Dr. Clifton Dummett Honored

Dr. Clifton O. Dummett, pediatric dentistry chair, 2000-2006

This fall the LSUHSC Department of Pediatric Dentistry hosted the
7th Annual Clifton O. Dummett, Jr., Memorial Lecture. The two-day program, "Dentistry for the Pediatric Patient, for General Dentists, Pediatric Dentists and Staff Members," featured speakers Joel H. Berg, DDS, MS, and Ashok Kumar, DDS. Dr. Berg is dean of the University of Washington School of Dentistry and author of the textbook, Early Childhood Oral Health, as well as numerous articles, abstracts, and book chapters on pediatric dentistry. The first day, he discussed "Modern Caries Detection and Management for Children." On day two, Dr. Kumar, associate clinical professor at Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, led a hands-on session, "Updated Pulpotomy and Esthetic Techniques for Primary Teeth." Intended for dentists only, the workshop was held in the simulation teaching laboratory.

From left, Dr. Gremillion, dean, and pediatric dentistry interim chair Dr. Janice Townsend with keynote speaker, Dr. Joel Berg

The lecture series is named in memory of Dr. Cliff Dummett, a member of the LSUSD pediatric dentistry faculty from 1974 to 2006.

Dr. Dummett directed the advanced education program until 2000, when he became department chairman, serving until his untimely death in 2006.

From left, keynote speaker Dr. Joel Berg (dean, University of Washington), Dr. John Hendry (LSUSD '77, pediatric dentistry '79), Dr. Edward Moody (president, AAPD) and Dr. Robert Delarosa (vice president, AAPD; LSUSD '81)

Over 100 dentists, hygienists and dental assistants attended Dr. Berg's lecture. Thirty-two of the 87 dentists returned for the hands-on training by Dr. Kumar. A popular continuing education program drawing dental professionals from all over the United States, the 2013 Dummett lecture audience included attendees from 17 states, including California, Washington, New Hampshire and Florida. Over 30 of the attendees were LSUSD alumni.

AAPD Student Chapter Launches Service Event

The LSUSD Student Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry held its first service event this fall. The outreach program, publicized on WWL-TV, was open to the public. With the goal of increasing the numbers of pediatric patients in the school clinic, this program will ultimately improve the experience of junior and senior students during their pediatric dentistry rotation.

Dental students Amy Simoneaux (left) and Christy Marcello with a patient at the fall outreach event

Under the supervision of Dr. Janice Townsend, chair of pediatric dentistry, 12 student volunteers screened about 30 children ranging from one to 16 years of age. The students performed simple oral examinations and reviewed oral hygiene instruction, diet and nutrition with the children and parents. Most of the children will be established as patients of the school and seen on a regular basis at LSUSD. Children who did not have Medicaid were referred to the Toothbus.

As this was the first event sponsored by the student group, organizers planned to keep the scale small. According to Angela Serrano, president of the student chapter, "The group was very pleased with the turnout and we are considering doing it again in the future. It was a very rewarding experience for all of us."