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From Dean Carroll Ann Trotman

In this edition of First Thursday, we showcase our alums who won awards at the Ohio Dental Association (ODA) Annual Session last month. I want to thank David Owsiany, the ODA executive director, and the ODA staff for their hard work on the annual session, which offers something for everyone -- CE courses, competitions, and celebrations.

Importantly, the ODA also helps to shape the policies that improve the dental profession and the oral health of the general public. With that in mind, you will see a guest column by David in this newsletter. He discusses dental licensure reform and potential changes that would impact Ohio’s dental students and practitioners. I believe you will find it interesting and useful.

The annual session also included the presentation of “Awards for Excellence,” and several of our alumni were honored. Let me give a shout out to all of them, and you can read more in the newsletter below!

- The Joseph P. Crowley Distinguished Dentist Award, named in honor of another alum and past president of the ADA, Dr. Joe Crowley, was given to Dr. Sharon Parsons, a general dentist in Columbus.

- Dr. Michael Thomas, a general dentist in Canton, Ohio, won the ODA’s Achievement Award.

- The Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award was given to Dr. Jeffrey Yoest, a general dentist in Westerville, Ohio.

- And the Access to Dental Care Program Award was given to the Stowe Mission of Central Ohio, which provides free dental care to underserved members of the Columbus community. Founded by Dr. Dan Stowe, an alumnus of the Class of 1977, the Stowe Mission dental clinic has served citizens in need since it opened in 1980.

Other news includes the 2023 JADA Foundational Science Editors’ Choice Award that was given to Drs. Beall, Griffen, and Leys for their collaboration on a paper titled, “Silver diamine fluoride alters microbial communities in subsurface dentin.” Kudos to all!

And, as we do each month, this newsletter includes a faculty feature. We showcase Dr. Yi-Chu Wu, an Assistant Professor-Clinical in the Division of Periodontology who supports didactic and clinical instruction in the periodontal and implant curricula.

There is always a lot of good news to share, and I am proud to let you know what the members of our college community – and our outstanding alumni – have accomplished!

David Owsiany, JD; Executive Director, Ohio Dental Association

Update on Dental Licensure in Ohio

As a regular reader of the First Thursday newsletter, I was excited when Dean Trotman invited me to contribute some content to this month’s edition. I will provide an update on dental licensure reform, which has long been an interest of dental students, recent graduates, the dental education community, and many others.  

Dating back to the 1990s and early 2000s, Ohio was a North East Regional Board (NERB) exam-only state, meaning that the Ohio State Dental Board (OSDB) would only accept the results of the NERB Exam for the clinical testing portion of the initial dental licensure application. Dental school graduates who took other regional clinical exams (WREB, CRDTS, SRTA, etc.) could not easily get licensed in Ohio. This regional approach was common for many states and created unnecessary barriers to mobility for dentists. 

To remedy this situation, the Ohio Dental Association (ODA) worked to have legislation passed and signed into law in 2003 that requires the OSDB to accept the results of all regional clinical exams for initial licensure, not just the NERB exam. Subsequently, several other states followed Ohio’s lead in expanding testing options for dentists.

The momentum for dental licensure reform has continued in Ohio. For decades, the exams accepted by the OSDB required dental licensure candidates to perform procedures on live patients. Many commentators have questioned the ethics of using human subjects in order to test candidates’ competency. Moreover, since no two humans are identical, it is impossible to standardize human subjects anatomically, physiologically, pathologically, and psychologically so the use of human subjects in such testing is inherently unreliable.

For many years, the ODA advocated for clinical exams that use manikins, instead of human subjects, but the Ohio State Dental Board resisted this approach – until COVID. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and many dental facilities were restricted in their clinical offerings, it became problematic for recent dental school graduates who were not able to perform procedures on live patients for their clinical licensing exams so they would not be eligible for licensure. In response, the OSDB began accepting the results of manikin exams being offered by regional clinical testing agencies. Not surprisingly, the experience has been positive for all involved and now the Ohio State Dental Board understands the value of the manikin exams and continues to accept those results.            

In today’s mobile society, the next step in dental licensure reform will likely be the creation of a licensure compact, which allows dentists and dental hygienists who are already licensed in one compact state to access a more streamlined process to get practice privileges in any other state that has joined the dental licensure compact. In 2021-22, the Council of State Governments partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Dental Association, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and others to develop the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Model Legislation. A state must pass this model legislation to join the Compact. Three states – Tennessee, Iowa, and Washington – have already enacted the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact legislation this year while several others including Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio are currently considering such legislation. Ohio has already passed legislation to join similar licensure compacts for nurses and physicians. 

Senate Bill 40, which is Ohio’s Dentist and Dental Hygienist Licensure Compact legislation, was introduced in January of this year by Ohio Senator Kristina Roegner and unanimously passed the Ohio Senate in June. The ODA is pushing for the Ohio House of Representatives to take up the legislation this fall. Hopefully, other states will follow suit so dentists and dental hygienists will have true licensure portability across many states.  

Learn more about David Owsiany and the Ohio Dental Association.

Dentistry Alumni Receive Awards at ODA's 157th Annual Session

At this year's Ohio Dental Association (ODA) Annual Session, the Callahan Celebration of Excellence featured the presentation of numerous awards, including the Joseph P. Crowley Distinguished Dentist Award, which is the ODA's highest honor. Other prestigious awards were the ODA Achievement Award; the Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award; and the Access to Dental Care Program Award -- all of which were given in recognition of the efforts of the following College of Dentistry alumni.

Sharon Parsons, DDS '81, Receives Joseph P. Crowley Distinguished Dentist Award

Dr. Sharon Parsons is a general dentist in Columbus, Ohio, an alumna of the College of Dentistry's Class of 1981, and a past president of the Ohio Dental Association. As an active member of organized dentistry, she demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio. For her efforts, she received the 2023 Ohio Dental Association's Joseph P. Crowley Distinguished Dentist Award at the Callahan Celebration of Excellence, held in conjunction with the 157th ODA Annual Session.

Dr. Kyle Bogan, a general dentist in Delaware, Ohio, and a member of the Columbus Dental Society's Honors and Awards Committee, wrote a nomination letter on behalf of Dr. Parsons. He said, "Dr. Parson’s commitment, dedication, and leadership has had a positive impact on the way dentistry is practiced in Ohio, but also – and most notably – her leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio served as a model for the country.” After being presented with the award, Dr. Parsons said she is humbled and appreciative of this honor.

Learn more.

Michael Thomas, DDS '92, is Honored with Achievement Award

Dr. Michael Thomas earned his DDS degree from Ohio State's College of Dentistry in 1992, after which he entered private practice in Canton, Ohio. “My favorite part of being a dentist is providing great care for our patients; providing a supportive work environment for my staff; and being able to support my community,” he said.

An active member and past president of the Stark County Dental Society (SCDS), Dr. Thomas established the SCDS Veterans Program, which has provided more than $500,000 in dental care to over 100 U.S. veterans. He has also served in numerous philanthropic organizations that provide dental care to underserved members of the Canton community. Those include the Canton Community Clinic Leahy Dental Department for which he is a founder and a volunteer providing care for more than 1,000 dental patients in need.

Dr. Thomas received the Ohio Dental Association's Achievement Award for his personal and professional commitment to the dental profession and the public’s oral health, and for his service as an ambassador for the dental profession.

Learn more.

Jeffrey Yoest, DDS '80, is Presented with Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award

Dr. Jeffrey Yoest earned his DDS degree from the College of Dentistry in 1980. He continued his professional education by completing a General Practice Residency Program at the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and then went into private practice in Westerville, Ohio. After 41 years as a practicing dentist, he retired in 2022, but continued to provide dental care as a volunteer.

Dr. James Cottle, a faculty member in the College of Dentistry and Director of Community Education and Outreach, wrote a nomination letter on behalf of Dr. Yoest. He said, "Jeff has shown his commitment to the dental profession by faithfully volunteering his time to serve many patients in need. He has done this throughout his career and continues to do so today. He is the perfect example of someone who demonstrates the qualities our society expects from health care professionals.”

Commenting on the award that recognizes his dedication to helping the underserved, Dr. Yoest said, "I would encourage others to experience the satisfaction I have so enjoyed while volunteering. Time and effort invested in the welfare of others pays great dividends in so many unexpected ways.”

Learn more.

Dan Stowe, DDS '77, provides dental care for patients in need.

Stowe Mission occupies a 35,000 square foot facility in Columbus.

Stowe Mission Wins Access to Dental Care Program Award

The Stowe Mission of Central Ohio received the Ohio Dental Association's "Access to Dental Care Award" for the care it provides at no cost to dental patients in need. Founded in 1980 by Dr. Dan Stowe, an alumnus of the College of Dentistry's Class of 1977, the dental clinic is just one part of the larger organization that was created in 1967 by Dr. Stowe's father, Darty F. Stowe.

With the goal of serving Columbus's residents in need, the Mission operates a community kitchen, food pantry, dental clinic, vision clinic, pregnancy resource center, after-school program and weekly religious services.

The Mission's dental clinic is staffed by volunteer dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and students from dental programs at Columbus State Community College and The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.

Learn more.

Alumni Inducted as Members of the Pierre Fauchard Academy



The Ohio Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy held its annual meeting in conjunction with this year's Ohio Dental Association Annual Session.

Five members of the college alumni were inducted as Fellows of the Academy: Dr. Stacy L. Davis, Class of 1995 - a general dentist in Waverly, Ohio; Dr. James Lessick, Class of 1981 - a general dentist in Youngstown, Ohio; Dr. James Zimmerman, Jr., Class of 1976 - a general dentist in Toledo, Ohio; and Dr. James Zimmerman, III, Class of 2014 - a general dentist in Toledo, Ohio.

As Pierre Fauchard Academy Fellows, Dr. Davis, Dr. Lessick, and Drs. Zimmerman are recognized for their "contributions to the art and science of dentistry," and for their "dedication to service within the profession and around the world."

College Faculty Receive 2023 JADA Foundational Science Editors’ Choice Award

Three faculty members collaborated on a scholarly publication that has won this year's Editors’ Choice Award from the Journal of the American Dental Association Foundational Science (JADA FS). Those faculty are Clifford Beall, MS, PhD, Research Associate Professor; Eugene Leys, PhD, Professor in the Division of Biosciences; and Ann Griffen, DDS, MS, Chair of the Division of Biosciences.

Their award winning publication, Silver diamine fluoride alters microbial communities in subsurface dentin, investigates whether or not silver diamine fluoride alters the composition of carious surface biofilm microbial communities. Originally published in 2022, the paper was selected for the JADA FS Editor's Choice Award because it was ranked highest among the top three publications of the year.

JADA FS is the American Dental Association's new open-access, online only, interdisciplinary journal that publishes original research articles and reviews on a broad range of topics in dental, oral, and craniofacial health. Its aim is to highlight foundational science, as well as new and emerging scientific ideas, tools, and techniques as they are applied to research questions in oral and craniofacial health.

Yi-Chu Wu, DDS, MS

Assistant Professor-Clinical, Division of Periodontology

Dr. Wu is a recent graduate of Columbia University's College of Dental Medicine, where she received an MS degree and a certificate in periodontology. Prior to that, she earned a DDS degree from Taipei Medical University and completed a General Practice Residency program at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, both in Taipei, Taiwan. She is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. As a faculty member in the college, Dr. Wu is responsible for didactic and clinical instruction in the periodontal and implant curricula. In the Q and A below, Dr. Wu shares insights about her education and clinical training, and her passion for the dental profession.

Q: How did you become interested in a career as a dental professional?

A: When I first entered dental school, I didn’t know what to expect, but I found the profession most intriguing when I started patient care. The interactions with patients and my colleagues have led to long-term friendships and professional partnerships.

When I began providing care for patients, I was nervous and had butterflies in my stomach, but after a while I saw the positive impact I could have on the patients’ systemic health by helping them to lower their HbA1c levels, preventing potential necrosis of the jaw, and many other examples. The continuous, constructive feedback and support from my patients and colleagues made a big difference in my career. I was not only inspired about being a dentist, but I also wanted to become a specialist -- and even an academician. As an educator, I can encourage many up and coming young professionals in this career, and I can pass along some of the passion I feel for this profession!

Q: You have a DDS degree and GPR training from educational institutions in Taiwan, as well as an MS degree and a certificate in periodontology from Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine. Are there any significant differences between your educational experiences in the U.S. and Taiwan? 

A: The dental school systems in the U.S. and Taiwan are very different. For example, I spent six years in dental school in Taiwan. In the first two years of the curriculum, we went through courses such as physiology, general anatomy, and internal medicine, together with medical students. Then my internship and General Practice Residency patient care happened in a hospital and/or a private practice setting. There were rotations among all of the dental specialties, as well as the hospital emergency room, the general surgery operating room (OR), the head and neck cancer OR, the oral and maxillofacial surgery OR, patient wards, the internal medicine clinic, and more.

I still remember the days when I would get a call at 3:00 a.m. for trauma patients. And there were other days when we did jaw resections, neck dissections, and femur flap reconstruction for 18 hours. The vision is to cultivate dentists with holistic training in oral health and in general health. Having such extensive experiences prepared me to pursue further education and training as a periodontist. Periodontics is one of the specialties that is very closely related to systemic health due to the nature of periodontal disease. My academic and clinical training enable me to use my medical training, together with my experience working in a hospital setting, to collaborate inter-professionally with physicians and provide holistic care for my patients. 

Q: After completing your General Practice Residency training, what prompted you to pursue an advanced education program in periodontology?

A: During my General Practice Residency training, I had opportunities to work with patients who had compromised or critical systemic health conditions. By managing their oral health, I saw how their systemic health improved over time. I feel a great sense of purpose in my efforts to promote awareness of the fact that oral health care has an impact on the oral cavity and the whole body. That is one of the great causes in our profession, especially periodontics. As health care providers, we are empowered to make a difference in the health of our patients due to the intricacies of periodontitis pathogenesis and the state of chronic inflammation. This also led me to conduct research in the field of innate immunity in periodontitis and systemic chronic inflammation. The oral cavity is the gateway to the body. As dentists, we are the gate keepers and we are at the forefront of health. The education and training of a periodontist strongly supports such a vision. We constantly ask ourselves why a certain health condition is happening. There is science behind the art of providing patient care.

Q: What was it that interested you most about joining the faculty at Ohio State’s College of Dentistry?

A: This College of Dentistry boasts strong clinical training programs and a prestigious group of faculty. Both the college and the Division of Periodontology have a strong legacy, and I am tremendously excited to be part of this big academic family. The divisions in the college work closely together and the collegial environment is indeed a positive experience.

Q: Was there anything that surprised you after moving to Columbus and becoming a member of the “Buckeye nation”?

A: Columbus features a very vibrant young professional community. I have made many friends since I moved here. There are many charming neighborhoods in different parts of the city. Each of them has its own culture and vibe. It is fun to explore little boutiques and cafes in these neighborhoods. And, of course, the football craze is tremendous. It brings the entire city together!

Q: You have participated in the American Academy of Periodontology’s Leadership, Engagement, Action, and Development (LEAD) Program that develops future leaders in periodontology. What did you feel was the greatest benefit of that program?

A: The program is presented by current leaders in the periodontology profession. It was an amazing experience to learn from these elites who come from all backgrounds. I learned about management skills for various settings, such as academics, private practice, in educational foundations, in the military, and in organized dentistry. I also learned that it “takes a village” to make successful projects, and how important it is to form a team in which everyone contributes their best. The program leaders’ passion for propelling the future of periodontology is beyond description. They not only lead for the present time, but they also plan for the future and anticipate where the profession is heading.

One of the great gems of the program is the co-participants. Everyone has a strong educational background and an even stronger passion for the profession. I have met many friends and developed working relationships I am grateful for. After all, it is the people who provide the best scenery on any journey!

Q: Your role as a faculty member includes teaching and clinical instruction in implants and periodontics. Which student groups do you teach? And what do you find most rewarding and most challenging about those responsibilities?

A: I spend most of the clinical teaching time with pre-doctoral dental students. I also direct the "Periodontology I" course and provide lectures on other periodontal or surgery-related subjects. The audience includes dental students and many residents, ranging from orthodontics, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, and periodontics. The most rewarding moments in teaching are when I see the lightbulb come on in the learner’s head. I enjoy guiding students to learn and think critically and always ask why a particular health-related issue is happening. Dentistry is certainly a combination of art and science. As dentists we base our work on science, which is the rationale of our profession, and we deliver care to our patients in the form of art. 



Q: Are there any other insights you'd like to share?

A: Science, education, and patient care are the pillars of my career. My vision of a successful educator in dentistry encompasses a harmonious blend of evidence-based clinical practice, enthusiasm for teaching and research, and effective communication and organizational skills. Engaging in teaching commitments has taught me to appreciate knowledge translation and its impact on shaping future clinicians. The teaching experience has humbled me, leading me to seek out ways to identify students who require tailored education. I envision myself as an educator who fosters the integration of knowledge with patient care, bridging the gap between classroom learning and chair-side patient management, as well as translating scientific evidence into clinical application.