The first-place table clinic winner, Rose Vuong, received her award from Dr. Bill Dodge, vice dean of the Dental School.
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Those who attended the 2006 annual Dental Science Symposium, titled “Translational Research from Theory to Therapy,” held April 19 on campus walked away with a wealth of information. At the symposium, which was a huge success, several students were recognized for their work, and featured speakers shared valuable information about their respective fields of study.

Keynote speaker David Wong, D.M.D., D.M.Sc., director of the University of California at Los Angeles Collaborative Oral Fluid Diagnostic Research Center, presented his work on salivary diagnostics and proteomics. During a unique lunch-and-learn session, Steven Milam, D.D.S., Ph.D., professor and chair of the oral and maxillofacial surgery who holds the Hugh B. Tilson Endowed Chair, discussed osteonecrosis of the jaw and bisphophonate use. Ron Verrett, D.D.S., M.S., assistant professor of prosthodontics, also provided information about obstructive sleep apnea and treatment with mandibular (jaw) advancement devices.

Paralleling this year’s theme, Geza Terezhalmy, D.D.S., M.A., professor of dental diagnostic science, concluded the day with his presentation called “Academic-Industrial Partnership: ‘Unholy Alliance’ or Opportunity?”

In addition, 50 dental, graduate, dual degree (D.D.S., Ph.D.) students, and post-doctoral residents competed in poster and oral presentation competitions as well as a table clinic competition. The twenty-one table clinics set a record number at this year’s symposium.

“I attribute the success of the symposium to all of the students who presented their work,” said Cara Knight, D.D.S., Ph.D., clinical instructor of dental diagnostic science. “The quality of the science was exceptional.”

The first place winner of the table clinic competition was third-year dental student Rose Vuong. “Long QT Syndrome: Implications for Dentistry” is the title of her table clinic and because of her exceptional work, Dentsply International, one of the symposium’s sponsors, will provide travel funds for Vuong to represent the Health Science Center’s Dental School at the American Dental Association’s national table clinic competition at its annual convention in October.

Kaci Cerka-Withers and Zachary Paukert, both fourth-year dental students, won the Senior Class Award for the table clinic competition. Keira Greene, third-year dental student, won the Second Place Award in the table clinic competition. The third place award went to second-year dental student Dana Miller.

The winners of the pre-doctoral poster competition are:
Michael Atkins, DSII – First place, clinical category
Nikita Ruparel, graduate student of cellular and structural biology – First place, basic science category
Andrew Ray, DSI – Second place winner chosen from all posters in both categories

The winners of the oral presentation competition are:
Melissa Nix, DSII – First place
Roberto “Bobby” Cortez, a dual degree D.D.S., Ph.D. student – Second place

The winners of the post-doctoral poster competition are:
Andrew Dreyer, D.D.S. – First place
Scott Gruwell, D.D.S. – Second place

All of the awards for the poster and oral competitions were generously donated by Colgate.

“We are thankful to all of our sponsors,” Dr. Knight said. Sponsors included the San Antonio Chapter of the American Association of Dental Researchers (AADR), the dental dean’s office, the AADR Student Research Group, COSTAR, Dentsply International, the Texas Academy of General Dentistry and the San Antonio Academy of General Dentistry. “Mostly, we thank all of the students who participated and made this symposium such a great success!”