From the Dean’s Desk
Wehaveagreatdealofexcitingthingstolookforwardto,asweheadintospring.WewillsoonbewishingtheClassof2013thebest,astheygraduateandmoveontothenextphaseoftheirdentalcareers.We’realsogreatlyanticipatingthecompletionofthenewBrunsden‐VillaPediatricDentalClinicandtheDeltaDentalSpecialCareClinic.Werecentlyheldtheof icialgroundbreakingceremony(seebelow),whichmadeusmindful,onceagain,thatwehavesomeverydedicated,hard‐workingpeopleatNJDS,whohelpedusrealizethisdream.Manythanksagaintoallofourdonorsandallthosewhohelpedwiththishugeundertaking.Enjoythedelightfulspringweather.
A Message from the Dean
NJDS Breaks New Ground Faculty,staff,alumnianddonorscelebratedthegroundbreakingofthenewBrunsden‐VillaPediatricClinicandDeltaDentalSpecialCareCliniconApril24.Thedaymarkedtherealizationofalong‐awaitedandhard‐wondreamcometrue.InherremarksDeanFeldmansaiditwasimportanttocometogethertothankthedonorsandtocelebratethismilestoneintheschool’shistory.“ThisgroundbreakingisclearevidencethatNJDS’sfutureisextremelybright,”shesaid.“Wearecontinuingtomoveforward,developinginnovativeeducationalprogramsandprovidingevenmorecaretotheunderservedcitizensofourstate.”DeniseRodgers,MD,president(interim)ofUMDNJ,alsospoke,recallingthemanyconversationssheandDeanFeldmanhadabouttheneedforanewfacility.“Thisis inallyhappeningbecauseofthedean’sresolveandthesupportofmanypeoplewhoareheretoday,”shesaid.“Mycongratulationstoeveryone.”AmongthedonorspresentwereDrs.CavanBrunsden,’79,andNancyVilla–Brunsden,’89;Mr.WalterVanBrunt,Dr.RonaldDeblinger,Dr.GeneNapolielloandDr.GeraldSydellofDeltaDentalofNJ;MarshaAtkindoftheHealthCareFoundationofNJ;andDrs.MiltonHoupt,GlennRosivack,EvanSpivackandJustinStoneofNJDS.Thenewfacilitywillhave35operatories(nineforspecialcare),asmarteducation/conferenceroom,widerhallsanddoorwaysforwheelchairsandgurneys,andprivatereception/billingareas.Therenovationsarescheduledtobecompletedinthefall.
April 2013
NJDSwillofferfreeoralcancerscreenings,asithoststheEssex/PassaicWellnessCoalition’sAnnualHealthFair,onThursday,May9,from9amto7pm,onD‐LeveloftheOralHealthPavilion.Informationonavarietyofhealthtopicsandfreecancerriskassessmentswillbeavailablethroughouttheday.Takeadvantageofthisopportunitytohaveafreescreening.Whenoralcancerisdiagnosedinitsearlieststages,itiseasilytreated.Don’tbeamongthe7,000Americanswhodieoforalcancereachyear.
Oral Cancer Screening Scheduled
Above: Dr. Ronald Deblinger (l) and Mr. Walter Van Brunt of Delta Dental of NJ with Dean Feldman on the construction site Right: Special care pediatric dentists (l-r) Mark Robinson, DMD, Tomas Ballesteros, DMD, and Evan Spivack, DDS, in the soon-to-be special care clinic
Page 2 From the Dean’s Desk
Meet Your New Colleagues
Calendar of Events
Honoring Alan A. Vella, DDS, ’61
Anthony Volpe, DDS, MS,’60
June 1, 2012
The Heldrich Hotel
10 Livingston Ave. New Brunswick, NJ 08901
6 pm Cocktail Hour
7 pm Dinner Awards Presentations Dancing until Midnight
Cocktail Attire
Recognizing the Classes of
1973, 1983, 1993, 2003
For more information call 973-469-4693
ShahidahCarter,adispensaryclerkinRestorativeDentistry,workedinaperiodontalof icebeforeherNJDSemployment.Ms.CartergraduatedfromEssexCountyVocationalCareerCenterasadentalassistantandlivesinNewark.Shehastwosons,Haneef,14,andHadee,6,andadaugh‐terHahdeerah,6.Whennotatwork,sheenjoysbowling,reading,goingtothemoviesandswimming.Mostofherfreetimeisspentwithherchildren.JenneyHerrera,sr.receptionist/patientschedulerinClinicalAffairs,workedatSall/MyersMedicalAssoci‐atesbeforeshecametoNJDS.Aresi‐dentofElizabeth,Ms.HerreraisagraduateofUnionCountyCollege.Sheisnewlymarriedtoherhusband,Car‐los.Whennotatwork,shelikestocook,watchthecookingchannels,goshoppingandtothemovies.ShealsoteachesSundaySchoolatherchurch.MelodyMonfort,headclerkinAdministrationandFinance,movedtoNewJerseyfromupstateNYafewyearsago.ShegraduatedfromEmpireStateCollegeinNewYorkCity.Sheandherhusband,Claude,acomputerprogrammer,liveinNewarkwiththeirtwochildrenElias,1½,andRhojan,6.Besidesspendingtimewithherfamily,Ms.Monfortlikestoreadandgarden.
NatachaSimon,sr.cashierinAdministrationandFinance,workedatChaseBankbeforecomingtoNJDS.AgraduateofFairleighDickinson,Ms.SimonlivesinJerseyCity.InhersparetimeMs.Simonlikestoread,gotodinnerandthemovies,andspendtimewithherfriends.AginahWood,sr.receptionist/patientschedulerinPeriodon‐tics,wasanNJDStempbeforegettinghercurrentposition.ShestudiedbusinessatMercerCountyCommunityCollege.Ms.WoodlivesinNewarkwithherdaughtersSariyah,9,andSanaa,15mo.Shelikesgoingtothemovies,andtravelingintheU.S.,butmostlysheenjoysstayinghomewithhergirls.
Classof2013ConvocationMay20,6:30pmNJPAC,Newark,NJCommencementMay22,10amIzodCenterEastRutherford,NJ
PromiseWalkforPreeclampsia
Sunday,May19,10am
OakRidgePark136OakRidgeRoad
Clark,NJNJDSisasponsorofthisevent.
Page 3 From the Dean’s Desk
The2013NewHorizonslectureserieswaskickedoffonApril4withashorttalkbyAnthonyVolpe,DDS,’60,cofounderoftheprogram.Dr.Volpetoldthestudentsthereareoptionsaftergraduationotherthanprivatepractice.“Iknowyou’reallthinking,‘NowwhatamIgoingtodo?’”hesaid.“We’reheretogiveyousomeideas.”TheprogramwasdesignedbyDr.VolpeandArnoldRosenheck,DMD,assistantdean,tointroducesoon‐to‐be‐dentiststothecareeroptionsavailabletothem.The irstspeakerwasDr.EvaristoDelgado,manageroftechnology,atColgate‐PalmoliveCo.,whoexplainedthepositionsopentodentistsinindustry.Otherareascoveredinthisyear’sseriesincludedprivatepractice,academia,organizeddentistryandgovernment.
StudentsWalktoRaiseAwarenessApril21wasabeautifulbutchillyday,makingitperfectforawalk.TwelveNJDSstudentsandMahnazFatahzadeh,DMD,tookquitealongwalkasparticipantsintheAnnualOralCancerWalkNewYork.TheeventbeganatKissenaParkVelodrome,inQueens,andendedatCitiFieldWilletsPoint,homeoftheNewYorkMets.TheNJDScontingentmetupwithstudentsfromdentalschoolsinNYCandotherinstitutions.Theopeningprogramincludedremarksbyapediatrician,whoisanoralcancersurvivor.“Hetoldushispersonalexperience,”saysDr.Fatahzadeh,associateprofessor,DiagnosticSciences.“Heemphasizedtheimportanceofget‐tingscreened,evenifyouhavenoriskfactors.”StudentSocietiesHoldaFiesta
Seniors Look to New Horizons
Dr.AnthonyVolpeDr.EvaristoDelgado
Students and Faculty on the Move
The NJDS contingent of walkers, including Dr. Fatahzadeh’s daughter, Aria (right).
EveryfalltheHispanicDentalAssociationholdsapotluckdinnertoraisefundsforitsactivities.WhenHurricaneSandystrucklastfall,planschanged.Thegroupdecidedtoholdtheeventinspring,andotherorganizationsjoinedin.TheStudentNationalDentalAssoc.,IndianStudentDentalAssoc.,Asian‐AmericanDentalClubandItal‐ianDentalSocietyteamedtopresentthe irst‐everMulticulturalFiesta.Organizerswelcomedtheinternationalstudentswithaninvitation,aswell.RosaChaviano‐Moran,DMD,assistantdean,Admissions/StudentRecruit‐ment,welcomedeveryone,andeachoftheclubpresidentsspoke.Everyoneenjoyedinternationalfoodandmusic.
Page 4 From the Dean’s Desk
Providing Care in the Caribbean
SixNJDSstudentsspenttheirspringbreakintheDominicanRepublic,buttheydidn’tevengetclosetothebeach.TheywenttothesmallmountaintownofRestauracion,wheretheyprovideddentaltreatmenttopeoplewhoareindesperateneedoforalhealthcare.PamelaAlberto,DMD,clinicalassociateprofessor,OralandMaxillofacialSurgery,alongwithfourth‐yearstudentsEileenDanaher,CarlaFalconandMumtaHathiramaniandthird‐yearstudentsMelissaPinto,SteveMilord,andMassielParratookacommercial lighttothecapital,SantaDomingo.Theywerejoinedby ivenursingstudentsfromWilliamPatersonUniversitywhodidthesterilizing.“Weallpackedourclothesinsuitcasesthat itintheoverheadcompartments,sowecouldcheckthedentalequipment,”explainsseniorEileenDanaher.“Weeachhadtwohugetubstocheck.Wetookthedentalpuppets,toshowthekidshowtobrush,andmembersofDr.Alberto’schurchdonatedstuffedtoysandothergoodiesforthechildren.”Theyalsobroughttoothbrushesandtoothpastetodistribute.Whentheyarrivedontheisland,theyloadedtheequipmentintovansandmadethetrekintothemountains.The irstdaytheysetuptheclinic.“Itisquiteanoperation,”saysMs.Danaher.“Thehospitalhasaverypoorin‐frastructure,butDr.Alberto’shusband,GregWroclawski,isanengineer,andhegottheelectricityandthewaterlowing.”Theyimmediatelybeganseeingpatients,includingthepeoplewhohelpedthemsetup.Thenextthreedaystheysawmostlychildren.SomeoftheNJDSstudentswentacrossthebordertoHaitiandbroughtbackkidswiththegreatestneeds.“Peoplelinedupandwaitedforhourstoseeus,”saysMs.Danaher.“TheneedinRestauracionissogreat.Wedid14‐hourdaysandstillcouldn’tseeeveryone.It’sheartwrenching.”Togethertheytreated403patientsandperformed1,404procedures,includingcleanings,restorations,extractions, luo‐ridetreatmentsandsealants.Thegrouprentedahouseprovidedbythelocalchurch,andmembersoftheParishsuppliedthefoodanddidthecooking.“Everyonewassowarmandhospitable,theycouldn’thavebeennicer,”saysDanaher.“Whenweleftthenunsgaveeachofusawoodcarvingtheyhaddoneofourlogo,whichisaheartinsideatooth.Theyweresograteful.”Dr.AlbertogaveacontinuingeducationprogramoneeveningfortheDominicandentistsonmanagingoralpathogens.TheMinisterofHealthalsocameandtoldDr.Albertohowgratefulthecountryisforalltheteamdoesthere.Healsothankedherfortrainingthelocaldentists.“Itwasagreattrip,”saysDr.Alberto.“Ialreadyhavestudentsaskingiftheycangonextyear.Thestudentsalldidagreatjob,Iwassoproudofthem.Itwasespeciallygoodforthethird‐yearstudents,becauseitenhancedtheirskills.Theyperformedalotfasterandgainedcon idence.Plus,it’ssuchagreatexperienceforthemtoseewhatbeingadentistreallymeans.Itremindsthemofjusthowvaluabletheirskillsareandhowmuchtheycanhelpotherpeople.It’ssomethingthey’llneverforget.”
In the Dominican Republic are (l-r) Mumta Hathiramani, Carla Falcon, Steve Milord, Eileen Danaher, Dr. Pam Alberto, Massiel Parra and Melissa Pinto
Professional Activities
Awards and Honors
Page 5 From the Dean’s Desk
MiltonHoupt,DDS,alongtimeNJDSfacultymember,wasawardedthetitleofEmeritusProfessorbytheUMDNJBoardofTrustees.Dr.Houptgavemorethan40yearsofservicetoNJDSandwasprofessorandchairoftheDepartmentofPediatricDentistryfrom1973untilhisretirementinSeptember2012.DeanFeldmanpresentedhimwithaResolutionfromtheBoardduringtheground‐breakingCeremonyfortheVilla‐BrunsdenPediatricDentalClinicandtheDeltaDentalSpecialCareCenter.
AshaSamant,DMD,associateprofessor,RestorativeDentistry,wasthekeynotespeakerattheAnnualIndianDentalCongressinKolkutta,India.Shepresented“AchievingEsthetics,Prosthodontics’WayofAssessingandAlteringFaceHeight.”Dr.SamantalsoperformeddentalscreeningsanddistributedinformationonoralhealthatthePrayerforAmericaConference,attheMissionaryBaptistChurchinNewark.SungCho,DMD,clinicalassistantprofessor,OralandMaxillofacialSurgery,presentedalecture,“TemporalMandibularJointDisorder,”attheNewYorkHamiltonianDentalStudyClubinMiddletown,NYinMarch.JillYork,DDS,associateprofessor,CommunityHealth,attendedtheNewJerseyRyanWhiteAllGranteesSympo‐siuminPrinceton,NJ,inMarch.TopicsdiscussedincludedtheAffordableCAREActanditseffectsonHIV/AIDSservicesandthe2013reauthorizationoftheRyanWhiteTreatmentModernizationAct.
Third‐yearstudentNainaKaushalpresentedherresearchattheNIH’sDentalStudent’sConferenceonResearchinBethesda,MD,inApril.Herresearchistitled,“Conversionof250HD3into1,25(OH)2D3inGingivalCells.”HeradvisorwasGillDiamond,PhD,associateprofessor,OralBiology.
RebeccaReed,DMD,assistantprofessor,CommunityHealth,gavefreeZumbaclassesduringspringbreakforanyoneinterestedingettingorstayinginshape.Thethreeexercisesessionswereheldat5pmandlastedbetween45minutestoanhour.Dr.Reedsuppliedthemusicandtaughtthestepsbeforeeachexercise.ShealsoprovidedlinkstovideosontheWebthatcanbeusedtolearnanddoZumbaathome.“Dr.Reed’sclassesarethebest,”saidoneparticipant.“Shedoesn’tgosofastthatyoucan’tkeepup,butyoustillgetagood,briskworkout.Andshetakesthetimetoteachthestepsbeforeyoustart,whichisabighelp.”Besidesbeingacerti iedZumbateacher,Dr.Reedisanavidballroomdancer.“Itwasmypleasuretooffertheseclasses,”shesaid.“It’ssoimportanttogoodhealthtostay it.Zumbaisgreat,becausewhileyourgettinginshape,you’realsohavingfun.”
FacultyMemberHelpsNJDSStayFit