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Meet the new dean

New College of Dentistry Dean Isabel Garcia answers our questions in this Q&A.

Why did you want to come to UF?

One of the top reasons is that UF is an academic powerhouse. But I was also attracted by UF’s proud history as a land grant university and the great diversity of its programs and opportunities. Coming to UF is the realization of what many people can only hope for — finding an ideal environment for interdisciplinary learning and cooperation, a vibrant collegiate environment and great weather (yes, even in July!). I was also keen to join UF as a place where diversity is embraced in the broadest sense to include racial and ethnic identity but also diversity of thought and diversity of life experience.  The College of Dentistry is especially strong among dental schools in the nation — drawing on its unparalleled opportunities as part of UF Health. Being a part of such an exceptional team and having an opportunity to support the visionary efforts of the entire university and its leaders is a real privilege.

Describe your early experiences as a dean.

I have received a wonderful and warm welcome to The Gator Nation. It’s been an exciting, fast-moving and rewarding experience so far. I have found that the college is an easy place for people to work together, to learn together, to provide care together and to achieve together. I have also found a network of very supportive colleagues, faculty, staff and fellow deans who have helped me get settled into the job. During these past few months, I have watched our faculty and students provide care to some of the neediest people in our community, present their research and pull together to support the college every single day. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting our alumni and learning about their selfless devotion to the college. I was even serenaded by a group of our students during my first day on the job. How can you beat that?

What kind of leader are you?

Much of my work, especially during the past 21 years while I was in the U.S. Public Health Service, involved collaborating within and across professional boundaries, creating partnerships and forming alliances with professional and community groups, patient advocates, industry, small businesses and the public sector. I enjoy creating an environment where people can be successful and where, despite our diverse backgrounds and points of view, we are driven by the common goal of improving health. As a dean, I have the responsibility to provide guidance, inspiration and strength. I do what I expect others to do. I am adaptable, but uncompromising when it comes to doing the right thing and expecting high-quality work and dedication.

What are your goals for your tenure as dean?

As a new dean, it’s essential for me to listen and learn. My job is to formulate a unified, inclusive, collaborative and transparent vision for the college that draws on its rich history and success. To continue to thrive, I think we have to excel and have balance in all of three parts of our mission: education, research and patient care. I hope to create an environment where risk-taking is acceptable and innovation is rewarded, while maintaining a vibrant curriculum and clinical enterprise. I also see a vital need for closer integration between dental education, clinical care and research. I want to have our college lead the way in creating greater cross-talk and collaborations among educators, clinicians and scientists, increasing diversity and ultimately helping to integrate dentistry more fully into the fold of primary care.

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the UF Health The POST.

Cosmetic Dentistry Offered by Finest Mount Pleasant Dentists & Dental Office

Supplying children's dental care in Mount Pleasant, SC, we're a family-oriented practice that cares about youngsters. Bring your whole family, because we provide each member of the family the customized care they need, just as if they were our own. We provide your kids with the latest improvements in dental technology. With our comprehensive training and experience, you will know that your household is receiving the finest quality dental care. Regardless of the age, your children will always be at ease and feel comfortable with the care we provide.

We wish your children to maintain their natural teeth for life. We educate and help them to acquire appropriate dental hygiene habits. We are additionally a fun dental office that kids enjoy coming back to. We welcome them for all their appointments, from their very first time through all their teenage years.

Top Dental Schools

Here is a short article from an old friend of mine that had high dreams of dental or medical school::

From the time my goldfish died when I was five, I knew that I wanted to become a doctor to save lives or dentist to save teeth. The distinction between dentist, doctor and veterinarian, fortunately, wasn't very clear to me at that time. I wanted to be able to save the lives of people and animals or their teeth. I envisioned going to one of the top medical or dental schools in the world, getting excellent grades, and finding a way to bring dead goldfish back to life. Unlike many childhood whimsies, however, this fantasy lasted me long enough to get me through high school. My dream of going to a top dentistry or medical school was still intact when I got my diploma.

Unfortunately, college was hard for me. Part of it was the fact that I wasn't used to working hard. I was so good at high school that I never had to do any work to get perfect grades. In college, I was suddenly swamped by the amount of work that I had. I was quickly overwhelmed. It was more than that, however. I was very sick for much of my college career, and it took its toll on my grade. I still wanted to be a dentist or doctor, but I knew that I was in no place to go to one of the top medical or dentists universities in America. My grades simply were not good enough.

For a while, I slipped into despair. I drank heavily. The thought of going to a second rate medical/dental college had never occurred to me. I figured that if I couldn't go to the top medical or dental schools, I might as well give up on my dreams of being a doctor altogether. After all, what was the point in getting a second-rate education? I had gone to a good high school and a good college. It would be humiliating for me to go to a so-so dentistry or medical school.

Then I thought about it again. Getting into one of the top dentist and medical schools would have been great, but not being able to get into one was not the end of the world. After all, a university does not have to be a top dental/medical school to teach you how to be a doctor. Not everyone who succeeded in life went to the top schools. I realized that I had another chance to make something of myself. Even without the top medical or dental schools, I could still be a success.

Dental Fillings – White Fillings vs Silver Amalgam

Dental fillings are restorative materials used by dentists to fill cavities and repair broken or worn out teeth. The fillings serve to restore the form, function and integrity of the tooth structure that has suffered structural loss due to external trauma, caries or any other reason. Today, various kinds of dental fillings are available including white fillings and silver amalgam ones.
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White Fillings vs. Silver Amalgam
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White Filling
A white filling, also known as a ‘Composite resin’ filling is a mixture of powdered glass and a plastic resin. It could also be composed of real ‘porcelain’. The color of the filling resembles that of the tooth. On exposure to blue light, the white filling tends to harden. Often, it is self-hardening in nature. White filling is relatively new to dentistry in comparison with its counterpart, Silver amalgam. It seems like many of the dentists like https://smileworks.us are now promoting it rather than just saying it is an option for filling cavities.

Pros and Cons

Since the white filling is tooth-colored, its main advantage is related to aesthetics and cosmetic improvements. Once the filling is done, the tooth looks much like before which is good for one’s self-image. Shades of this filling can be blended according to requirements of specific patients. The Composite resin is bio-compatible and can be filled in with precision. However, this type of filling can prove to be an expensive option to explore. In fact, white filling can cost up to two times the cost of the silver one. Often, Composite fillings tend to wear out soon.

Silver Amalgam
This type of filling is basically a mercury alloy and is more commonly used. It consists of about 50% mercury along with silver, tin, copper and some trace metals. This filling has been used for ages, representing the traditional way of restoring tooth damage.

Pros and Cons

Since mercury is a toxic material, questions always arise about the ‘safety’ of the Silver filling, shrouding it in controversy. In comparison with the white filling, a silver filling is easier and quicker to place in the tooth, especially in case of children. In contrast with the white filling, an amalgam one is tolerant of a number of clinical conditions during placement. The dentist has to be more careful while placing the white filling due to its sensitivity to certain clinical factors. Also, the silver amalgam filling is comparatively more economical and durable, lasting for several years longer than the counterpart.

Both, white and silver fillings come with their inherent advantages and disadvantages. It is best to pick after consulting with your dental practitioner for maximum benefit.