Dentistry Commons^™

Beyond Implants: Dr. Rahim Karmali Rediscovering Our Roots, Rahim Karmali Dds

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article highlights the ethical and clinical value of prioritizing natural-tooth preservation over dental implants and calls for a balanced, patient-centered approach to care.

Integration Of Oral Health Assessment In Medicare Visits: A Survey Of Primary Care Physicians In Montana And Their Role In Patients Aged 65+, Cheyenne R. Smith

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The integration of oral health assessments into primary care settings has been strongly advocated to enhance access to care for elderly individuals. Medical and dental professionals recognize the critical connection between oral health and systemic health. Physicians can play a key role in enhancing oral health care by incorporating an oral health assessment into routine general health appointments, such as the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). Physicians in Montana were invited to participate in an anonymous study to gather their opinions on conducting oral health assessments in primary care settings, identify barriers to providing these assessments, and evaluate their knowledge …

Impact In Action: Your Michigan Dental Association Foundation, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, works to promote better dental health and support the future dental workforce through educational scholarships. The Foundation’s impact is increasing yearly, evidenced by a 42% increase in scholarship awards in 2024, providing $44,000 to 15 recipients. It also provides grants to statewide organizations delivering dental care to uninsured, impoverished, and underserved populations, awarding $141,500 in 2025. A high-profile program is the biannual Michigan Mission of Mercy (MOM), which provided over $1.1 million in donated care in Flint in 2024. Support is generated through various fundraisers, including the Year-End Fundraising Campaign.

Staff Matters: How To Get Creative With Staff Benefit Offerings, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Small practices must be intentional and creative with benefits to distinguish themselves in the competitive labor market. Strategies include offering Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) or covering dental/vision care. Work-life balance benefits are highly valued, such as flexible scheduling, additional paid time off beyond the state-mandated Earned Sick Time Act, or time off for birthdays. Practices should consider financial wellness options like retirement savings plans or student loan repayment assistance. Professional development, like covering certifications and offering mentorship, is crucial. Using platforms like TASC or Fringe to provide flexible "lifestyle" benefits allows employees to choose perks that matter most …

An Evaluation Of Dental Hygiene Integration From The Nursing Point Of View Within The Intensive Care Units., Alyssa M. Ramos

Dental Hygiene ETDs

This study analyzes the prospective of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse and the importance of oral hygiene delivery to ventilated patients within the ICU. The results of the study analyze the correlation of oral hygiene care performed by the ICU nurse and the probability of developing ventilator associated pneumonia, which is a prevalent infection in the intensive care units. A descriptive research method was used, sent out via email, using a likert- like ordinal scale. The survey was sent to two urban hospital intensive care units, the population included ICU nurses (n=17) from the same urban city. The ICU …

Automated Assessment Of Periapical Health Based On The Radiographic Periapical Index Using Yolov8, Yolov11, And Yolov12 One-Stage Object Detection Algorithms, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr., Ahmed A. Torky Phd

Dentistry

This study investigates the application of recent YOLO (You Only Look Once) algorithms for automated detection and classification of apical periodontitis using the Periapical Index (PAI) scoring system (1–5). A dataset of 699 digital periapical radiographs was collected from diverse sources, de-identified, and annotated by calibrated experts before splitting into training, validation, and testing sets. Three deep learning models (YOLOv8m, YOLOv11m, YOLOv12m) were trained and their performance was evaluated using Precision, Recall, F1 score, mean average precision (mAP50), Intersection over union (IoU), and confusion matrices. Two-sided McNemar’s exact test was further conducted to compare models on lesion-level outcomes. The results …

Comparative Evaluation Of Maxillary Partial Denture Frameworks Additively Manufactured With Different 3d Printing Techniques, Basma Refaat Fayad, Islam Heiba Dr, Eman Gamal Abdelghaffar, Ayman Hany Amin

Dentistry

Objectives: To compare the accuracy of fit, surface roughness, and microstructure of cobalt chromium (Co-Cr) maxillary removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks fabricated using direct metal laser melting (DMLS) and selective laser melting (SLM). Methods: A custom Kennedy Class II maxillary partial edentulous resin model was digitally scanned, and a virtual RPD framework was designed. Frameworks were fabricated using DMLS (Co-Cr, n = 8) and SLM (Co-Cr, n = 8), while a control group was produced using a hybrid digital-conventional protocol by lost-wax casting (CAST-Co- Cr, n = 8), in total 24 frameworks. Overall and point comparison adaptation was assessed using …

Llu Dentistry 2025 Winter Edition, Loma Linda University School Of Dentistry

Articulator (Dentistry)

In this issue:

4 | Dean's Message
5 | Transforming the Future of Dental Education: The Strategic Vision and Growth Plan
8 | Honoring a Legacy of Excellence: Celebrating Leif K. Bakland, DDS
12 | Transitions
14 | Welcome New Faculty
16 | Celebrating Excellence in Dentistry: 2025 ICD USA Section Annual Meeting & Convocation
18 | LLUSD faculty publish study on Dental Unit Waterline treatment in the Journal of the American Dental Association
21 | Celebrating 15 Years of PNAM Treatment at LLUSD
23 | A Journey of Healing: Shirely's Transformation
24 | Exploring Future Careers in STEM: The …

J Mich Dent Assoc December 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons. The December 2025 (Volume 107, No. 11) issue of the Journal is published in a digital-only format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions will resume in the new year.

This issue includes feature articles on the Michigan Dental Foundation, A Case for Credentialing Dental Assistants, and a feature …

The Spoon Theory & Autoimmune Diseases, Karen Davis Rdh, Bsdh

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

In this article, Karen Davis, RDH, BSDH, uses the Spoon Theory to illustrate how the hidden challenges of living with an autoimmune disease or chronic illness can impact oral health, treatment tolerance and daily hygiene routines. She offers practical strategies for dental teams to better support “Spoonie” patients with compassionate, customized care.

Oral Health Is Still The World’S #1 Disease. Here’S How We Fix That, Kami Hoss Dds

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

Dr. Kami Hoss explores how outdated products, one-size-fits-all routines and microbiome-disrupting ingredients are failing patients, and why a more personalized, science-driven approach is urgently needed. His message is clear: it’s time to reinvent oral care for the 21st century.

Here’S What’S New — Coming To The 2026 Mda Annual Session, Andrea Sunderman, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The 2026 MDA Annual Session, held April 30 – May 2 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, will feature significant improvements. The major change eliminates cumbersome a la carte pricing for courses. Instead, attendees can purchase a one-day pass or a full conference package, granting access to any course without advance sign-up. The schedule is shortened to two-and-a-half days. Passes include a hot lunch in the Exhibit Hall on Thursday and Friday, and courses are streamlined to allow more time for vendor visits and socializing. The event will also feature three keynote addresses and a new Friday night social event, …

Intentional Ai: Preserving Skills, Judgment And Humanity

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

Dr. Amisha Singh explores the rapid rise of AI across dentistry, highlighting both its transformative potential and the ethical, cognitive and professional risks that come with overreliance. She emphasizes the need for intentional use, critical thinking and boundaries that preserve core clinical and human skills. Her reflection offers a roadmap for using AI as an amplifier of expertise rather than a replacement for it.

Mda At Your Service: A Deaf Person Wants To Become My Patient, Rachel Sinacola Dds, Ms

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The column clarifies that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), dental offices must provide auxiliary aids or services for patients with hearing impairments, which may require a professional interpreter paid for by the dentist in complex visits. Members are encouraged to notify the MDA about practice/life changes (e.g., address changes or caseload shifts) to ensure proper benefits and dues discounts. New associates are strongly urged to utilize the MDA resource for contract review, which offers a 10% discount with Kerr Russell Attorneys. Additionally, the MDA Store provides free Labor Poster Packets, fulfilling state and federal employer requirements.

The Case For Credentialing Dental Assistants, Michelle Godofsky

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Credentialing dental assistants is presented as a method to enhance productivity and address workforce shortages; currently, only about 15% of Michigan dental assistants are Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs). A case study at Thunder Bay Community Health Service, an FQHC in Northern Michigan, illustrates success, where RDAs perform expanded functions—like placing restorations and monitoring nitrous oxide—boosting clinic productivity by 16%. The clinic supports its dental assistants by covering education and exam expenses and providing study time during work hours. This investment improves job satisfaction, confidence, morale, and patient communication among staff, strengthening employee retention.

Back Page: 9th District Delegation Attends Ada House Of Delegates, Michelle M. Nichols-Cruz

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The ADA 9th District delegation, representing Michigan and Wisconsin, attended the ADA House of Delegates meeting in Washington, D.C., in October, which coincided with the ADA SmileCon event. During the meeting, Dr. Deb Peters, former MDA president and MDA House Speaker, was elected Speaker of the ADA House. This historic election makes Dr. Peters the first female ADA speaker. Dr. Michele Tulak-Gorecki, outgoing 9th District ADA trustee, was unsuccessful in her bid for ADA president-elect. The next ADA House meeting is scheduled for October 10-13, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Articulator Volume 31, Issue 4

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

The 4^th Quarter 2025 of the MDDS Articulator Magazine offers a preview of the 2026 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention, taking place January 22–24 in Denver. The collection spotlights RMDC speakers and the future of dentistry, from the rise of AI and the shift toward integrated whole-health care to the hidden challenges of chronic illness, and a commitment to preserving natural dentition. The articles challenge dental professionals to rethink assumptions, embrace interdisciplinary collaboration and adopt more personalized and evidence-driven approaches to care.

Understanding Dental Hygienists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Regarding Hpv Vaccination, Paula M Cuccaro, Jihye Choi, Kawtar Zouaidi, Efrat K Gabay, Michael Mackert, Josefine Ortiz Wolfe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourage oral health professionals to strongly recommend human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to prevent HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. This study examined oral health professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HPV vaccination. We used purposive sampling to recruit participants through state and national oral health societies and social media platforms. Flyers outlining eligibility criteria were distributed, and eligible participants completed an online survey. Primary measures included participants' HPV-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and willingness to receive HPV-related training and recommend HPV vaccination to patients, including parents of adolescents. Only responses from dental hygienists …

Effect Of Material And Processing Lag Time On Radiant Energy Penetration And Modulus Of 3d-Printed Indirect Bonding Jig Materials, Megan Meyer, Kamal Awad, Baylie Subjeck, Joe C Ontiveros, Venu G Varanasi, F Kurtis Kasper

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To investigate the effect of the time between 3D printing and post-print processing (lag time) on the modulus and radiant energy penetration of 3D-printed indirect bonding jig materials.

Materials and methods: Three 3D-printed resins (Formlabs IBT Resin, SprintRay IDB 2, Pro3dure GR-18.1 IB) were tested for three lag times (0, 16 and 64 h; n = 10 per group). Radiant energy penetration was measured using a power meter, and Vickers hardness was assessed for composites cured through the samples. Mechanical properties were evaluated using uniaxial testing and three-point bending.

Results: Both the resin type and lag time significantly affected …

The New Professional: The Legacy Of Women In Dentistry, And Your Place In It, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Women now constitute over half of dental graduates, transforming the profession’s culture and leadership. While women hold a majority of seats on the MDA Board of Trustees, wage disparities, underrepresentation in certain specialties, and work-life balance pressures remain challenges. The author emphasizes that the legacy of women in dentistry is an active, evolving force. New professionals have the opportunity and responsibility to advance this legacy by engaging in mentorship, advocating for fair workplace policies, pursuing ownership, and serving as role models. This ensures the profession is defined by opportunities rather than barriers.