Dean's Annual Report
Charles J. Goodacre, DDS, MSD, Dean
July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008
The School of Dentistry opened in 1953 with 4 faculty members and 41 students in the first class. There are now 519 active faculty (full time, part time, and volunteer) and 630 students studying dentistry, dental hygiene, and 8 different advanced education programs. There are 5,436 alumni located in 50 states (plus Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and Guam) and 38 countries.
PATIENT CARE
A large number of patients receive their dental care from the School of Dentistry clinics. These individuals seek care through several faculty practices because of the specialized knowledge and skill available and through a large number of pre-doctoral and postdoctoral student clinics. Approximately 113,886 patient visits occurred during the 2007-08 fiscal year.
ADMISSIONS
Identifying and contacting prospective minority students continues to be a high priority. Recruitment efforts also target Adventist secondary schools in an effort to inform students about careers in dentistry and Loma Linda University.
1,997 DDS applicants and 135 DH applicants were screened for admission into this year's classes: 99 dental students, 42 dental hygiene students, 20 IDP students, 6 post baccalaureate students, and 26 advanced education residents were accepted into the 2007 entering classes.
INCOMING DDS CLASS PROFILE
Religion
Adventist: 75
Other faiths: 24
Ethnicity
African-American: 4
Asian: 36
Hispanic: 7
White, non-Hispanic: 43
Gender
Female: 32
Male: 67
Academics
Cumulative GPA: 3.5
Science GPA: 3.4
Dental Admissions Test: 19.45 (Academic Average)
INCOMING DH CLASS PROFILE
Religion
Adventist: 21
Other faiths: 20
Ethnicity
African American: 3
Asian: 9
Hispanic: 7
White, non-Hispanic: 21
Gender
Female: 32
Male: 9
Academics
Cumulative GPA: 3.35
National Board Examinations
Once again, the LLUSD mean was above the national mean on the National Board Examinations. Three students scored 90 or above, and 17 students received the School of Dentistry Silver Award for Academic Excellence.
Degrees Awarded
Graduation ceremonies for the School of Dentistry were held on May 26, 2008. Ninety-two graduates received the doctor of dental surgery degree, 40 students received the bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene, and 12 students from the International Dentist Program received the bachelor of science degree. Twenty-eight candidates received certificates from advanced education programs, and 1 dental specialist received his master's degrees in dental disciplines at commencement services.
FACULTY
The School of Dentistry continues to address the challenges of recruiting well-qualified full-time faculty as we continue to pursue excellence in didactic and clinical teaching. There are currently 116 full-time faculty, 239 part-time faculty appointments and 164 volunteer faculty in the School of Dentistry.
Faculty Development
Faculty Advance Seminar presentations included: Patient Treatment and Diagnosis, Institute for Community Partnerships and Diversity, Eyewear Protection, Survey of Photonics Applications, Diagnosis, Behavioral and Medical Management of Tobacco-Dependence, Cultural Diversity in Dentistry, and Innovative Teaching.
Faculty Council Meetings
Faculty Council meetings are scheduled one per quarter and others as needed for special business. The purpose of the quarterly meetings is to receive reports from standing committees, conduct the business of the School relating to faculty and programs, and provide faculty inservice education.
Distinguished Faculty Service Awards
Five Loma Linda University School of Dentistry faculty members were recognized with distinguished awards at the 2007 commencement ceremonies:
* Dr. William M. Hooker received the distinguished service award.
* Dr. Mahmoud Torabinejad received the distinguished research award.
* Dr. Robert Handysides received the teacher of the year award.
* Dr. Leif Bakland received the Ronald Buell Proeffor of Endodontics Award.
* Dr. Alan Herford received the Philip Boyne and Peter Geistlich Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Award
CURRICULUM
There were no major changes in the dental or the dental hygiene programs in the past year.
Advanced Education
A total of six advanced education programs joined the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) to broaden the exposure of the graduate programs offered by the School of Dentistry and to increase the number of potential applicants. All eight graduate programs remain strong and continue to attract well-qualified new postdoctoral students/residents.
Increases in enrollment were approved for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program as well as the Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Program. However, the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was saddened by the loss of Dr. Philip J. Boyne, Professor Emeritus, but was able to welcome three new faculty members as the department continues to grow. The Department of Orthodontics and its advanced education program anticipate moving into a new facility in early 2009 that will also house the faculty practice.
Alumni and industry support made it possible to establish two endowed professorships, the first such endowments in the School of Dentistry's history. The Ronald E. Buell Professorship in Endodontics was created and Dr. Leif K. Bakland, Professor and Chair of the Department, was selected as the Ronald E. Buell Professor of Endodontics. The Philip Boyne/Peter Geistlich Professorship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was formalized and Dr. Alan S. Herford was chosen as the inaugural Philip Boyne/Peter Geistlich Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
In an effort to enhance communication with alumni and friends, the advanced education programs started the launch of an official program newsletter. Periodontics was the first graduate program to publish a newsletter, and it will be followed by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and then Endodontics. Plans are to release at least one issue of a newsletter for all eight programs by the end of 2009.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
The School of Dentistry is a major source of continuing dental education in the United States with lectures, hands-on courses, study clubs, and travel programs available throughout the year. Live surgical demonstrations have proven to be very popular, with the procedures streamed to the audience. During the course of the year there were 151 programs sponsored by the Department of Continuing Dental Education with 5,207 individuals registering.
SERVICE LEARNING
Both the dental hygiene and dentistry programs provide many opportunities for students to serve the local and international communities. The benefits that accrue when students learn through serving others was recognized when the School of Dentistry opened in 1953 and continues to be an important component of the educational program. Dental students are required to attain a minimum of 120 hours of service prior to graduation.
The goal is to graduate dental professionals who desire to represent the Lord by continuing to care for under-served populations. Increased opportunities and curriculum modifications contribute to the attainment of that goal. The class of 2007 pledged to regularly volunteer their new skills as a dentist, to an underserved community throughout their careers.
Domestic Participation:
Students: 1,000
Faculty: 159
Trips: 146
Patients: 6,181
Procedures: 7,800
International Participation:
Students: 108
Faculty: 25
Trips: 17
Patients: 4,898
Procedures: 8,850
Annual Fall Family Retreat
October 17-19, 2008 faculty, staff, and students were at Pine Springs Ranch for the Fall Family Retreat. Dr. David Taylor, Professor from the Loma Linda University School of Religion, was the guest speaker. Approximately 225 faculty, staff, and students enjoyed the brisk mountain air and companionship of family and colleagues.
FACILITY
* Resident workstations increased by 18.
* The Nobel Biocare lab was remodeled to accommodate 107 dental simulator workstations.
* The Graduate Prosthodontic Clinic and patient reception area was remodeled and an additional operatory was added.
* A waterclave chair system was installed in the IDP, Urgent Care, and Endodontics clinics.
* New cabinetry was installed in Computer Services, the student lounge, and two additional offices.
* A security camera system with 92 cameras was installed throughout the School.
* Student lockers increased by 188.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
An architect has been engaged for the following projects:
- Endodontic/urgent care/screening areas
- Periodontal clinic remodel
- Implant surgery area remodel
- Orthodontics/pediatric dentistry private practice
- Chase lecture room
- Faculty dental office practice location
- Evaluation for a new dental school and graduate building
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
The School of Dentistry finished the 2007-2008 budget year with a deficit of $206,213. This deficit was less than one half of 1% of our budget and was offset by School of Dentistry savings. The School of Dentistry, as always, strives to increase tuition at the lowest rate possible to cover its budget.
PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
Philanthropic support for the School of Dentistry was the highest ever achieved this fiscal year, a total of $3,857,789 with 1,448 donors contributing to 101 different projects, programs, or accounts. The Dean's Circle membership grew by 28%.
The Alumni Association Century Club raised $280,248.76 by 767 donors. These contributions support programs as designated by the Alumni Association Board such as faculty sponsorship, personalized Bible and lab coats, student mission clerkships, research and operating expenses for the Alumni Association office.
Nobel Biocare has provided a level of philanthropic support, to enhance the education opportunities available to students and an advanced technology laboratory was named in their honor.
Required funding was achieved to announce two professorships: the Ronald E. Buell Professorship in Endodontics and the Boyne-Geistlich Professorship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
The 'Gold for Good' program recovered more than $10,000 of recycled gold from crowns and bridges. The proceeds benefit a fund of the dentist's choice or can fund under-served pediatric dental care in Southern California.
A number of historical markers were donated for the University's Centennial Pathway. These markers denote the history of the School of Dentistry and have been sponsored by School of Dentistry alums.
The class of 2008 initiated a systematic program of giving to build an endowment fund by the time of their graduation, with 67 percent of the class participating.