IF YOU’VE HAD any recent dealings with the School of Dentistry, there’s a good chance you crossed paths with new staff member Audriana Bruno, administrative coordinator for alumni affairs and continuing education. Her title only hints at her varied duties, which also involve her in fundraising and the Midwest Dental Conference. Continue reading
Explorer
Showers Give Way to Smiles at This Fall’s Welcome Game
THE ANNUAL NEW STUDENT Welcome Game on Aug. 28 at “The K,” sponsored by the Dental Alumni Association, was a big success despite starting off with a downpour. The torrent quickly passed, its only bad effect being a batch of soggy cookies. Otherwise, the storm gave way to beautiful skies and a great night of baseball, including a Royals victory. The UMKC School of Dentistry DDS Class of 2022 and DH Class of 2020 really “soaked up” new memories with alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
In Memoriam
Thomas G. Burris (DDS ’47)
James M. Callender III (DDS ’56)
Randall K. Hahn (DDS ’74)
Dale Hawley (DDS ’61) Continue reading
Class Notes
Classes of the 1940s and ’50s
John Windle (DDS ’49) is retired. He was a member of the Missouri Dental Board for 8 years and the Central Region Dental Testing Service for 20 years. He has a periodontic scholarship at UMKC and is a co-founder of the Dental Hygiene School at Missouri Southern State University. Continue reading
DH Class of ’78 Celebrates 40th Anniversary
THE DENTAL HYGIENE class of 1978 held a reunion the weekend of July 13-15. Seventeen women from a class of 36 stayed at the Laura Nelson Mansion, a historic home across from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Highlights of the weekend included a tour of the UMKC School of Dentistry, a trolley ride tour and a visit from a former teacher, Sherry Burns (MSDH ’83). The most noted memory from the class is that back in 1976-1978, they treated all patients without wearing gloves, masks or safety glasses.
Most from the class worked as clinical dental hygienists, but several have taken different paths. Two have become dentists, several are dental educators, and several have pursued pharmaceutical sales. Many have retired now and are enjoying travel
Alumni Gather in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for Reception
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY graduates in Albuquerque, New Mexico, gathered for an alumni reception Aug. 16. They were treated to brews and bites from Steel Bender Brewyard while catching up with classmates and colleagues.
Dean Marsha Pyle and senior director of development Hilary Wheat visited with alumni and brought a little bit of Kansas City to Albuquerque.
Through a special arrangement with Missouri, New Mexico is one of four states — along with Kansas, Arkansas and Hawaii — whose residents can get in-state tuition at the school. The UMKC School of Dentistry has graduated more than 185 alumni from the Land of Enchantment. We are so thankful for such a strong connection and welcome the chance to celebrate it at gatherings such as this one.
Kaz Chosen to Fill Overman’s Post
LIZ KAZ, DH ’86, MS DH ’87, became associate dean for academic affairs on Oct. 1, after Dr. Pam Overman retired. Dr. Kaz came back to UMKC in 2015 and most recently served as director of continuing education and interim director of dental hygiene. She also brings experience from leadership positions at the A.T. Still Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health in Kirksville. Continue reading
Recalling Decades of Service and a Unique Service Animal
In a career spanning dental hygiene to academic dean, Pam Overman did it all with a smile
By BRYCE PUNTENNEY
During a 40-year career at the UMKC School of Dentistry, Dr. Pam Overman (BSDH ’70, MSDH ’80, EdD) always looked for unique ways to teach and lead, even if they came in the form of a squawking parrot.
Dr. Overman, who retired Sept. 1 as associate dean for academic affairs, recalled Dr. Harvey Eplee (DDS ’71) coming to her to ask about the school’s policy regarding service animals on the clinic floor — and not just service dogs. Continue reading
Extending a Culture of Caring
School of Dentistry, foundation collaborate to provide life-changing treatment for cancer patients
By KELLY EDWARDS
A recent phone call came to Dr. Mary P. Walker (Pros ’99, PhD ’01), associate dean for research and graduate programs at the UMKC School of Dentistry, with an urgent tone.
Just diagnosed with a form of head and neck cancer, the caller needed a dental examination and any required care before she could begin radiation treatments. Her regular dental clinic, however, couldn’t immediately work her into its schedule. Continue reading
Right From the Start
Pre-clinical lab upgrade would better simulate real practice, help students practice perfect posture from Day One
By GREG HACK
On a recent Thursday afternoon, Brock Buzbee worked on practice dentures in his Operative Dentistry II Lab. He kept his back ramrod straight and his feet comfortably planted under his chair.
“The faculty really push you on proper positioning,” said Buzbee, a second-year student from Springfield, Missouri. Good ergonomics and the importance of posture are stressed from the outset of their training. Continue reading