More Than Just a Place

Dear Friends,

As I begin my appointment as Dean of the LSUHSC School of Dentistry (LSUSD), I find that I have been blessed to be in the greatest School, in the greatest Univer­sity, in the
greatest City in the world.  After serving as a faculty member in 4 different dental schools, I am even more convinced of the unique qualities of LSUSD. My belief is founded in our exceptional curriculum supported by world class scholarship by our dedicated teaching faculty for our brilliant students. Further, I have been impacted by the profound commitment and intense affection that alumni have for our School.

To be the greatest School, in the greatest University, the School of Dentistry must continue to recruit students who are the best in the world and we must strive to provide opportunities to develop their talents. The cornerstone of their educational experience is a contemporary basic/clinical science curriculum combined with state-of-the-art clinical care of patients.  This curriculum, from foundational to the most advanced courses, transforms dental students, dental hygiene students, and residents from brilliant pupils to talented, thoughtful and creative clinicians.

To be the greatest School, in the greatest University, the School of Dentistry must continue to offer a superb clinical experience for students.  An outstanding clinical education is the result of faculty members who engage and inspire students in the classroom and clinic and mentor them in research and clinical care of the highest caliber. Our faculty must not only be the best teachers but must also be the best scholars in the Nation. As such, the School must recruit and retain faculty of distinction.  

To be the greatest School, in the greatest University, the School of Dentistry must continue to have alumni serve as advisers, as role models and as inspiration for current students. Among the most important assets alumni can contribute to current students are the life experiences that show the many and varied paths of success that a LSU dental education opens.

As the Dean of the School of Dentistry, I know that our greatness is our community, a reflection of our curiosity, creativity, integrity, empathy and kindness.  I am honored to have been appointed the Dean of the LSUHSC School of Dentistry and look forward to serving the greatest School in the greatest University.

Angelo Mariotti, DDS, PhD
Dean, LSU Health School of Dentistry

A Big Thank You to Dr. Sandra Andrieu

A note of thanks to Dr. Sandra Andrieu for serving as Interim Dean at LSUSD for the past year. She stepped up to serve our students, faculty, staff and residents. We are grateful for her knowledge and experience as she worked with all departments. As a graduate of the first dental hygiene class in 1972, Dr. Andrieu has been a member of the LSUSD faculty for more than 4 decades. She is critical in the school's successes and will continue her role as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. 

School Comes Alive for 5 Days of Holiday Events
The Office of the Dean, Alumni Affairs and Student Affairs hosted 5 days of "The Holidays NOLA Style". Each day, the entire school was treated to a unique holiday celebration. Ms. Lynn Pittman, Assistant to the Dean, Mrs. Heather Allen, Director of Student Affairs and Mrs. Marcy O'Leary, Director of Development and Community Affairs spearheaded the events.

"These events put everyone in the holiday spirit and are a great way for students, faculty, staff and residents to feel appreciated for all of the hard work they put in every day. I am appreciative to Ms. Pittman, Mrs. Allen and Mrs. O'Leary for their tireless work in making sure everyone felt included during this holiday season," says Dr. Sandra Andrieu, Interim Dean at LSUSD. 


                                                           (Clayton Sorrells and Heather Allen)
When asked what their favorite part of the festivities were, D4 student Clayton Sorrells says, "It was definitely the festive sweater and Santa "stache" contests! I always love participating in these events. We are so thankful for all of the thought put into making the school light up during the holidays."

Campus Federal Credit Union (CFCU) and the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) were main sponsors for the events. Raffle items were also provided by area businesses. 

(Heather Allen, Marcy O'Leary & Lynn Pittman)

(Dec. 5, 2022: Festive sweater contestants)

   

(CFCU Representative Janet Kratzberg, Lynn Pittman
and LDA Representative Colin Zvosec)

Students Gather Gifts for Salvation Army Angel Tree

This year’s Angel Tree event was bigger and brighter than ever before! Students, faculty, staff and LSUSD family members contributed to make the holidays brighter for people in our community.
Each year students and faculty at the School of Dentistry come together to provide Christmas gifts for those in need through the Salvation Army.
Multiple students even took time out of their day to put together bikes and load up gifts for delivery. With this support, we were able to adopt 115 individuals!
We cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity this year and cannot wait for the angels to receive their presents.
Special thanks to D3 dental student Grayson Lambert for coordinating this year's effort.
Hannah Knott, LSUSD Ortho and DDS graduate, started the initiative 8 years ago.

(Grayson Lambert Organized Event)


(Students Help Load Truck for Delivery to Families)

The Big Turnover

For a twelfth year, Louisiana Dental Center hosted the "Big Turnover" at the dental school. D4 students as well as faculty and staff were invited to the annual event on October 10th. New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Chris Olave was the special guest. Founder Dr. Joey Lacoste, C/O 1980, also presented a $10,000 check to the school. Those in attendance were treated to a photo with the Olave and a signed item. 

(Check Presentation with School Leadership Team)

(Saints player Chris Olave with Dr. Joey Lacoste)

(Saints player Chris Olave with D4 student Murphy Conlin)

                                         Pre-Dental 101 Conference 2023

The Pre-Dental 101 Conference is scheduled to take place over Zoom on January 28, 2023. 

It is a great opportunity for Pre-Dental and Pre-Hygiene students to learn about the LSU Health School of Dentistry and meet the faculty and current students.

The Pre-Dental Society at LSU organizes this annual conference. It is aimed at providing students with exposure to a variety of dental specialties as well as information on the application process for dental school.

This workshop also serves as a "brush up on dentistry" for students preparing for the DAT, dental school admissions, dental hygiene school admissions, and the field of dental lab technology.

Click HERE for more information.

   
LSUSD Alumni Honored with National Award

The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) honored Dr. Thomas J. Salinas, DDS '89, Prosthodontics '93, with the 2022 Distinguished Clinician Award at the Annual Awards & President's Dinner. The awards were held on November 4th in Austin, TX. According to the ACP, this award honors an individual for their outstanding clinical practice contributions to the welfare and advancement of the specialty of prosthodontics.


Dr. Salinas is Professor and Chair of Dental Specialties at the Mayo Clinic, where his time is dedicated to rehabilitation of patients with complex care needs. He received prosthodontic training at LSUSD and maxillofacial prosthetic fellowship from MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics. He served as program director for Advanced Prosthodontics Education at the Mayo clinic for 10 years and has been a member of the ACP for over 28 years.

Advanced Education Announces Matches for Residency Programs
Endodontics:
Hannah Battle
Haley Kessler
Carolina Becerra
Jeffery Sanders

Orthodontics:
Hope Babin
Dawson Buettner
Dr. Steven Christensen
Carolyn Griffin

Prosthodontics:
Mohamed Aref
Eddie Perez
Dr. Alexander Gruenstein

Periodontics:
Veronica Xia
Daeoo Lee
Cyrus Mansouri

Incoming residents will have orientation on June 27th, 2023.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery: (started July 1, 2022)
Amir Maki, DMD
David Vaughan, DDS
Joshua Heller, DMD
Peter Wilkinson, DDS

Pediatric dentistry will be matched in January.


Our post-graduate residents also celebrated their graduation in June 2022.
The graduates are listed below:

Endodontics:
Andrea Marcelina Fenton, DMD
Emily Anne Guarisco, DDS
Norman Kent Sharp, DDS
Trenton Espenschied Smith, DDS

Orthodontics:
Alli Beth Blanchard, DDS
Mary Laborde Miller, DDS
Britta Sharon Ristau, DDS
Skylar Dean Steel, DMD


Prosthodontics:
Youssef Mohamed Kassem, DDS
Polyxeni Konti, DDS


Periodontics:
Eugene Irvin Rowell III, DMD, MSD
Brian Steven Goldfarb, DMD, MSD


Pediatric Dentistry:
Caroline Noelle Cazayoux, DDS
Daphne Joanna Salazar, DMD
Ammar Shawar, DDS
Saba Saleem Tareen, DMD

General Dentistry:
Kelsey Ann Bergeron, DDS
Michael Igwe, DDS
Abigail Eleanor Raymond, DMD
Steve Omar Rodriguez, DDS
Omar Guillermo Garcia Chacon, DMD
Malik Lamar Johnson, DMD
Gelise Marie Porter, DDS
Kankshinee Piyushkumar Shah, DDS
Louis Michael Webre, DDS


Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery:
Michael Takashi Hironaka, DDS, MD
Zachary Dean Scogin, DDS, MD
Samuel Louis Clarot, DDS, MD 
Travis Alexander Williams, DMD, MD
Amir Maki, DMD. 
William Joseph Chakar, DDS
William Holland Black, DMD
David Andrew Vaughan, DDS
Brian Scott Cherny, DMD 
Joonho Phiyo, DDS
   Advanced Education is Planning Events for 2023
This year's fall Grand Rounds event for Advanced Education had a huge turnout. With more than 80 people in physical attendance and more virtually enjoying the event, Advanced Education considered this event a huge success!

Mark your calendars:
We are excited for our next Grand Rounds (March 17th, 2023) as well as our Practice Management (March 16th) and Research Day (June 9th). 
 Mentorship Program Success

(Drs. Anil Gupta, DDS C/O 2013
& Harsh Parmar, DDS C/O 2022 at the NODC in 2022)

The mentorship program which began in Fall of 2021 has now opened up to all LSUSD students.The program is hosted in collaboration beween the LSU Health School of Dentistry (LSUSD) and Louisiana Dental Association (LDA).

Thanks to involvement from student leadership, LSUSD Alumni, the LDA and the LSUSD Alumni Relations Department the program is proving to be a huge success. According to the Louisiana Dental Association's Director of Membership Development, Colin Zvosec, 48 students are enrolled in the program and are now paired with mentor dentists throughout the state.

Submissions are being accepted for mentors and mentees for matching throughout the year. A mentorship meet-up is planned for the New Orleans Dental Conference in April. Click HERE for more information on how to join the mentorship program.




Give Kids a Smile Scheduled for February

Give Kids a Smile ® (GKAS) is scheduled to happen on February 3rd. The event will be on campus. GKAS was launched nationally by the American Dental Association in 2003 to draw attention to the unmet oral health needs of America's children. In previous years, LSUSD, with the help of the New Orleans Dental Association, provided preventative services such as dental screenings, dental sealants, fluoride varnish treatments, and oral health education to local children. Due to COVID, this event has been held virtually the last two years with an emphasis on oral health and nutrition education.  The students are excited and hopeful in having the event in the LSUSD clinics while providing care to local children. 

New Hires and Changes in Leadership

The Department of Diagnostic Sciences had some faculty changes. 
Dr. Margaret “Margie” Nuttli graduated from LSUSD in 1989 and then completed a GPR at the Veterans Administration Hospital in New Orleans, where she discovered an interest in caring for geriatric dental patients. Along with time devoted to private practice, she has been a part-time faculty member of the school for a cumulative 16 years and became a full-time Assistant Professor (Clinical) in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences in August 2022. Dr. Nuttli greatly enjoys teaching in our clinics and has recently become course director for several combined courses for first year dental lab technology, dental hygiene, and dental students. She enjoys serving as a Faculty Delegate and on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee here at LSUSOD.  Dr. Nuttli is married to her high school sweetheart and she and her husband are the proud parents of four humans, three cats, and one dog. 

A native of New Orleans, Dr. Nicholas “Nick” Mosca returned to LSU School of Dentistry in March of 2022 serving as a full-time Associate Professor (Clinical) in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences.  Nick obtained his General Practice Residency certificate from LSU in 1989. Nick left home to Mississippi to start a hospital dentistry practice at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi’s only tertiary care center. Later, he started a community dental clinic to provide experiential learning for pre-doctoral students, hygiene students and dental residents at the Jackson Medical Mall, a nationally recognized medical mall that is a model for high quality care for vulnerable populations. As Mississippi’s State Dental Director, he monitored the state’s burden of dental disease and use of the oral health care delivery system, and administered oral health prevention programs. His increased the proportion of population on optimally fluoridated water from 32% to 51% and started a network of Regional Oral Health Consultants with dental hygienists to deliver age-appropriate oral health anticipatory guidance and preventive care at WIC centers, Head Starts, and other public venues.

The Advanced Education Program in Periodontics welcomed a new Director in summer 2022. Dr. Panagiotis Dragonas replaces Dr. Pooja Maney as director. Dr. Gerald Evans, Chairman of the Periodontics Department, says, "I have complete confidence that Dr. Dragonias will be an outstanding Program Director of LSU Perio."
Megan Wright was hired in August as the Administrative Assistant for Advanced Education; a California native who holds a master's degree in Science and Health Administration. She is excited to have joined the LSU family here at LSUHSC School of Dentistry.

A longtime staff member, Joanne Courville retired in 2022. After more than two decades of service to LSUSD, Ms. Courville retired in October. Her replacement is Marcy O'Leary. Ms. O'Leary has been a part of the LSUSD family since August of 2019, working in the office of Alumni Affairs. She started her role as the Director of Development and Community Relations at LSUSD in January. 


Research Funding
An LSU Health School of Dentistry research team has been funded for two research endeavors.

As the principal investigator, Dr. Wen and his collaborators Drs. C. M. Taylor and Q. Yu at LSU Health,Dr. H. Wu at Oregon Health and Science University, and Drs. S. Velu and S. M. Michalek at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL are working to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans and the ecology of the oral biofilms and to identify novel strategies against human dental caries.

Publications
The Department of Orthodontics has been fortunate to have published five projects in the last several months. The works are listed below with a short synopsis of the collaboration. 
Hummel B, Yu Q, Frazier J, Ballard R, Johnson J, Armbruster P. The prevalence of developmental dental and eruption anomalies assessed using panoramic radiographs: a retrospective study. General Dentistry 2023; 1:19-23.

Dr. Hummel graduated in 2021. His research focused on the value of taking a panoramic radiograph in adolescents and documented the prevalence of problems noted in the developing and erupting teeth.

For this project, the department collaborated with the Dr. Yu from Public Health for statistical analysis, Dr. Frazier from Diagnostic Sciences for assistance interpreting any of the radiographic images, and Dr. Johnson from Pediatric Dentistry for assistance with the pediatric dental topics of the paper.

James M, Yu Q, Mon H, Xu X, Blanchard A, Armbruster P, Ballard R. 2020 Comparison of Tie-Wing Fracture Resistance of Omrco Symetri Monocrystalline Brackets versus Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline Bracket Competitors. Turkish Journal of Orthodontics 2022;35(4):255-259.

Dr. James (now Gavri) graduated in 2020. Her research focused on the strength of one piece (the tie-wing) of a ceramic bracket made by the Ormco company. Success or failure of ceramic tie-wings can be a problem in current orthodontic appliances. Assessing the tie-wing strength of a new bracket may assist orthodontists in deciding whether or not to use this bracket.

For this project the department again collaborated with Dr. Yu for statistical analysis, Dr. Mon of Dr. Xu’s for sample preparation and data collection, Dr. Xu for experimental design and mentoring, and Dr. Alli Beth Blanchard for sample preparation and data collection who was a dental student at the time of this project.

Blanchard A, Mon H, Wang Y, Chapple A, Dupree P, Ballard R, Armbruster P, Xu X. Formulation and characterization of experimental orthodontic adhesive containing antibacterial dimethacrylate DABCO monomers, an in vitro study. International Orthodontics 2022;20(4):. doi.org/10.1016/j.ortho.2022.100706.

Dr. Blanchard, who had previously assisted Dr. James, graduated from the program in 2022. Her project continued a project out of Dr. Xu’s lab which has focused on testing an orthodontic adhesive which has anti-microbial components incorporated into it. Orthodontic adhesives are used to attach the brackets to teeth. If antimicrobial components can be successfully incorporated into these adhesives, it may limit the ability of the bacteria in and around orthodontic brackets to damage the teeth.

For this project Dr. Xu was the primary mentor and both Dr. Mon and Dr. Wang from his lab provided assistance during the specimen preparation and data collection stage. Dr. Chapple from Public Health provided the statistical analysis.

Ristau B, Coreil M, Chapple A, Armbruster P, Ballard R. Comparison of Audaxceph’s fully automated cephalometric tracing technology to a semi-automated approach by human examiners. International Orthodontics 2022;20(4):  doi.org/10.1016/j.ortho.2022.100691.

Dr. Ristau graduated in 2022. Her project was initiated by one of our part-time faculty members (Dr. Coreil), and it focused on comparing the accuracy of a new software program that is able to completely trace a cephalometric radiograph of the side of the head compared to a semi-automated tracing by orthodontists. The radiographs are used by orthodontists to assess growth patterns and their effect on treatment. A program that is reliable and accurate may save the orthodontist time while preparing a patient’s case.

For this project Dr. Chapple again provided statistical analysis.

Michaelis J, Yu Q, Lallier T, Xu X, Ballard R, Armbruster P. Quantifying the Degree of White Spot Lesions on Enamel Caused by Different Commercial Beverages Using the Canary Caries Detection System.  2022 Winter;16(1):29-34. doi: 10.34172/joddd.2022.005. Epub 2022 May 29.

Dr. Michaelis graduated in 2021. His project assessed several new commercial sports beverages and energy drinks and their ability to create white spots (early cavities) on the tooth enamel as assessed by an early cavity detector called the Canary Caries Detection System.

Dr. Yu again provided statistical analysis, and Dr. Lallier from Cell Biology and Anatomy assisted in specimen preparation, data collection, and image capture.

Ongoing Clinical Trial 

Tiger Bytes is a monthly newsletter produced by the LSU Health School of Dentistry. Each month the publication will highlight notable events and letter from our Dean,
Dr. Angelo Mariotti. If you have an event you'd like published, please email
ds-alumni@lsuhsc.edu for more information. 
You can also "Ask Ang"! Please send any questions you'd like to ask Dr. Mariotti about the future of the LSU Health School of Dentistry to ds-alumni@lsuhsc.edu. Those questions will be answered right here on Tiger Bytes.