The School of Dental Medicine held its 41st Annual Professionals Day on Oct. 13. View the keynote remarks, DMD oral presentations and poster presentations shared during the day-long event, as well as this year's award winners.
Keynote remarks
Biomimetics: Dr. David Alleman
DMD oral presentations
Junpan Zhang
DMD Class of 2024
Mentor: Dr. Ge Jin, Biological Sciences
Title: Response of EGFR of HNSCC Cells to Growth Factors
Thimanthi Withana
DMD Class of 2022
Mentor: Dr. Manish Valiathan, Orthodontics
Title: Spheno-occipital Synchondrosis Fusion in Patients with Craniosynostosis
Christopher Chuong
DMD Class of 2024
Mentor. Dr. Catherine Demko, Community Dentistry
Title: Student Perspective on an Interprofessional Team Experience in the Clinical Learning Environment
Jennifer Lee
DMD Class of 2024
Mentor: Dr. Ge Jin, Biological Sciences
Title: HIV-associated T-cell exosomes and induction of cancer cell signaling
Miguel Ascencio
DMD Class of 2024
Mentor: Dr. Catherine Demko, Community Dentistry
Title: Modified Motivational Interviewing for Adolescent Food Choice in the Dental Clinic: Parent-Child Agreement
Sarah Pak
DMD Class of 2024
Mentor: Dr. Rany Bous, Craniofacial Orthodontics
Title: Effects of unilateral vertical mandibular distraction osteogenesis on airway volume among patients with Hemifacial Microsomia
2021 Professionals Day Award Winners
The Nygaard Award
Awarded for excellence in dental anatomy; presented by Roma Jasinevicius
- Class of 2024: Piotr Gladysz
- Class of 2023: Bowen Zhang
The OKU Award
Monetary prize awarded to a DMD student; presented by Ronald Occhionero
- Thimanthi Withana
The Guenther M. Hans Award
Monetary prize awarded to a DMD student; presented by Mark Hans
- Jennifer Lee
The Greater Cleveland Dental Society Award
Monetary prize awarded to a graduate student; presented by Natasha Sheridan, Secretary-Treasurer, GCDS
- Edmond Onwukwe
The American Association of Dental Research Award
Expenses paid to present at AADR conference; presented by Dr. Catherine Demko
- Junpan Zhang
Poster Presentations
Sarah Almoemen, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Class of 2022
Unusual complications in orthognathic surgery
- This project examined unusual complications of orthognathic surgery. Two cases are discussed, involving patients with nerve palsy and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Brandon Astin, Endodontics, Class of 2023
Size Matters: Radiographic Considerations in Endodontic Microsurgery
- This project discusses how different radiographic measurements affect surgical procedure planning in preparation for endodontic surgery.
Daniel Belay, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Class of 2022
A Review of Preoperative Nutritional Assessment and Management in the Surgical Patient
- This project examined the effects of preoperative nutrition on the management of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery patients.
Alexander DiMassa, Endodontics, Class of 2022
Contemporary techniques in surgical endodontics
- This project describes flap design, retraction, and osteotomy procedures.
Xingyu Duan, Endodontics, Class of 2022
Practical steps in Endodontic Surgery - Apicoectomy and Root End Preparation
- Introduce basic steps for apicoectomy and root end preparation
Mia Jacobs, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Class of 2022
Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Following Orthognathic Surgery
- A rare complication in orthognathic surgery
Shilpa Joshi, Pediatric Dentistry, Class of 2022
Multidisciplinary Approach to Assessing Generalized Idiopathic Internal Root Resorption of the Primary Dentition
- This patient-based case project focuses on the clinical assessment and multidisciplinary treatment of generalized idiopathic internal root resorption in the primary dentition. Overall, we aim to address current literature and future implications of this clinical diagnosis.
Maclean Okang, Endodontics, Class of 2023
Why Endodontic Surgery?
- What are the indications for endodontic surgery and what initial assessment is required?
Edmond Onwukwe, Endodontics, Class of 2023
"Prevention is better than Treatment" - a universal law for every micro Endodontic surgeon
- Theme: To recognize, compensate for, or avoid prohibitive medical conditions.
Monica Patel, Endodontics, Class of 2023
Setting Yourself Up for a Successful Endodontic Procedure
- Describing the surgical armamentarium, sanitation and informed consent for endodontic surgery.
Huong Phan, Pediatric Dentistry, Class of 2022
Clinical Presentation of MIH in those Affected by Agent Orange: A Case Report
- This project examined a patient who presented to the operating room for comprehensive dental care under general anesthesia with a clinical presentation of molar-incisor hypomineralization with maternal exposure of the chemical herbicide, Agent Orange.
Rachael Scott, Endodontics, Class of 2022
Compassion is the Best Placebo: Managing Anxiety in Endodontic Microsurgery
- Looking at ways to address and alleviate patients’ fears and anxieties through medical management and psychological means before and during endodontic microsurgery.
Zoya Shaikh, Endodontics, Class of 2022
Prepare for Care in the Chair in Endodontic Surgery
- This project discusses the procedures, materials and equipment needed for the patient, assistant, and surgeon in preparation for endodontic surgery.
Divya Sharma, Endodontics, Class of 2022
Techniques in micro-surgical endodontics: Retrograde filling
- Discussing about hemorrhage control, root filling and suture techniques.