TODAY - Feb. 7, 2002 - School of Dentistry news

Thursday, February 7, 2002 TODAY

School of Dentistry news

Memorial service held for Robert J. Clement, DDS
School of Dentistry Alumni Student Convention, 2002

Memorial service held for Robert J. Clement, DDS

Robert and Mary Lou Clement

A memorial service for Robert J. Clement, DDS, associate professor, director of clinic services, was held Sunday, January 24, in the University Church of Seventh-day Adventists.

As family, colleagues, staff, and students entered the church to remember their mentor and friend, they signed in using beautiful, hand-lathed pens crafted from exotic woods by Dr. Clement. To the right was displayed an Air Force dress uniform worn by Dr. Clement during his distinguished military career, decorated with colorful ribbons. To the left was a crisp, starched lab coat embroidered with Dr. Clement's name, a familiar sight to many as he worked with colleagues and students in the School of Dentistry.

Dr. Clement received his DDS degree from University of Tennessee Medical Units College of Dentistry at Memphis in 1956. He married the love of his life, Mary Lou, a nurse, on December 20, 1953. After dental school graduation, Dr. Clement worked in private practice in Memphis, for three years. He then began military service in the Air Force.

During his military career, he served as dental officer, General Kessler AFB, Missouri; assistant director, dental services, Yokota Air Force Base, Japan; chief, dental professional services, Homestead AFB, Florida; and director, dental services, Iraklion, Crete. He attained the rank of colonel, and his service was recognized through numerous military honors, including USAF Chief Dental Award, Air Force Commendation Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster), and Outstanding Unit Citation.

After serving 30 years in the Air Force, Dr. Clement faced something many people would look forward to—retirement. He could now enjoy the activities that had previously occupied his weekends, including helping Mary Lou more at home and perusing local hardware stores.

But he couldn't forget the talents and skills he had used to make a difference in dental facilities throughout his career, and though he didn't know anyone at LLU, it wasn't long before he wrote a letter to the School of Dentistry.

He mentioned that throughout his career he had worked with new dental graduates and that he had a strong desire "to make a difference… [helping train] efficient and productive dentists while maintaining a high quality of patient care."

The letter was referred to Lane Thomsen, DDS, associate professor, oral diagnosis, radiology, and pathology (ODRP) department.

"We received many letters from individuals hoping to join our faculty—so many that we had to file most of them," recalls Dr. Thomsen. "But something about Dr. Clement's letter stood out." The correspondence led to a breakfast meeting, and Dr. Thomsen invited Dr. Clement to serve as a part-time faculty member volunteering two days a week. In 1988, he was appointed assistant professor, oral diagnosis, radiology, and pathology. A note in Dr. Clement's file, written by Thor Bakland, DDS, describes Dr. Clement as demonstrating "fine example of Christian commitment to dental education and a worthy role model for our students and younger faculty members." In a letter dated May 21, 1992, Judson Klooster, DDS, MS, who was dean at the time, describes him as being a "valuable strength to the department…I know your colleagues are counting on you for years to come."

Dr. Clement was named chief, oral diagnosis section, ODRP, on January 1, 1996. In 1999, 11 years after he began teaching at LLU, Dr. Clement was asked to serve as director of clinical services, a position he held until his death on January 24, 2002.

In their spare time, Drs. Clement and Thomsen enjoyed crafting wood into beautiful pens. Many in the School family have a pen, keychain, or card holder, gifts that were crafted by Dr. Clement.

According to Paul Richardson, DDS, associate dean, clinic administration, two projects that were important to Dr. Clement included the new chart system, and the informed consent form. Dr. Richardson and David Brodeur, DDS, assistant professor, restorative dentistry, recall that developing an informed consent procedure was especially important to Dr. Clement. His commitment to providing thorough information to the patient came about in part as a result of positive experiences he had while receiving cancer treatment at University of California, Los Angeles. The documents Dr. Clement developed were sent to LLU legal counsel and were returned, four months ago, with full endorsement.

Dr. Brodeur shared an office with Dr. Clement. "Students came first to Dr. Clement," he recalls. "Whenever a student came to the door, Dr. Clement would drop everything to help."

Dr. Clement wouldn't sugar-coat his messages, though. "He had the ability to cut to the bottom line—to point out flaws and yet make the person leave feeling good about themself," says Dr. Brodeur. "Mentoring students was one of the things he enjoyed most, and he was good at it."

"This School is my life," Dr. Clement would say. "The School has a mission and exists to make a difference in people's lives. When I work here, I have the opportunity to make a difference in the student's lives." He genuinely enjoyed working at Loma Linda—he felt that he truly could make an impact and be part of the solution.

"During my military career I accomplished many things. Yet that means nothing to me compared to this School. I've enjoyed working at Loma Linda more than anywhere else in my career," he told Dr. Brodeur.

Dr. Clement was a member of LLUSD Century Club and the Dean's Circle, and National Association of Seventh-day Adventist Dentists. In 1990, he was named Teacher of the Year for the School. He will be greatly missed.

Dr. Clement is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; son, Dr. Robert J. Clement Jr., daughter-in-law Linda, and their children, Jason and Christina (Winter Springs, Florida); son, Douglas S. Clement, his wife, Susan, and their children, Deanna and Melanie (Phoenix); sister, Barbara Ann White (Memphis); and two nephews, William White (Dallas), and Joe M. Gallimore (Camden, Tennessee).

School of Dentistry Alumni Student Convention, 2002

Seminar registration
Nearly 300 alumni, students, and staff attended a seminar during the 2001 Convention featuring Sam Horn, president, Life Balance, Inc. The event was well received, and Ms. Horn is back by popular demand for the 2002 Alumni Student Convention.

The 41st Annual Alumni-Student Convention is arriving (February 7 to 11), and many events for alumni, spouses, students, and friends of the School have been planned. A list of Convention events appears below:

Thursday, February 7

Golf Tournament
8:00 a.m. tee time; Redlands Country Club. $115/alumnus; $75/student

Scientific Sessions (formerly known as mini clinics)
8:30 a.m., Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. $20 to $40 each

Student Table Clinic Presentations
9:00 a.m., Wong Kerlee International Conference Center

Dental Alumni

Board of Directors
12:00 noon, dean's conference room. Lunch complimentary for Board members

Full TEAM Ahead!
1:00 p.m., featuring Sam Horn, Campus Chapel,

University Church

Homecoming Reception
4:30 p.m. Note: The Homecoming Reception takes the place of Homecoming Banquet. Attire is casual.

Wong Kerlee International Conference Center
Friday, February 8
Missionary Dentists and Prayer Breakfast
7:00 a.m., Fellowship Hall

NASDAD Board of Directors
8:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Scientific Sessions (formerly known as mini clinics)
8:30 a.m., Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. $20 to $40 each

Endodontic Potpourri
8:00 a.m., Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. $125/DDS; $80/auxiliary

Ultrasonics and Air Polishing
8:00 a.m., Wong Kerlee International Conference Center; $95/DDS; $55/auxiliary

Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU)
12:00 noon, dental honor society luncheon

Hygienists & Assistants Luncheon
1:00 p.m., Redlands Country Club. $35

Family Day Reception & Tour
2:00 p.m., School of

Dentistry lobby
Student Dedication
4:00 p.m., University Church

Saturday, February 9

Church Services
8:30 and 11:15 a.m., Church at Worship (two services), University Church; 10:00 a.m., Church at Study,

University Church
Sabbath Luncheon
12:30 p.m., Campus Cafeteria. $13 per adult; $5 per child under 12 years old

Vespers Service
4:00 p.m., University Church. Donations will be collected

Class Reunions
Please contact your Class Representative for time and place.

Sunday, February 10

Esthetic Dentistry
8:30 a.m., School of Dentistry; $140/DDS; $90/auxiliary

Anesthesia Symposium
8:30 a.m., Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. $140/DDS; $90/auxiliary
Access http://www.llu. edu/dentistry/alumni/ dental.htm for registration and other information.

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