Dental Medicine News and Stories

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) introduced a set of 12 awards to recognize excellence among its faculty, staff, students, residents and alumni. During the ceremony, Dean Denise Kassebaum, DDS, MS, expressed her gratitude and pride: "It is our people who make this school what it is today. Your enthusiasm and dedication drive all of our achievements and make the SDM a special, thriving community."

Laura Ramsey | September 26, 2023

Colorado dentists, alumni and faculty of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) are invited to a free continuing education (CE) program on September 15, 2023, at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Three (3) CE credits are offered, and early registration is encouraged as space is limited. 

SDM Comms | August 28, 2023

Students at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) are immersed in a collaborative environment where faculty, staff and peers are incredibly supportive, and everyone wants to see you succeed... but a little competition never hurt anyone.

Laura Ramsey | June 23, 2023

Thirty-eight faculty members from schools across the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus were recognized at a reception on May 10, 2023. University leadership, deans and directors were in attendance along with many of this year’s honorees. Each faculty member received a commencement medal, emblazoned with the seal of the University of Colorado, in appreciation for their service.  

Laura Ramsey | May 11, 2023

Three faculty members from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine were awarded for outstanding research in oral health equity, public service and oral health. They were recognized and honored at the 52nd American Association of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research's (AADOCR) Meeting & Exhibition in Portland, Ore. The AADOCR is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being. 

Laura Ramsey | March 21, 2023

Dr. Wright earned her dental degree from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee. She completed her oral and maxillofacial pathology residency at the New York Hospital of Queens (New York-Presbyterian Queens) in Flushing, New York. She became a board-certified oral and maxillofacial pathologist and began her tenure in academia at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in 2004. She served as a consultant with OralDNA labs to help with the promotion and understanding of the human papillomavirus salivary test. Prior to her arrival at the University of Colorado, she worked at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine where she was involved with the biopsy service and teaching dental students and residents.

Laura Ramsey | February 23, 2023

Dental caries (tooth decay) is a widespread public health issue, especially prevalent in under-resourced communities across the country. Through extensive research, esteemed keynote speaker Carmem Pfeifer, DDS, PhD; professor at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Dentistry aims to improve dental restorations by developing stronger materials that will last longer and perform better than current materials used to treat dental caries. 

Laura Ramsey | February 17, 2023

Dr. Somerset attended dental school at the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and completed post-doctoral residency with the Christiana Care Health System in Wilmington, Delaware. Prior to dental school, Dr. Somerset earned a Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and an MS degree in Biomedical Science at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Laura Ramsey | December 19, 2022

From groundbreaking research to composting on campus, here are some of our favorite stories from 2022.

Laura Ramsey | December 15, 2022

Tamanna Tiwari is a dentist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Dentistry and Population Health, and Associate Director, Center for Oral Disease Prevention and Population Health Research at the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Colorado.

American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research | December 05, 2022

As a practicing dentist for more than thirty years, Dr. Dirks brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM). She joins the faculty in the department of community dentistry and population health with a focus on senior care, and is assistant director of the ACTS program. Her passion lies in geriatric dentistry and connecting dental care with overall health care.

Laura Ramsey | October 20, 2022

AURORA, CO and WASHINGTON, DC (SEPTEMBER 20, 2022) – Increasing communication between dental and medical providers reduces barriers to care. According to a new report from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Medical-Dental Integration (MDI) improves positive health outcomes in vulnerable populations, such as at-risk children, pregnant women, seniors, and those in need of chronic disease management.

SDM Comms | September 20, 2022

Thomas Fry, DDS, is a Colorado native and a 2019 graduate of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. He readily admits that he is overjoyed to be back in his home state and his home institution. From 2019-2022, he completed General Practice and Oral Medicine Residencies at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, with a special interest in the clinical treatment of oral mucosal lesions and orofacial pain. As one of only a few oral medicine specialists in the state of Colorado, Dr. Fry is excited to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of dentists.

Laura Ramsey | August 19, 2022

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Kharouf graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in 1985, completed a general practice residency in the U.S. Air Force at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, in 1986, and a graduate orthodontics programs at the University of Iowa in 1992. He practiced with the USAF in Germany (general dentistry) and Tokyo (orthodontics), then owned a private practice in South Dakota for 24 years. Dr. Kharouf has held various state and regional positions with the American Association of Orthodontics and received board certification in 2003. He has taught at the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry (2008-2009), the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry (2019-2021), and now the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine since January 2022.

Laura Ramsey | July 28, 2022

Dr. Phipps graduated from Hampton University in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in biology, then earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004. After dental school, she attended an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program for one year before heading west. She moved to Las Vegas in 2005 where she practiced part time before transferring to the University of Nevada School of Dental Medicine and has been in dental education ever since.

Laura Ramsey | July 21, 2022

Dr. Parsegian is a practicing periodontist and an award-winning educator. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) at First Tashkent State Medical Institute in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After relocating to the United States in 2006, Dr. Parsegian completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biomedical Science, Master of Dental Science (MDSc), and Clinical Certificate in Periodontology trainings at the University of Connecticut Health in Farmington, CT. In 2017, Dr. Parsegian joined the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Dentistry (UTSD) as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene and served as a program director of Predoctoral Periodontics in 2020-21. In early 2022, Dr. Parsegian joined the CU School of Dental Medicine as an Associate Professor and the Program Director of Predoctoral Periodontics in the Department of Surgical Dentistry, Division of Periodontics, pursuing a tenure-track, clinical educator position.

Laura Ramsey | July 07, 2022

Aurora, Colo. (June 27, 2022) – The Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM®) Program announced its 2022-2023 class of fellows, featuring University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine’s Tracy de Peralta, DMD, PhD, MClinEd.

Laura Ramsey | June 27, 2022

When Maiti Grabow (DDS ’25) moved to Colorado for dental school, she hoped that composting would be more accessible here than in her home state, Arizona. Unfortunately, she was surprised to learn that the city of Aurora does not provide public compost, trash or recycling – residents must use private services.

Laura Ramsey | June 06, 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

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

Seven university companies pitched to investors during the Pandemic Hyper-Accelerator for Science and Technology (PHAST) Demo Day on Jan. 25, hosted by Venture Partners at CU Boulder and Rockies Venture Club (RVC). This capstone event provided a chance for angel investors, venture capitalists and the startup community to evaluate pitches and discuss deal opportunities.

University of Colorado | February 16, 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

Dr. Patterson mentions, "The importance of safe prescribing and educating patients on the proper use of pain medication cannot be overstated. As an oral-maxillofacial surgeon who provides treatments that occasionally requires the prescribing of narcotics, I’m acutely aware of the potential risk of opioid abuse."

The Dentists Supply Company | December 29, 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

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

​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

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

​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

​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