The James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine congratulates faculty members on their recent achievements.

Dr. Frederick Moore, Jr., Associate Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, was selected as the 2013 recipient of the Daniel Laskin Award as an Outstanding Predoctoral Educator.  The Daniel Laskin Award is given to an Oral Surgeon who strives to further Oral and Maxillofacial research and academia, has a reputation as an outstanding clinician, and maintains the highest ethical and moral ideals of a professor.  The award will be presented at the opening ceremonies of the AAOMS meeting this coming October.

Dr. James A. Rivers, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Oral Rehabilitation, received the Distinguished Dentist Citation from the South Carolina Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. The Pierre Fauchard Academy's goal is to consistently focus on professionalism, integrity, and ethics worldwide, by conducting themselves as worthy role models, advancing dentistry to the highest level, and supporting and honoring colleagues for their distinguished work. The award commemorates Rivers' contributions to the art and science of dentistry.

Dr. Keith Kirkwood, Professor and Associate Dean for Research, was a recent recipient of the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) Distinguished Scientist Award. The award was presented during the annual meeting of the International Association for Research in Seattle. The award recognizes scientists whose research has led to significant advances in oral health. Dr Kirkwood is a diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology, past recipient of the GlaxoSmithKline/IADR Innovations in Oral Care Award, and is a previous Tarrson Fellow from the American Academy of Periodontology. 

Dr. Monica Cayouette, Associate Professor and Director of the Implant Prosthodontics Division in the Department of Oral Rehabilitation, was inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists at its 83rd Annual Convocation in San Francisco. The honorary organization recognized Dr. Cayouette for her outstanding and meritorious service to the profession and community.

Dr. Jompobe “Joe” Vuthiganon, an Instructor in the Department of Oral Rehabilitation at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, has been named the 2013 ADEA/ADEA Council of Students, Residents, and Fellows/Colgate-Palmolive Co. Junior Faculty Award recipient.

This national award recognizes junior faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, and service. Dr. Vuthiganon was acknowledged at the 2013 ADEA (American Dental Education Association) Annual Session & Exhibition in Seattle Washington on March 19th, 2013. As part for the award, he was given a $2,500 stipend to cover travel expenses to the conference and to further his teaching, research, and service efforts.

Vuthiganon received his dental degree from MUSC in 2009 and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry in 2010. Following residency, Vuthiganon came back to Charleston and joined the faculty full-time at MUSC.

In his personal statement to ADEA, Vuthiganon wrote, “I am proud to be a part of the faculty at my alma mater and to work alongside the instructors who taught me how to be a dentist. I have found my calling in dental academia where I can not only serve my patients, but also be part of the training of future dentists. I look forward to the future as I continue my career here at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine.”

Through teaching the Dental Materials I course, as well as developing The Oral Rehabilitation Clinic Handbook™ (TORCH), Dr. “V” (as he’s known by the students) has made a positive impact since he started teaching at MUSC.

Katie Daniel, the third-year student who nominated him for the award, can attest to his impact. In her nomination letter to ADEA, she wrote, “Not only does Dr. V put together engaging lectures, he also makes MUSC a brighter place just with his presence. This can be an underrated quality . . . especially in the stressful world of dental school.”

The James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine congratulates Dr. Vuthiganon on this award and his continued dedication to the education of the future dentists of South Carolina.

The James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine celebrates excellence in staff performance with quarterly and annual staff recognition awards.

The winners were nominated by their peers, faculty or students. The 2012 awards were announced at a regularly scheduled staff meeting held on February 5, 2013. Recipients receive a framed certificate and a monetary award.

Dr. John Sanders, Dean of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine congratulates Darlene Hodgkins and Vanessa Daniels as recipients of the 2012 annual award for the CDM Staff Recognition Program.

Margaret Bull and Jacqueline Fisher were also acknowledged as the recipients of the fourth quarter 2012 CDM Staff Recognition Program.

Nominations are currently being accepted for 2013 and can be made here.

2012 Annual Award Photo (from left to right): Darlene Hodgkins/ Vanessa Daniels

2012 4th Quarter Award Photo (from left to right): Jacqueline Fisher/ Margaret Bull

Under the leadership of Dr. Michelle Ziegler, the AEGD program is continuing to make strides to offer cutting edge dentistry to benefit both residents and patients.

Dr. Ziegler has a wealth of experience and a passion for treating special needs patients and is making great strides to incorporate this into the residency curriculum. Before joining MUSC as the Director of the AEGD program in June of 2012, Dr. Ziegler was the Director of the GPR program at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey for 10 years. Before running that GPR program, she was the Director of the GPR program at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York for 7 years. Dr. Ziegler brings a wide array of ideas and experiences to help the MUSC AEGD program prepare for growth and opportunity in the near future.

The MUSC AEGD program was established in 2011 and is continuing to evolve into a highly sought after opportunity for dentists to expand their scope of practice and expertise. For potential applicants the program is expanding to five residents in 2013 and possibly six residents by 2014. Dr. Ziegler is also excited to offer residents an additional clinical site for residents to treat pediatric patients as well as those with special needs.

The program offers comprehensive dental services to patients of all ages provided by licensed dentists at reduced fees. Patients are afforded the opportunity to integrate CAD-CAM technology into their treatment, which can include same-day crowns and other state-of-the-art services that reduce wait time and make services more convenient to patients. For more information about the dental services provided or to schedule an appointment, please contact the AEGD program at 843-792-1652.

The 2013 College of Dental Medicine Alumni Homecoming weekend will be held on Thursday, February 21st through Sunday, February 24th. 

Online registration and more information is available for the event here.

Here is the agenda of events for the weekend:

Thursday, February 21st

• Third annual CDM Scholars Day (8:30am to 2pm) – Keynote speaker will be Martha Somerman, DDS, PhD. She is the Director of the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research. Alumni are encouraged to attend the free event. Three CE credit hours will be awarded for attendance. This event will be held in the Drug Discovery building.

Friday, February 22nd

• Dean’s Welcome Reception (7pm to 10pm) - Alumni from all classes welcome! Heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bar; cocktail attire. This event will be held at the Francis Marion Hotel.

Saturday, February 23rd

• Continuing Education (8am to noon) – Speakers Dr. Edward J. Swift, Jr. (class of ’79) and Rita Zamora will speak. Dr. Swift will will discuss how the development of new materials has proceeded so rapidly that many clinicians are left confused by the wealth of new products that are available in many areas. Rita Zamora is an authority in social media and relationship marketing for dental professionals. This event will be held in the Drug Discovery building.
• Guided tours of the newly renovated classrooms (12:00 noon) – Lunch will be provided. Meet in rooms 347 and 355 in the Basic Science building.
• Gift Planning Seminar (12:30pm) – Held in Basic Science rooms 347 and 355.
• Class reunion parties (for the classes of 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008) (5:00-7:00 pm) – Held at Lighthouse on Shem Creek. Come enjoy some time catching up and getting reacquainted with your classmates prior to the Oyster Roast. Light hors d’eouvres, beer and wine provided. Dress is casual. Advance registration required.
• Low Country Oyster Roast and Boil (7:00 – 10:00 pm) – Held at the Lighthouse on Shem Creek. Everyone is welcome for an informal evening of fun with lots of good low country food, oysters, and live music. Don’t like oysters? Don’t worry. There will be a menu for non-oyster eaters too!Ample parking is available in the lot in front of the Lighthouse. Advance registration is required. No tickets will be sold at the door. See registration form.

Sunday, February 24th

• ASDA Golf Tournament at Stono Ferry – February 12th Registration Deadline.