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University of Kentucy College of Dentistry 
Building a Foundation for the Future
 
Periodontology

Greetings from the Division of Periodontology!

Arrivals, Departures, Promotions: In case you haven't had an opportunity to visit UKCD recently, we have a new dean! Dean Sharon Turner received her dental degree from UNC in 1979 and completed a NIH fellowship prior to receiving her JD (also from UNC). She joins us from Oregon Health Sciences University, where she served as Dean since 1998. She is always happy to meet alumni, so please stop by and say hello if you are in Lexington.

We also have a new faculty member in the Division of Periodontology. Dr. Mohanad Al-Sabbagh joined us after completing a periodontal residency and fellowship at SUNY Buffalo. He has extensive experience in implantology and advanced periodontal surgical techniques, as well as significant teaching experience at Buffalo. Dr. Al-Sabbagh serves as Program Director of Graduate Periodontology. We were very fortunate to recruit someone of his caliber.

Dr. Karen Novak was appointed to the position of Director of Graduate Studies. This is an important position that involves oversight of all graduate programs of the College. We wish Karen well in her new position and know she will do an excellent job.

Publications: The recently issued periodontal textbook edited by Rose, Mealey, Genco, and Cohen (Periodontics: Medicine, Surgery, and Implants; Elsevier Mosby 2004) contains three chapters authored by Dr. Mark V. Thomas. Dr. James Betancourt (UKCD Grad Perio '96) recently had an article published in the Journal of Periodontology (June 2004; "Efficacy of ibuprofen-hydrocodone for the treatment of postoperative pain after periodontal surgery"). Drs. Leo Kupp and Samuel Jasper were co-authors.

The following are recent publications from the Dental Clinics of North America, July 2006, Volume 50, Number 3, Guest Editor, Mark V. Thomas, DMD

Implant Surface, D. Puleo and M. V. Thomas

Implants in the Esthetic Zone, Mohanad Al-Sabbagh

Implant Anchorage in Orthodontics Practice:  The Straumann Orthosystem, M. V. Thomas, T.L. Daniel, T. Kluemper

Evidence-Based Decision-Making:Implants versus Natural Teeth, M. V. Thomas, J. Beagle

Implant Maintenance, S. Humphrey

Departing Residents: Dr. Roger Robinson has gone to Forida and Dr. Brandon Frodge has gone to Western, Kentucky. Each went to join a practice in their area.

Incoming Residents: Our new residents arrived in July and are hard at work. Dr. Melissa Farino joins us from south Carolina, and Dr. Scott Price is a graduate from our UK College of Dentistry. All are excellent clinicians and we are fortunate to have them.

Research Notes: One of the true success stories at UKCD has been in the area of research funding. Kudos are in order for Drs. Jeff Ebersole, John Novak, and Karen Novak (all of whom are involved in the administration of the Center for Oral Health Research). In addition to propelling us to 24th in research funding nationally (from 40th), the group was recently awarded a COBRE grant in excess of $10M. Dr. Al-Sabbagh will be conducting research as part of the grant, along with collaborators Drs. Mark Linder, Jeff Ebersole, and Mark Thomas. They will be examining polymorphisms and biomarkers associated with periodontal disease.

Clinical Image Library, Program Manual, and Virtual Implant Curriculum: Our clinical image library continues to grow and now contains thousands of images. These are catalogued by resident and are being organized by procedure. The library is extensively used in treatment planning and surgical seminars. Eventually, the library will be made available to alumni and former faculty for use as a teaching resource.

Our Virtual Curriculum is moving ahead. Most of the preliminary presentations are complete and will be placed on the web soon. You may wish to check out our Program Manual located on the website under "About the Program." Just click on the "Program Manual" and you will be able to access the entire volume. The manual is divided into two parts: 1) an administrative portion containing material relating to academic requirements, program philosophy and mission statement, etc.; 2) the clinical guide consists of a series of protocols that outline the manner in which certain procedures are performed at UKCD. These protocols are continually being refined and revised as part of our evidence-based therapy seminar series. I urge you to take a look at the manual—I think you will be pleased by what you see.

Until next time . . .