Dear DrBicuspid Member,
Faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry are divided over the appointment of the interim dean selected to replace the former dean after he left in July to head Ohio State University's dental school.
Some say school administrators disregarded input from faculty and students during the selection process. But others point to the many contributions the new dean has already made to the school.
Click here to read what is fueling this debate and what school officials and faculty intend to do next.
In other news, a U.S. judge this week blocked new regulations that would require tobacco companies to display graphic images on cigarette packs, saying the tobacco companies would likely prevail in a lawsuit challenging the requirement as unconstitutional. Read more.
And two Dental Heroes are in the spotlight this week:
Michael Fitterling, DDS, a Missouri dentist whose office was destroyed by the tornado that devastated Joplin last May, is now helping the local high school recover from its losses -- including getting singer-songwriter Barry Manilow to donate $300,000 in musical instruments to the school's devastated music department. Read more.
William Magee, DDS, never intended to start a charity. But a trip to the Philippines in 1982 to help children with cleft palate and cleft lip led to Operation Smile, which today has a presence in 60 countries worldwide and has performed more than 200,000 free surgeries and more than 2 million patient evaluations.
Finally, today is the last day for nominations for the 2012 DrBicuspid Dental Excellence Awards. Click here to nominate your favorite dental educator, mentor, product, or topic. The nomination round closes at midnight tonight!
