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Dentistry News

Dental Practice Group Lays Out the Welcome Mat
Dr. Haywood Named Associate Editor
Dr. Callan Receives 2 National Honors
Students Receive Hinman Scholarships
Dr. Singh, Longtime Faculty Member, Dies at Age 71
 

 

Dental Practice Group Lays Out the Welcome Mat

Dr. Travis Smith (left) shows off the clinic during open house.With its muted earth tones, Southwestern-inspired artwork, sleek furniture and curved silhouettes, the Medical College of Georgia Dental Practice Group would look right at home in an interior-design magazine.

But the cosmetic changes are only the most eye-catching aspects of the clinic’s renovation. The fact is that the clinic bears scant resemblance to its former incarnation, in more ways than one.

The clinic, on the third floor of the MCG School of Dentistry, hosted an open house April 21 to show off its facelift.

The Dental Practice Group is the dental faculty’s equivalent of the Physicians Practice Group, according to Dr. Travis Smith, its director since joining the faculty 18 months ago after 30 years of private practice in Tifton, Ga. The school’s 38-member faculty offers patient care at the clinic to serve the community and keep their clinical skills updated, Dr. Smith said.

“All dental specialties are offered right here, under one roof,” he said. “We offer everything from general dentistry to the most complex specialized services, including orthodontics, prosthodontics, cosmetic dentistry and much, much more.”

The clinic was renovated to simulate a private practice, yet its patients have the added benefits of the most cutting-edge treatments available, thanks to ongoing research and innovations unfolding daily in the dental school, Dr. Smith said.

“Our practice group optimizes the many benefits of a health sciences university,” he said. “Our dentists are clinicians, researchers and educators, working hard to provide quality dentistry and to continually forge new ground in oral health.  We collaborate with physicians, biomedical researchers and other health professionals to ensure a comprehensive approach to your good health.”

The clinic emphasizes patient-centered care and a commitment to each patient’s lifelong oral health care needs, said Dr. Connie Drisko, dean of the School of Dentistry. “From routine cleanings to the most complicated procedures, we offer comprehensive dental care for all ages in one location,” she said. “Every procedure demonstrates our commitment to excellence, convenience and affordability.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 706-721-2696.

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Dr. Haywood Named Associate Editor

Dr. Van B. HaywoodDr. Van B. Haywood, professor of oral rehabilitation in the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, has been appointed associate editor of the esthetic dentistry section of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

He will serve for a year, at which point his tenure will be considered for renewal.

Established in 1913, the monthly journal promotes the practice and science of dentistry by providing dentists with information they can use to improve care.  Dr. Haywood is one of six associate editors, each of whom focus on a specific aspect of dentistry.

Dr. Haywood, who earned his dental degree from MCG in 1974, is a pioneer in the field of teeth-bleaching and esthetics.  Other areas of emphasis in his research, teaching and clinical care include single gold castings, fixed prosthodontics, occlusion, restoration, tooth sensitivity and oral appliances for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

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Dr. Callan Receives 2 National Honors

Dr. Richard S. CallanDr. Richard S. Callan, assistant professor of oral rehabilitation in the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, has been appointed to the American Dental Education Association’s Leadership Institute Class of 2006.

Leadership Institute fellows participate in a yearlong faculty development program for dental and allied dental faculty and administrators. Criteria for participation include potential to become leaders in dental education and a broad perspective on issues affecting higher education and society.

The institute is a four-phase program providing leadership skills that participants can apply in their home institutions.

Dr. Callan also has been selected as a delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging Oct. 23-26. He will represented Georgia’s Ninth District. Originating in 1961, the conference develops recommendations for research and action related to aging.

Dr. Callan earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his dental degree from MCG in 1983. He maintained a private practice for 17 years, then joined the MCG faculty. He teaches practice management to junior and senior dental students and helped develop off-campus extramural opportunities for students. He also teaches preclinical and clinical courses involving operative dentistry and fixed prosthodontics.

His research interests include the practical application of modern dental materials and techniques. He recently received a grant from the Department of Community Health to improve access to dental care for underserved Georgians.

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Students Receive Hinman Scholarships

Seven Medical College of Georgia dental and dental hygiene students have received scholarships from the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society. The awards were presented during the 93rd Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta March 19.

The society has promoted continuing education in the dental profession since 1912. It began granting scholarships in 1986, this year providing scholarships and gifts totaling more than $250,000 to dental, dental hygiene, laboratory technician and dental assisting students at 34 southeastern colleges and universities, as well as dental education groups and clinics.

MCG School of Dentistry recipients are Louis M. Cox, Christopher M. Fleming, Ilisa B. Stern and John T. Tran, all of Augusta.

MCG dental hygiene recipients in the School of Allied Health Sciences are Frances L. Brooks of North Augusta, S.C., Shawn M. Neal of Evans, Ga.; and Danielle R. VanDeven of Augusta.

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Dr. Singh, Longtime Faculty Member, Dies at Age 71

Dr. Baldev Bariana SinghDr. Baldev Bariana Singh, a 33-year member of the Medical College of Georgia faculty who received more than 10 Teaching Excellence Awards during his tenure, died March 26 at age 71.

Dr. Singh, a professor of oral pathology, earned a dental degree from the University of Bombay and a Ph.D. in anatomy and pathology from the University of Rochester in New York. He received awards from the MCG School of Dentistry, American College of Dentists, American Academy of Oral Medicine, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, U.S. Army Dental Program and Georgia Dental Society. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Oral Pathology and a diplomat of the American Board of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology.

Dr. Singh volunteered and taught for the American Cancer Society. He ran track and played field hockey and soccer in college. He represented the University of Bombay in all three National Games from 1951-55 and in 1955 ran track in the Olympics.

Survivors include wife Molly, daughter Mary Elizabeth, brother Dr. Gotal Singh Bariana and sister Mohinder Kaur Bains.

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August 11, 2005