacity since 2018.

Ask the Expert: UAB School of Dentistry’s Dr. Nico Geurs shares the dangers of periodontal disease and how to keep your gums healthy

It is not uncommon for dental offices to use an image of a tooth in their signs or promotional materials. What you rarely see is an image of the gums. Yet gum health is an essential part of overall dental care. Nico Geurs, DDS, MS, Weatherford/Palcanis Endowed Professor and Chair in the Department of Periodontology at the UAB School of Dentistry, talks about the importance of not being dumb when it comes to the gums.

All Dentistry News