From reticent teacher to 50-year legacy

When T. Roma Jasinevicius, DDS, MEd (DEN ’74, ’76)—known to many students as “Dr. J”—graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, she had little interest in a dental career that included teaching.

Fifty years later, the longtime Department of Comprehensive Care faculty member is helping ensure future generations of dental students have the support to explore academia and research. Jasinevicius and her husband, D. Daniel Degesys, DDS (CWR ’69; DEN ’73), have made an endowed gift to support student research and professional development—offering students the same mentoring opportunities that transformed her own career.

Their gift will fund student research in behavioral science, dental education and community-based care—areas that are critical for improving patient care, but, as Jasinevicius notes, are “not a highly funded group” compared to basic science. In addition to supporting the research itself, the gift will help cover travel and registration costs for students presenting their work at conferences.

“In an era of evidence-based dentistry, it’s essential that students both question long-held assumptions and have the support to share their ideas broadly,” she said. “Funding for presenting findings at conferences—especially national and international meetings—can be prohibitive. With this support, students with accepted abstracts will no longer be held back by financial barriers, allowing them to expand their experience and enhance their CVs.”

This focus on opening doors reflects Jasinevicius's own full-circle journey. As a shy new graduate who once dreaded public speaking, she may have avoided teaching entirely if not for the encouragement of her mentors. 

One of them was Vibeke K. Nygaard, DDS, the first woman to serve as course director at the dental school. Recognizing Jasinecvicius’ potential, Nygaard invited her to help teach a dental anatomy course.

Another key mentor, Anne Boyle, DDS, then department chair, introduced her to educational research. Boyle encouraged her to attend a national meeting of what is now the American Dental Education Association. On the flight to the conference, Jasinevicius confided to Boyle that she was too busy for new projects; on the return flight, energized by the event, she compiled a list of research topics to pursue. Within a year, the two presented their first education-focused abstract. Within a year, Jasinevicius, Boyle and colleague Marsha Pyle, DDS, MEd (DEN ’84), presented some of the school’s first education-focused abstracts.

Saying yes to those early invitations launched Jasinevicius on her 50-year path at CWRU. Over the decades, her passion for turning curiosity into research has resulted in nearly 75 abstracts, with at least half co-authored by dental students.

Today, she encourages students to explore questions at the intersection of dentistry, public health and emerging technologies. Her students tackle practical, real-world questions: How often should patients really visit the dentist? Should diabetes screening be done chairside? One student surveyed Ohio dentists about using vitamin D in care, while another examined providing diabetes testing in dental offices. Recent projects have even explored how artificial intelligence is represented on dental school websites and how virtual environments like Second Life can help students develop communication skills.

“Not every student will become a basic science researcher, but everyone has questions, from why patients are routinely scheduled every six months to how often X-rays are truly needed,” she said. “So many of our projects start with a student asking, ‘Why do we do it this way?’ I want them to be curious, to challenge assumptions and to pursue the evidence.”

For Jasinevicius, mentorship and support go hand in hand—helping students carry that curiosity and confidence into residency, practice and beyond.

“My career in education began because mentors took a chance on me,” Jasinevicius said. “This gift is my way of doing the same for our students, giving them the support, opportunities and encouragement that shaped my own journey.”