Fall Explorer 2016: Student News

Posted on by Ken Honas

Ceremony Celebrates Students’ Transition to Clinical Care

Members of the DDS Class of 2018 and the DH Class of 2017 were welcomed to the clinical phase of their educational programs during the annual Transitioning into the Profession Ceremony, held Friday, June 3, 2016, at Pierson Auditorium, located in the Student Success Center on UMKC’s Volker Campus. Dr. Craig Whitt, Rinehart Professor and Chair of the UMKC Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, welcomed everyone before introducing the keynote speaker, Brenda Sharp, President and CEO of the REACH Healthcare Foundation. The members of the DH Class of 2017 and the DDS Class of 2018 took turns reading their respective Code of Ethics, which were then signed by each class member before he or she crossed the stage to receive a white coat (DDS students) or scrubs (DH students). Dental hygiene students were individually presented with scrubs by UMKC Dental Hygienists’ Alumni Association President Ms. Kelly Dold and class faculty advisor Professor Marsha Voelker. Dental students donned “white coats” presented by their team coordinator. Following the ceremony, participants and well-wishers adjourned to the School of Dentistry for a reception.

Congratulations, Division of Dental Hygiene

The UMKC Division of Dental Hygiene has been selected as the winner of the Colgate Academic Recycling Contest for the 2015–2016 academic year. DH students collected an astounding 32,998 pieces (653.74 pounds) of oral care waste and raised a total of $854 (including a $200 match from Colgate) for Dental Hygiene Indigent Care, enabling them to pay it forward to patients in need! As the winner of the project, the School will receive a park bench (complete with a commemorative plaque) made from recycled materials.  Next step is to get the wording you would like to have for the bench plaque.

In announcing the award, Janette Delinger, RDH, MSDH, FAADH, Midwest Academic Manager, Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, wrote, “I challenged the 2016 class to win this bench and boy did they run with it. As an alumna of UMKC and the lead for this project, I could not be more proud!! I know personally how much effort the DH students put into this project, giving it their heart and soul to making a difference in the sustainability efforts as well as their passion for raising funds for the Rinehart Foundation.

STA “Minute to Win It” Fundraiser a Huge Success

The annual Students Take Action (STA) fundraiser featured a new format this year. The usual Shear Madness head-shaving event was transformed into March Madness with a Minute to Win

It themed competition, held Thursday, March 24, 2016. All monies raised from the competition, food sales and donations, were dedicated to paying it forward the Indigent Care Fund. This fund is a blessing to patients at the School who cannot afford the treatment they need. Students Take Action was founded in 1998 by a group of dental and dental hygiene students dedicated to compassion and camaraderie through community service.

Ceremony Celebrates Students’ Transition to Clinical Care

Members of the DDS Class of 2018 and the DH Class of 2017 were welcomed to the clinical phase of their educational programs during the annual Transitioning into the Profession Ceremony, held Friday, June 3, 2016, at Pierson Auditorium, located in the Student Success Center on UMKC’s Volker Campus. Dr. Craig Whitt, Rinehart Professor and Chair of the UMKC Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, welcomed everyone before introducing the keynote speaker, Brenda Sharp, President and CEO of the REACH Healthcare Foundation. The members of the DH Class of 2017 and the DDS Class of 2018 took turns reading their respective Code of Ethics, which were then signed by each class member before he or she crossed the stage to receive a white coat (DDS students) or scrubs (DH students). Dental hygiene students were individually presented with scrubs by UMKC Dental Hygienists’ Alumni Association President Ms. Kelly Dold and class faculty advisor Professor Marsha Voelker. Dental students donned “white coats” presented by their team coordinator. Following the ceremony, participants and well-wishers adjourned to the School of Dentistry for a reception.

Student News of Note

  • Caren Abraham (DDS Class of 2017) and Caroline Zeller (DDS Class of 2017) were selected as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Honor Recipients. This recognition honors the truly unique students who maintain high scholastic performance while actively participating in leadership and service to the community and our University outside of the classroom.
  • Former periodontics residents Dr. Jonathan Thomas (DDS ’04, Perio ’07), Dr. Paul Michael Cady (Perio ’12) and Dr. Amon Holt III (DDS ’12, Perio ’14) became Diplomates the American Board of Periodontology in 2016. Dr. Thomas is in private practice in the Kansas City area, Dr. Cady is in private practice in Pocatello, Idaho, and Dr. Holt is in practice in Lawrence, Kan.
  • Matt Saxon (DDS Class of 2018) published his article “Diabetes and Oral Health: The link is real” published in the most recent issue of Mouth, the Journal of the American Student Dental Association. To view the publication and Matt’s article, visit the magazine’s website.
  • Jessica Sliger (DDS Class of 2018) was selected as a 2016 Dental Trade Alliance Foundation Scholarship winner. Each U.S. dental school dean may nominate one student from their school for the award. The Dental Trade Alliance then selects ten students to honor with the award.