A Note from the Chair - Spring/Summer 2009Dr. Joy Phelps, one of last years outgoing residents, has carried on the recent VCU Pediatric Dentistry tradition of receiving the Richard C. Pugh Award!! The award recognizes the top 3% of scores on the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Qualifying Examination. Dr. Phelps follows in the footsteps of 3 previous consecutive VCU pediatric resident award winners which include Drs. Jennifer Dixon, Annelise Hardin and Buddy Hollowell. Congratulations Joy!!
Outstanding resident didactic success is due to not only the high quality of students that are recruited to the program, but also the outstanding faculty which support the dental students and residents. Please welcome our newest faculty member Dr. Elizabeth Berry who will begin July of 2009. Credentials that Liz will bring with her included MPH and MSD degrees. We anticipate she will add to our growing research component of the Department as well assume the didactic pre-doctoral curriculum. Following Dr. Holly Lewis's departure to community practice, I assumed the role of course director for the didactic courses for the pre-doctoral curriculum. A self evaluation/assessment was added to the laboratory portion of the curriculum which enabled students to critically evaluate themselves by applying clinical reasoning skills. Dr. Bill Piscitelli continues to enhance the pre-doctoral clinical portion of the curriculum. Students will soon be able to view clinical expectations and current pediatric literature on Blackboard prior to beginning their rotations. Dr. Tegwyn Brickhouse is now the Virginia State Leader for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Head Start Dental Home Initiative. She also has been appointed as an Oral Health Preceptor for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The clinic was recently reorganized. Due to the growing patient demand for sedation this area of the clinic was renovated to accept young pre-cooperative children who require pharmacologic behavior management. The radiology section of the clinic was also relocated to accommodate digital imaging and redirect patient flow around the front desk area. Both of these improvements are working well to improve clinical activities.
The Department was active in both the Eastern Shore MOM Project and Give Kids a Smile. Many children were identified who have significant oral disease and many of these children were able to receive dental restorative treatment some of which in the department under general anesthesia. Many thanks to the residents and faculty for their tremendous efforts to assist these children in need - great job!!
Please continue to acknowledge our expert faculty with your financial support to the Pediatric Dentistry Faculty Endowment. It is anticipated all donors and the first faculty award winner from the endowment will be honored at the first ever VCU Faculty and Alumni Reception at the AAPD meeting in 2010. Special thanks and recognition will be given to those folks who will have contributed the requested $3,000 or more by the time of the reception in 2010 in Chicago.
John H. Unkel
Chair, VCU Pediatric Dentistry
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