• Moscow dentist enters LLU International Dentist Program
• Dentistry holds Pine Spring Ranch family retreat
• Visiting professor completes stay with School of Dentistry
• School of Dentistry alumni inducted into dental society

Moscow dentist enters LLU International Dentist Program
Lale Khankichi-Zade, DDS, a dentist who has worked for Adventist Health Center in Moscow, Russia, for the past five years, has joined the School of Dentistry's International Dentist Program (IDP). Upon completing six months of training at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Dr. Khankichi-Zade will be awarded a certificate, and will continue practicing dentistry with Adventist Health Center. After finishing her dental training in Russia, she worked for three years as a dentist. She then took a short break from dentistry to raise her son, Bakel Azerbaijan. Dr. Khankichi-Zade began working for Adventist Health Center in Moscow, and is one of five dentists who now work at the Center. An article about Adventist Health Center appeared in the Autumn, 1996, issue of SCOPE. The Center, which opened in November, 1992, just 14 months after the Soviet Union dissolved into independent states, is the first major health-care facility in Russia administered by the Adventist Church. According to Dr. Khankichi-Zade, because of the clinic's fine reputation, many dignitaries use these services. The clinic also has contracts with companies in Moscow. Her patients include members of the diplomatic corps from several embassies, including the Canada, Sri Lanka, the United States, and Zimbabwe. Organizations including Doctors Without Borders and the Peace Corps have chosen to send their workers to the clinic for care. Her patients include Masha and Dasha, conjoined twins who are famous in Russia. A book about the twins has been published, and will soon be translated into English and German. Providing quality care to those less fortunate is also important to Dr. Khankichi-Zade, and is a part of the clinic's mission. Discounts and two free visits are provided to Church members, families with children, and retired citizens. Dentists from the Center spend three to four days a month traveling to churches where they treat members and people from the local community at no cost. "We are able to speak about God with these patients," she says, "and to tell them about the Adventist Church. We also leave gifts of religious books and dental supplies including toothbrushes, dental floss, and toothpaste." In addition, the Center provides free dental care to children in an orphanage run by Moscow College in a system known as a "family orphanage." In this system, local families house from 4 to 14 children in their homes.
		Dr. Khankichi-Zade treats Masha and Dasha, conjoined twins who are famous in Russia.
		A book about Masha and Dasha, conjoined twins, has been published, and will soon be translated into English and German.
		Lale Khankichi-Zade, a dentist from Adventist Health Center in Moscow, has joined the School's International Dentist Program (IDP).

As she worked with the staff at the Center, Dr. Khankichi-Zade learned more about the Adventist faith, and four years ago, she was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

She is looking forward to the advanced experience she will receive in the IDP. "I will see cases," she says, "and gain experience that is possible to get only in a student clinic."

She also hopes to learn more about implant dentistry during her time at the School of Dentistry.

According to James M. Crawford, DDS, executive associate dean, School of Dentistry, and dental director for the health ministry department, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Dr. Khankichi-Zade joins a special group of missionary dentists from Africa and Asia, including the countries of India and Russia who have completed this program at LLU to enhance their service to the world.

Dr. Khankichi-Zade's tuition has been fully funded, with half contributed by National Association of Seventh-day Adventist Dentists, and the other half by the School of Dentistry. "This program for international dentists is a wonderful gift to mission service," says Dr. Crawford.

Realizing the importance for dentists worldwide to receive advanced training at Loma Linda University, the School has designated the program as a major item in strategic planning.

Dentistry holds Pine Spring Ranch family retreat

		Members of the School of Dentistry sophomore class pose for a group photo. Pictured (front row, from left) are: Allen Job, Jonathan Holland, Geoff Stuart, Lorraine Lim, Christina Do, Aqsa Ahmad, and Naveen Samuel. Pictured, (back row, from left) are Tyler Baker, Randall Ruminson, Mike Stafford, and James Jeffery.
		Lloyd Dayes, MD, PhD, DMin, professor of neurological surgery, presents the worship service message, titled "He didn't throw the clay away."
		Joseph Caruso, DDS, associate professor, School of Dentistry (center), congratulates Harvey Lee, class of '03, for winning a trip to Hawaii donated by Carlson Wagonlit/University Travel. Also pictured is Cheryl Harrison, who presented the grand prize.

Visiting professor completes stay with School of Dentistry

Leif K. Bakland, DDS, professor and chair of endodontics (right) and M. Torabinejad, DMD, MSD, PhD, professor of endodontics and director, advanced education program in endodontics, present Khademy Abbasali, a visiting scholar in the department of endodontics, with a certificate from the School. Dr. Abbasali is associate professor of endodontics at Isfahan University School of Medical Sciences in Iran, where he is also vice dean for education. His wife and two daughters were with him during his time at Loma Linda.

School of Dentistry alumni inducted into dental society

At its annual session held in Chicago recently, International College of Dentists (ICD) inducted two School of Dentistry alumni: Leif K. Bakland, DDS, professor and chair of endodontics, and associate dean for advanced education; and Vernon S. Eddleman, DDS, who practices and resides in Tempe, Arizona. Both graduated from the School of Dentistry in 1963.

The ICD is an honorary organization for the recognition of outstanding and meritorious service to the professions.

In an impressive cap and gown ceremony, more than 250 dentists from the United States were inducted into the College at this year's ceremony, witnessed by hundreds of members and guests.

[School of Dentistry]

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