Page 3 - Dentistry Magazine 2022

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
Greetings from the School of Dentistry!
As a school and community, we have worked very hard for the fruits of our labor since the start of the pandemic, including:
• three graduating classes of residents and students,
• multiple grants submitted and funded,
• published papers,
• patients treated in Moos Tower and in Outreach clinics,
• courses taught in-person and remotely,
• engaging community with the Mobile Dental Clinic,
• Give Kids a Smile, and
• students, staff and faculty attending and presenting at national meetings.
And the list goes on. The success of our school is due to the tremendous work and commitment of students, staff, and faculty.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we had to traverse our path forward in uncharted waters. The path forward required moving through three artificially defined phases that we, as a school, would have to navigate: Recover, Restore, Grow. For the greater part of the 2021-22 academic year we existed in the recovery phase: hiring new faculty and staff, implementing new or refined
operational workflows, and welcoming people back to in person events and meetings. At the beginning of this past summer, I reminded our faculty and staff community of the importance for each of us to take care of ourselves, our family and our friends as we move through these phases. This looks different for everyone. For some, that meant taking time to plant a new garden, spending time at the lake, kayaking, fishing or hiking. The summer was a time to refresh and rejuvenate; to laugh more and safely enjoy other people; a time to enjoy baseball—whether watching the Twins, the Saints or the Gophers—and enjoy outdoor concerts and cooking on the grill. Summer creates a natural opportunity to create a habit of engaging in self-care.
Our next step is to grow and move forward, striving to provide the best care we can to our patients and the best education to our students. Our future growth has to be rooted in our past accomplishments and direct us toward an innovative and transformative future. Within these pages you will read about faculty leadership transitions; partnership opportunities throughout the state to provide care; faculty, staff and alumni who received research and recognition awards; students and residents who excelled in leadership and research; educational advancement and our commitment to shaping our learners into tomorrow’s leaders.
I hope these stories will bring a smile to your face, pride in your heart, and inspire you to support our learners and our school. We look forward to engaging with you as you are a vital part of our community. The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is a great school, with great students, residents, faculty, staff, alumni and donors. Together, we can plant the seeds that will stem our future growth.
Stay safe and healthy,
Keith A. Mays, DDS, MS, PhD
Dean
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
DENTISTRY 2022 >>>