DentistryA Pu b l ic At ion for Alu m n i An d fr i e n ds of th e sc hool of de nti stry s Pr i ng 20 07

Practice Makes

Perfect

GreetinGs!this issue of UAB Dentistry will be published soon after

the school of Dentistry has completed its site visit by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. i am delighted to report that the school has come through this process with flying colors.

Our D.M.D. program received zero recommendations, which is outstanding, and seven commendations, which is even better! Our residency programs were reviewed at the same time (with the exception of oral and maxillofacial surgery), and they received equally high marks. We received one recommendation in the area of hospital admissions and discharge for our GPr program and nine commendations.

We are naturally confident that the school and all its programs will be fully accred-ited by CODA following their final report this summer—altogether an outstanding accomplishment of which all of us should be extremely proud. While the accredita-tion process involved exemplary input from faculty, staff, and students, we all owe a significant debt of gratitude to Dr. Kent Palcanis, associate dean for academic affairs, and Vickie ray, Kent’s assistant, for leading this effort.

this success allows us to fully concentrate on our efforts to reform and develop our new curriculum. i have had the opportunity to share some of our ideas with many of you (see the spring 2006 issue of UAB Dentistry); please stay tuned to future issues of UAB Dentistry to learn more about this process.

the stories in this issue give a broad perspective of the exciting things that are cur-rently happening at the school. Our cover story describes the Dental Practice-Based research network, developed and led by Dr. Gregg Gilbert, chair of the Department of Diagnostic sciences, which recently received significant funding from the national institutes of Health ($25.3 million over seven years). this network will conduct research in the private office setting, but it also has the potential to significantly impact the future practice of dentistry.

Our predoctoral implant program, one of the most advanced in the nation, is the subject of another interesting story; a third story deals with the major renovations that are currently under way at the school. We are most grateful to the individuals and corporations that have helped us with all of our renovation projects. Without this support we simply could not proceed at the necessary pace. Along these lines, another story highlights a new national initiative, “Dental education: Our Legacy—Our Future,” designed to raise awareness of the challenges facing dental education.

two additional articles focus on individuals: One, Ann Marie Karaki, has been newly recruited as director of continuing education (Ce), and we look forward to some exciting changes in our Ce programs over the next several years. the second, John thornton, is a face familiar to many of you and an exemplary individual who has devoted his career to community service.

Our student profiles once again reflect the diversity of our student body, not only in race and gender but also in career pathways. Our faculty profiles highlight three indi-viduals who have entered academia after successful careers in private practice. if that stirs any of our readers into considering a career change, don’t hesitate to contact me!

Finally, our alumni profile features three brothers who have played a most signifi-cant role in supporting the activities of our school. to them and the many others of you that support us, my sincere appreciation.

On the cOver: the UABSOD’s Practice-Based research network—one of only three in the nation—allows practicing dentists to assist and share in the school’s research achievements.

Please visit us at

www.dental.uab.edu

for an online version of

UAB Dentistry as well as

information on:

• Continuing Education

• Dentistry Catalogs

• Departments

• Degree Programs

• Alumni Association

• Academic Calendar

• Research

• Giving

Dean’s Message

sincerely,Huw F. thomas, B.D.s., M.s., Ph.D.Dean, school of Dentistry

eDitOriaL BOarDHuw f. thomas, B.D.s., M.s., Ph.D.

Dean, School of Dentistry

J. scott Huffman, c.f.r.e.Senior Director of Development

facuLty rePresentativesJim Broome, D.D.s.

steven filler, D.D.s., M.s., M.a.Mary MacDougall, Ph.D.

Michael Mccracken, D.D.s., Ph.D.Maureen Pezzementi, D.M.D.

UAB Dentistry is published by the School of Dentistry in collaboration with the Office of Public

Relations and Marketing.

eXecutive eDitOrPam Powell

ManaGinG eDitOrDoug Gillett

eXecutive art DirectOrron Gamble

art DirectOrLaura Hannah

PHOtOGraPHysteve Wood

WritersLaura freeman, Doug Gillett,

cindy riley, Dale short

PrODuctiOn ManaGerMike turner

PrODuctiOn assistantsMary BullingtonJazmund Walker

Dentistry

12Melissa Talbert, Michael Passineau, and Gerard Rolle are set to make a big impact on the field of dentistry.

s t u d e n t s p o t l i g h t s

10

volume 8/1 spr ing 2007

P r o f e s s i o n a l P u l s e

3 125

contents

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20News about the accomplishments, awards, honors, grants, and research findings of the students and faculty of the School of Dentistry.

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Practice Makes Perfect—The UABSOD’s Practice-Based Research Network is strengthening the school’s position as a research leader, but it’s also providing exciting opportunities for practicing dentists.

Implants R Us—The Predoctoral Implant Program has become both an academic and clinical leader in a fast-growing field.

8Never Stop Learning—Ann Marie Karaki, the school’s new director of continuing education, has big ideas about using CE to keep alumni connected.

10John Thornton—A respected longtime faculty member leads the way in community service.

14The School Ties That Bind—Though successful inprivate practice, Joe Deatherage, Marya Barnes, and Robert Meador all felt the pull of academia.

f a c u l t y f o c u s

16The Strickland Brothers—Lyldon, Chalmus, and Joe Strickland made dentistry a family business—and built a UABSOD legacy in the process.

a l u m n i P r o f i l e s

c o v e r s t o r y

f e a t u r e s

18Kim Stiegler has been able to shape dentistry in Alabama through his practice, through professional organizations, and through leadership in the UABSOD alumni community.

e n d n o t e s

Moving On Up—The UABSOD’s “research renaissance” continues with two newly renovated floors devoted to research and laboratory space.

11Building a Legacy—The UABSOD joins the effort to secure the next generation of dental educators.

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( u a B D e n t i s t r y ) 3

Practice Makes Perfect

By Laura Freeman

“eXPerience, tHe universaL MOtHer Of science,” is a quote from the spanish writer Miguel de

cervantes that rings true for most people involved in the science and practice of dentistry.

Often, day-to-day patient care can spark questions that inspire researchers to ask, “What if ?” and pursue

new directions of inquiry that lead to breakthroughs. But it’s only when those advances are put into prac-

tice, making the return trip to the clinical setting to benefit patients, that they reveal their true value.

The SOD’s

Dental

Practice-Based

Research

Networkin the traditional model of the research lab and

dental office as separate worlds, two-way communi-cation can be slow, and information can get lost in translation. to improve the flow of ideas, practice-based research networks affiliated with academic research centers are bringing clinicians directly involved in patient care into the research process as hands-on investigators.

the nation’s first statewide dental-practice research network was initiated in 2002 when Gregg Gilbert, D.D.s, M.B.A., professor and chair of the Department of Diagnostic sciences at the school of Dentistry, submitted a grant proposal to the University of Alabama Health services Foundation.

“Our first goal in establishing the Alabama Dental Practice-Based research network was to create an infrastructure for dentists to participate in research and share information with their col-leagues,” says Gilbert. “We began with basic studies as we established working procedures. One of our first studies looked at how dentists assess caries and choose treatment. Another gathered information on whether the success of endodontic treatment in diabetic patients was comparable to or less effective than treatment in nondiabetics.

“When the national institute of Dental and Craniofacial research [niDCr] from the national institutes of Health became interested in supporting practice-based research on a larger scale, our basic structure was already in place, and we were one of three groups selected to receive funding as part of a multiregional network in April 2005.”

today, the Dental Practice-Based research network (DPBrn) has grown to include more than 1,100 dentists and hygienists in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Oregon,

Washington, and the scandinavian countries of Denmark, norway, and sweden who are working on research studies coordinated through the school of Dentistry. Many of the members in the southeast are sOD alumni; those in Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington are members of practice groups. the scandinavian dentists became associated with the network through colleagues in Florida and include members with previous experience as part of prac-tice-based research networks in their own countries.

dent is t s as P ioneers: l i fe in the network

Members can participate in as few or as many studies as they like; the training protocols and time commitment required vary according to the topic of research. to prepare for their first study, prac-titioner-investigators complete an online course in human-subject protection. they also receive continuing-education credit for some training and orientation modules.

Academic researchers and dentists engage in close collaboration at each stage of the research process. Projects are designed to integrate easily into everyday practice routines so that dentists’ time can be used efficiently without taking attention away from patient care.

“some of the studies have an orientation,” says Birmingham dentist Martha Wallace Dawson, D.M.D., M.P.H., who was one of the first dentists to join the network. “A research assistant from UAB came to our office to explain the forms and train the staff. then they collected the data when it was ready.”

Projects are conducted in defined stages, using objective benchmarks that are monitored by and regularly communicated to those participating in

the network. Findings from the network’s first completed studies were shared with members at an annual meeting in March.

“Dentists have been very enthusiastic about partnering with us on research issues they see in their daily practice,” says Gilbert. “the work is showing a lot of potential for having a major impact on improving daily practice for both patients and dentists.”

how Pract ice -based research Pays of f

several new studies are under way or in the planning stages, including research into the rea-sons for repair and replacement of restorations and two studies on osteonecrosis of the jaw (OnJ) possibly related to bisphosphonates in osteoporo-sis medications.

Osteonecrosis (or bone death) of the jaw is a problem that has recently come to light with more than 400 cases reported thus far in patients who have taken specific osteoporosis or cancer drugs; a large number of these cases occurred after invasive dental procedures. the majority of these cases have occurred in cancer patients tak-ing more potent bisphosphonates to treat bone pain, but the condition has also affected people taking weaker drugs to prevent osteoporosis.

in the osteonecrosis research, the DPBrn will join forces with the nation’s other two regional practice-based research networks to help determine the extent of the problem and to try to trace the relationship between the condition and risk factors. these studies are of particular inter-est to network mem-ber and sOD alumnus edward Bozeman, D.M.D., who prac-tices in Columbus, Mississippi. “i have so many older patients who are taking osteo-porosis medications or thinking of taking them,” Bozeman says. “When they have ques-tions, i’m not sure what to tell them. it’s hard to know whether it’s safe to remove a tooth or do an implant.”

Many clinicians involved in treating patients with OnJ predict that the number of people with the disease is likely to grow as previously unreported cases are diagnosed. the implications are even greater considering the widespread use of osteoporosis medications and the number of baby boomers reaching the age when they may start taking them.

Andrei Barasch, D.M.D., M.D.sc., asso-ciate professor of diagnostic sciences at the UABsOD, coordinates the DPBrn’s osteone-crosis research. “these are multicenter stud-ies that also include the PBrns in new York [PeArL] and seattle [PreCeDent]. “Both studies should be completed by the end of 2007,” Barasch says. “these are epidemiologic studies in which we will acquire data on OnJ patients and controls to determine if bisphosphonates are indeed increasing the risk. We’ll also determine the risk associated with specific dental proce-dures, medical histories, and other drugs patients may be taking.”

the study data may help clarify whether dental diseases, particularly periodontal disease and inva-sive procedures such as extractions, are risk factors or a consequence of the necrotic disease process. the study also could provide insights on prevent-ing a potentially costly condition and could guide dentists toward the most effective treatments.

Meanwhile, clinicians currently dealing with the problem are seeing better results with con-servative treatment than with more aggressive approaches. Until more is known about the causes of the condition and the most effective treatment to correct it, their primary recom-mendation is that patients receive a thorough dental evaluation and complete necessary dental procedures before taking bisphosphonates. this is especially true of cancer patients who will be receiving more potent drugs. since bisphospho-nates have been effective in helping ease the pain of bone cancer, that benefit should be considered in view of the patient’s overall condition.

in studies such as the OnJ initiative, DPBrn members participate in practical research that is directly relevant to patient care. their work helps to move scientific advances into daily clinical practice and to gauge the effect of research find-ings in real-world settings.

bet ter treatment , bet ter Pract ices

Martha Dawson, who joined the network after hearing about it during a UABsOD alumni week-end course, says her participation started pay-ing off almost immediately. “real dentists with real patients doing research in the real world—

“Real dentists

with real patients

doing research in

the real world—

that’s what

impressed me

about the DPBRN.

It’s a powerful

concept.”

4 ( u a B D e n t i s t r y )

Gregg Gilbert

( u a B D e n t i s t r y ) 5

that’s what impressed me about the DPBrn,” says Dawson. “it’s a powerful concept. the studies are very pertinent. We look at topics that are important to us in daily clinical practice.

“i’m a perpetual learner, and i never stop look-ing for better ways to do things,” adds Dawson, who participated in previous studies and is now following 50 restorations in patients to help identify which approaches to treatment are most likely to be successful over time.

“the network has long-term benefits for patients because what we learn will help us give them the best treatment. We’re also looking for more answers to why outcomes happen as they do so [that] we can optimize care,” Dawson says.

Bozeman concurs. “i’m always interested in doing dentistry in the best way possible and keep-ing up with improvements in techniques, and the DPBrn is a good way for me to do this,” he says. “it’s practice-based and evidence-based. Dentists can tell what they are really seeing and what is really there, so the results have merit. Looking at actual evidence inside the mouth of what succeeds and why gives us information that helps us make better day-to-day deci-sions, knowing what has the longest success record.”

in addition to the benefits to patients, being a member of the network also benefits den-tists. “Patients appreciate the fact that i’m doing research,” says Dawson. “they see it as a commit-ment to excellence and being cutting-edge—or, as one of my young patients said, ‘Hey, doc, you’re solid and cool.’ Being able to exchange ideas with other dentists is also wonderful. When something unusual comes up, we can discuss treatment options. i exchange e-mail with someone in the network at least once a week.”

“it makes us better dentists,” says Bozeman. “What we learn can also help other dentists and researchers.”

impact on the “ st ate of the sc ience”

Although many types of research are scientifi-cally valid and statistically significant, not all areas of inquiry have equal impact in terms of direct benefits to patients. the network gives dentists a voice to offer input that can help researchers prioritize possible areas of investigation—particu-larly important at a time when funding agencies often make decisions about grant proposals based on their potential impact on patient outcomes.

“if we’re encountering problems that need bet-ter answers, the network gives us a way to let the science side know about it,” Bozeman says. “We can tell them what we’re seeing so they have a bet-ter idea of which topics of research could have the

greatest effect on day-to-day care in practical applications.”

in addition to studies already in development, the DPBrn invites members to suggest possible topics for future investigation. the topics are posted on the network’s Web site, and members can discuss the topics to gauge interest.

“the niDCr has entrusted us to develop ideas we want to look into and to make recommenda-tions on how the research should be conducted,” says Dawson, “and the niH oversees it. it’s just good science.”

Members also have the opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow practitioners through e-mail conversations and annual face-to-face meetings. “i feel that what i hear from other den-tists is likely to be reliable and realistic,” Dawson says. “they aren’t representatives of suppliers or materials companies telling me something is good. i’m more inclined to trust what they have seen in their own experience.”

Looking to the future of the DPBrn, Dawson says, “the sky is the limit. As more dentists see how useful it is and how much we can do to directly improve the effectiveness of dental care, more people will want to be part of it. For anyone who is considering participating, i’d say do it! My experience with DPBrn has been so valuable.”

to learn more about the Dental Practice-Based research network and its current and future research studies, visit [www.DentalPBrn.org].

Implants R Us

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FOr UAB DentAL stUDents, learning to restore implants can mean more than just completing a required course.

“For some patients, implants are a life-chang-ing experience,” explains Mike McCracken, D.D.s, Ph.D. “i recently had a lady who had dentures. We gave her implants, and she was so overcome with emotion, she started weeping in the chair. she told me she hadn’t had teeth since she was 26 years old!”

McCracken, currently the director of the UABsOD’s graduate prosthodontics program, is extremely proud of the school’s predoctoral implant program, which is one of the most prolific in the nation. “it’s exciting to be a part of what has hap-pened since we started the pilot program in 1999 with eight students. the administration and my chair, Jean O’neal, D.M.D., have been very sup-portive since the beginning. At the time, there just wasn’t much being done in dental schools as far as implants, but UAB was one of the early adopters of this technology at the student level.

“When we started the program, there was a huge demand from those wanting to train,” he says. “it was

so successful [that] we knew we had to open it up to the rest of that class of students as soon as possible. two years later it was offered as an elective, and out of 55 students, 49 signed up. the next year we decided we needed to teach it to everyone and made it a required course.”

Dental implants, which involve drilling a hole in the bone and inserting a metallic device that takes the place of the root, have become extremely popu-lar. the surgery can be relatively simple to perform, and it can be done in an hour or two using local anesthetics. According to McCracken, “implants are clearly the best treatment available today for many patients. they are far superior to alternatives such as removable appliances or bridges.

“What’s unique is that UAB does more implants per student than any school in the nation. i’ve asked around repeatedly, and i don’t know any others who have a program as vibrant as ours,” he adds. “At last check, our senior class restored about 250 implants—that’s a lot of experience. it’s been excit-ing to see the program blossom so quickly in the curriculum.”

three companies give UAB’s program substan-tial support by supplying implants and parts. they include nobel Biocare, Zimmer Dental inc., and BioHorizons, a $100-million company that was founded by a UAB faculty member. BioHorizons also recently made a $400,000 gift to the dental school.

“BioHorizons started as a UAB incubator com-pany,” McCracken explains. “One of its creators, Dr. Martha Bidez, was a professor in the school of engineering. several of its first employees were UAB graduate students. today, BioHorizons is one of the leading implant companies in the country.”

As the former director of the predoctoral implant program, McCracken is pleased to watch it continue to grow under ruth Aponte-Wesson, D.D.s., who assumed the title last year. “Dr. Aponte-Wesson has been the clinical force behind the suc-cess of this program. she’s done a tremendous job with our students,” he says.

McCracken, who received his residency train-ing at UAB in the mid-1990s, says the importance of such programs to the field of dentistry can’t be overstated. “Dental implants are so much better than conventional treatments that they’re basically routine now,” he says. “that’s why we think it is critical that these predoctoral students learn these techniques to better serve their patients.”By Cindy riLey

The Predoctoral

Implant

Program

ruth Aponte-Wesson and Mike Mccracken lead a graduateprosthodontics program that is one of the most advanced in the nation.

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Renovations

Continue SOD’s

Expansion

By Cindy riLey

An extreMe MAKeOVer is in the works for the UABsOD. state-of-the-art equipment and a spa-cious new conference room are among the additions that will remake the school’s sixth floor, while the eighth-floor renovation will completely update the current laboratory space.

“the sixth-floor renovations will mean additional space for research and provide access for a much-improved facility,” says John Burgess, D.D.s., M.s., assistant dean for clinical research, who’s overseeing many of the improvements. “We will use equipment that will enable us to more precisely measure filling wear and suggest new innovative restorative tech-niques that will prolong and enhance dental health.

“these methods will evaluate products for tech-nology transfer to the practicing dentist from the large numbers of materials supplied by research companies. in addition to clinical research, capa-bilities are being established to allow DVD and CD-rOM fabrication for procedures conducted in this facility. Also, the current plans allow the video feed to be transmitted to a larger conference room for larger continuing-education programs. if bigger groups need to be accommodated, the signal can be transmitted to a classroom seating 60 or a simulation laboratory that would allow those participants in the continuing-education program to do ‘hands-on’ courses following the clinical demonstration.”

the renovated sixth-floor clinical research area will have sophisticated dental equipment, and the school has plans for a “technology day” when dentists from the community can observe equipment in action.

“We envision lasers and computer-assisted design and machining,” Burgess says. “these systems can image a prepared tooth and send the image to a mill-ing machine, which can mill out a crown in 12 to 16

minutes without using a impression, thus eliminating the need for two visits. there will also be microscope operating centers and the very latest dental chairs and equipment for providing technology transfer to practicing dentists. We hope this project and the expanded capabilities that this provides will allow us to become a regional continuing-education center.”

the total project will exceed $1 million and should be completed within the next year. Construction on the sOD’s eighth floor, meanwhile, began early this year.

“the design of the renovated space is very innova-tive,” explains Mary MacDougall, Ph.D., director of the institute for Oral Health research. “the labora-tories will have an open format to foster interaction of students, residents, graduate students, and faculty. the design allows sharing of large equipment, thereby maximizing resources.”

the sOD research space will be under the pur-view of the institute of Oral Health research housed on the seventh and eighth floors of the sOD. the four areas of research are craniofacial development and genetics, dental materials and tissue engineering, immunology and microbiology, and public health.

“this is approximately 13,000 square feet of new research laboratory facilities,” says MacDougall. “the renovations were developed through the U24 research infrastructure grant we received from the national institute for Dental and Craniofacial research to provide space for research-intensive sOD faculty and aid in the recruitment of new faculty members. Currently, our research faculty are spread out on campus, which can be an obstacle to collaborative research interactions.”

MacDougall says the construction should be fin-ished by the end of summer.

renovations at the UASOD will result in 13,000 square feet of new research space, says Mary MacDougall.

Moving on UP

8 ( u a B D e n t i s t r y )

tHe DAY WHen A stUDent graduates from dental school is a huge moment in his or her career, the culmination of many years of hard work and learning. But what is an end in some respects is a beginning to Ann Marie Karaki, whose goal is to help practicing dentists continue the learning process that will help them keep their skills and knowledge bases fresh and up-to-date throughout their careers.

Karaki joined the UABsOD this past fall as direc-tor of continuing dental education (Ce). After eight years at the University of tennessee Health science Center in Memphis, including three and a half years as director of Ce and publications for the College of Dentistry, she has gained a great respect for con-tinuing education’s importance to health care.

“the mission of lifelong learning involves real commitment. Dentistry is growing and changing so quickly,” Karaki says. “What was current 25 years ago has changed. new materi-als, techniques, and research make it necessary to continually update our definition of ‘cutting-edge’ dentistry. By providing Ce that explores current dental advances, we are providing the dental community an opportunity to experience the most progressive developments in den-tistry—and, in turn, provide the best dental care available to their patients.”

b u i l d i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p s t h ro u g h K n o w l e d g e

Karaki also sees Ce as an important tool for building and strengthening ties between alumni and the school. “University-sponsored Ce helps the practicing dentists feel connected. Daily they’re in their offices practicing alone, but there’s a whole network of people—both at the school and in practice, doing the same thing they’re doing—trying to provide the best den-tistry possible. We just don’t want them to for-get that there’s a support system here—they’re not alone in their efforts.”

to that end, one of Karaki’s primary goals as Ce director will be to expand the sOD’s con-tinuing-education offerings geographically, tak-

ing courses that were previously available only on the UAB campus and offering them in locations across Alabama. “it will enable the Ce program to impact more people—it’s a way for the school to provide educational opportunities to dentists and their staff all over the state,” she says. eventually Karaki hopes to offer the kinds of courses and speakers that were previously available only to dentists willing to travel outside the state of Alabama.

Karaki also says she’d like to incorporate more practice-management topics in the school’s Ce cur-riculum. “How to manage a business, 10 basic things you can do to improve your practice—those are the

SOD Welcomes

New Continuing

Education

Director

By doug giLLett

never stoP leArning

types of things that everyone can glean something from,” she says. “Dr. Michelle robinson is going to do a course called Computerization of the Contemporary Dental Office, which will discuss going paperless. this process, which can be daunting, will focus on a gradual transition, demonstrating that small changes costing only $3,000-$5,000 can improve communica-tion and patient flow while providing a base for bigger changes in the future. these are the types of courses we can provide at UAB—the kind that offer time-sav-ing, practice-building solutions.”

Other possibilities include expanding the oppor-tunities for assistants and hygienists in the sOD’s curriculum. in the long term, Karaki would like to involve the entire office in Ce.

m a k i n g t h e s o d a l i f e l o n g P a r t n e r

sometimes recent graduates of a health-care institution take the attitude, at least temporarily, that Ce isn’t that important because they’ve just finished a long stretch of schooling. “they’ve been in school for such a long time, and now they really just want to get to work,” Karaki says. “And the idea of put-ting their skills to work is great. But anyone who has gone through this kind of intensive education rec-ognizes the benefit of surrounding themselves with like-minded people. Whether they want to come back and advance their skills or discuss the nuances of dentistry with their peers, we can provide those educational opportunities for them—we will always have a venue for that kind of interaction.

“We have a responsibility to provide Ce. it is a service, and i think it’s important that we continue our commitment,” she says. “We were committed to their education as students, we supported them through graduation, and there is no doubt that Dean thomas and the faculty at the sOD have the same commitment to our alumni’s continued education well after they have left this building. Ce is just a great opportunity for us to continue influencing the lives of our alumni and the dental community at large.”

Ann MARiE KARAKi

BirMinGHaM HaD PLenty of selling points for ann Marie karaki when

she was interviewing for the position of ce director at the school of

Dentistry, but one of the biggest draws was that it would finally take the

“long-distance” part out of her long-distance relationship.

at the time she took the job at the sOD, she had been dating Donald

karaki, D.D.s., assistant director of the school’s general dental residency pro-

gram at uaB Hospital, for six years. for three and a half of those, she’d been

in Memphis and Don had been in Birmingham, which meant they were mak-

ing eight-hour round trips on a weekly basis to spend time together.

“it’s awfully nice not being on the road every friday night after work—and

then back in the car sunday afternoon for the long drive back. Don agrees,

since he made most of those weekend drives! now we can do regular

things like go to the movies during the week and have dinner on sunday

nights—things we haven’t been able to do in three or four years,” she says.

ann Marie comes to uaB from the university of tennessee (ut) Health

science center in Memphis, where she worked for eight years. Before that,

she wrote and edited textbooks for an educational development house; she

also taught freshman english at arkansas state university, her alma mater.

she says she didn’t have much background in dentistry when she first came

to ut, but she was able to learn quickly. “the success of a ce program

revolves heavily around marketing and communications, so when my mar-

keting background kicked in, i really enjoyed learning about the dental side

of ce—and now i know more about dentistry than i ever thought i would.”

But then again, karaki has never had trouble with quick transitions.

“i was supposed to start at uaB on september 25, and Dean thomas

asked if i could come to a meeting on september 22,” she recalls. “so i left

Memphis on the night of the 21st, drove over here, had a meeting on the

morning of the 22nd, got married that afternoon—and started work on the

25th. i told my friends in Memphis, ‘if you don’t like change, don’t stand next

to me,’ because i’ve had to embrace it wholeheartedly the last few months.”

( u a B D e n t i s t r y ) 9

never stoP leArning

10 ( u a B D e n t i s t r y )

iF A CHiLD with cerebral palsy or other special needs has ever given you a big bright smile, there’s a good chance John thornton, D.M.D., M.A., played a part in it.

thornton, associate dean and pro-fessor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, says his interest started early: “it really started in dental school, when i worked in a pediatric dental clinic. Working with children who had special needs gave me more satisfaction than anything else i did. i don’t know why, but it was just natural for me.”

since then, thornton has not only continued his own work in community service, but he has also helped lead an outreach effort by the UABsOD that sends pediatric residents into community clinics around Alabama. One of their first projects, in rural Monroeville in 1999, created so much buzz among residents that some 50,000 children were treated in the clinic’s first two years.

“When word got out,” says thornton, “there were so many other people requesting services that our senior dental students now spend two weeks a year working in low-income communities around the state, treating children and adults who are disadvantaged. Alabama has a serious issue with access to care, and a lot of people in rural areas, especially children, have no dental services. Often they have caregivers who are not aware of some of the resources available.”

the school operates four outreach clinics, includ-ing one at the Alabama school for the Deaf and Blind in talladega and another at United Cerebral Palsy’s newly built Children’s services Center in Homewood. Before the new facility opened, stu-dents offered treatment for youngsters with cerebral palsy (CP) at a makeshift clinic in the former north Birmingham office.

Children with CP, Down syndrome, and other disorders present serious challenges for dentists. Understandably, some dentists choose to refer those patients to specialists. “the biggest challenge for the disabled patient is maintaining oral hygiene,” says

thornton. “if they’re able to learn to brush, we teach them how. But most of them are dependent on oth-ers for good oral hygiene, so we teach the parent or the day-facility caretaker how to best do it for them.” Diagnosis is another hurdle. sometimes children can communicate their problems to the doctor through a parent, but often it’s a case of “just going in and see-ing what you can find,” he says.

thornton’s desire to do community service began even earlier than his dental education: “My father died when i was young, and we were in sort of humble environs,” he recalls. “i remember people being nice to my mother and sister and me when we needed help. that stuck in my head, and since i’ve been so blessed, it’s a real enjoyment for me to be able to help someone else who’s struggling.”

Comments from residents and students about their volunteer work have been overwhelmingly positive, says thornton, who often hears that it was the best experience they’ve had in dental school.

“For some of them, it’s their first opportunity to see what things are like in the ‘real world,’” thornton says. “i think one of the biggest measures of our suc-cess is that we’re attracting students to go into those areas and treat the disadvantaged. some areas now have a dentist that didn’t have one before.”

Community

Service with a

Smile

John thornton has helped drive many of the UABSOD’s most important community-outreach efforts.

John Thornton

By daLe Short

below the representation of minorities in the U.s. population as a whole.

“in addition,” says thomas, “many students are graduating with a great deal of indebtedness. Faculty salaries are not as great as those in private practice, making it more difficult to attract new faculty.”

Dental education is, in fact, one of the most expensive professional training programs. Costs con-tinue to climb, with the average public- or private-school student graduating with more than $120,000 in debt. the numbers are based on a recent ADeA survey of dental-school seniors.

the role of dental education cannot be over-looked when it comes to public oral-health issues. if shortages of educational opportunities lead to a shortage of dental practitioners, access to practitio-ners could be jeopardized for individuals living in certain communities, while advancements in dental research and clinical studies would be threatened if proper studies couldn’t be carried out.

“Dental education is in a crisis right now, but we’re starting to do something about it, and that’s what is really important,” thomas explains. “We need help, and this is a chance for everyone to get involved. Ultimately this awareness will benefit not only future dentists but also the public’s oral health.”

The SOD joins

a nationwide

response to the

dental-faculty

crisis

tHe GOAL is iMPressiVe: to raise half a billion dollars over the next eight years. the organizers of “Dental education: Our Legacy—Our Future” are hoping to do just that by establishing a national effort within dentistry to raise awareness of the challenges dental education is facing.

According to UABsOD dean Huw F .thomas, B.D.s., M.s., Ph.D., the effort meets a desperate need. “it’s a critical situation,” he says. “state funding in higher education is decreasing throughout the coun-try, and this is particularly true in the field of dental education. in order for us to survive, we must look elsewhere, and philanthropy is one of those areas.

“Also, there are more than 350 vacant faculty posi-tions across the U.s. right now. that’s quite troubling.”

Fortunately, the initiative gives the nation’s dental schools a chance to present a united front. “When i speak to alumni of UAB and explain that this is a national effort, it gives more credibility to the crisis facing dental education,” thomas says. “And when the national effort can point to the fact that all the schools are partners in raising funds, it gives those individuals leverage when they go to corporations and industries seeking additional money.”

there are currently more than 60 partners involved in the project, including almost 50 dental schools and 17 other dental and specialty organizations such as the American Dental education Association and the American Dental Association Foundation.

“the effort is just starting to get off the ground,” says thomas, who serves on the program’s steering committee. “We officially started in July 2004, and contributions received by December 2014 will be counted toward the objective of raising $500 million for dental education. Money donated in support of the UABsOD will be used exclusively by the dental school, although the total amounts will be reported to count toward the overall goal. so far, the recep-tion has been outstanding.”

rather than serving as simply a fund-raiser, though, “Dental education: Our Legacy—Our Future” focus-es on many critical issues involving dental education. Among the key concerns are access to care for every-one, research and advancements in care, diversity of faculty and students, and the high cost of dental education, in addition to faculty shortages.

the latest statistics show that among today’s faculty, only 4 percent are African American, while 5 percent are Hispanic. the numbers are significantly

building a LeGacy

By Cindy riLey

( u a B D e n t i s t r y ) 11

huw thomas says the “Dental education: Our Legacy—Our Future” effort will have a ripple effect beyond dental-school classrooms.

12 ( u a B D e n t i s t r y )

lab with mentor Joanne Murphy-Ullrich, Ph.D., looking at dental biomaterials and studying ways to improve responses at the interface between implants and host tissues. “When the implant doesn’t attach, we’re studying why it doesn’t osteointe-grate; sometimes anfibrous tissue can form, and we’re looking at mechanisms that dif-ferentiate mesenchymal stem cells,” she says. “those stem cells are derived from human bone marrow, and they have the potential to differentiate into a variety of tissue types.”

talbert says she’s grateful for the pres-ence of the BioMatrix engineering and regenerative Medicine (BerM) Center on campus, as well as the help of pro-lific researchers such as Mary MacDougall, Ph.D., on the sOD faculty. “Dr. MacDougall has really been supportive and helped guide me,” talbert says. “i have applied for individ-ual funding through the national institute

At 16, Melissa talbert was sitting chairside and observing dental procedures at her uncle’s practice. Just a decade later, she’s advanced to complex biomedical research and attending meetings of the American society for Matrix Biology.

that rapid pace of professional devel-opment, not to mention committing seven years to a dual-degree postgraduate program, would be intimidating to some people. But talbert says the decision to join the sOD’s joint D.M.D./Ph.D. pro-gram was easy. “i knew that it would be a two-way street—the school would want the program to succeed, and that would provide the flexibility for me to do what i wanted to do,” she says. “i guess that the time commitment of the program is kind of hard to swallow at first, but it’s really gone by quickly. And when you enjoy what you do, it makes a difference.”

talbert’s time these days is spent in the

COMBininG GenetiCs and dental research was an opportunity Michael Passineau, Ph.D., couldn’t pass up. For him, each day brings a new adventure.

“One of the challenges facing the gene-therapy field is the fundamental principle of ‘First do no harm,’ ” he says. “Often gene-therapy interventions can lead to serious side effects by perturbing the normal function of the organ in which the therapy is initiated.”

Meeting that challenge, however, and developing safe gene-therapy techniques are tasks Passineau has never shied away from. “We are building upon the concept, developed by Bruce Baum at the national institutes of Health, that salivary glands can be infected with a virus that makes them express a protein of our choosing,” he says. “When i first read Baum’s original paper on salivary gene therapy, the light really went on in my head that this could be a platform technology for many diseas-es. i started sharing my ideas at the dental

school, and one thing led to another to bring me here.”

Passineau, a Lansing, Michigan, native, earned degrees in chemistry and Bible from Cedarville College in Ohio and a Ph.D. from the University of Miami. He is currently an instructor at the institute of Oral Health research within the UAB school of Dentistry, where he conducts his groundbreaking research.

“normally, the salivary glands produce large amounts of protein, which gets mixed with our saliva to aid digestion. Using this technology, we signal the glands to secrete our protein into the blood rather than into the saliva. in the disease we target, Fabry disease, patients have to have regular doses of synthetically produced protein to stave off the effects of their disease. Our hope is that we can coax their glands to produce the protein they need and to secrete it into the blood. that way, we hope to be able to free these patients from the need for frequent, expensive injections.”

Melissatalbert takinG researcH as far as sHe can

MichaelPassineau it’s aLL in tHe Genes

After receiving extensive training in genetics, Michael Passineau is now applying his expertise to dentistry.

student spotlights

stev

e W

OO

DMelissa talbert began her dental careerobserving chairside at her uncle’s practice.

( u a B D e n t i s t r y ) 13

his time “island-hopping”—jet skis being the preferred transportation between islands—and sampling the summer festi-vals. Just as small towns in Alabama have their peach or pecan festivals, “each island has different types of festive activities that bring out that island’s unique quality. On eleuthera they have the pineapple fest, and in south Andros they have the coconut fest. in Central Andros we have the crab fest. the events are one of a kind, and you never see the exact same thing from one year to the next.

“sometimes i feel like i’m the tourist whenever i go home, because it’s some-thing that never stops being new and exciting for me,” rolle says with a grin. “each island, i feel, offers its own little treasure, and it’s something that you can only get from that island—nowhere else. . . . When i see that, i have this pride in where i’m from, and i’m glad it’s something that other people can see and enjoy.”

–Doug Gillett

Gerardrolle MeMOries Of a trOPicaL ParaDise

MOst AMeriCAn children are accustomed to being driven by their parents to the den-tist’s office a few times a year. Where Gerard rolle comes from, however, the dentists come to them—on a boat. Maybe even a jet ski.

rolle grew up on Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas. “in elementary school we had den-tists who would visit because we didn’t have a resident den-tist on the island,” he remem-bers. “And when they visited, they were limited—they were pretty much just seeing kids and saying, ‘Well, you need to bring him to my office,’ which was located on another island. that’s stayed in the back of my mind. As i grew older, i began to see just how much dentistry was needed.”

rolle followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers and came to the United states for college. He is now in his third year at the school of Dentistry, and he plans on practicing in the United states for two or three years before return-ing home.

Organized dentistry is still in its early stages in the Bahamas, and rolle sees many opportunities for leadership and improving the state of dental care in his home country. “i was talking with my dentist when i went home this Christmas, and we talked about some organizations they’re trying to start for Bahamian den-tists—trying to push more students to go into that field,” he says. “it’s something that’s still in its infancy.”

rolle returns home at least twice a year. to his classmates it sounds like a dream vacation, but to him it’s a homecoming. “every time i go home, it’s this surreal feeling—i don’t even know how to explain it,” he says. rolle says he spends much of

for Dental and Craniofacial research, and she’s been key with helping me do that.”

talbert, who is from Pensacola, Florida, and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama, is equally productive outside the laboratory—she’s on the board of Magic Moments, an orga-nization that “grants wishes” for terminally ill children in the state. she’s done every-thing from sending families off on trips to Disney World to helping to design and build jungle gyms.

“it’s been a lot of fun—it’s really reward-ing to see these children get excited about something,” she says. “i’ve kept in touch with some of the children that i’ve been fortunate enough to meet and help grant their ‘wishes,’ and it really puts things into perspective—you learn to value your own life and health that much more.”

–Doug Gillett

stev

e W

OO

D

Gerard rolle notes that in the Bahamas, dentists make house calls by hopping from island to island on boats.

student spotlights

Passineau recently represented north America among six different geograph-ic regions as a recipient of the Colgate Award and was given the chance to learn more about how dental research works in diverse cultures. His travels included a trip to Australia. “the Australians seem to be very forward-thinking in terms of educa-tion, environmental responsibility, and their approach toward immigration,” he says.

Passineau also enjoys getting feedback from his wife, shannon, a junior at the UABsOD. “We approach dentistry from very different directions,” he says. “she has the ideal personality for clinical dentistry, and i’m a scientist. i think it’s important for researchers to vet their ideas to clinicians in order to avoid ‘ivory tower’ thinking.”

As for his future goals, Passineau says, “the postdoctoral experience is mostly about transitioning toward independence as a funded researcher. i expect to have my own laboratory in the next few years.”

–Cindy Riley

stev

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D

14 ( u a B D e n t i s t r y )

faculty focus

JOsePH DeAtHerAGe, D.M.D., M.D., recalls the trip vividly. While introducing one of his professors to the art of trout fly-fishing, Deatherage met an oral surgeon from the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. “He persuaded me to join him in private practice,” Deatherage recalls. “i worked with him for 12 years, and we practiced the full scope of the specialty.”

Yet Deatherage, who earned his D.M.D. from the UABsOD in 1987, realized his true calling early on. “i entered dental school with the goal of becoming an oral surgeon from day one,” he says. “i also always planned to enter academic practice here after i fin-ished my training.”

For Deatherage, now an associate professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery at UAB, the classroom setting is as challenging as the profession itself. “i enjoy teaching residents and students,” he explains. “We are understaffed in our department with regard to faculty surgeons. We also deal with a large amount of facial trauma. However, i am excited about the future of our school and our specialty. We have the brightest students and resi-dents in our program.”

During his time as a student, Deatherage was engaged in connective-tissue biochemistry research. “specifically, i was attempting to regenerate craniofa-cial bony defects with growth factors found in bone,” he says. His endeavors generated several papers and garnered multiple national and international awards.

Deatherage completed his training in oral and maxillofacial surgery and an internship in general sur-gery in san Antonio, texas. He was later appointed by the governor of Arkansas to the state dental board, where he served as president in 2003-2004.

“Although i had a very busy private practice, i never lost my dream of practicing at UAB,” he says. “Our specialty has suffered from a ‘brain drain’ of tal-ent that is leaving academics for the financial rewards of private practice. i felt compelled to come back and

teach. i hope to be a good role model and inspire students to reach their dreams.”

robert Meador Jr., D.M.D., echoes that senti-ment. “i love getting my students to think outside the box,” says the 53-year-old biology major, who earned his B.s. from the University of Alabama before graduating from the UABsOD in 1979.

“i make them think because dentistry is a profes-sion where you are problem-solving a great deal of the time. it requires an individual to be able to look at a given situation and determine what’s the best course,” he explains.

Meador, who retired from full-time dentistry in 1999, enjoyed great success with his family practice in Mobile. He started with a single employee and watched the business grow steadily through the years; when he decided to change careers, he found himself climbing to the top of the real-estate apprais-al field. it wasn’t a long-term commitment.

“i did some soul searching while working with Habitat for Humanity in Africa,” Meador recalls. “it gave me new perspective.”

Meador found himself teaching for a year at spring Hill College. it proved to be a turning point. “the joy i had teaching there set a fire in me. After taking a year off, i came to UAB, and i have truly enjoyed the experience.”

in addition to introducing students to comprehen-sive care and serving as a liaison between the school and the state Board of Dental examiners, Meador teaches a practice-management course that provides real-world advice. “Whether it’s starting a practice from scratch, becoming a partner, or simply hiring and firing staff, there are so many things to consider when you get out of school,” he says. “i think it’s important to share the mistakes made by the inno-cence of youth.

“i just hope that i can be to students a small frac-tion of what David Greer, D.M.D., was to me. Dr.

Alumni Who

Returned to

Teach

the school ties That Bind

By Cindy riLey

( u a B D e n t i s t r y ) 15

faculty focus

Greer is a man of integrity who’s respected by all who know him. He’s someone you could always go to when you needed a straight answer. i couldn’t ask for more than that.”

For UABsOD alumna Marya Barnes, D.M.D., teaching provides a constant challenge. “i enjoy academics for the diversity of opportunities. it also keeps me connected to cutting-edge clin-ical research and developments,” says Barnes, who earned her D.M.D. from the University of Connecticut before graduating from the sOD’s advanced periodontics program in 2001. “i find that working with residents, clinical practice, and research are a very excit-ing combination. i like to see the moment when a student evolves into the next level of understanding and proficiency. We all grow in this profession with each passing day.”

Barnes, an assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics, once served in the United states Air Force, working as a staff periodontist. “i was assigned to Keesler Air Force Base,” she says. “During my tenure i was a member of the Keesler Forensic Dental team and the dental officer in charge of infec-tion control. in 2004, i became a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.”

Barnes says she became interested in the specialty as a student. “i was able to par-ticipate in the treatment planning of cases that required more advanced periodontal therapeutic considerations. i assisted in some of these procedures and was introduced to what i feel is one of the most exciting areas of dentistry today.

“i am also very optimistic about the dental profession. With the emphasis placed on evi-dence-based therapeutics and the training of all of us as critical thinkers and lifelong learn-ers, we have been charged with an awesome amount of responsibility and to have con-tinued passion and dedication in dentistry,” Barnes explains. “As we go forth with the multidisciplinary dental care of our patients, we also understand that there is an asso-ciation between oral and overall systemic health. this knowledge has enabled den-tistry to extend beyond the physical plant of the dental school.”

Adds Barnes, “i am very proud to return to the university. i represent only a small fraction of what may be considered ‘giving back,’ but i feel many UAB alums have a strong desire to do that—and do so in different ways. We all benefit in the end.”

even with successful private-practice careers under their belts, Marya Barnes (left), Joe Deatherage (center), and robert Meador all heard the call of dental academics.

the strickland Brothers

WHen YOU AsK PeOPLe in Huntsville, Alabama, the name of their dentist, don’t be surprised if a disproportionate number answer, “Dr. strickland.” With three brothers, two sons, a daughter, and a son-in-law all in the field, dentistry has definitely become a family business.

“We didn’t come from a long line of dentists,” says Lyldon strickland, D.M.D. “Our father was a workman, and our mother was a teacher. she was often ill, so when i was growing up in Anniston, i knew i wanted to work in health care. i went to pharmacy school, then became interested in den-tistry. i put myself through dental school at UAB by working as a pharmacist after class and through the summer.”

After graduating in 1958, Lyldon joined the Air Force and practiced in Germany, where he married his American sweetheart, Martha Jean—twice.

“We’d met in school when she was in the pub-

lic health program,” he recalls. “she flew over to Frankfurt, and we were married in the chapel on the base. However, Germany requires a civil ceremony, too, and the paperwork wasn’t quite right, so we boarded a train for switzerland and were married again the next day. now we have two wedding anniversaries. i have twice the chance of getting it right.”

Meanwhile, back home, his brother Chalmus had also gone into pharmacy, and after working in a pharmacy a while he realized that, like his brother, his interests leaned toward dentistry.

“While i was at UAB, i worked in 13 drugstores across southside and all over Birmingham put-ting myself through dental school,” says Chalmus strickland, D.M.D. “My brother was enjoying being an Air Force dentist, so i looked into it, and after graduation, i went into the Air Force too. At my base in san Antonio, there were 120 dentists. i

alumni profiles

notice any family resemblance? not only are brothers Joe (left), Lyldon (center), and chalmus Strickland all practicing dentists in huntsville, but each also has a son or daughter currently practicing dentistry as well.

Three brothers

start a legacy

in Huntsville

16 ( u a B D e n t i s t r y )

By Laura Freeman

got to do a little bit of everything related to dentistry and loved it.”

Younger brother Joe strickland, D.M.D., was at Auburn on a football scholarship, working on pre-med courses, when he was sidelined by injuries. As he recovered, he rethought his career choices and decided to go to dental school at UAB like his broth-ers, but with one major difference: He became an orthodontist.

“When we were in dental school, there were three other strickland brothers from Gardendale,” says Joe. “each of us knew one of them in our classes. My wife, Gail, was a nursing student. We got married in school, and now we have 10 kids—five girls and five boys.”

After the Air Force, Lyldon returned to the south and took board exams in both Florida and Alabama.

“i was talking with a dental-supply salesman, and he told me two of my classmates were in Huntsville and were really enjoying their practice. it was the kind of place i wanted to be, so i opened my practice here. i like the variety in general dentistry and doing something different every day,” he says.

After completing his service in the Air Force, Chalmus joined Lyldon in Huntsville. Joe followed a few years later, opening his orthodontics practice next door after serving as an Air Force dentist in Langley, Virginia. today, Lyldon’s son, Greg, and Joe’s son, scot, are also dentists, and Lyldon’s daugh-ter, stacy, and her husband, steve, have a dental practice just up the block.

Chalmus adds, “My wife, Dianne, and i have four children. Our daughter studied dental hygiene, but then decided she wanted to become a nurse. the other three went in different directions. i remember my son telling me in seventh grade he wasn’t going to be a dentist. He’s a lawyer now.”

What are the advantages of having brothers who are dentists in the same office or next door? “it’s great being able to consult with someone you know and trust when you have a difficult case or just want a different point of view,” Lyldon says. “if someone needs orthodontics, we can refer them to Joe. He’s a wonderful resource when we’re working with young patients.”

According to Joe, having brothers who were den-tists was also a big help when he was in school trying to decide between orthodontics and oral surgery. “they gave me some good advice that helped me make the right decision,” he says. “it’s neat having guys you can count on to ask questions and get support.”

even with so many stricklands practicing in one area, Chalmus says it hasn’t caused too much confu-sion for patients. “it doesn’t usually take patients too long to figure out which Dr. strickland is which. then they just use the phone book to be sure they are making an appointment with whichever one of us they want to see.”

After hours, the strickland brothers continue to be a close family. “two of us live across the street from each other, and the third lives just up the road,” Chalmus says. “Family get-togethers involve a lot of talk about molars and roots and braces.”

All three brothers are members of the rotary Club. Lyldon enjoys spending time on Lake Guntersville and playing golf. Chalmus likes gardening and fondly recalls biking trips with his wife though italy and France. Joe continues to be an avid football fan and enjoys traveling and snow skiing.

Looking back at their time at UAB, all three strickland brothers have vivid memories. “i’ll never forget my gross anatomy teacher,” says Lyldon. “i never saw him smile till after graduation. then there he was in the elevator, smiling and friendly.”

“the professors were wonderful,” says Chalmus. “Dr. Volker was dean then, and Charles McCallum was in oral surgery. Dr. Hammonds was such a strong influence in the clinic.”

Joe recalls his classmates fondly: “the class of ’69 was such a close group. We had a great time and still enjoy getting together.”

How did the strickland brothers’ parents feel about having three sons in dental school? “they loved it,” says Lyldon. “Our father and mother were simple people. We didn’t have a lot of money, but somehow, all three of us managed to get through dental school and build a career.”

“Yes,” Chalmus agrees. “it’s been a good run.”

alumni profiles

“Family get-

togethers

involve a lot

of talk about

molars and

roots and

braces.”

—Chalmus

Strickland

( u a B D e n t i s t r y ) 17

18 ( u a B D e n t i s t r y )

UAB DEnTiSTRY: How did you become treasurer of the alumni association?STiEGLER: i was asked if i wanted to be an associate representative on the alumni executive council a few years ago by some local dentists who were members of the council. . . . And after i had served on the council for a few years, they asked if i would be willing to serve as the secretary and treasurer.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: What was your reac-tion when they asked you?STiEGLER:Well, it was exciting for me, because i wanted to be able to give some-thing back to the school. the school has given so much to us in terms of our careers and the knowledge that we use every day in our practices, and it’s given so much to the state of Alabama as well; this was my way of doing something for the school.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: You obviously have a firsthand view of how devoted sOD alumni are to their school. What impresses you most about them in general?STiEGLER:the alumni in the state of Alabama have been very supportive of the school of Dentistry. Whenever they’re asked, they give their time and they also donate funds to help the school; we’ve been very pleased with the response we’ve gotten. i think some of the credit can be given to the deans of the dental school, especially the last two deans—Dr. [Mary Lynne] Capilouto and Dr. [Huw] thomas have done a really good job of creating good rela-tionships with the alumni, and that’s created a lot more support for the school.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: You’re also serving on the Board of trustees for the Alabama Dental Association. Was there anything in particular that motivated you to get so deeply involved in organized dentistry?STiEGLER: A number of years ago, i was asked to serve as a local officer in our district dental society, and after you’re elected to your first position, you move through the offices—the next offices you go through are vice president and president-elect, and i

also served as the president. And when you serve as district president, you are automatically elected to the Board of trustees. in my year as president, i had a chance to see how the state association functions, and i volunteered to be an at-large representative as a trustee from our area. . . . i’ve been serving as a Board of trustees member since then.

i enjoy working with organized dentistry—it gives me a chance to rub shoulders with my col-leagues across the state and gives me a chance to learn on a firsthand basis what’s going on with the organizations.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: How did you get started in the field of dentistry? Did you have any family con-nections?STiEGLER: i did have an uncle who was a dentist in new Orleans, and i had some contact with him, but i was the only one in my immediate family who went into a health-care field. i’ve had an interest in health care since i was in high school, and in college i oriented myself to go into either medicine or den-tistry. i had some experiences working in a hospital, and i met some oral surgeons there, and they got me interested in dentistry.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: it seems that a lot of sOD alumni reach points in their careers where they’re poised to make a decision between medicine and dentistry, and often it’s just a chance encounter like the one you had that makes the decision.STiEGLER: Yes, and as time goes on, you go in a direction you think is comfortable. ironically i was thinking about becoming an oral surgeon, but when i got involved in general dentistry, i liked the diver-sity of it. it really whetted my appetite for a lot of different areas of dentistry.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: Do you remember any pro-fessors from the school of Dentistry who made a particularly big impression on you?STiEGLER: Yes, there were some who left a deep impression on me. One was Adeeb thomas in the endodontics department, and another was Dr. Mario Martinez. those two professors just had a lot of character, and they seemed real concerned with us as individuals. they gave me a lot of help while i

In nearly every way possible, Kim Stiegler, D.M.D., has provided

a model of leadership for others in his field to follow. He has served as an

officer in his local district dental soci-ety and presently serves on the Board

of Trustees of the Alabama Dental Association (ALDA). But in addition

to giving back to his state and his profession, Stiegler, a 1980 graduate

of the School of Dentistry, gives plen-ty back to his alma mater—he is the secretary/treasurer of the UABSOD

Alumni Association.

Stiegler and his wife, Lisa, cur-rently live in Mobile, where he will

mark 25 years of private practice this year. UAB Dentistry talked

with Stiegler about the reasons both community service and the School of

Dentistry have become such important aspects of his life.

kiM e. stieGLer, D.M.D.a conversation with

end notes

( u a B D e n t i s t r y ) 19

was in dental school, and i really appreciated that. they’ve both passed away since then, and i really miss them.

And i would be remiss if i didn’t mention David Greer—he had a big influence on me as well. . . . i think he had more impact on us as individuals than any instructor we ever had. He was the dean of students, and he was and is a great guy.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: those names get mentioned a lot whenever alumni are talking about the professors who meant the most to them. Many alumni remem-ber, in particular, that Drs. thomas and Martinez never suffered fools gladly—they expected a lot from their students.STiEGLER: You didn’t like them because they were easy on you; you liked them because you respected them, and i felt that they were always focused on our best interests. Dr. thomas was quite an interest-ing character, and i really respected him a lot. Dr. Martinez was a wonderful man as well.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: What brought you to Mobile when you finished your residency and started to practice?STiEGLER: that’s where i grew up. i was actually born in new Orleans, but my parents moved here when i was less than a year old. so i grew up in Mobile and naturally came back here when i was finished with dental school and my residency.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: those are two areas that have had a rough couple of years, particularly with Hurricane Katrina. STiEGLER: Yes, especially new Orleans. We had our damage in Mobile, but our infrastructure was pretty much intact, and we’re pretty much back to normal. new Orleans, though, was devastated, and as far as i know, the dental school has moved up to Baton rouge. i have a number of relatives who lost their homes in new Orleans and had to relocate, and when i go back to visit, it’s hard to believe the amount of destruction to that city.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: From talking to some of the alums in the Mobile area, it sounds like the den-tal community did a pretty good job of banding

“I think it’s

very important

to get involved

in organized

dentistry right

out of dental

school. I joined

the minute I

started practic-

ing dentistry,

and I’ve never

regretted it.”

together and helping each other through every-thing—it seems like a pretty close-knit group down there.STiEGLER: it is, but like i said, we were fortunate in Mobile. We did have loss of power and some destruction, but i feel so fortunate—all you have to do is drive 75 to 80 miles west of us, to the Mississippi Gulf coast and new Orleans, and it’s unbelievable, the difference between the amount of destruction we experienced here and what they experienced there. so i feel very fortunate. i was worried when the storm came in that i might lose my office or lose my ability to practice for some time, but we were blessed. i think along the Gulf coast a lot of practices are still having trouble getting back on line, and in new Orleans a lot of dentists are still not able to practice.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: As someone who’s been very involved in organized dentistry, what would you tell a current dental student who’s about to graduate and thinking of getting involved in some of the profes-sional organizations?STiEGLER: i think it’s very important to get involved in organized dentistry right out of den-tal school. it gives you a chance to get to know your colleagues—you can learn from them as you develop your practice, and you can give a lot back to your profession. i joined the minute i started practicing dentistry, and i’ve never regretted it. And being involved in the alumni association has been great for me—the dental school is a source of research and continuing education that is very beneficial to the dental profession.

UAB DEnTiSTRY: Do you have any general advice for students about the world of private practice?STiEGLER: i just think they need to keep their heads up and keep their principles intact, and give themselves time enough to build their practices, because things will work out for them. i think it’s important to make sure that they follow what’s always been my rule of thumb when i’m dealing with patients: When you put them in that chair, treat them as you would want to be treated if you were in that chair. And if they do that, things will be fine for them.

end notes

20 ( u a B D e n t i s t r y )

ChARLES SMiTh PLEDGESsuPPort for scholArs

professional pulse

fAREwELL to A uAbsOD PiOneer

katye PinkertOn, former alumni and

external relations officer at the uaB school

of Business, has been named major gifts

officer at the school of Dentistry. Pinkerton

arrives with three years of experience in

development and alumni relations; her

responsibilities at the school of Dentistry

involve the cultivation of alumni through

fund-raising projects and special events that

will maintain alumni involvement with the

dental school. she is also responsible for

identifying new prospects to support the

school, including individuals, corporations, and

foundations. a special focus of Pinkerton’s

job includes managing the school’s current

program of reunion class giving. Pinkerton is a 2001 graduate of Mississippi state

university; she is involved in several Birmingham young professional organizations and

enjoys running, writing, and cooking. to contact katye, please call (205) 996-6786 or e-

mail kpinkerton@uab.edu.

retireD Dentist cHarLes sMitH, D.M.D.,

has been a strong

supporter of the

school of Dentistry

ever since earning

his dental degree

in 1967. that

support has now

taken the form of

the $100,000 Dr.

charles e. smith endowed scholarship fund to

assist deserving students.

after earning his undergraduate degree in busi-

ness management from the university of alabama

and then attending the school of Dentistry, smith

served two years in the army Dental corps

before returning to alabama to practice; he prac-

ticed in Ozark from 1969 to 2001 and in Dothan

for another four years before retiring in 2005.

smith’s commitment to dentistry extends even

further than his support for the uaBsOD—he

served on the alabama Board of Dental examiners

from 1998 to 2003 and continues to serve as a

consultant to the board. He is a member of the

alabama Dental association (which gave him the

Most excellent fellow award), the third District

Dental association, the american college of

Dentists, and the Pierre fauchard academy.

in addition, he and his wife, sandra Garner smith,

have participated in 12 dental mission trips to

central and south america.

BOtH tHe scHOOL Of Dentistry and the alabama dental community lost a

loyal friend and a leader when thomas L. alexander Jr., D.D.s., died on february 14

at the age of 76.

a native of tuskegee, alexander first came to Birmingham in 1963 having already

completed a successful military career, earned a degree in dentistry, and started

a family. While practicing in Birmingham, a conversation with then-dean charles

“scotty” Mccallum, D.M.D., M.D., convinced alexander to further his dental educa-

tion, and he became the first african american to graduate from the sOD’s ortho-

dontics program in 1972.

alexander was an active supporter of the school of Dentistry and uaB, as well

as the dental community as a whole. He served on the alabama Board of Dental

examiners from 1993 to 1998 and was its president in 1997; his numerous

professional memberships included the Birmingham District Dental society, the

alabama Dental association, the american Dental association, the national Dental

association, and the american association of Orthodontists.

alexander’s belief in the importance of education—and of uaB—were instilled in

his son, thomas L. alexander iii, who serves as the university’s director of student

programs and leadership. Last year the younger alexander and his mother started a

scholarship in his father’s name to benefit african-american students at the sOD.

Pinkerton Named Major Gifts Officer at the School of Dentistry

A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime...Planning for the future is your gift to your family and to the UAB school of Dentistry. Just as time spent

with grandchildren is a joy for you and for them, supporting the UAB school of Dentistry brings satisfaction now and ensures future support for dentistry, education, research, and patient care. Made through your will, retirement fund designation or trust, your estate gift will demonstrate your commitment to UAB’s school of Dentistry, during your lifetime—and beyond.

For more bequest information, please contactJ. scott Huffman, CFre, senior director of development

sDB 214, 1530 3rD AVe sBirMinGHAM AL 35294-0007

(205) 934-3601 or shuffman@uab.edu

For information about the school of Dentistry, log on towww.dental.uab.edu

Always consult your tax or legal advisor when considering a planned gift.

OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENTSDB 214 • 1919 7th Avenue South1530 3RD AVE SBIRMINGHAM AL 35294-0007

FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

P A I DPERMIT NO. 1256

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