News

Aline Petrin

Diving Deeper Into Dr. Petrin's NIH Grant

Wednesday, September 2, 2026
The Orthodontics department’s very own Dr. Aline Petrin has been awarded a grant from the National Institute of Health where she competed against multiple other scientists.
Joyce Li headshot

Li joins Department of Periodontics faculty

Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Dr. Joyce Li joined the College of Dentistry August 26 following postgraduate training at UCLA.
Hongli Sun

New major NIH award supports innovative approach to rebuilding jawbone damaged by gum disease

Tuesday, August 25, 2026
With a new National Institutes of Health R01 award, Hongli Sun is leading research to develop a new strategy for repairing jawbone damaged by periodontal disease. The project seeks to help the body not only stop disease progression but also regenerate the tissues that have been lost.
Volunteers provide care to a patient at the free clinic.

Smiles for Seniors expands access to dental care for older adults

Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Smiles for Seniors brings University of Iowa dental students, faculty, and community partners together to provide free dental care for older adults while giving students meaningful hands-on experience.
Lisa Hebl receiving a check

Alumna Lisa Hebl highlighted on KCRG

Dr. Hebl turned a dental service trip into The Guatemala Project. It has built nearly 300 homes in Guatemala.
Jeff Banas

New Gerber Foundation Award Will Test Home-Based Strategy to Prevent Early Childhood Tooth Decay

Thursday, August 6, 2026
With support from the Gerber Foundation, Jeff Banas and Mike Kanellis are leading a study to evaluate a simple, home-based approach that could help prevent tooth decay among children at highest risk for disease.
Ahmad Alkazaleh headshot

Alkhaza'leh named operative dentistry graduate program director

Wednesday, August 5, 2026
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics has named Dr. Ahmad Alkhaza'leh graduate program director for the Advanced Education Program in Operative Dentistry, effective Aug. 3, 2026.
Anelise Viapiana Masiero

CRISP-funded endodontic research advances understanding of irrigation techniques and sealer performance

Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Anelise Viapiana Masiero's research project supported by the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics' Clinical/Dental Education Research Initiative Support Program (CRISP) has generated new findings that could help clinicians improve root canal treatment outcomes while advancing understanding of emerging endodontic materials and techniques.
Erliang Zeng

New NIH Grant Will Advance Prevention of Early Childhood Tooth Decay Through Study of the Oral Microbiome

Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Erliang Zeng, Jeff Banas, and Karin Weber-Gasparoni at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics have received a new National Institutes of Health R01 award to better understand how early preventive interventions influence the oral microbiome and protect children from developing tooth decay.
Matthew Lee headshot

Periodontics resident selected as 2026 Smigel Scholar

Thursday, July 23, 2026
Matthew Lee, a resident in the Department of Periodontics at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, was selected as a Smigel Scholar for the 2026 American Society for Dental Aesthetics Annual Conference.