Dr. Gordon J. Christensen Appointed Dean of The New Scottsdale Center For Dentistry

The Scottsdale Center for Dentistry is delighted to announce that the eminent clinician and educator Gordon J. Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD, has accepted the position of Dean of the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry.
Dr. Christensen will develop a world-class continuing education facility that will provide all forms of CE including lectures, seminars and hands-on courses in every area of dental activity. Says Dr. Christensen, “When you combine a facility that features the ultimate in dental technology with a philosophy of offering unbiased, high quality and affordable education, I truly believe the result will be a major positive advancement in dental education. To be the Dean of this world-class learning facility is an awesome responsibility and I feel both motivated and excited as I accept this challenge.”

Gordon Christensen and Imtiaz Manji have worked together in education for many years, and their mutual involvement in the leadership of the Scottsdale Center is the result of those many years of activity.
Over a transitional period, Dr. Christensen will take leadership of curriculum and faculty development at the Center which he plans to start immediately. "I have been pleased to be a consultant for the original development of the center and its philosophy over several years. Much work has been done by many experts on the physical facility and the plans for curriculum and faculty,” he says, “And I am excited about the potential of the direction that’s been taken. My goal is to accelerate this project so that in the weeks and months to come the center can provide dentists, dental specialists dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental technicians with ideal choices about both the subjects and the depth of their continuing education.” Dr. Christensen will continue to administer his Practical Clinical Courses (PCC) organization in Utah, and continue his involvement with CRA Foundation as a consultant, advisor, evaluator and speaker.

The $50 million, 65,000 square foot Scottsdale Center is undoubtedly the right venue for excellence. No effort or expense was spared to make the facility a world-leader in offering the finest broad based, unbiased, and complete continuing education for the dental profession. Features include a 278-stadium style auditorium equipped for filming and broadcasting, a fully functional six operatory dental practice of the future, a 10 operatory and 36 lab bench training facility and many other innovations and amenities to help make the Center among the most innovative teaching facilities in the world. .

Nazir Haroon Ahmad

Nazir Haroon Ahmad is currently a student at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry and is set for a May 2008 graduation. Nazir is President of the 2008 class and is involved with many student research projects including SCADA. He was honored for his 2006 research “Recovery Following Third Molar Surgery: OHIP vs. HRQOL” A member of the dean’s list since 2004, Nazir is involved in several dental societies, and volunteers his time to several community organizations such as Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinics and Habitat for Humanity. Nazir is also pursuing an on-line 15-credit hour program of study in Core Public Health Concepts to be completed in 2009.

Dr. James B. Bramson has served as the Chief Executive Officer for the American Dental Association since 2001. He held many leadership roles in his career including Executive Director of the Massachusetts Dental Society and served in many leadership capacities for the American Dental Association. A 1979 Graduate of the University of Iowa, Dr. Bramson participated in the SCADA program in 1977. He served as the President of SCADA in 2001. Dr. Bramson is an active presenter and has authored eight different books on dental office management, operations, design and economics. He is the recipient of numerous awards and an active member in several dental organizations.

Dr. Douglas J. Brothwell

Dr. Douglas J. Brothwell currently serves as Director of the Centre for Community Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dr. Brothwell’s career focuses on teaching, public dental health and dental research. He is an active lecturer and has authored numerous articles. Dr. Brothwell provides dentistry to many individuals through his public health dentistry programs and has served as the team leader of “Project Ghana”, a dental humanitarian mission to Ghana, Africa. He participated in the SCADA program in 1983 and was also a recipient of the Henry M. Thornton/SCADA Fellowship in 1996.

Dr. Rafel R. Gomes

Dr. Rafel R. Gomes graduated from the Federal University of Minas Gerias School of Dentistry in Brazil in 2006. He is currently enrolled in the UFMG School of Medicine pursuing a medical degree to be completed on 2012. Dr. Gomes competed in the SCADA program in 2005 and continues a research-focused academic career today. He had published several article and abstracts on a variety of subjects. Honors Society and induction into the Biomedical Engineering Honors Society.

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Dr. Thomas John Giusto

Dr. Thomas John Giusto earned his DDS from the State University of New York at Stonybrook in 1995 and currently serves as a clinical Assistant Professor at the New Jersey Dental School. He maintains a private practice limited to periodontics in Springfield and Branchburg, New Jersey. Additionally, Dr. Giusto serves in the area of dental forensic identification as needed. He participated in the SCADA program in 1995 and was the sole recipient of the Henry M. Thornton award in 1995. Dr. Giusto is an accomplished lecturer and has published many articles. He is also very active in several dental societies and is a Past President of the Union County Dental Society in Union County, New Jersey.

Dr. Aminia Khan

Dr. Aminia Khan received her BDS degree from the University of Birmingham Dental School in 2006. She has worked in various positions in dental offices since 2002. While in school Dr. Khan was the recipient of several dental research focused awards. In 2006, she participated in the BDA/DENTSPLY Student Clinician Research competition with a research project entitled “The Effects of Load and Toothpaste on the Vibration Characteristics of Powered Toothbrushes.” The results of this research were published in the Journal of Dentistry, 2007.

Dr. Takashi Komabayashi

Dr. Takashi Komabayashi earned his Ph.D. in dental materials at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Dr. Komabayashi is in a 36-month combined program leading to a Certificate of Proficiency in Endodontics and a Master of Dental Science degree with the Department of Endodontology at the University of Connecticut Health Science Center. Previously, he was enrolled in the International Dentist Program at the University of California at San Francisco, an advanced standing DDS program for foreign-trained dentists and graduated in June of 2005. During that time, he worked as a research associate for the Division of Biomaterials and Bioengineering in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences at the University of California at San Francisco. He is also an active volunteer in efforts to promote the benefits of preventive dentistry. A 1998 graduate of the Hiroshima University School of Dentistry, he represented the University in the 1997 SCADA program where he won the second place award. Dr. Komabayashi received the 2005 Henry M. Thornton/SCADA Fellowship Award and is a member of several dental societies and associations.

Dr. Keith V. Krill

Dr. Keith V. Krill is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Endodontics at the University of Iowa. He also operates a private endodontics practice in Des Moines. A Diplomat of the American Board of Endodontists, Dr. Krill currently serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Endodontics – Scientific Advisory Panal. Since 1984, he served as a judge in the Clinical Application and Techniques Category of the ADA/DENTSPLY Student Research Clinician Program. In 1978, he became a SCADA member having represented the University of Iowa with his clinic, “Common Potential Health Hazards in the Operatory: Practical Solutions.” Dr. Krill claimed the Alan J. Davis/SCADA award.

Dr. Michael Lim

Dr. Michael Lim not only practices dentistry seven days a week, he is also known as “The Traveling Gourmet”, a writer and editor for a well-known Travel, Food & Wine journal. When not performing dentistry, Dr. Lim travels world, to study food and wines. The government of France recently sent him to the regions of Champagne, Beaujolais and Cotes du Rhone to sample the best foods and wines these areas have to offer. The below web address will lead you to Dr. Lim’s exclusive interview with Connaisseur, Romanai's top gourmet food and wine magazine: http://www.vinul.ro/interviu_michael_lim.html

Fredric C. Mazza

Fredric C. Mazza attends the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey where he is a third year student anticipating a May 2008 graduation. Ranked eighth in his class, Fredric earned the First Place Award in his school’s Michael P. Balbo Dental Exposition in 2005 and 2006. In addition, Frederick worked as a research assistant, teaching assistant and tutor. He participates in the Decision for Dentistry program, which mentors high school students considering a career in dentistry, and has been a member of SCADA since 2005 as well as a member of the American Student Dental Association.

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Dr. Llewellyn Powell

Dr. Llewellyn Powell graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry in June of 1986. Dr. Powell maintains a private practice in Hernando, Mississippi while also serving as an assistant professor of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center School of Dentistry. He is a member of several dental societies and held numerous leadership positions within these societies. Dr. Powell competed in the SCADA program in 1985 as a student at the University of Mississippi. He has authored several clinical articles and lectures at both local and national dental meetings.

Dr. Dmitri Ruzanov

Dr. Dmitri Ruzanov is a 2006 graduate of the University of Tartu where he is currently enrolled in the prosthodontic residency program. He is an ICP Affiliate Student Member and involved in www.100mat.ru as a dental forum administrator. When not engaged in dentistry, Dr. Ruzanov enjoys reading, weight training and martial arts.

Dr. Jolanta Sauer

Dr. Jolanta Sauer is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Louisville School Of Dentistry.
Dr. Sauer participated in SCADA competitions in 2003, 2004 and 2005 while a student at the University of Louisville achieving first place in 2004. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Pierre Fauchard Academy Award for outstanding academic achievements in dentistry. She continues to participate in dental research projects at the university and is a member of several dental organizations.

Mr. Theodore G. Schrubbe

Mr. Theodore G. Schrubbe is a member of the Marquette University School of Dentistry, Class of 2008. He participated in the SCADA program in 2006 earning the Grand Prize for his poster competition in February 2006. He also participated in other research-based programs within the university. Theodore served as a laboratory assistant and research assistant throughout his academic career.

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Dr. Franz-Gregor Schmid

Dr. Franz-Gregor Schmid graduated from the University of Wüy in 2004 and went on to complete his doctorate in April of 2006 in Periodontology. The subject of his thesis was “Influence of Electrical Fields on the Efficacy of the Removal of Streptococcus Sanguinis Biofilms.” Since 2004, he works in both private practice and the university setting. He represented his school at the 2005 SCADA program in Berlin.

Dr. Shalin R. Shah

Dr. Shalin R. Shah is a 2006 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He is currently pursuing a course in Orthodontics and a Masters of Science from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Shah participated in the SCADA program in 2004, and has been involved in several other clinical research competitions. He served in leadership roles for the American Student Dental Association and Crest Healthy Smiles.

Dr. Pranjal Sharma

Dr. Pranjal Sharma is a graduate of the Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences in Bangalore, India. He represented his school in the 9th DENTSPLY-IDA Student Clinician Research Program in January 2006.
He received the honor of the “Best Scientific Paper Award” at the National Seminar of Oral Medicine and Radiology conducted by the Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology in December 2006. Dr. Sharma participated and presented at several national and regional dental science programs. He is a member of the “Help Age India” program and has won awards in several singing competitions.

Dr. Prema Sukumaran

Dr. Prema Sukumaran is a 2006 graduate of the University of Malaya, Malaysia. Dr. Sukumaran represented Malaysia (UM) and the South East Asia Region for the SCADA Clinic Presentation at the 47th American Dental Association Annual Scientific Session in Las Vegas, USA. She also participated in several other dental research programs while a student and is an accomplished athlete.

Dr. Steven Andreaus

Raleigh, North Carolina dentist, Dr. Steven Andreaus, will bicycle 750 miles from Murphy, NC to Manteo, North Carolina in October 2007 to raise public awarness about oral cancer. A member of SCADA since 1986, Dr. Andreaus graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1988.

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