When Jeremiah Poppen joined the University of Iowa College of Dentistry as a first-year student, he already knew research would be part of his journey. He had previously conducted dental research as an undergraduate and saw the Student Research Program as an opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges.
“I love the idea of problem-solving beyond the textbook,” Poppen said. “Research gives me the chance to take what I’m learning and apply it to issues that don’t have straightforward answers.”
That mindset led him to a project focused on patient safety, an area he considers essential for his future career in oral surgery. Poppen’s research examined incident reports at the College of Dentistry before and after the introduction of a new reporting system designed to improve documentation and awareness of safety events.
For the purposes of his work, a safety event is an unexpected occurrence that could affect patient or provider well-being or the quality of treatment. These events may include medical issues such as fainting, falls, seizures, or hypertensive episodes, as well as procedural errors or patient-related behavior concerns. Tracking safety events helps identify risks, improve documentation, and strengthen protocols to ensure a safer clinical environment for everyone.
From Fainting Spells to Procedural Errors
The first phase of Poppen’s study analyzed incidents reported under the old system, which primarily captured acute medical events such as fainting or falls. The second phase compared those findings to reports collected after the new forms were implemented. The difference was striking.
“With the new system, we saw a shift toward reporting procedural errors and patient-related behavior issues,” Poppen explained. “It gave us a more holistic picture of what’s happening in the clinics.”
This change, Poppen believes, reflects an evolving safety culture, one that encourages transparency and preparedness. “Dentists enter the profession to care for patients, but sometimes systems for managing unexpected events aren’t top of mind,” he said. “Better reporting helps us recognize patterns and prepare for what’s most likely to happen.”
Dr. Kecia Leary, Associate Dean for Clinics and Poppen’s mentor, sees the project as an important contribution to patient care. “Jeremiah’s involvement in patient safety research fosters a culture of learning and continuous improvement that can lead to safer care for all patients and providers,” Leary said.
Lessons for Future Practice
Poppen’s findings have practical implications for dental education and clinical protocols. For example, syncope—patients feeling faint—was among the most common incidents in the first year of data. “As students, we can prevent some of these events by taking simple steps like having a patient sit up in the middle of a long procedures,” he said.
The research also highlighted the complexity of patient health profiles. “I was surprised by how many medications patients are on,” Poppen noted. “It’s a reminder that interactions matter and that some patients are medically complex at higher rates than we might expect.”
Mentorship and Growth
Poppen credits his mentors, Dr. Leary, Dr. Alberto Gasparoni, and Dr. Teresa Morgan, for guiding him through the projects. “Research can go in a hundred directions,” he said. “They helped me focus on what matters most and stay true to the data.”
Poppen speaks glowingly of the Student Research Program, which is something for a person with such a lowkey demeanor. For Poppen, the program reinforced the idea that dentistry is more than daily clinical work. “It’s about contributing to the field and improving patient care,” he said. “Research gives me a lens to evaluate problems and make informed decisions throughout my career.”
Looking ahead, Poppen hopes to continue blending research with practice. “Dentistry will change dramatically over the course of my career,” he said. “Staying connected to research ensures I can adapt and provide the best care possible.”