Resident update June 2019
by Dr. Adam Sarnowski, 2nd year endodontics resident
Here at the VCU School of Dentistry, resident life has been a flurry of activity and excitement. In addition to literature, seminars, and patient care, we have been fortunate to participate in a wide variety of educational experiences over the past few months. In February, VCU hosted the annual “Endodontics Thank You CE Day” which included two fantastic lectures by Dr. Sarah Glass (D.D.S. ’14) and Dr. Steven Marinelli.
In April, six of our eight residents were able to attend the AAE annual meeting in Montreal. It was a great week full of topnotch lectures, friends, and food. Lots and lots of food. The highlight of the trip was Adam Polinsky’s 5th place award for his research poster presentation!
We returned to Richmond just as VCU hosted the annual “Legacy Day” at the end of April. Dr. Krell and Dr. Martignoni delivered two excellent presentations on cracked teeth and restoration of endodontically treated teeth. In addition to these CE courses, residents have been exposed to some of the newer innovations in endodontics. Sonendo provided a hands-on course with the GentleWave system, and research is currently being conducted on dynamic navigation access preparations using the Navident system.
First year residents, Drs. Alkanderi, Foisy, Pandez, and Saunders, recently made the annual trek to Philadelphia for the UPENN micro-surgical endodontic course. They are all eager to start performing surgical procedures on their own in the graduate clinic. Second year residents, Drs. Alhaddad, Holz, Polinsky, and Sarnowski, all successfully defended their thesis and presented their research at the annual VCU Clinic and Research Day in April. They also completed the ABE written boards and are now preparing for the joint mock oral boards in conjunction with the University of Maryland and NPDS.
Looking forward, the second-year resident graduation is just a few short weeks away. This year’s event will be held at the Omni Hotel in downtown Richmond. We look forward to sending off the second-year residents while welcoming all of the new first-year residents.
On behalf of all residents, I would like to personally thank each of those who have gone before us to make this residency program great, both from your examples as ambassadors of VCU in your respective communities, and in your giving back to your Alma Mater.
Your support for us in all of the great experiences we have while learning here in the residency truly makes VCU Dentistry a special place! Thank you.
