When Howard Cowen (’76 DDS, ’95 MS) joined the University of Iowa College of Dentistry faculty in 1982, he served as the Director of the Geriatric Mobile Dental Unit, which provided care to elderly patients across the state starting in 1979. Throughout his career, Cowen has focused on making sure that underserved populations receive the highest quality dental care, and has helped to shape the educational offerings to dental students in the field of underserved populations.

The 2023 winter gathering at the College of Dentistry was a great success. In addition to celebrating together with colleagues, the college enjoyed sharing good food and looking at the various ornaments submitted for the college's 2023 Winter Ornament Contest Winners. 

As an alumnus, a gifted clinician, and a cutting-edge researcher, Clark Stanford is ready to get to work as the dean of his alma mater and to build on its legacy and strengths as it becomes Iowa's dental hospital.

The approval of the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (OMR) specialty by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1999 can be largely attributed to two individuals: Axel Ruprecht, former professor, UI College of Dentistry’s Oral Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine; and Mel Kantor, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

Our sincerest thanks to Ida Rose (’99 DDS) for her generous gift establishing a new scholarship in support of underrepresented students in the College of Dentistry.

In November, 84 dental students role-played the experiences of low-income patients as part of the College of Dentistry's annual poverty simulation. This simulation helps students develop cognitive and affective empathy which enhances their ability to plan treatments that patients can realistically implement.

We were saddened learn of the death of one of our program alumni, Dr. Rahul Nair (MS, 2008) who died in an automobile accident on November 4, 2022. 

The term “seven-year itch” is a belief that after a certain amount of time – usually about 7 years – there is a psychological need to change or do something new.  After nearly seven years of not producing a Dental Public Health Alumni Newsletter, there is now a definite ‘itch’ to once again send out an annual newsletter.  So, for the first time since 2015, we have a DPH Alumni Newsletter for your reading enjoyment. 

From very early on, Iowa Dentistry has always had a reputation as intramural juggernauts. 2022 was not exception to this trend!

The 2022 American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) held its 108th Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona from October 27 to October 30. The University of Iowa Department of Periodontics had excellent participation with numerous invited speakers and recognitions.