News - School of Dentistry

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.

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. John Anderson reflects on a lifetime of adventures and accomplishments in dentistry

In the fall of 1969, Dr. Charles “Scotty” McCallum, dean of the School of Dentistry at the time, hosted a meet-and-greet reception at his home for the School’s incoming freshmen. Among those in attendance were John Anderson, and his new wife, Mimi.

Javed named director of Global Center for Craniofacial, Oral and Dental Disorders

Amjad Javed, Ph.D. has been named director of the Global Center for Craniofacial, Oral and Dental Disorders (GC-CODED). He also serves as the interim associate dean for research and director of postgraduate education in the School of Dentistry.

Cunha-Cruz joins UAB School of Dentistry faculty to foster research collaborations and lead National Dental PBRN communications

Joana Cunha-Cruz, D.D.S., M.P.H., Ph.D., has joined the faculty of the UAB School of Dentistry to foster research collaborations and support the work of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN).

Summer commencement will be virtual at UAB

In response to increasing case numbers and hospitalizations and in consultation with UAB infectious disease and public health experts, UAB is canceling large indoor events to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community.

Amm’s journey of scientific discovery continues through NIH funding, collaboration

An R21 award will help Hope Amm, Ph.D., further a lifelong journey of scientific discovery by advancing her research on genetics and signaling pathways in oral tumors.

Back to school: a complete health checklist for parents

UAB experts provide information on four health care appointments that need to be on every parent’s back-to-school checklists.

Burn patient shows hand therapists his gratitude by making them custom works of art

A year ago, Delrico Gibson could not use his hands. Now he can make art again and thanked the therapists who helped him recover with works of abstract symmetric string art made especially for them.

Why the Class of 1972 is Special

There’s no question the rigors of dental school are just as demanding today as they were 50 years ago. While dentistry has changed in so many ways the past 50 years, the tight bonds developed between classmates remains a constant. Set to have their 50-year reunion in 2022, the Class of 1972 may be the tightest of them all.

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 2021 honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College and the Graduate School.

UAB School of Dentistry well represented in service through fellows program

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) of Alabama recently announced the selection of its 2021-22 class of Alabama Schweitzer Fellows and UAB School of Dentistry is well represented.

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Calvin Sanders reflects on his journey into dentistry and rural practice

Dr. Calvin Sanders attended Auburn University from 1965 to 1969, and remembers how much fun he had as an undergraduate student. Perhaps even a bit too much fun at first.

Alumni Spotlight: An unexpected career became a labor of love

For one reason or another, the Medical College of Alabama in Birmingham chose not to accept Dr. Grady Price’s application to enter medical school for the fall of 1959. At the time, Dr. Price was studying pre-med at the University of Alabama and was preparing for a career as a physician when his plans abruptly changed.

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

UAB School of Dentistry honored over 150 Doctor of Dental Medicine graduates at its recent commencement ceremony. Held for the Class of 2021, the June 5 event also included members of the Class of 2020 who returned to celebrate in-person following a virtual ceremony last year.

Judd: Alabama does not have high enough immunity to eradicate SARS-CoV-2

Immunity levels are keeping state case levels manageable for now, but the current vaccination rate will not end COVID and likely will lead to continued outbreaks.

11 UAB students selected as 2021 Schweitzer Fellows

UAB graduate students will work as yearlong service partners to implement self-developed projects dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable people.

Arrasmith honored with lifetime achievement award by SSOMS

Warren Arrasmith, D.M.D., associate professor and clinic director in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, was honored with the SSOMS Lifetime Achievement Award at the 72nd meeting of the Southeastern Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Lin receives graduate student research award in pediatric dentistry

Yuyin Lin, D.D.S., a third-year resident in pediatric dentistry, has been awarded the prestigious 2021 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA).

King of the Jungle

Whether it’s hunting big game, treating dental patients, or making a big time philanthropic gift, Dr. Bill Adams (’69) of Albertville, Ala., believes in going all out. Adams recently made an $800,000 planned gift commitment to endow a professorship for the UAB School of Dentistry. The dental school will realize the gift through his estate.

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