News
Celebrating Black History Month at UMSOD
February 26, 2021 | Throughout February, UMSOD celebrated Black History Month in recognition of African-American heritage and the valuable achievements and contributions of the African-American community.
SNDA Chapter Receives MLK Diversity Recognition Award
February 12, 2021 | The UMSOD Student National Dental Association (SNDA) has won a 2021 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Diversity Recognition Award.
New Dental Hygiene Program Offers Innovative Curriculum
October 22, 2020 | UMSOD's new Clinical Dental Hygiene Leader (CDHL) program was designed for college graduates who already have a background in the sciences but want to delve specifically into the health care realm.
Trailblazing Retired Faculty Member Passes Away
August 7, 2020 | Sue-ning Chu Barry, PhD, one of the first two women to reach the rank of full professor at UMSOD, died July 14, 2020 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She was 87.
UMSOD’s SNDA Chapter Wins Two Prestigious National Awards
August 3, 2020 | UMSOD's Student National Dental Association was named SNDA’s 2020 Chapter of the Year (large chapter category) in recognition of its exemplary fundraising, community service, and outreach.
Recent Graduate Honored for Leadership in Community Service
July 22, 2020 | Katherine Ong, DDS ’20, is a recipient of a 2020 Student Leadership Award presented by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation.
Webinar Offers ‘Toothy Tips’ to Dental School Applicants
July 20, 2020 | The popular webinar gives applicants insider tips on applying to dental school.
DDS Class of 2020 Donates Remaining Treasury to Student Emergency Fund
June 30, 2020 | After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of a number of end-of-year events, the DDS Class of 2020 found itself with a surplus in its treasury fund.
Dental Alum Distributes Oral Care Kits During Pandemic
May 26, 2020 | Joanne Block Rief, DDS ’86, found a way patients can maintain good oral health even without regular visits.
A Celebration to Remember: UMSOD Hosts Virtual Year-End Ceremony for Class of 2020
May 18, 2020 | UMSOD celebrated the Class of 2020 with a video that included congratulatory remarks by Dean Mark A. Reynolds, UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, and many others.
Message from the Dean about UMSOD Response to Pandemic
April 7, 2020 | View Dean Reynold's important video message about the coronavirus pandemic.
Mindfulness an Effective Treatment for Migraines, UMSOD Scientist Finds
April 3, 2020 | Plagued by migraines? A treatment that’s ancient in its origins can help, according to new research from David A. Seminowicz, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Neural and Pain Sciences.
UMSOD Faculty Member Wins National Achievement Award
March 23, 2020 | Valli Meeks, clinical professor in the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences at UMSOD, is a recipient of the 2020 William J. Gies Award Achievement – Dental Educator.
UMSOD Hosts National Endodontics Event
February 25, 2020 | From Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, the College of Diplomates (COD) of the American Board of Endodontics held its 10th annual Board Review Course and Scientific Update in Baltimore.
UMSOD Scientist Develops Experimental Staph Vaccine
January 6, 2020 | Janette Harro, A UMSOD researcher, has developed an experimental vaccine that protects against the bacterium that accounts for one-third of deadly healthcare-acquired infections.
Endodontics Resident Invents Smart Assistant Device
November 27, 2019 | Anmar Janabi, BDS, MSD, a second-year endodontics resident at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, has patented a smart assistant device for suctioning patients.
UMSOD professor and international team find evidence for physical differences in schizophrenia patients
October 28, 2019 | New research from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) finds evidence that points to physical differences among groups
Neural and Pain Sciences Professor Receives $1.4 Million NIH HEAL Initiative Grant
September 30, 2019 | David Seminowicz, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, has received a $1.4 million award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Dental Public Health Chair on POLITICO Live Panel
September 26, 2019 | University of Maryland School of Dentistry Professor Richard Manski shares insights on oral health during POLITICO Live forum in Washington, D.C.
Two UMSOD Alums Take the Helm at American Association of Women Dentists
September 13, 2019 | Brittany Bergeron, (DDS ’13) is the current AAWD president. Lauren Aguilar Wronsky (DDS ’15) was just recently voted president-elect for 2021.
Dental Student to Call Washington Nationals’ Pre- and Postgame Shows
August 30, 2019 | Justin Maxell, a 2005 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, takes on pre- and postgame announcing duties for four Nationals games to be broadcast on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MA
Periodontics Chief Receives Dental Organization’s Highest Honor
August 27, 2019 | Mary Beth Aichelmann-Reidy, DDS, division chief of periodontics and a clinical associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD), will receive the American Association of W
Inspired by Patients, Periodontics Professor Takes Award-Winning Path
August 6, 2019 | In June, Thumbigere Math received the 2019 Sigmund Socransky Young Investigator Award at the AADR/IADR conference held in Vancouver, Canada.
Local Middle-School Students Get Hands-On Experience in Dentistry
July 26, 2019 | This July at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD), 15 local middle-school students got hands-on experience in dentistry at the Planet Smilez Discovering Dentistry Camp.
Forum on Pain Shares Researchers’ Expertise
July 3, 2019 | The University of Maryland, Baltimore opens a series of community events to share the expertise of its scientists and clinicians specializing in chronic pain research.
Orthodontics Resident Testifies Before Congress on Student Debt
June 18, 2019 | On June 12, a University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) orthodontics resident had a starring role on the national political stage.
UMB Holds Inaugural Global Health Summit
June 6, 2019 | The University of Maryland, Baltimore welcomes researchers, practitioners, and educators from nine nations to a summit sponsored by UMB’s Center for Global Education Initiatives.
Pediatrics Professor Recognized for Leadership in Volunteer Service
May 29, 2019 | Norman Tinanoff, DDS ’71, MS, is the 2019 recipient of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s (AAPD) Merle C. Hunter Leadership Award.
William S. Kramer Award Winner Demonstrates Maturity, Leadership
May 24, 2019 | Katherine Bell was awarded the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Dr. William S. Kramer Award of Excellence on May 7.
Dental Grad Turns Pain to Joy
May 17, 2019 | Pawlak’s love for late grandfather who was interred by Nazis now feeds her passion to bring better oral health to children.
Compassion, Serving Others Drives Success of Graduating DDS Student
May 14, 2019 | Fourth-year student Linda Powers received the Do Good Award at the University of Maryland College Park Alumni Association’s first annual Maryland Awards.
First Fungal Symposium Facilitates Research Exchange Between Maryland Institutions
May 2, 2019 | The Symposium is a culmination of years of collaboration between the University of Maryland Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University
PhD Candidate Wins Translational Research Award
April 15, 2019 | Bashayer Baras, BDS, received top honors for her project proposal of a root-canal sealer.
UMSOD Delegates Lobby for Oral Health Research and Pediatric Dentistry at 2019 Advocacy Day
April 3, 2019 | Two separate delegations from University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) traveled to Washington, DC, on February 26, to lobby for pediatric dentistry and research.
2017-18 SNDA President Discusses Award-Winning Streak
March 25, 2019 | Fourth-year student Alenna Monet, who served as the 2017-18 president of UMSOD’s chapter of the SNDA, discusses the chapter’s success.
UMB CURE Scholars, Families Gain Knowledge of Dentistry
March 21, 2019 | West Baltimore students receive treatments, learn skills during the UMB CURE Scholars Oral Health Promotion Program at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
School of Dentistry, Partners Care for Hundreds in Need
March 13, 2019 | The University of Maryland School of Dentistry holds 2019 Mission of Mercy in Baltimore in partnership with United Way of Central Maryland and supporters.
Two DDS Students Excel at American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Meeting
March 13, 2019 | Fourth-year student Tara Sheehan won first place in the student essay competition, and third-year student Mazda Mansouri placed third in the poster competition with his submission
Operative Dentistry-Led Article Compiles Best Practices on Dental Erosion Treatment and Diagnosis
February 28, 2019 | A new paper co-authored by UMSOD faculty seeks to raise awareness dental erosion, an oral health condition that is difficult to diagnose and is increasingly appearing in young populations
First Student Graduates Accelerated Bachelors to Masters of Public Health Program
February 21, 2019 | Last December, Marina Schmidt became the first student to graduate from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry’s accelerated Dental Hygiene Baccalaureate to Master’s of Public Health Program.
Prosthodontics Professor Wins Educator of the Year Award
February 7, 2019 | Carl Driscoll, DMD, earned the 2018 Educator of the Year Award from the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) annual conference.
Interprofessional Prenatal Oral Health Project Produces Successful Outcomes
January 30, 2019 | An expanding interprofessional collaboration is facilitating oral health care for prenatal patients at the Western Penn Women’s Health Center at the University of Maryland Baltimore.
On the Eve of Retirement, Ivan Fried Reflects on Teaching Restorative Dentistry
January 22, 2019 | Ivan Fried has been teaching at UMSOD for more than 35 years. In his last semester, he reflects on the changing artistry of dentistry and the challenges posed by each generation of students in
Chinese Dental Students to Visit UMSOD
January 16, 2019 | Three UMSOD students spent two weeks at XJTU COS last October observing and exchanging ideas. The experience offered them a firsthand view of the school’s clinics.
Clinical Associate Professor Plays Critical Role Supporting First Rwandan Dental Class
January 14, 2019 | Valli Meeks, DDS, MS, RDH, associate professor in the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, helped shaped the curriculum and provide supplies for the University of Rwanda.
Researchers Find Drug to Curtail 'Superbug' C. diff
December 21, 2018 | A breakthrough against a ‘superbug,’ Clostridium difficile, is achieved by a scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children in collaboration with researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Chief Dental Officer Guest-Lectures at UMSOD
December 18, 2018 | Rear Adm. Timothy L. Ricks, DMD, MPH, chief dental officer and assistant surgeon general of the U.S. Public Health Service, guest-lectured the D1 and senior dental hygiene students.
UMSOD Professor Awarded Major NIH Vaccine Adjuvant Contract
December 14, 2018 | Professor Robert K. Ernst, PhD, of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) was awarded a five-year, $6.4 million contract from the NIH.
Periodontics Professor Earns Teaching Fellowship for Young Educators
December 5, 2018 | Vivek Thumbigere-Math, BDS, PhD, he received the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) Joseph Lister Award for Young Investigators during the AADR Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Second-Year Student Wins Award at Hinman Research Symposium
November 30, 2018 | Dan Yang’s winning poster presentation examined two different mechanisms of inducing and evaluating pain response in an animal model.
Neural and Pain Sciences Professor Receives Two New Grants
November 28, 2018 | Dr. Jin Y. Ro, MA, PhD, received a two-year, $425,000 R21 federal grant earlier this fall on the heels of the five-year, $1.8 million R01 grant renewal he received in April.
Oncology Professor Selected to Participate in Innovative Immunotherapy Study
November 19, 2018 | Rania Younis, BDS, MDS, PhD, was part of a multdisciplinary team featuring nine other researchers that won the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) Sparkathon competition.
Two Alumni Named to 40 Under 40 List
November 13, 2018 | Congratulations to UMSOD’s Christine Ferrell, DDS ’05, an orthodontist who practices in West Chester, Pa., and Ellen Im, DDS ’06, a pediatric dentist and orthodontist based in Poway, Calif.
D4 Student Awarded Multiple Service-Oriented Scholarships
October 26, 2018 | Kathryn Pawlak, DDS '18, was recently awarded scholarships from the Hispanic Dental Association and the Dental Trade Alliance.
Pediatrics Chair Earns Evidence-Based Dentistry Award
October 16, 2018 | Vineet Dhar, BDS, PhD, clinical professor and chair of the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, won the ADA and AADR's Evidence-Based Dentistry Mid-Career Award
Founders Week-Public Servant of the Year: Valli Meeks
October 8, 2018 | Meeks was recognized for her outstanding work directing the state’s first dental clinic for Marylanders with HIV/AIDS and no insurance, as well as outreach efforts in Rwanda.
University of Maryland School of Dentistry Establishes an Endowed Professorship through Private and Matching State Funds
September 14, 2018 | Established with a $1.5 million gift, and titled Frederick G. Smith, MS, DDS and Venice K. Paterakis, DDS Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the position receives a matching grant.
Leslie Grant, DDS '86 Earns Highest Honor from Professional Organization
August 31, 2018 | Leslie Grant, DDS '86 has had a career filled with milestones. Underpinning her success is a desire to help others and loyalty to the people and institutions who have supported her along the way.
Students, Faculty, and Alums Help Underserved at Mission of Mercy Waldorf
August 29, 2018 | Eighteen senior dental students performed extractions while 20 junior students assisted in various capacities.
Orthodontics Resident Wins Award to Study Potential Innovative Treatment
August 14, 2018 | Surya Joseph, DDS, MBA, was awarded the American Association of Orthodontics’ (AAO) Charles J. Burstone Research Aid Award grant of $5,000 for her the study of new ridge preservation methods.
Prosthodontics Director Wins Distinguished Service Award
August 8, 2018 | Radi Masri, DDS, MS ’01, PhD ’05, has won the American College of Prosthodontists’ (ACP) 2018 Distinguished Service Award.
SNDA Wins Third Straight Chapter of the Year Award
August 3, 2018 | The award, presented during the NDA’s Annual Convention, held July 11-15 in Orlando, Florida, is given to the chapter that excels in fundraising, community service and new initiatives.
Periodontics Professor to Explore Hypothesis on Peri-Implantitis
July 31, 2018 | Dr. Hanae Saito will examine whether the two types of bacteria that appear in regular periodontitis, aerobic and anaerobic, also materialize within the screw hole of an implant.
Biomaterials Director Wins Prestigious Award
July 26, 2018 | As a result of the cumulative success of his lab, Huakun Xu, PhD, MS, has won International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Distinguished Scientist Isaac Schour Memorial Award.
UMSOD Mourns Researcher, Entrepreneur Mark Shirtliff
July 16, 2018 | UM School of Dentistry Professor Mark E. Shirtliff, PhD, who held a secondary appointment in the School of Medicine, is the victim of a rafting tragedy.
CURE Scholars Shine in Summer of STEM
July 5, 2018 | UMB students, staff, and faculty collaborate to cultivate a love of science, technology, engineering, and math among West Baltimore students in the CURE Scholars Summer Program.
Professor to Study Early Childhood Caries in Socially Disadvantaged Youth
July 5, 2018 | Kuei-Ling Hsu, DDS, received a one-year grant awarded by Colgate to help study the molecular mechanisms of advanced tooth decay in socially disadvantaged youth.
More than 60 UMSOD alums honored in “Best Dentists” List
June 14, 2018 | The “Best Dentists” List, which was published in the June issue of Baltimore Magazine, features multiple alums in nearly every specialty.
Honors Convocation and Commencement Spotlight Plethora of UMSOD Accomplishments
May 31, 2018 | The class of 2018 included several students who had a significant impact on the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) community and beyond.
Third-Generation UMSOD Graduate’s Video is a Hit
May 18, 2018 | University of Maryland School of Dentistry graduate Courtney Miyamoto, DDS, creates video for commencement, highlighting the UMB experience.
Pediatrics Professor Wins Evidence-Based Dentistry Award
May 11, 2018 | Norman Tinanoff, DDS ’71, MS, is the 2018 recipient of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s (AAPD) Evidence-Based Dentistry Service Award.
New Dental Code Allows for Screening of Diabetic Patients
May 9, 2018 | The adoption of glucose meters in dental practices will enable screening for diabetes and prediabetes, and will also help safe guard patients who require insulin.
ASDA Chapter Wins Several Regional and National Awards
May 3, 2018 | After implementing a multi-part strategy to engage students through fundraising, advocacy, wellness initiatives, and community service, the UMSOD ASDA chapter successfully raised its profile.
Vanessa Benavent Named ADA ‘Rising Star’
April 6, 2018 | Vanessa Benavent, DDS ’09, MSD, FAGD, recently was listed as a 2018 American Dental Association’s (ADA) 10 Under 10 awardee for 2018.
School of Dentistry, DrFirst Combat Opioid Misuse
April 3, 2018 | Maryland Lt. Gov. Rutherford attends launch of the school’s collaboration with DrFirst, developer of a mobile app that offers prescription drug monitoring queries as part of the e-prescribing workflow
Dual DDS/PhD Student Wins Education Scholarship
March 29, 2018 | Devon Allison, PhD '17, DDS '19, has displayed exceptional skills as both a researcher and clinician. She will get an opportunity to further her career through a ADEA/Crest Oral-B Scholarship.
Promising Pulp Therapy May be Underutilized
February 21, 2018 | Indirect Pulp Therapy (IPT) has a 94.4 percent success rate, but third-party reimbursement issues may be preventing its use in practice.
Derek Blank, DDS ’10, Approaches Pediatric Dentistry with Compassion
February 13, 2018 | As a student at UMSOD, Derek Blank dedicated his time to serving others. Now, as the owner of a private practice, he's continued this compassionate approach.
D4 Student Wins MLK Diversity Award
February 7, 2018 | Due to her outstanding leadership and public outreach, D4 student TIffany Otto has won the 2018 UMB Outstanding Student Award.
Biomaterials Director Wins Isaac Schour Memorial Award
January 30, 2018 | As a result of the cumulative success of his lab, Huakun Xu, PhD, MS, has won International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Distinguished Scientist Isaac Schour Memorial Award.
UMSOD Alums Featured in Bethesda Beat
January 16, 2018 | The website for Bethesda Magazine recently published several short profiles of Bethesda dentists, many of whom are UMSOD alums.
Alum Earns Recognition for Distinguished Orthodontics Career
January 9, 2018 | Robert Bray, DDS '73 received the 2017 Eugene and Pauline Blair Distinguished Service award for meritorious service from the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF).
Forum Explores Link Between Stress and Pain
December 21, 2017 | The intersection of chronic pain and stress was the focus of the third annual symposium at the University of Maryland Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research (CACPR)
Howard Strassler's Career Defined by Thinking Ahead
December 14, 2017 | Howard Strassler, DMD, has taught at UMSOD for nearly 40 years and is an acclaimed author and educator. A forward thinking approach to technology has buoyed his efforts.
New Grant will allow Treatment of Medicare Recipients
December 4, 2017 | Grant support from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMD) will allow the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) clinic to expand its treatment of the elderly.
Darien Weatherspoon, DDS '10, Finds Inspiration in Having an Impact on People's Lives
November 9, 2017 | Darien Weatherspoon, DDS '10, began his career at an accounting firm, but the desire to have greater impact on the lives of others drew him into dentistry
Microbial Pathogenesis Professor Wins Researcher of the Year Award
November 6, 2017 | Robert Ernst, PhD, was named the University of Maryland, Baltimore 2017 Researcher of the Year during the Founders Week Gala.
School of Dentistry volunteers Serve 950 Patients During Mission of Mercy Event
October 24, 2017 | During the course of two days, nearly 950 patients received free dental care provided by 275 University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) volunteers.
Teacher and Advocate’s Life Comes Full Circle
October 6, 2017 | Deborah Cartee, RDH, MS, an assistant professor and junior clinical coordinator in the dental hygiene program at UMSOD, is living proof of the role a great mentor can play.
Lida Alimorad, DDS '10, Dedicates Career to Helping the Most Vulnerable
September 8, 2017 | Compassionate treatment from a fellow alum motivated Lida Radfar, DDS '10, to become a dentist and dedicate her career to helping underserved populations in Maryland.
SNDA Wins Chapter of the Year Award for the Second Consecutive Year
August 25, 2017 | The mantra of "pay it forward" has driven the UMSOD chapter of the Student National Dental Association to major success for two straight years.
Oral Health Clinicians Learn to Ease Special Needs Patients'Anxieties
August 9, 2017 | Deborah Jastrebski the founder of Practice Without Pressure, a nonprofit that trains clinicians how to care for patients with special needs.
Summer Research Training Program Provides Boost to Incoming Students
August 3, 2017 | Intensive, eight-week program allows students to pair with faculty mentors to develop research.
Microbial Pathogenesis Professor Wins Entrepreneurial Award
July 21, 2017 | Feng's research has discovered a potential breakthrough on combating Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).
Beyond the White Coat: Jesse Goldman, DDS '17
July 18, 2017 | Dedication and attention to detail have driven Jesse Goldman to excel as both a musician and dentist.
Michael Eggnatz, DDS ’88, Continues Family Tradition of Leadership
July 10, 2017 | As the current president of the Florida Dental Association, Eggnatz is looking to address the mode of delivery, cost of care and the quality of care that needs to be maintained for the public.
Oral Health Becomes a Habit at Special Olympics
July 7, 2017 | University of Maryland School of Dentistry volunteers mark 22 years of service to athletes with intellectual disabilities who compete in Special Olympics Maryland.
Dental Hygiene Director Wins National Award
June 30, 2017 | Marion Manski, RDH '88, MS '04, won the Irene Newman Professional Achievement award for individuals who advance the art and science of the dental hygiene profession.
School of Dentistry Stars in ‘Top Dentists’ List
June 28, 2017 | Baltimore Magazine's annual Top Dentists list recognizes many UMSOD alums, faculty, and Dean's Faculty, including several top vote-getters in their respective fields.
Compassion, Service, Friendship Emphasized at UMSOD Convocation and UMB Commencement
June 9, 2017 | One hundred and twenty-nine dentistry students received their doctoral hoods, and 20 dental hygiene students received their pins during the Honors Convocation held Friday, May 19.