“i feel that our education was better than many other dental schools,” says Dr. Hylan. “the faculty at CWrU taught me how <strong>to</strong> think about problems and clinical situations. i had pr<strong>of</strong>essors who explained <strong>to</strong> me that what i was learning would be out <strong>of</strong> date or changed in 5 <strong>to</strong> 10 years. therefore, i needed <strong>to</strong> be able <strong>to</strong> analyze a problem or situation and figure out a solution. th<strong>is</strong> was, <strong>to</strong> a degree, how i came up with our treatment delivery system and workstations.” Dr. Hylan explains that as far as friends’ and colleagues’ response <strong>to</strong> h<strong>is</strong> gift <strong>to</strong> the school, “they are very impressed, though i don’t really care about that. But ... they are impressed. and my wife s<strong>us</strong>an (tabakin, WrC ’77) … she loves <strong>to</strong> tell people about our donation. “When i was in dental school one <strong>of</strong> the best pr<strong>of</strong>essors was Ronald Occhionero, D.D.S., ‘61 (now associate dean for admin<strong>is</strong>tration). yet i doubt that many <strong>of</strong> my classmates appreciated h<strong>is</strong> geni<strong>us</strong>. Dr. occhionero taught <strong>us</strong> about systems in a dental <strong>of</strong>fice and how <strong>to</strong> run an <strong>of</strong>fice. even <strong>to</strong>day, i am not sure that the students truly realize what they have at CWrU. ”the school has a great teaching system,” he adds. “Having a system can make the difference between having a good life and a dream life. it <strong>is</strong> subtle… but it <strong>is</strong> also huge. By donating our treatment delivery systems, i am hoping <strong>to</strong> make a difference 8 x school <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dental</strong> medicine in how doc<strong>to</strong>rs are able <strong>to</strong> practice. What we donated <strong>is</strong> not j<strong>us</strong>t equipment …it’s an entire system that allows the doc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong> practice efficiently and effortlessly.” Technology standardizes outcomes according <strong>to</strong> Dr. shellard, chief marketing <strong>of</strong>ficer & direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> b<strong>us</strong>iness development for Carestream <strong>Dental</strong> in atlanta, the CBCt machine <strong>is</strong> intended <strong>to</strong> “provide graduate Edward Shellard, students with the D.M.D., ’87 ability <strong>to</strong> experience an improved level <strong>of</strong> technological and diagnostic excellence.” He notes that being able <strong>to</strong> work and learn in a 3-D environment can revolutionize teaching and ultimately, clinical practice. “the added dimension <strong>of</strong> the Carestream CBCt <strong>to</strong>ol will help residents and fellows do a better job in their clinics,” he says. “if they can see procedures more clearly, it <strong>is</strong> hoped that th<strong>is</strong> will improve their technique and standardize outcomes. the third dimension in th<strong>is</strong> environment adds so much <strong>to</strong> patient care as well,” says Dr. shellard. What th<strong>is</strong> really means <strong>is</strong> that improved outcomes yield care that <strong>is</strong> more predictable. “Using the 3-D technology, there <strong>is</strong> less guesswork for the clinician,” says Dr. shellard. “For example, in a 2-D scenario, you can’t know the full clinical situation until you actually get in<strong>to</strong> the case. th<strong>is</strong> technology can mitigate that type <strong>of</strong> r<strong>is</strong>k. th<strong>is</strong> improves care, and gives patients reassurance and improves their confidence in the competence <strong>of</strong> the clinician.” th<strong>is</strong> competence <strong>is</strong> born <strong>of</strong> great teaching, something Dr. shellard feels he received in abundance at CWrU. “When i was looking at dental schools, i was accepted at a number <strong>of</strong> places,” he explains. “However, CWrU had one <strong>of</strong> the best environments, it was very collegial. i had a very positive experience when i came here <strong>to</strong> study. First, i had a superior clinical learning experience. you are exposed <strong>to</strong> so much at th<strong>is</strong> school. i felt very confident going in<strong>to</strong> private practice when i graduated. “in addition,” he says, “when i spoke with colleagues who had gone <strong>to</strong> other schools, many <strong>of</strong> them did not have such a positive experience. th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> why i want <strong>to</strong> give back <strong>to</strong> the school, <strong>to</strong> continue that experience for others. and i would like <strong>to</strong> add that the fact that Dean Goldberg, Dr. Hans, and the school are working so hard <strong>to</strong> bring th<strong>is</strong> technology <strong>to</strong> the students speaks <strong>to</strong> the school and the dedication <strong>of</strong> the staff and faculty.” n
D<strong>is</strong>covering the future <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dental</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> summer 2012 x 9