Cornhusker Impressions for alumni and friends of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry SimMan: Big man on campus He breathes and blinks. His chest rises and falls. His pulse can be felt at his wrist, neck, above his elbows, and in his feet. He can even tell you how he feels. And he is one of the most talked about new arrivals at the UNMC College of Dentistry. The SimMan® is a patient simulation system manufactured by Laerdal Medical, the same company that developed the resuscitation-training manikin, Resusci Anne. SimMan will be used to teach general emergency response techniques to dental and hygiene students and to teach graduate students how to respond in anesthesia-related emergencies. “I appreciate the fact we are one of the few dental schools in the country able to do this, due to the generosity of our alumni and friends,” said Dr. J. Bruce Bavitz, the Merritt C. Pedersen Endowed Professor of Dentistry. “This puts us on the cutting edge of one area of dentistry. At the same time we are trying to possibly save someone’s life through the use of the best equipment available.” The SimMan, which cost $50,000, was purchased in 2011 with private donations to the College of Dentistry’s Development Fund, Technology Fund, and other private see SimMan pg 4 A monitor displays SimMan’s vital signs. Fall | 2011 Margin of Excellence Our fall issue of Cornhusker Impressions focuses on the generosity of our alumni and friends. This issue contains some great examples of what private support does to keep us strong: cutting-edge teaching equipment (SimMan), support for student leadership activities, and collegiate renovations and furnishings (preclinic laboratories). In addition, this issue recognizes the many people and organizations who have contributed in the past year and those who have given at the Dean’s Club level. We have just completed the final steps in renovating the clinical and preclinical areas of the school, most of which had not received major upgrading since the building was constructed in 1967. The newest improvements in our preclinic labs are the last step in this phase of our current building upgrades. You can read more about the preclinic labs in this issue. The clinic-related improvements actually began in 2002 with the construction of the Henry and June Weeth Instrument Management Center, so we have been “in progress” for a long time. Ten classes of students have graduated since the first of these renovations began. Now that we have completed the physical improvements, we are focusing on even greater support for people and programs. Our educational programs, research activities, and service outcomes continue to remain very strong, but the basis for that excellence is the people behind these programs – our faculty and students. Susan Norby, NU Foundation Director of Development, has written an article in this issue that describes our goals and progress as part of the Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Opportunities. I hope as you read that article, you will think hard about the Cornhusker Impressions | Fall 2011 progress we have made, and consider what is yet to be done. If you haven’t already Impressions is published three times contributed or pledged during the campaign, I hope you will think about that now. a year for alumni and friends of With three new dental schools opening in the United States this fall and more than the UNMC College of Dentistry. 300 vacant full-time faculty positions among U.S. dental schools, the challenge of Comments and suggestions are attracting and retaining the best and brightest faculty and students is becoming welcome. more difficult. However, thanks to the generosity of so many of you, as well Dean: as others who preceded you, the college has achieved remarkable success. As Dr. John Reinhardt always, we are proud of our progress but not satisfied with our successes. And Editorial Assistants: we strive to not only maintain but to improve the quality of everything we do. Cathy Rutt Deb Rodaway Your loyal contributions are the key to helping us continue to attract and keep the Director of Alumni Affairs: best faculty and students who make our programs outstanding. Thank you for your Dr. David Blaha steadfast support. If you have not contributed to the college, I encourage you to join Writer: us. The margin of excellence would not be possible without your significant gifts. Jana Miller Photography: Margaret Cain John Reinhardt, DDS, MS, MPH For additional printed copies, contact: Professor and Dean David Blaha [email protected] College of Dentistry (402) 486-1001 University of Nebraska Medical Center UNMC College of Dentistry 40th and Holdrege Streets Lincoln, NE 68583-0740 www.unmc.edu/dentistry For address changes, contact: Deb Rodaway, (402) 472-5135 [email protected] Cornhusker Impressions | 2 2011 | 2012 Calendar September 15 November 4 February 3, 2012 Dean’s Club Dinner Practice Opportunities Give Kids a Smile/Dental Day XXI Fair and Seminar Embassy Suites, downtown Lincoln Interprofessional Education Day UNMC College of Dentistry, UNMC College of Dentistry September 16-17 lower level 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. College of Dentistry Homecoming February 17, 2012 CE – Dr. Teg Brickhouse November 25 What’s New in Dentistry and Dr. Amy Killeen Dr. Fahd Alsalleeh, Dr. Matthew Management of the Immature Apex Byarlay, and Dr. Nagamani Narayana Dr. William Johnson, University October 7 Clinical Applications of Endodontic of Iowa College of Dentistry Confidence with Implant Dentistry Regeneration, Guided Bone UNL City Campus Student Union Regeneration, Differential Diagnosis Dr. Edwin McGumphy, Ohio State of Common Oral Lesions University College of Dentistry 9:30 a.m. Registration UNL East Campus Union UNMC College of Dentistry, Lincoln 8 a.m. Registration 9:30 a.m. Registration December 12-13 Radiology for Dental Auxiliary October 11 Dr. Shawneen Gonzalez March 16, 2012 Professionals’ Day and Student American Dental Association UNMC College of Dentistry, Lincoln, 7:45 a.m. Scientific Program College of Dentistry Alumni Reception UNMC West Division Dental Hygiene Wentz Memorial Lecture MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada Program, Gering, 6:45 a.m. UNL East Campus Union 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. January 6, 2012 May 4, 2012 October 28 Weeth Lecture UNMC College of Dentistry Aging Gracefully: Give Them The Top 50 Most Prescribed Commencement Something to Smile About Medications, 8:30 a.m. Lied Center for Performing Arts Doreen Smeltzer, RDH, MAEd Managing the Dental UNMC College of Dentistry, Lincoln Patient in Pain, 1 p.m. May 7-10, 2012 9:30 a.m. Registration Dr. Hal Crossley, University of Continuing Education Caravan Maryland Dental School Mary Riempa Ross Theater, UNL City Campus 8 a.m. Registration For more information about continuing education programs, contact Valeta Creason-Wahl at 402-472-2611 or by email at [email protected] Fall | 2011 “Depending on what the student does, SimMan could get better or not. There are different ways the scenario could unfold.” Dr. Bruce Bavitz Merritt C. Pedersen Endowed Professor of Dentisty SimMan continued from cover funds. He is housed in a private room in students to respond promptly and the scenario could unfold.” Students can use the North Clinic. A contest to name the effectively when they do occur. a defibrillator, apply chest compressions, SimMan will be announced in August. “Most of us, fortunately, will never have to administer shock, or perform mouth-to- Bavitz said the SimMan will be used by face the scenario,” Bavitz said. mouth resuscitation on SimMan. They can dental and hygiene students to practice also administer medications and start IVs. Medical scenarios, based on a wide range for medical emergencies that can happen of vital signs, clinical signs, and symptoms, Use of the SimMan will be incorporated anywhere but particularly in a dental office can be pre-programmed into the SimMan’s into the existing medical emergency course where the incidence may be slightly higher computer software system, and students’ taught by Dr. Darrell Ebke. “This adds a than in a homelike setting because of responses can be observed, recorded, and dimension of sophistication and realism patient anxiety. Among those emergencies assessed. Typical comments like, “I feel we never had before,” Bavitz said. Laerdal, are fainting, heart attacks, strokes, and faint,” “I don’t feel very good,” and “I’m the manufacturer, said Resusci Anne was diabetic reactions. better,” also can be pre-programmed. For developed with just that thought in mind. “Most dentists will encounter one life- example, as the SimMan tells students that The founder was convinced students would threatening emergency and several minor he is feeling light headed and he thinks he be more motivated to learn if the manikin ones in the lifetime of his or her practice,” may faint, his blood pressure and heart rate were life-sized and life-like. Bavitz said. The incidence is slightly higher begin to drop. SimMan also will be used to prepare for dental specialists who administer The patient outcome depends on the dental specialists, mainly oral surgeons, deep sedation. While life-threatening student’s response, Bavitz said. “Depending periodontists, and pediatric dentists, emergencies may not happen often, he on what the student does, SimMan could who deliver advanced anesthesia, which said the college is committed to preparing get better or not. There are different ways presents the possibility of additional Cornhusker Impressions | 4 Dr. Bavitz and Dr. Pota Rakes, a 2008 graduate of the UNMC College of Dentistry and a 2011 graduate of the Periodontics program, work with SimMan. Rakes is now in private practice in Detroit. complications. With SimMan, instructors can simulate a person who has stopped breathing while under anesthesia.