May 2009

Well, here we are close to the end of another academic year.  May is an exciting month, with the Classes of 2009 in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene preparing to celebrate with friends, family and faculty. Faculty members are encouraged to join in the celebrations, by attending the graduation dinners and convocation ceremonies:

Dentistry – May 22nd, 9:30 a.m. (Friday)
Dental Hygiene – May 21st, 2:30 p.m. (Thursday)

If you plan to attend, please contact Lorna Fraser in the Dean’s Office. I look forward to seeing you on these very special occasions.

It is also a time for the Faculty of Dentistry to recognize our accomplishments, and I would like to point out a number of special Faculty events and accomplishments:

Congratulations to Professor Cara Tax, who is the 2009 recipient of the W.W. Wood Award.  This ACFD award is given annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding excellence in dental education.  Well done Cara!

Congratulations to Dr. Yung Hua Li.  I have been advised that the Dalhousie University’s Board of Governors approved his  promotion to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure, in the Department of Applied Oral Sciences.

Congratulations to Dr. Debora Matthews, Dr. Richard Price and Dr. Mark Filiaggi.   Dalhousie University’s Board of Governors has approved their request for sabbatical leave.

Kudos to Drs. Matthews, McNally and Clovis on their Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry/Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre preentation:  “The Inconvenient Tooth:  A New Challenge for Baby Boomers - the challenges for addressing the oral health care needs of older adults” .  Dr. Matthews is highlighted in the recent CIHR Newsletter.

Kudos to Dr. Ben Davis and Ms. Greta Rasmusen, Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry for the approval of a Teaching and Learning with Technology Grant approval for their project entitled, “Minor Surgical Procedures in Dentistry”.

Congratulations to Dr. Ed Ghiabi on his appointment as an examiner in Periodontics for the RCDC.

I would like to recognize the following presentations at the IADR Annual Meeting April 1- 4, 2009 in Miami, Florida

1. “Mouse Model of Treponema denticola Infection” – SF Lee, E Andrian, E Rowland and IC Marquez.
2. “Examining Remineralized Lesions by Ram Microspectroscopy” – LP Choo-Smith, C Durand, P Qiu, C Fulton, CCS Dong, BM Cleghorn, M Hewko and MG Sowa.
3. “Infrared Spectroscopy – Shedding Diagnostic Light on Inflammatory Periodontal Diseases” – KZ Liem D Scott, X Xiang, A Man, A Cholakis, E Ghiabi, A Iacopino and MG Sowa.
   

The following presentations were given at the ADEA Meeting, March 13-18, 2009, in Phoenix, Arizona:

1. Evaluation of Outcomes of Tobacco Cessation Counseling (TCC) Within a Dental Hygiene Curriculum. Peggy Maillet, Cara Tax, Nancy Neish, Allison Denny, Dalhousie University.
2. The Effect of Supplemental Instruction on Powerbrush Efficiency. Peggy Maillet, Dalhousie University.
3. Construction and Validation of the Dentists Values Scale.  Angela Langille and Victor Catano, St. Mary’s University, Thomas Boran and Don Cunningham, Dalhousie University.

I have been informed that the Faculty of Dentistry has a success rate of 72% for NSERC Competition results and on-going grants.  Congratulations to our researchers!

 Under the capable direction of Dr. Kathy Russell, the final submission is being prepared for the Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University Special Edition of the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. I think everyone will enjoy this special edition and celebration of our Faculty. 

During our exit interviews with the DDS4, DH2 and BDH students, it was clearly articulated that our students are overwhelmingly pleased with the education they have received. On their behalf I wish to extend their thanks and appreciation to staff and faculty for always going the extra mile for the students and their educational experience. Congratulations to all faculty and staff on a job well done!

Congratulations to Dr. David Precious as recipient of the prestigious A. Gordon Archibald Alumnus of the Year Award.  This awards recognizes an extraordinary alumnus who has set a high standard for volunteerism and/or philanthropy to Dalhousie University.  Specifically, this award recognizes and pays tribute to those individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of Dalhousie through their dedication, generosity and commitment to the values of the University.  I hope everyone will join David in celebrating his award when he is honored at the Dalhousie University Annual Alumni Dinner on October 8, 2009.

Congratulations to Dr. Reg Goodday, Dr. Ron Bannerman and Dr. Archie Morrison as recipients of fellowship to the American College of Dentists for outstanding accomplishments, excellence and leadership in dentistry and dental education.

I would like to extend appreciation and congratulations to Professor Peggy Maillet, Director of the BDH Program on successful completion of the first year of this new program.  The class size will be significantly increased in 2009-2010, given the stronger applicant pool this year. Although there have been many highlights in the degree program, one of note is the further development of outreach programs.  The BDH students, under the direction of Professor Terry Mitchell, made substantial gains in vulnerable populations, in particular the area of the Cancer Care clinic. They were able to contribute with caregivers treating patients with various cancers, and the students contributions were well received.  I think this is a perfect example of dental/dental hygiene educational programs making a difference for vulnerable populations.

President Traves has approved our request for a Special Convocation for Dentistry and Dental Hygiene in 2012 in celebration of our 100th Anniversary.  The special convocation will be on Friday evening, May 25th, 2012, and preparations for this event have started.

The Federal and Provincial Governments have announced a $27 million dollar funding project for Dalhousie University under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.  These funds will be used for upgrades to the Life Sciences Building.

The university is developing an Internal Communications initiative under the direction of Jim Vibert, Assistant Vice President for Communications Services.  The goal of the program is to improve employee understanding, engagement and pride in Dalhousie.  The first part of this program is the Faculty/Staff Survey which was completed during the last week of March and first week of April.  The purpose of the survey was to help understand issues related to job satisfaction.  This will be one more tool for decision makers at all levels to understand what we’re doing well and what needs to change.  Stay tuned for the next phase.

The 2009-2010 budget continues to be a “work in progress”.  As a result of the University Dean’s Council information, I have asked all departments and units to submit a budget that would include a 2% cut.  This will ensure that we look at our budget in a very realistic way and develop strategies to deal with budget cuts.

Mike Conrad and I have been working with the Vice Presidents of Academic and Finance to develop a 5 year plan with 2% cuts in each year.  This is an exercise that the senior administration is using with all Faculties for future planning.  The exercise was most interesting and very educational on all fronts.  It provided us an opportunity to educate the Vice Presidents about the uniqueness of our Faculty and the impact of budget cuts.  Again the process has allowed us to do some long term planning and I think we are in a good position at this point.

This is a time of year when retirements are close at hand.  We would like to recognize Ms. Mary Wile on her contributions to the Faculty of Dentistry.  Please join me in extending our best wishes to Mary and a most enjoyable retirement.

I wish to extend my gratitude to all faculty and staff who participate actively on committees within the Faculty, on University and the community at large.  I want you to know your contributions are appreciated and are recognized.  Our members are well known as an involved, concerned, caring Faculty.  I thank you for that!

To end my report I leave you with this thought……..

The Power of Attitude

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.  A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes.  It is a catalyst…. a spark that creates extraordinary results.