UNM Predental

Dental Videos from Dr. Gordon

2008-03-09T11:17:00.004-07:00

These videos are fantastic! Let me know what you think:) Click on the link below to get the main web page.

http://www.dentalcomfortzone.com/techniques.asp

Root Canal
Dr. Gordon demonstrates root canal on one of his patients and describes his technique.
(Click the title to view)

Air Abrasion
Dr. Gordon demonstrates painless air abrasion and describes his technique.
(Click the title to view)

Cosmetic Dentistry
Dr. Gordon demonstrates a cosmetic dental procedure on one of his patients, and describes his technique.
(Click the title to view)

Crown
Dr. Gordon demonstrates a preparation for a crown and describes his technique.
(Click the title to view)

Extraction
Dr. Gordon demonstrates a dental extraction on two of his patients, and describes his technique.
(Click the title to view)

Denture
Dr. Gordon demonstrates a preparation for a crown and describes his technique.
(Click the title to view)

Root Canal Retreat
Dr. Gordon demonstrates a root canal retreatment on one of his patients, and describes his technique.
(Click the title to view)

Check-up
Dr. Gordon demonstrates a dental examination on one of his patients, and describes his technique.
(Click the title to view)

Dr. Gordon’s clinical videos, recently featured in The New York Times, can be made available for televised news broadcasts and other special interest segments on short notice

The Dental Comfort Zone would like to acknowledge the superior work of Swamp Queen Productions for their video & photography.

Red Laser Puts Tooth Decay in a New Light

2008-03-09T10:57:00.001-07:00

The New York Times
Printer Friendly Format Sponsored By

November 15, 2007
Red Laser Puts Tooth Decay in a New Light
By PETER JARET

THE next time your dentist tells you to open wide, consider this: dentists fail to accurately diagnose cavities 20 to 30 percent of the time.

“Especially in the pits and fissures on the surfaces of molars, it’s easy to miss early signs of tooth decay,” said Dr. Howard Strassler, a professor and the director of restorative dentistry at the University of Maryland Dental School. “And sometimes what you think is a cavity isn’t.”

Ouch.

The widespread use of fluoride, which hardens the enamel surface of teeth, has dramatically reduced tooth decay nationwide.

But it has also made detecting cavities trickier. The harder enamel is, the more difficult it is for dentists to detect small hidden cavities by poking into suspicious-looking areas with the sharp tip of an explorer, the metal tool traditionally used for diagnosis.

Now thousands of dentists are getting help from a device called Diagnodent, which shines new light on easy-to-miss cavities. The hand-held instrument uses a red laser to penetrate the outer layer of teeth. By measuring the way light reflects back, Diagnodent detects signs of decay, but is reassuringly gentle.

Diagnodent is used by an estimated 20,000 dentists in the United States, since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000, according to the KaVo Dental Corporation, the manufacturer.

“It has become a significant piece of equipment in many areas of dentistry,” said Dr. Kenneth Malament, a clinical professor who specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive dentistry at Tufts University. “People who have it use it every day.”

Some studies have shown it significantly improves cavity detection. “The great thing is that we can pick up cavities when we visually have no evidence,” Dr. Malament explained. “By catching them early, we can treat them before there’s much damage.”

The popular device has its limitations, though. It doesn’t work on teeth that already have fillings. And it occasionally makes mistakes.

The most serious problem is a false positive reading, which indicates decay where there isn’t any.

“I tell dental students that Diagnodent shouldn’t be used as a license to drill,” said Dr. Masatoshi Ando, an assistant professor at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. “It’s useful as a second opinion.” But dentists still need to do a careful visual inspection and poke around with their explorers, he warned.

Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company

Dr. Wagner's Presentation

2008-02-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

Please check the pix from Dr. Steve Wagner's presentation

http://www.flickr.com/groups/unmpredental/

Dr. Stroschein's message and news

2008-02-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

Hi all the predentals,

I hope your semester is going well:)

Here's Dr. Stroschein's message and news that I'm posting for him.

Layla

Pre-Dental Updates and News to Report from the Desk of Dr. Strohschein!

The semester is in full swing and I wanted to update everyone with the on-goings of the Society.

Recent events went off without a hitch. The Pre-Dental / Mentor Dinner was a tremendous success. As usual, we had more pre-dents at the event then mentors, which really demonstrated your desire to participate in the program. I appreciate everyone coming out for the dinner – we even had a group of pre-dents make the trip from New Mexico State in Las Cruces !

The UMKC meeting was very well attended last night. There were more than 30 pre-dents in attendance (even during a snow storm!). Dr. Killip and Mr. Bigham from UMKC were very pleased with turnout and have already expressed a strong desire to return next year. Thanks to everyone who trudged through the snow to be there.

Remember to save the dates for the University of Pacific School of Dentistry (March 3rd) and for Baylor School of Dentistry (April 28th).

A group of pre-dental students joined me last week to participate in the New Mexico Dental Association Give Kids a Smile Campaign at the New Mexico Legislative Roundhouse in Santa Fe . We were able to provide dental screening to approximately 30 second-grade kids and met with legislative representatives to bring oral health issues to the forefront this year. I encourage you to check out an ADA article that was written describing our participation: http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid=2873

This article will bring some great national publicity to the New Mexico Pre-Dental Society! We should all be proud!

Maria Ruby, Coordinator for Biology Advisement, wanted me to pass along their schedule for the spring semester. I know we have many Biology majors out there. So if you need some advisement regarding your major, feel free to check out the attachment to coordinate a time to meet with them.

I’ve had many requests to schedule on-on-one meetings in order to go over your progress and evaluate when you’ll be ready to apply to dental school. I’m happy to coordinate a meeting with you to discuss any questions you may have. Please contact me at nmpredentaladvisor@yahoo.com and let me know if you’re interested. I usually schedule meetings on Mondays, but on some occasions I can arrange a meeting during a weekday evening.

I think that’s all I have for now. I'll see everyone at the next meeting (Tuesday Feb. 12th). Dr. Jesus Galvan will be providing a presentation about how to run a dental business. It should be a very informative meeting.

Talk to you soon! Keep up the great work everybody!

Dr. Strohschein

Your Pre-Dental Academic Advisor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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New Mexico dental school proposed

2008-01-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

New Mexico dental school proposed
1/22/2008
By: Laird Harrison, Senior Editor

If you build it, they will come. But will they stay? It's a key question faced by New Mexico legislators as they mull Gov. Bill Richardson's proposal to launch the state's first dental school.

Richardson proposed the school Jan. 15 in his State of the State address. "I’m recommending the creation of the first dental school in New Mexico to address our state’s gaps in oral health care," Richardson said, according to a text of the speech released by his office Web site. The proposal caught many people in the state by surprise; a dental school isn't even listed among the legislative priorities for the University of New Mexico for 2008.

Richardson's proposal lacked specifics, but he later asked the state legislature to allocate $12 million to start a dental residency program at the University of New Mexico, some of which would be used to begin planning the dental school, according to an Associated Press report. The governor's office did not respond to requests for comment.

New Mexico has fewer dentists per person than most other states. In 2004 (the most recent year with statistics available), it had only 4.3 dentists per 10,000 people, compared to 6.0 per 10,000 for the country, according to the Web site StateMaster.com.

"And like most Western states, we have a distribution problem where dentists tend to congregate in urban areas," Mark Moores, executive director of the New Mexico Dental Association, told DrBicuspid.com. "So there's a problem of access to care in rural areas."

New Mexicans suffer from more dental disease than residents of most states; for example, 37 percent of third-graders there have untreated tooth decay, the sixth highest prevalence in the country.

New Mexico's population is one of the fastest growing in the country, and the state will need about 30 more dentists per year for the next two years, according to a 2003 estimate by L. Jackson Brown, D.D.S., Ph.D., associate executive director of the American Dental Education Association. Dr. Brown noted that building a school with only 30 students per class would be more expensive per student than larger schools which have economies of scale.

Dr. Brown doubts whether New Mexico could attract many students from other states, because there are already schools established in the region. Midwestern University this year opened a new dental school in neighboring Glendale, Arizona, with a projected class size of 100.

The New Mexico Dental Association has taken no position on the proposal for a new school. "The big question for the legislature is going to be cost," said Moores. He said the governor planned to request $48 million for "bricks and mortar" and another $15 million in operating costs for the school.

In an editorial written before the state of the state address, the Albuquerque Journal argued that instead of a new dental school the state should increase its existing scholarship program. The state gives New Mexicans scholarships to study dentistry if they return to practice in New Mexico once they obtain their dental licenses; for every year of subsidy, they are required to practice a year in New Mexico.

After establishing their practices, most stay, said Moores. By contrast, he said, most graduates of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine practice in other states.

The Albuquerque Journal also argued for a new student loan program that would forgive a portion of the loan for each year that a dentist practiced in an underserved rural area.
Related Reading

OPINION: Dear New York Times: The answer isn't more dentists

Bill restricts dental therapists

Dental students sue ADA

Fourth Annual Pre-Dental Mentor Dinner

2008-01-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I hope the first week of your semester was a succes:)

Fourth Annual Pre-Dental Mentor Dinner was wondeful and we had so much fun.

I posted the pix to: http://www.flickr.com/groups/unmpredental/

Unfortunately the pictures did not come out good. I did not have enough light, lens, or the skills!

Keep checking the blog as i'm going to post some videos.

See you all on Monday night!

Pix from our 1st meeting and more!

2007-09-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

See more pix and join our group on flickr:

UNM Predental Society

2007-09-06T13:27:00.001-07:00

test!

UNM Predental DAT Study and Support Group

2007-08-30T22:36:00.000-07:00

Hello all the UNM and non-UNM students,

I'm trying to form a DAT study group out of studious NM students. We will get together once or twice or more times a week (depending on how things will bloom!) and do a mini DAT under timed conditions and then we'll go over them together.I'll bring the material and you can share thoughts:). Basically we'll be tutoring each other and use each other's knowledge and expertise on different areas of DAT.

Also those predenters who took the test are also invited and more than welcomed to join and help us (at least every now and then!)

We might be able to have DAT discussion meetings every now and then and hear about it right from the horse's mouth!

We can start preparing and test ourselves with the KAPLAN DAT practice test in October. It's never too early to start!

So no matter how good or bad your science background is come join us!

I believe Sundays at 1 pm probably would be a good time for many of us. If you can't make it at that time and would like to be part of this let me know when is a convenient time for you.

You may call me at 505-3213399 or email me at lilietta2000@yahoo.com

I can't wait to hear from you!

Layla

Hal Lippman, DDS

2007-08-27T21:10:00.000-07:00

By Diana Aziz

Hal Lippman, DDS, is the Assistant Dean of Admissions at Nova Southeastern University School of Dental Medicine in sunny Davie, Florida.

Dr. Lippman graduated from New York University School of Dental Medicine in 1975, and completed his general practice residency at the Manhattan V.A. Hospital. After 32 years in private practice, Dr. Lippman decided to join the team at Nova Southeastern University.

As an Assistant Dean of Admissions, what do you feel is most important in predicting success in dental school?

A big part of predicting future success is past academic history, [and the] depth and breadth of biological science background. We like to see plenty of upper level science classes; this makes transition to the first and second year of dental school a smooth, successful one.

What types of students are you looking for?

Students must be self-motivated, mature, well-balanced students of excellent character, with an extensive biological [sciences] background. We don’t want to have to spoon feed any students. It’s not only the student with the 4.0 [GPA], you have to be a well-rounded applicant.

The Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) opens on May 15th. When do you begin reviewing applications and when do you start interviewing?

As soon as supplemental applications are processed, we review each applicant and invite for interviews starting mid to late August. The reason we started so early is because we found from last year that by January we ended up having our class filled, [having] started (interviewing) in September. There were so many great applicants [who had] applied a little late that didn’t have an opportunity to interview, so we figured we’d start a little earlier this year to give more applicants an opportunity to get their application in.

When reviewing an application is there any one thing Admissions Committees look for?

No, not one specific thing, but if there is a deficiency in any area, it must be offset by excellence in another area. Also, when I look at the personal statements they must be well written and grammatically sound.

In the personal statement, is there anything you specifically look for? What should a well-written personal statement include?

The personal statement should define you as a person, and explain your interest in pursuing a dental career. I also mentioned before that it must be grammatically sound. Be yourself; we read thousands of these and we know whether someone is being genuine or not.

There are many people that share the misconception that dental school is much easier to get into than medical school. Others simply realize that medicine is not for them. How do you feel about the applicants that have previously applied to medical school or are applying to medical school at the same time?

It is okay to have previously applied to medical school, as long as it is [prior] to your application to dental school. You will be asked to explain the circumstances of your change of career paths during an interview. I will be completely honest in saying that it is really not a good idea to apply to both fields in the same cycle; it does not show dedication or commitment to one.

How important are extracurricular activities for admission? What type of extra curricular activities are a “must”?

Extracurricular activities can only be seen as a plus and they demonstrate a well-rounded individual. Things such as dental shadowing, biomedical research, leadership positions in student government, outside agencies, clubs, etc., are great additions to an application. Volunteering and community service are also looked favorably upon.

How are dropped classes viewed on an application? Is there a certain number that automatically raise a red flag?

A couple won’t really hurt you - they can be overlooked - but many “W’s” can be a negative if there is a definite trend throughout your academic history. We also look to see what happened to that dropped class (i.e., if that student took it in a later semester, or took it later at a community college).

When students retake classes and do well, does that help put the committee at ease about future academic performance?

Considering NSUCDM does not accept anything lower than a “C” in any required course, the answer is a course must be retaken and a letter grade of “C” or better attained. We expect you to retake it if it is lower than a “C” for any of the pre-requisite courses. I would not waste my time retaking courses to raise grades; instead I would take additional, upper level courses.

How important is research on an application?

As the years go by it seems that it is becoming increasingly more important. It shows dedication because it’s something you do on your own time. If at any point the applicant has a chance to do research, I would recommend they do it.

After all applications are submitted, what are the criteria that must be met to be invited for an interview?

It really depends on the applicant pool. The stats change from year to year, so it’s hard to say. A strong science grade point average (GPA), and strong scores in the science portion of the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) are things we specifically look at when deciding who to invite.

Once invited for an interview, what do you feel is the best way to prepare for the interview?

Be yourself. The difficult part of the admissions process is getting the interview; if you get the opportunity to interview it is because you are the type of candidate we are looking for. We are very selective on who we invite. I would also check the interview feedback on [the Student Doctor Network]; if you read that, you’ll know that our interview is very laid back.

How does the committee then decide after the interview on whether the student will be accepted or placed on an alternate list?

The committee evaluates the entire admissions package, heavily weighing the interview process. The committee then makes a recommendation to the Dean, who makes the final decision.

Private institutions - such as Nova - are often more costly than state schools. Do you feel cost should influence an applicant’s decision on where to attend dental school?

Of course cost must be a part of the decision making process, but there are many other factors that are certainly more important in choosing which dental school to attend. Location is a good example. You need to like the area you’re going to be spending the next four years of school.

Are there any scholarships or awards offered to applicants?
Nova Southeastern does have scholarships and awards available.

How does the committee view applicants that have applied more than once? What advice can you give to re-applicants?

The committee does not look negatively on re-applicants, but make sure you do something to improve your application from one year to the next. For example, if DAT scores are a little low, re-take the DAT, take additional upper level courses or take some masters courses.

Do more dental school graduates end up specializing or going on to become general practitioners?

25%-30% of the graduating class either specialize or do some post-doctoral training.

Any other advice or tips on the application process?

The best advice I can give is to apply early!

To discuss this article on the forums, follow this link:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=5525834#post5525834

Our Booth!

2007-08-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

Our First Meeting on Monday

2007-08-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

Message From the President:

Hello everyone

The fall semester is already upon us, and with this comes another semester of meetings and activities for the University of New Mexico Pre-Dental Society. Our first meeting of the semester will be Monday, August 27th at 6:00 PM. We are still trying to get a room scheduled so I will get that out to all of you as soon as we have that.

The fees for being a member of the society are the same, which is 25 dollars (cash or check). Make checks payable to the University of New Mexico Pre-Dental Society.

We are going to be calling another community service chair, so if anyone is interested in this let me know by emailing me back with a name and a reason of why you would be qualified at this position and I will forward this on to the rest of the society. Elections will be held the same way by vote of the society at our first meeting on the 27th.

At this meeting we will be getting ideas of what all of you want out of the society for this next academic year, so start thinking of ideas. Another reminder will go out soon. Later

Jonah

PS We will have FOOD, and bring any friends that may be interested in dentistry

Prankster Dentist Wins in Court

2007-08-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

Prankster Dentist Wins in Court
By DAVID AMMONS, Associated Press Writer

Friday, July 27, 2007

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Bondage File
Read more weird news in the Bondage File.

(07-27) 08:07 PDT Olympia, Wash. (AP) --

An oral surgeon who temporarily implanted fake boar tusks in his assistant's mouth as a practical joke and got sued for it has gotten the state's high court to back up his gag.

Dr. Robert Woo of Auburn had put in the phony tusks while the woman was under anesthesia for a different procedure. He took them out before she awoke, but he first shot photos that eventually made it around the office.

The employee, Tina Alberts, felt so humiliated when she saw the pictures that she quit and sued her boss.

Woo's insurance company, Fireman's Fund, refused to cover the claim, saying the practical joke was intentional and not a normal business activity his insurance policy covered, so Woo settled out of court. He agreed to pay Alberts $250,000, then he sued his insurers.

A King County Superior Court jury sided with Woo, ordering Fireman's Fund to pay him $750,000, plus the out-of-court settlement. The insurance company won the next round, with the state Court of Appeals saying the prank had nothing to do with Woo's practice of dentistry. On Thursday, the state Supreme Court restored Woo's award.

In a sprightly 5-4 decision, Supreme Court Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote that Woo's practical joke was an integral, if odd, part of the assistant's dental surgery and "conceivably" should trigger the professional liability coverage of his policy.

Dissenting Justice James Johnson said the prank wasn't a dental procedure at all and only "rewards Dr. Woo's obnoxious behavior and allows him to profit handsomely."

The back story, the court wrote, is that Alberts' family raises potbellied pigs and that she frequently talked about them at the office where she worked for five years.

Woo said his jests about the pigs were part of "a friendly working environment" that he tried to foster.

The oral surgery on Alberts was intended to replace two of her teeth with implants, which Woo did. First, though, he installed temporary bridges that he had shaped to look like boar tusks, and while Alberts was still under anesthesia, he took photos, some with her eyes propped open. Before she woke up, he removed the "tusks" and put in the proper replacement teeth.

Woo says he didn't personally show her the pictures but staffers gave her copies at a birthday party.

Woo's lawyer, Richard Kilpatrick, described the surgeon as a kindhearted, fun-loving man who was chagrined that an office prank turned out so badly. He was delighted with the high court's decision, Kilpatrick said.

Attorneys for the insurance company did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

UNM Predental Pics!

2007-06-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

Exciting!

Chech all our pics at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9084994@N05/

Dental implantation

2007-05-12T11:02:00.001-07:00

New Officers

2007-05-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

New officers met today and they're very excited for the coming year!

Let them know if you have any suggestions:)

Dr. Strohschein joins our blog!

2007-04-29T04:39:00.000-07:00

Great news is that Dr. Strohschein joins our blog and this adds to our credibility. The other great news is that Ben, a Temple ( I said Creigton in my original posting,my apologies Ben:)DMD student blogger, recognizes our blog and sends his best wishes for us. I recommend reading his blog. I've learned a lot about dentistry and life in dental school just through following his stories in dental school.

Share your Devotion to dentistry Here

2007-04-25T23:29:00.000-07:00

You wanna share your thoughts here?

email me at lilietta2000@yahoo.com

UNMPDS Elections

2007-04-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

I think this year's UNMPDS Election is going to be very exciting and no matter who loses..oops ...sorry...who does not win ,we'll have a great a year to come full of exciting activities!!

Any comments?

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Volunteering Opportunity

2007-04-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

I'm going to volunteer Sunday April 29Th 6am at Coronado Mall till noon...any body else?

Welcome!

2007-04-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

This is so exciting!

This blog is ours! You may share anything here you feel would benefit our existance as pre-dentals. You can publish your thoughts, ideas, concerns and complaints here either as comments or if you would like to be a contributor email me ( layla) at lilietta2000@yahoo.com ,so I can add you to the list.If you have have further questions also feel free to email me. This is our SPACE:)

We should be united here and support eachother on this path.