The University of Mississippi Medical Center - News Feed - the School of Dentistryhttps://www.umc.edu/This is a feed of the latest news stories from The University of Mississippi Medical Centerdis-web@umc.eduNewshttps://www.umc.edu/img/ummc_u_200x200.cmp.pngThe University of Mississippi Medical Center - News Feed - the School of Dentistryhttps://www.umc.edu/https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2024/02/SOD-SON-Collaboration.htmlUMMC Schools of Dentistry, Nursing team up to tackle HPV<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2024/02/images/SODSON-Interprofessional-Training-6.jpg"/>Low HPV vaccination rates in Mississippi, coupled with a rise in head and neck cancer cases, sparked interprofessional collaboration between two schools at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Mississippi State Department of Health.<br />]]>Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -06002024-02-19T00:00:00-06:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2024/01/SOD-Alumni-Awards.htmlHutto and Lampkin Honored in 2024 School of Dentistry Alumni Awards<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2024/01/images/Dental-Alumni-and-Friends-Award_01.png"/>The 2024 School of Dentistry Alumni Awards honored two outstanding School of Dentistry faculty members — Dr. Mitch Hutto (‘83), who has been teaching at the University of Mississippi Medical Center since 2005, and Dr. Alexa Lampkin (‘17), a dentist new to teaching who has made strides in her early career.<br />]]>Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -06002024-01-29T00:00:00-06:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2024/01/Venessia-Randle.htmlFront and Center: Venessia Randle<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2024/01/images/Venessia-Randle_06.jpg"/>Venessia Randle has been with UMMC for over 10 years—currently serving as project manager for the School of Dentistry. But she had another life prior to joining the Medical Center. With features in New York Times and performances for the President of the United States, Randle spent much of her life as an acclaimed blues musician.<br />]]>Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -06002024-01-08T00:00:00-06:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2023/06/Jason-Griggs-Honor.htmlGriggs recognized for decades of dental materials research<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2023/06/Images/Jason-Griggs-20230522-12.jpg"/>If not for dental materials, anyone with defects or disease in their teeth might be in a world of hurt. Dr. Jason Griggs has devoted his career to advancing dental health by researching how mixing together separate components can produce user-friendly substances needed for dental care. He’s been recognized by an international association with the highest honor in his field.<br />]]>Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-06-26T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2023/06/Smile-U.htmlSummer school for these kids means lessons in dentistry<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2023/06/Images/smileU-20230607-08.jpg"/>The Medical Center’s School of Dentistry is providing an experience for young scholars who may have never had the chance to speak with dental professionals and see first-hand what the job entails. S.M.I.L.E. U is giving kids in grades 5-8 that opportunity through hands-on, fun activities designed to spark an interest in oral health.<br />]]>Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-06-12T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2023/05/Photos-Commencement.htmlPhotos: Capturing memories of the Class of 2023<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2023/05/Images/commencement-20230526-18.jpg"/>Parents, friends and other family members gathered at the Mississippi Coliseum on May 26 to cheer on the special students in their lives who make up the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Class of 2023. About 740 of the 911 graduates walked across the stage to accept their diplomas.<br />]]>Tue, 30 May 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-05-30T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2023/05/Malita-Chaffier.html#UMMCGrad2023: Patient care a passion for dental hygiene grad<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2023/05/Images/Malita-Chaffier_04.jpg"/>Coming from a community college to the bachelor’s program in dental hygiene, Malita Chaffier had a few qualms and anxieties. But thanks to faculty who taught her the skills she needed for clinical training – and life lessons along the way – she’s prepared to begin full-time work as an oral health professional.<br />]]>Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-05-15T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2023/05/Casey-Park.html#UMMCGrad2023: Residency, then private practice in Casey Park’s future<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2023/05/Images/Casey-Parks_01.png"/>As she nears graduation from the School of Dentistry, Casey Park is focusing on extending her learning through a residency, with the goal of getting more experience in treating medically complex patients.<br />]]>Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-05-15T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2023/04/Alexa-Lampkin.htmlLampkin becomes dental trailblazer<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2023/04/Images/Alexa-Lampkin_01.jpg"/>After graduating in 2017 from the Medical Center’s School of Dentistry and completing her residency there, Dr. Alexa Lampkin joined the SOD faculty. Fast forward, and Lampkin has shattered yet another glass ceiling by becoming the first woman dentist to serve on the Mississippi Board of Dental Examiners in its history.<br />]]>Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-04-17T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2023/01/NEWS01302023SODHonorees.htmlWhitlock, Boteler shine as School of Dentistry honorees<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2023/01/Images/Dental Alumni and Friends_07.jpg"/>Dr. Acie Whitlock is an alumnus of the School of Dentistry, and Dr. William Boteler is a longtime faculty member. The school’s Dental Alumni Board is honoring them for their accomplishments and contributions – Whitlock as Dental Alumnus of the Year, and Boteler as Distinguished Friend of the Year.<br />]]>Mon, 30 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -06002023-01-30T00:00:00-06:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/12/Dental-hygiene-turns-50.htmlDental hygiene at UMMC turns 50<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/12/Images/Free-Clinic-Dentistry-20221001-41.jpg"/>In 1972, the first graduating class of dental hygienists left the School of Health Related Professions with certificates in hand. A half-century later, these oral health practitioners earn their baccalaureate degrees at the School of Dentistry, learning alongside dental students who share their passion for patient-centered care. <br />]]>Mon, 05 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -06002022-12-05T00:00:00-06:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/10/SOD-integrated-patient-care.htmlSOD pilot program a culture change for patient needs<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/10/Images/sod-20220915-01.jpg"/>Dental school is hard, with a lot of boxes to check. It can leave students focusing on the numbers instead of their patients, something driven by culture and systems. A pilot program for integrated patient care, however, puts the patient first by allowing students to take care of multiple issues crossing departmental lines in a single visit, creating efficiencies for both.<br />]]>Mon, 17 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-10-17T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/08/SOD-Creative-Waxing.htmlA study in wax: SOD first-years get early lessons<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/08/Images/SOD-Creative-Wax-20220819-01-2.jpg"/>They’ve just dipped their toes into the School of Dentistry laboratories, but beginning students waste no time in learning how to manipulate warmed wax with a dental tool. It’s a lesson that will be repeated and built upon as they progress to their fourth year.<br />]]>Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-08-29T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/05/Commencement-Photos.htmlPhoto Gallery: Graduates smile after reaching educational milestone<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/05/Images/ummccommencement-20220527-18.jpg"/>Family and friends were on hand to cheer on UMMC’s 2022 graduates for earning degrees ranging from baccalaureate to doctorates. Ceremonies Friday at Mississippi Coliseum were the first to include six health sciences schools since 2019.<br />]]>Tue, 31 May 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-05-31T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/05/Commencement.htmlUMMC celebrates 959 May 2022 graduates across six health sciences schools<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/05/Images/ummccommencement-20220527-28.jpg"/>Hundreds of UMMC graduates earned degrees in the health sciences Friday during a ceremony at Mississippi Coliseum. The number of degrees conferred this year showed an increase of 97 from 2021, reflecting the Medical Center’s efforts to meet the state’s health care needs.<br />]]>Fri, 27 May 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-05-27T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/05/SOD-Cone-Beam-CT.htmlInnovative dental scan helps providers find root of problem<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/05/Images/tmj.jagtap-20220419-04.jpg"/>When Carol Hoover experienced jaw pain and headaches, she saw several doctors and dentists in her quest to find the source of her discomfort. That journey led her to the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, where her specialty team used a unique CT scan to confirm her jaw disease – and just as importantly, to rule out more serious issues.<br />]]>Mon, 09 May 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-05-09T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/05/Colby-Roberts.html#UMMCGrad2022: Road to SOD paved with hard work<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/05/Images/Colby-Roberts_02.jpg"/>Colby Roberts always knew he wanted a career in health care, but thought dental school might be out of his reach. He took his undergraduate degree in kinesiology to nursing school, earning his bachelor of science in nursing and landing a job in UMMC’s surgical ICU. But dental school still beckoned. He answered the call, and his dream becomes reality this month.<br />]]>Mon, 02 May 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-05-02T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/04/Shalin-Patel-School-of-Dentistry.htmlMessage to new SOD graduates: Patients, not you, wear the crown<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/04/Images/Patel_10.jpg"/>Classroom work might be just about over for the School of Dentistry’s Class of 2022, but learning to do life after school has just begun. On an April 15 visit to campus, SOD graduate Dr. Shalin Patel gave fourth-year students insight and perspective about what lies ahead as they pursue their careers.<br />]]>Mon, 18 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-04-18T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/02/Dental-Alumnus-of-the-year.htmlSchool of Dentistry alums shine in their community and profession<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/02/Images/Dental-Alumni-and-Friends-Dinner_03.jpg"/>The 2020 Dental Alumnus of the Year and Early Career Achievement Award winners are a few years apart in age, but they share a passion for dentistry and serving their patients and communities. The School of Dentistry’s Dental Alumni Board is honoring Dr. J. Kevin Holman as its Alumnus of the Year and Dr. Drew Dulaney for accomplishments early in his career.<br />]]>Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -06002022-02-07T00:00:00-06:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/02/Dental-Mission-Week.html‘Care’ has double meaning during Dental Mission Week<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2022/02/Images/SODmissionweek-20220201-04.jpg"/>When the School of Dentistry’s annual Dental Mission Week rolls around, dental students are just as excited about it as the patients who receive procedures ranging from teeth cleaning to extractions. The purpose of the week is twofold: provide care for veterans and others who don’t have the means to pay for it, and give students not just hands-on clinical experience, but life lessons in servant leadership.<br />]]>Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -06002022-02-07T00:00:00-06:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2023/02/Dental-Mission-Week.htmlSmiles polished up for vets during Dental Mission Week<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2023/02/images/Dental-Missions-2023_01.jpg"/>About 800 people with varying degrees of access to quality dental care lined up for Dental Mission Week at UMMC as event organizers regrew the event after two scaled-down years due to the pandemic. Veterans, those with special needs and area school students are among this year’s recipients of a wide range of dental services made possible by major sponsorships and other donations.<br />]]>Sun, 06 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -06002022-02-06T00:00:00-06:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2021/11/Record-Enrollment.htmlThe size is right: Campus enrollment climbs<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2021/11/Images/Nena-Hawkins_01.jpg"/>For the third year in a row, Medical Center schools as a whole have boosted the number of students who have decided to make health care careers their goal as the state’s future nurses, scientists, doctors, dentists, speech pathologists, occupational or physical therapists, among many more. In the face of the pandemic and personal crises, they have prevailed.<br />]]>Mon, 15 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -06002021-11-15T00:00:00-06:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2021/10/School-of-Dentistry-Lockers.htmlAlumni donors bring much-needed perks to SOD<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2021/10/Images/SOD-Lockers-20211006-03.jpg"/>Students in the School of Dentistry use lots of equipment and supplies in producing models, and they need a safe place to store it between visits to the laboratories. Generous alumni are making that possible by contributing to a fundraising campaign that has secured 44 lockers so far, with the hope of installing one for every SOD dental and dental hygiene student.<br />]]>Mon, 11 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-10-11T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2021/08/COVID-and-UMMC-Schools.htmlSeven schools and six ways from Sunday: Students, faculty brazen out COVID surge<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2021/08/images/COVID-Feature_03.jpg"/>Those who learn, teach and lead among the Medical Center’s rollcall of schools are, of course, also up against the pandemic’s growing list of deficits and demands – in the clinic and the classroom. At UMMC, COVID-19 has already had a profound impact on education, most certainly for all time. <br />]]>Mon, 16 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-08-16T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2021/07/UPSTART-symposium.htmlUPSTART symposium shines spotlight on student research<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2021/07/Images/SOD_Research-Day-20210722-08.jpg"/>The School of Dentistry’s UPSTART Program gives undergraduate and dental students a chance to brush up on research, technical and professional skills they will use throughout their careers. The summer program wrapped up July 22 with an in-person research symposium and a talk by the school's new dean. Dr. Sreenivas Koka.<br />]]>Mon, 26 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-07-26T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2021/07/SOD-Honors-Alums-Gandy-Caskey.htmlSOD honors alums for dedication, passion for teaching<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2021/07/Images/Dental-Funds-20210601-16.jpg"/>Dr. Steve Gandy and Dr. Curtis Caskey aren’t just worthy ambassadors for the School of Dentistry - They’re committed to the practice of community dentistry to promote oral health care in a state with a shortage of dental practitioners. The school’s Dental Alumni Chapter has named Gandy its Alumnus of the Year and has given Caskey its Early Career Achievement Award.<br />]]>Mon, 19 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-07-19T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2021/07/School-of-Dentistry-Koka.htmlNew dean’s experience, expectations to shape SOD's future<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2021/07/Images/Koka-Sreenivas.jpg"/>A new focus on diversity and inclusion that will result in students and faculty that better reflect the state's population. Stellar patient-centered care for all Mississippians. A greater focus on research. More emphasis on uniting faculty to give students their best educational experience. They’re among the priorities for Dr. Sreenivas “Sree” Koka, the School of Dentistry's new dean.<br />]]>Mon, 12 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-07-12T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2021/06/School-of-Dentistry-Development-Fund.htmlSOD development funds honor faculty, community dentists<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2021/06/Images/Dental-Funds-20210601-41.jpg"/>Mississippi’s only School of Dentistry is educating the next generation of dentists who will give general and specialty care statewide. Attracting the best and brightest students and recruiting, retaining and rewarding outstanding faculty is critical to the school’s success. Four new development funds will address a variety of needs, and SOD graduates and the dental community can give back by supporting them.<br />]]>Mon, 28 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-06-28T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2021/05/John-Sinclair.html#UMMCGrad2021: SOD grad has new assignment: Treating patients in the Navy<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2021/05/Images/John-Sinclair_04.jpg"/>John Sinclair, a School of Dentistry May graduate, takes with him lessons on compassionate health care and the need to talk to his patients - not just focus on the dental work at hand. Oh, and he also will take his wife, fellow graduate Katelyn Allen, who he met during their four years of dental training.<br />]]>Mon, 10 May 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-05-10T00:00:00-05:00https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2021/04/American-Dental-Hygienists-Association-Educator-of-the-Year-Sandra-Horne.htmlHorne reaps kudos for classroom ingenuity, problem-solving<![CDATA[<img alt="" align="left" hspace="5" src="/news/News_Articles/2021/04/Images/Dr.-Sandra-Horne_20.jpg"/>For Sandra Horne, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association Educator of the Year, the classroom is more than a place for teaching dental hygiene students how to clean a patient’s teeth or prevent and treat diseases of the gums. In the School of Dentistry, she imparts wisdom on how to take pride in their work and have genuine concern for the provision of optimum care.<br />]]>Mon, 12 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-04-12T00:00:00-05:00