The Department of Operative Dentistry had a strong presence at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Operative Dentistry, held in Chicago from Feb. 18–20, 2026. Faculty, residents, students, alumni, and collaborators represented the University of Iowa through leadership roles, research presentations, and professional engagement.

Dr. Ankita Samal, a third-year resident in the Periodontics Program at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, earned second place in the Clinical Case Competition at the Midwest Society of Periodontology Annual Meeting held in Chicago.

The College of Dentistry’s research enterprise is strengthened by four dedicated professionals whose work supports faculty, students, and trainees. Sheila Britton, Sara Miller, Abby Thomas, and Michael Tilley each play vital roles that ensure Iowa Dentistry’s research remains collaborative, organized, well communicated, and poised for continued excellence.

Shareef Dabdoub is advancing understanding of the oral virome through an NIH R03 grant. His research uses advanced sequencing and computational tools to explore how viruses shape oral health. This work lays the foundation for future precision approaches that may more effectively support healthy microbial communities.

The College of Dentistry hosted the 73rd Annual meeting of the Iowa Section of the American Assocation for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research on Tuesday, February 10. The day featured faculty presentations and student oral and poster presentations around the Dental Science Building, followed by a reception for the awards ceremony later that evening.

Jeremiah Poppen, a dental student in the Student Research Program mentored by Kecia Leary, analyzed patient safety incident reports before and after a new reporting system at the College of Dentistry. His findings highlight changing patterns in safety events and support a stronger culture of prevention, documentation, and improved care for patients and providers.

The College of Dentistry hosted the 73rd Annual meeting of the Iowa Section of the American Assocation for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research on Tuesday, February 10. The day featured faculty presentations and student oral and poster presentations around the Dental Science Building.

Sukirth Ganesan is leading a clinical study examining whether an arginine‑containing toothpaste can influence the subgingival microbiome in patients receiving supportive periodontal care. The six‑month trial will track microbial and clinical changes to determine whether this common dentifrice ingredient can support long‑term periodontal health without increasing disease risk.

Sukirth Ganesan received an NIH R01 award to study how improvements in metabolic health influence the oral microbiome. The interdisciplinary research team, led by Ganesan, includes investigators from the College of Dentistry and the Carver College of Medicine, spanning expertise in endocrinology, bariatric surgery, nutrition and dietetics, immunology, biochemistry, and computational biology. His team will track microbial and metabolic changes in the mouth over time to identify early biomarkers that support prevention and improve oral and overall health outcomes.

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics is home to a distinctive pharmacy model that strengthens patient care, enriches dental education, and supports collaboration across disciplines. Here are nine facts about this valuable resource.