Faculty & Staff News - School of 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.

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.

UAB School of Dentistry celebrates legacy of beloved instructor through endowment

Bryant G. “Don” Speed, D.M.D., a beloved instructor who taught in the UAB School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics, passed away in 2014.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Passing the baton: Leadership transitions in GPR and AEGD programs

The Russell Wing on the first floor of the UAB Hospital is a special place. Here, faculty and residents of the School of Dentistry’s General Practice Residency (GPR) and Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) programs provide dental care to medically complex patients of all ages.

Mazer named Fellow of International College of Dentists, USA Section

Raquel Mazer, DMD, MS, MPH, has been honored as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, USA Section, within the district encompassing Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. She was sponsored by Dr. Toni Neumeier.

Zhang’s paper featured as leading edge research

A recent paper by Ping Zhang, DDS, PhD, Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, has been selected for the ‘Frontline Science’ section and featured as leading edge research in the October, 2020 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology (JLB).

Blazing a trail: School’s staff council completes successful inaugural year

When a newly reestablished School of Dentistry Staff Council kicked off in July 2019, the group quickly went to work developing initiatives to support and engage staff school-wide. That was before COVID-19 brought its activities to a halt.

Mazer looks to expand partnerships to train students, improve oral health outcomes for Alabama

Dr. Raquel Mazer was appointed Director of Community Collaborations shortly before COVID-19 began upending community outreach. She explained how she is settling in to her new position and advancing community partnerships in the wake of the pandemic.