School of Dentistry News

Dental Alumni Board announces 2013 Alumni Award recipients

Robert Legel, D.D.S.

Robert Legel, D.D.S. '54

Colleen Kuxhaus

Colleen Kuxhaus '73, '84, '10

Sherif Badr, D.D.S.

The Dental Alumni Board of Directors are pleased to announce the 2013 Alumni Award recipients. These prestigious alumni awards were presented at the annual Alumni Day on April 26, 2013. The Alumnus of the Year is Robert Legel, D.D.S. '54. The Allied Alumnus of the year is Colleen Kuxhaus '73, '84, '10, and the Honorary Alumnus of the Year is Sherif Badr, D.D.S. The Alumni-of-the-Year Awards Committee is seeking candidates for the 2014 Alumni Awards.

Submit a nomination for next year's awards.

UDM Dental helps local children through "Give Kids a Smile"

Many children in Detroit have a lot more to smile about. With the help of dentists, dental hygienists, faculty, staff and students, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry provided free oral health care services to more than 150 children from low-income families on Feb. 2, hosted by the School of Dentistry on the School's Corktown Campus. Designed for children ages four through 16, "Give Kids A Smile" has been a success for the past decade. The children get comprehensive dental care on the day and are provided vouchers to come back to the UDM Dental Clinic to continue the free care thereafter. Participants take home a free oral health kit containing toothpaste and floss. This year's program received a $5,000 grant from the Delta Dental Foundation.

Continuing education courses available

The School is pleased to offer an exciting lineup of courses. Click to register or for
complete course information including course tuition and descriptions.

Orthodontic Residents Excel

The Orthodontic Department has achieved a 100% pass rate for all residents on the written part of the specialty board exam for the past 15 years.

Dental Class of 2012 #1 in the Nation

UDM’s School of Dentistry Class of 2011 earned a 100% pass rate for the National Dental Board Part I Examination. This is the first time the School has had a 100% first-time pass rate, which places the UDM School of Dentistry #1 in the nation.

School Increases First-year Class

The School of Dentistry increased its first-year class size from 96 to 144 students (two cohorts of 72 students) for fall term 2012. To support the increase in students, the School enhanced its facilities with the addition a new simulation laboratory and 21 operatories.

Other Dental Programs Expand

The Student Research Program expanded to 40 pre-doctoral students and 18 faculty mentors. Students work with faculty in basic biomedical science, clinical dental materials and educational research projects.

The “Explorations in Dentistry” program also expanded from 20 to 32 students. The program provides undergraduate students who are interested in dentistry experiences in basic dental principles and activities.

Dental Hygiene Program

UDM's Dental Hygiene students consistently rank well above the national average in passing the National Board and state licensing examinations on the first attempt. The dental hygiene curriculum includes seven classes that are combined with dental students providing an opportunity for future dental hygienists and dentists to begin developing a team approach to practice.

Distinguished Faculty

Professor of Dentistry Richard Kulbersch, D.D.S., is the co-recipient of the 2012 UDM Distinguished Faculty Award.