Luisa F. Echeto, D.D.S., M.S.

Congratulations to Luisa Echeto, D.D.S., M.S., who was selected for 2013-14 class of the University of Florida Leadership Academy.  A clinical associate professor in the Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, she joined the university in 2003.

The goal of the academy is to develop emerging leaders at UF by increasing participants’ knowledge about the university and exploring what great leadership looks like at UF.  Echeto was one of 16 selected applicants from throughout the university as part of a competitive application process.

Academy participants meet each month with various representatives from the university and Gainesville community.  The academy begins in September 2013 and continues through June 2014.

For more information about the academy, click here.

Shannon Wallet, Ph.D.

Shannon Wallet, Ph.D., received the Excellence Award for Assistant Professors from the University of Florida Provost’s Office in May 2013.  She was one of 10 awardees at the university.

“We are very proud of Shannon’s accomplishments. This is the fourth year in a row that one of the 10 award winners was a member of our college. It is an outstanding streak and reflects the quality of our junior faculty,” said Teresa A. Dolan, D.D.S., M.P.H., professor and dean.

A committee of distinguished professors and eminent scholars from across campus selected the winners, focusing on the quality and innovativeness of the research, and sought to balance the diverse intellectual streams the candidates represented.

The awards are focused on junior faculty and recognize excellence in research.  Each award is a one-time allocation of $5,000 in support of research that can be used to fund travel, equipment, books, graduate students, and other research-related expenses.

Wallet, an assistant professor in the UF Department of Periodontics, conducts research that focuses on the innate immune responses in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics with the understanding that they are similar diseases with different mechanisms leading to manifestation.

Previous recipients at the college to receive the award are Seunghee Cha, Ph.D., D.D.S., Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences; Luciana Shaddox, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., Department of Periodontology; and John K. Neubert, D.D.S., Ph.D., Department of Orthodontics.

For a complete list of awardees and for more information about the award, click here.

Participants in a pediatric dental sedation training course practiced sedation techniques using a simulated pediatric patient at the University of Florida on April 20, 2013.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Last month, 70 pediatric dentists practicing in Florida received specialized training in pediatric dental sedation and office emergency preparedness through two courses hosted at the University of Florida. Through the courses, participants learn about evolving sedation practice guidelines that are critical to the safety and welfare of pediatric dental patients and earn certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Gary Myers, D.M.D., Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry president, estimated that the attendees represent more than half of the dentists who administer pediatric dental sedations in Florida.

“We are extremely pleased with the high level of attendance,” said Myers. “These attendees received very intensive training and the fact that we reached such a large percentage of providers means we’re helping to provide the safest care for Florida’s children. There is nothing more important than that.”

Renewal of conscious sedation permits occurs biennially and requires that permit holders are current in Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support, as certified by the American Heart Association. All Florida sedation permit holders must take a minimum of four hours continuing education that includes sedation and emergency management.

“The continuing education courses are intended to assure that members of the Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry have the chance to periodically review and learn updated information on pediatric dental sedation best practices and have opportunities to challenge their knowledge and skills,” said Robert Primosch, D.D.S., M.S., M.Ed., course director and a professor of pediatric dentistry at the UF College of Dentistry.

The training is unique in the United States in both its goals and structure. With 14 hours of interactive educational experiences, it goes beyond the four hours of continuing education required for maintenance of Florida dental sedation permits. Faculty from around Florida including two board-certified pediatric dentists, four board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists and an emergency medical technician, provided instruction.

“Several professional continuing education courses on dental conscious sedation are offered in the U.S., but these are rare in that they include small group interaction and intensive experience with human simulation,” Primosch said. “Having these courses in our state makes it more convenient for Florida pediatric dentists to

attend, and we are able to focus on laws governing pediatric sedation that are specific to dental practice act in Florida.”

Part of the training was held at the UF College of Medicine Simulation Center, where participants were challenged with various sedation emergency situations using a child simulator. During these simulated experiences, small groups of four-person response teams had to respond to adverse case scenarios and practice their intervention and communication skills. The participants rotated between the roles of the various team members. The trainees used checklists, which recent studies show greatly improve patient safety and are now required in many health care settings.

The Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has sponsored the biannual, two-day courses for the past 12 years. It advocates the continued education of pediatric dentists and promotes optimal dental health care for infants, children and adults with special health care needs.

For media inquiries call Karen Rhodenizer at 352-273-5782 or email krhodenizer@dental.ufl.edu.

An additional 44 students received certificates or graduate degrees in advanced dental education, marking the successful completion of their multi-year programs.

UF President Bernie Machen, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.S., welcomed everyone with optimistic remarks, telling the graduates, “The future of dentistry is such that I envy the careers you are embarking upon.”

He reminded the newly minted dentists that “you have a very great future. You also have a great responsibility to give back to society.”

Machen also gave a brief tribute to Teresa A. Dolan, D.D.S., M.P.H., who retires in June after 10 years as dean of the college. He said, “She has elevated the status and reputation of dentistry as a profession because of the excellence with which she has performed her job.”

David Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president for UF Health Affairs and president of the UF&Shands Health System, was also in attendance and was recognized for his significant contributions to the college.

After the graduates received their degrees and hoods, Boyd Robinson, D.D.S., who will take over as interim dean of the college on July 1, 2013, led them in the Dentist’s Pledge.

The ceremony included addresses from class president Shaun Young, who shared stories from each of the graduating class’s four years of dental school; Kim Jernigan, D.M.D., the president of the Florida Dental Association; and the president of the Academy of Alumni & Friends, James Edward Martin III, D.M.D.

Jernigan told the candidates, “Your dental degree is going to take you further than you ever dreamed… away from that dental chair in situations and circumstances that you never envisioned.”

Graduates Angela McKneight and Johella Liguori honored the 2013 recipients of the Teacher of the Year Award, Karl Soderholm, D.D.S., Ph.D.,  and Luisa Echeto, D.D.S., M.S.

McKneight said, “Students admire Dr. Soderholm’s extensive knowledge base and his ability to relate complex biomaterials topics to everyday objects and occurrences.”

Liguori said that Echeto is “an inspiration and a role model to follow.”

Dolan, who presided over her last commencement ceremony, said, “We’re not saying goodbye to you. We hope to see you often, and we’re very proud of you and your accomplishments.”

To close the commencement proceedings, the attendees joined a soaring rendition of the UF Alma Mater led by new D.M.D. graduates Samantha Annas, Jayme Kemp and Anelisse Martinez.

Auction items include an 8 day stay at an exotic Belize vacation condo (http://sunsetpointebelize.com/pages/accommodations.htm), an autographed football donated by Tim Tebow especially for this event, memberships to Gainesville Health and Fitness, a photography package, a spa package and a variety of gift cards to local restaurants and businesses around Gainesville.

The auction will be held from 9 a.m. on May 22 to 4 p.m. on May 23 in the University of Florida College of Dentistry Office of Education, D3-11.

Can’t make it to campus those days? No problem! Email your bid and contact information to KMasoudipoya@dental.ufl.edu.

Below is a list of auction items, their value and starting bids.

Vacation in Belize

7 night 8 day stay at sunset pointe condo in Belize for four people at the Sea house building unit 2 pool front. Expiration date is May 23, 2014, booking subject to availability, so book early! For more information visit  http://www.sunsetpointebelize.com/

Value: $1,750        Starting bid: $900

Tim Tebow-signed Collectors Football

2006, 2008 national championship collector series football autographed by our very own Heisman trophy winning Tim Tebow.

Value:$350             Starting bid: $200

Photography Session

Family Portrait session valued at $190 plus $150 in print credit by Footstone photography in Haile Village

Value: $340            Starting bid: $175

Haile Village Salon & Spa package

$100 of varied Paul Mitchell Products and a $75 gift card towards services or other products at Haile Village Salon and Spa.

Value: $175            Starting bid: $80

Gainesville Health and Fitness

Four-month membership that can be used by you (for the whole duration) or with a group of friends (maximum 4 individuals for one month)

Value: $200           Starting bid: $80

Dining out package

Gift cards to: Sabore ($25), Haile Village Bistro ($25), Napolatono’s (Dinner for two), and Olive Garden ($15)

Value: $100            Starting bid: $40

Fresh food and Ice cream package

Gift cards to: Fresh Market ($50) and d’Lites (1 large ice cream cake)

Value: $70             Starting bid: $30

UF professor Linda Bartoshuk wants you to taste a better tomato. She wants you to taste the best and most delicious tomato you have ever eaten. And she is working diligently with horticultural sciences professor Harry Klee, Ph.D., to make that elusive tomato a reality. This is just the latest in Bartoshuk’s long career of research.

A graduate of Brown University, Bartoshuk is most famous for her discovery of supertasters. Through her research she found that there are individuals who have more taste buds than most people. These supertasters perceive tastes so intensely that they tend to avoid some foods, like bitter vegetables, which can affect health.

“Basic research in behavioral science is something not appreciated by a lot of people. I think it’s harder and I think it’s beautiful. I love the fact that we study ourselves,” Bartoshuk said.

Bartoshuk is a presidential endowed professor of community dentistry and behavioral science. She is also affiliated with the McKnight Brain Institute’s Center for Smell and Taste.

Bartoshuk has made many discoveries throughout her 54 years of research. She was the first scientist to discover that burning mouth syndrome is the result of damage to the taste buds at the front of the tongue. The condition, which is primarily experienced by postmenopausal women, was previously believed to be a psychosomatic condition.

At the start of 2013, it was announced that Bartoshuk will receive the William James Lifetime Achievement Award for basic research from the Association for Psychological Science.

The William James Lifetime Achievement Award is APS’s highest honor and recognizes researchers whose work has had profound impacts on the field of psychological science over the past quarter century.

“Our board of directors chose Linda and 25 other recipients to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards to coincide with our 25th anniversary celebration. The board felt it was important to recognize 25 of our most outstanding scientists,” said Scott Sleek, APS director of news.

The Association for Psychological Science is a nonprofit organization for the advancement of scientific psychology and its representation at the national and international level. Bartoshuk will be honored at the 25th annual APS convention in Washington, D.C. from May 23-26.

Currently, Bartoshuk is working with Klee at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences on naturally enhancing the taste of different fruits and vegetables. Bartoshuk and her team have identified a group of naturally occurring compounds that enhance the way people perceive sweetness.

“We’ve worked from a genetics and biochemistry point of view on what are the most important compounds in terms of flavor. Linda works on taste and the perception of flavor. We started working with her because she is really a world expert on taste,” Klee said.

They believe that the compounds can be used to make foods taste sweeter while using less sugar and no artificial flavors. So far the group has worked on enhancing strawberries and tomatoes through increased sweet smells.

“This has far more implications for the food industry. We could essentially design foods that are healthier for you,” Klee said.

This profile ran in the May 2013 edition of the UF Health Science Center The POST.

From left: Lynn King, Fred Joyal, and Annelise Driscoll

The ADA Center for Professional Success, a web-based member resource launching this fall, will feature the University of Florida College of Dentistry Executive Practice Management Certificate Program for Dentists intended to help dentists increase their executive-level practice management skills. Applications for the UF program will be accepted through Sept. 2, 2013, for the fall program.

The program will be tied to the Center for Professional Success, which provides support to dentists so they can succeed and excel throughout their careers. The program is one of several opportunities for member dentists to expand their knowledge through online and in-person dental practice business certificate programs.

The comprehensive 13-month program begins in October, with one weekend learning module per month in Orlando. Approximately 15-25 dentists will receive hands-on customized training, as well as a supplemental online course. Module topics will cover finance, practice operations, compliance, human resources and sales and marketing. The course will also include how to become an associate and build a practice plus manage wealth accumulation and debt reduction.

The University of Florida is an ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program recognized provider, so students can earn up to 186 hours of CE credit. Those who are accepted must be practicing, actively licensed dentists, newly graduated dentists or graduating dentists. ADA members will receive a $500 discount towards the $16,787 tuition. For more information, visit epmfordentists.com.

About the American Dental Association

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation’s largest dental association, representing 157,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public’s health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA’s state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA’s flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit www.ada.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA’s consumer website www.MouthHealthy.org.

The focus of the first meeting was to establish connections between alumni and friends of the UF Department of Periodontology. The graduating residents presented their last “Year in Review,” and the alumni volunteer coordinator, Dr. Alan Fetner, shared information on new technologies in the field. During lunch, the floor was opened to anyone who wanted to respond to the prompt, “The day I felt like a hero in my practice,” which proved to be a popular theme. The meeting adjourned with a tour of the newly renovated Center for Advanced Periodontics and Prosthodontics. The department also announced the formation of a new UF fund aimed at providing support to residency education and training in periodontology, resident travel to regional and national conferences, alumni and resident events, lectures and presentations; and to support equipment purchases for newly renovated clinic.

Since 1978, the department has graduated 86 alumni who have gone on to serve their communities, pursue research endeavors and into the academic field. The establishment of this new alumni group allows all PerioGators to maintain and increase connections to the current and former residents, the department and the college, while providing a connection to the latest news and clinical innovations in the field. PerioGators will also serve to connect alumni with volunteer opportunities, philanthropy and service.

For more information or to become involved in PerioGators, please contact alumniandfriends@dental.ufl.edu.

Please join the UF College of Dentistry for the meetings, Academy of Alumni and Friends Reception, and class reunions taking place at FNDC 2013.

Class Reunions 2013

The classes of 1988, 1993, and 1998 will be holding their reunions on Saturday, June 15 at FNDC while the other reunions will be held during Dental Fall Weekend. Dental Fall Weekend will take place November 8-9, 2013 and will be in conjunction with UF Homecoming Football Game vs Vanderbilt.

Please click on your Class Year to Register for details and to register for the FNCD 2013 Reunions.

The space was substantially renovated and features state-of-the-art equipment and technology. The flooring and other materials were selected to tie into the building’s new lobby area and provide a seamless transition between the two areas.

Renovations were funded through gifts from alumni and friends of the college. There will be 18 residents and three interns between the two programs, and 10 employees in the dental center. The center is staffed to provide care to an average of 40 periodontal patients and 25 prosthodontics patients daily.

Three laboratory spaces adjacent to the clinic will be operational in six to eight weeks providing a removable laboratory, a ceramic milling room and a ceramic room, all within steps of the clinic.