Dental Medicine News and Stories

After four years of classes and clinical training – through a global pandemic no less – the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine DDS Class of 2022 is ready and eager to embark on the next step of their careers. But before they leave these harrowed halls, CU SDM Communications Manager Laura Ramsey asked some graduates to reflect on their time here, what led them to dentistry, and what advice they have for the next generation of students. Three common themes stood out: community, balance and believing in yourself.

Laura Ramsey | May 23, 2022

The White Coat Ceremony is a respected tradition for dental, medical and other healthcare students that signifies the transition from preclinical studies to clinical care. At the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM), students earn their white coats at the end of their second year of the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program or their first year of the Advanced Standing International Student Program (ISP).

Laura Ramsey | May 16, 2022

The national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), represents and promotes the highest standards of scholarship, professionalism and ethics in the dental profession. Membership in OKU has come to represent one of the highest honors attainable within the profession. Each year, Colorado’s Pi Rho Chapter invites new members from the top of their graduating class to join the organization.

SDM Comms | May 12, 2022

Ronnie Chavez, a Navy veteran and former Douglas County sheriff’s deputy, has had dental problems his entire life. Even as a child, he was ridiculed for his teeth. “Kids can be ruthless,” he said. Not only that, but his childhood dentist was stern and unfriendly.

Laura Ramsey | May 02, 2022

Each year we honor one of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus’s greatest assets – our remarkable faculty – with the faculty awards. These accolades recognize superior accomplishments in teaching and leadership. Among the 2022 recipients are Dr. Thomas Greany and Dr. David Gozalo of the CU School of Dental Medicine.

CU Anschutz News | April 25, 2022

For the first time in three years, the lively New Venture Challenge (NVC) championship returned to an in-person format at the Boulder Theater this week to recognize CU Boulder’s top emerging entrepreneurs. 

Five startup ventures, led by CU Boulder students and faculty, competed for more than $100,000 in prize money Tuesday evening at the 14th annual New Venture Challenge championship, CU Boulder's premier entrepreneurial program and competition. Since its inception in 2009, more than 900 CU Boulder startups have participated with over $700,000 in NVC funding awarded.

CU Boulder Today | April 24, 2022

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Denver have received the Military Friendly Schools: Gold Award designation, officials announced Monday.

CU Anschutz News | March 16, 2022

A CU Dental trio nicknamed as the “Dream Team.” Of course, they are not to be confused with the 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team of legends, like Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, or Michael Jordan. The researchers’ “court” is in the lab.

SDM Comms | March 09, 2022

Digital Education at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) blends the sustainable, best-practice use of existing tools and workflows while bringing in the latest innovative technology to amplify education from all sides. Supported by the faculty and the CU SDM leadership team, Apple products have been incorporated as a significant element of our learning culture to meet students and faculty where they are and beyond.

SDM Comms | January 26, 2022

Is it the end of a journey, or the beginning of the next exciting phase? Graduation brings with it a bunch of bittersweet memories. There is still one thing that each one of us has in common. We are proud of each other and ourselves.

Nitika Rohilla | December 07, 2021

Congratulations to all those nominated for the 2020-2021 University Research Awards focused on our response to COVID-19. There are countless members of the research community who have contributed to our research mission over the last 18 months. We had more than 100 nominations and the selection of these awardees was a very challenging task for the review committee.

CU Anschutz News | November 03, 2021

Known for his extensive research and work at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), Dr. Bruce Dye, will begin a new chapter at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Dye now serves as the Department Chair for Community Dentistry and Population Health and the Delta Dental Endowed Chair of Early Childhood Caries Prevention.

SDM Comms | October 31, 2021

When Natalie Newton was a dental student on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, she worried about damaging her hearing as she and other students operated high-pitched handpieces (often referred to as drills) while they practiced fixing teeth.

Deborah Sherman | September 01, 2021

From migrant and refugee oral health to preventive dental visits, here are some of the latest publications from our esteemed faculty and residents:

Kathy Michel | July 07, 2021

Taking time off and building a dental practice is on the lists for two of CU School of Dental Medicine’s periodontics graduates. The two students earned their certificates in Periodontics and Masters of Science in Dentistry in June.

Kathy Michel | June 23, 2021

Despite our world having to change and some courses being remote, the CU School of Dental Medicine’s Class of 2021 continued to achieve major milestones and were able to pursue their passions in dentistry.

Kathy Michel | June 17, 2021

If this past year during the COVID-19 pandemic, could be summed up in one word—distance comes to mind. The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine’s Class of 2021 learned that space could mean the linear extension between patients. It can mean being six feet apart from a peer. It can also be miles apart from family, friends, or loved ones.

Kathy Michel | May 05, 2021

Patience. It's something most researchers need when it comes to discoveries. For Jamie Nichols, CU Dental craniofacial biology assistant professor, and his team, it took eight years to understand how genes impact a crucial component in our facial structures.

Kathy Michel | April 19, 2021

The CU School of Dental Medicine is closely monitoring the guidance from the CDPHE, CDC, U.S. Department of State. The CU Anschutz Medical Campus also has additional COVID-19 resources online.

SDM Comms | December 04, 2020

Our CU Dental research teams received more than $1M in grants from top-tier organizations like the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the National Institutes of Health. Their exceptional work deserves recognition, along with the mentees, who have helped spearhead these latest developments. Congratulations to the awardees!

SDM Comms | August 03, 2020

CU is one of the Stansbury family’s top philanthropic priorities. Jeffrey Stansbury, PhD, and his wife, Audrey, believe that the CU School of Dental Medicine went above and beyond in supporting Jeff, professor and associate dean for research at the school. Now, they are honoring the dental school for that support in their estate plans, as well as encouraging philanthropic support for other researchers at the school.

Courtney Keener | July 13, 2020

During her first year of dental school, Sheaffer Skadsen, DDS ’21, thought about running for class president. When the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis hit in the middle of her third year, she decided to turn those thoughts into action.

SDM Comms | June 15, 2020

Dentists are in the top five percent of health professionals in the high-risk category for becoming infected with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This new reality is causing the dental profession to rethink how it keeps its members and patients safe by focusing on public health.
 

SDM Comms | June 15, 2020

The Commencement Ceremony, and the festivities surrounding it, annually provide us with the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates in pursuit of their degrees. Although we have had to cancel our in-person ceremonies this year, I invite you to join me in congratulating the Dental Class of 2020 for a job well done.

SDM Comms | May 20, 2020

​The Pi Rho chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) has invited nine students from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine's DDS Class of 2020 to become members. OKU, the national dental honor society, invites new members who are graduating academically at the top of their class.

The 2020 inductees are Kara Arceneaux, Evan Entze, Kyra Garrison, Jordan Henke, Crispin Herrick, Sam Lynass, Matthew Melcher, Matthew Michelotti and Jennifer Terrio. Communications Manager John Brunelli asked each of them about their experience at CU Dental.

SDM Comms | May 19, 2020

Teams at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine are part of the community of healthcare workers on the frontline during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

SDM Comms | May 11, 2020

​A University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine faculty member is using his background in engineering to help alleviate the country’s shortage of ventilators in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

SDM Comms | April 17, 2020

“Sew with love” is the slogan of the Thimble Army, a group of CU Dental students who have dedicated their free time away from remote learning to sewing masks for local healthcare workers.

SDM Comms | April 14, 2020

With a rush to stay safe during the COVID-19 global pandemic, students and faculty at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine had just a week’s notice that classes would go from in-person to remote delivery.

SDM Comms | April 03, 2020

​Caring for a litter of puppies is the last thing Kara Arceneaux (DDS ‘20) thought she’d have time to do. Being in her final semester of dental school, she expected long days in the clinic. But that was before coronavirus, social distancing and global pandemic became common, everyday terms.

SDM Comms | March 31, 2020

​As the number of COVID-19 cases rises in Colorado, medical providers are looking for more personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep them safe while treating patients. The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine has donated thousands of PPE to CU Medicine to help those on the frontlines. 

SDM Comms | March 26, 2020

Second-year dental student Dijana Elmejdoubi (DDS ’22) was ten years old when civil war tore through her home country of Bosnia ripping families apart and leaving her community shattered. But, instead of allowing her early life experience to defeat her, she overcame the darkness she had seen in the war and emerged with a deep appreciation for life and commitment to helping build community.

SDM Comms | March 10, 2020

In 2016, Lucinda Lewis (DDS ’92) decided it was time. Time to sell her successful Aurora-based dental practice. Time to move closer to her elderly parents. Time to, as she likes to say, punctuate the end of her career by returning home.

SDM Comms | January 22, 2020

The Advanced Clinical Training & Service (ACTS) Program is comprised of nearly 40 clinical sites across Colorado and a team of more than 70 community dental preceptors (experienced clinicians).

SDM Comms | December 30, 2019

A visit to the dentist can leave you with a case of sensory overload, but the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine is calming patients’ fears with the help of a new dental therapy dog. Lucy, a five-year-old golden retriever, roams the clinic halls—easing patient’s anxiety and providing them comfort during routine cleanings and procedures.

SDM Comms | December 12, 2019

​Faculty of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine recently recognized outstanding members of the 2019 Class of the Advanced Standing International Student Program.​

SDM Comms | December 06, 2019

​Ama Boateng (DDS ’19) was eating breakfast in a hotel lobby in Aurora when she struck up a conversation with a woman named Gina.

SDM Comms | December 02, 2019

John Berdeaux came up with a simple solution to his complex dental problem: chew a Chiclet and put it where his front tooth should be.

SDM Comms | November 08, 2019

Congratulations to Courtney Johnson, CU Dental DS1, for winning first place in the Hatton Competition (Junior Division) at the American Association of Dental Research (AADR) 47th Annual Meeting, held on March 21-24, 2018 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

SDM Comms | April 06, 2018

This year, the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine is proud to honor an outstanding dental graduate with our CU Dental Distinguished Alumni Award. Eric Van Zytveld, DDS Class of 1979, is a great example of what a talented and compassionate dental professional can do with his passion and skills.

SDM Comms | January 08, 2018