Lasting Impressions | Fall 2017

CDM Impressions NSU COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE © 13 12 © NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Sayin said the endowed professorship allowed him to stay in academia. “It gave me the opportunity to start and progress with my research projects, as well as my growth in academia, in leadership throughout the years,” he said. “And, as a result, I think that’s one of the reasons I’m the chair of the department.” Reflecting on the department’s accomplishments, Sayin said he is particularly proud of the established program that lets residents serve a rotation at partner dental schools in Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, or Spain accompanied by several faculty members. Students from those schools also visit the CDM for a week for training by the endodon- tics faculty. The surgical externship program led to the creation of an annual international meeting on endodontics at the CDM in May. Sayin said one of his goals is to host a large Latin American endodontic meeting in Miami and offer continu- ing education courses. Another goal is to develop CDM global courses in which faculty members travel to several countries to educate dentists on endodontics. Then, the students would come to the CDM at NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/ Davie Campus for more education. Namerow praised Sayin’s leadership in reaching out to Latin American countries. “Perhaps I planted the seed,” Namerow said. “But he’s moving it a lot further than I would at this point.” Jose Francisco Barros, D.D.S., M.S., a Miami endodontist and graduate of the CDM endodontics program’s first class (1997–1999), taught at the college and worked alongside Sayin. “I’m very impressed with his training and his moving through academia by way of his starting in Turkey and continuing his studies in endodontics in Europe and later the United States,” Barros said. He sees many similarities between Sayin and Namerow. “Both are leaders in the College of Dental Medicine. Both are very soft-spoken individuals and yet very driven. Both shoot for excellence in the profes- sion,” Barros said. He cited Sayin’s dedication to the externship program in Latin America, improved relationships with the CDM, and the annual inter- national meeting as hallmarks of his time as chair of the endodontics department. Mark A. Limosani, D.M.D., M.S., a Weston endodontist who graduated from the CDM’s endodontics program in 2011 and is a past president of the endodontics alumni board, described Sayin as “a very kind, soft-spoken man” who also is “cutting-edge, forward-thinking, and very thoughtful in his approach.” Limosani added, “There is never a challenge too big for him to tackle. He’s a great person to have as the face of the program.” Namerow said Sayin is the right person to chair the endodontics department. “He definitely is a career aca- demician. He’s young. He’s bright. And I think he’s defi- nitely going to take this program to the next level and keep it nationally recognized as one of the better postgraduate endodontics programs,” he pointed out. Namerow is active in the endodontics department, teaching three days a week. “I love teaching,” he said. “It is very gratifying to make a difference in one’s life. There are very few professions that can make that claim. Those things are what drive me and keep me involved in education.” And, Namerow said he has no plans to retire. The RV tour around the United States, which he and his wife planned for when he retired from private practice in New Jersey almost 20 years ago but put on hold when he came to the CDM, will have to wait. “I’ve been doing it quite a while,” Namerow said. “I think it keeps me young. I don’t see myself stopping unless I feel I can’t contribute anymore.” u Third-year dental student Danny Young reviews X-rays with Kenneth Namerow, left, and Taner Cem Sayin. continued from page 11 Linda C. Niessen , D.M.D., M.P.H., M.P.P., the CDM’s dean, discussed the existence of a “cavity gene” in a televised Health Beat news item that aired on multiple NBC affiliates around the United States. In the segment, Niessen said, “Dental research is showing us that, in fact, some people are much more prone to tooth decay or dental cavities than others,” she said. “We saw it increasing in adults ages 21 to 64, and we saw it in adults over age 65.” Niessen also discussed how early and regular checkups can actually be lifesaving. “An infection in the mouth can, in fact, lead to an infection in the bloodstream, which can lead to death,” she said. The segment, produced by Ivanhoe Productions with the help of the NSU Division of Public Relations and Marketing Communications, can be viewed on YouTube and also at click2houston.com/health /researcher-says-cavity-gene-may-exist . u DEAN FEATURED IN TELEVISED HEALTH SEGMENT William B. Parker , D.D.S., associate dean for postgraduate education, completed the second year of his four-year appointment to serve on the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs. Parker is one of 16 members on the council and is chair of the periodontology subcommittee. The council is charged with serving the public, the dental pro- fession, and other health professions as a source of timely, relevant information on the science of dentistry and promotion of oral health. The council develops the ADA’s biennial research agenda and ensures that there is a sound evidence base for clinical practice guidelines, science policies, and position statements. The council also evaluates the safety and effectiveness of professional dental products. Additionally, Parker served as the council’s liaison to the Council on Dental Education and Licensure during its review and modifica- tions to the ADA Guidelines on Sedation and Anesthesia. u ASSOCIATE DEAN ON SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL Donovan Essen , D.D.S., was elected president of the Treasure Coast Dental Society for the 2017–2018 term. He serves on the Florida Dental Association’s Leadership Development Committee and is a delegate to the Florida Dental Association and the Atlan- tic Coast District Dental Association. He also represents the dentists of Broward, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties. Essen has served as a faculty member at the CDM and at Westchester Medical Center. His practice, Essen Dentistry, is in Palm City, where he focuses on implant and cosmetic dentistry. u DENTAL SOCIETY PRESIDENT ELECTED