Dental students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College
of Dentistry in Lincoln have demonstrated they are prepared for the challenges
of practicing dentistry when they graduate in May. All of the 43 senior
students recently passed Part 2 of the American Dental Associations National
Board Examination.
The 500-question exam, covered in 1 ½ days, is required of the
nations senior dental students. It tests the students knowledge and application
of dentistry skills, as well as business management, public health issues
and safety. All of the students also passed Part I of the exam taken after
their freshman year. Part I covered basic sciences of dentistry. Both exams
are required in order to get a dentistry license.
John Reinhardt, D.D.S., dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry, said
it is somewhat unusual for every student in a dental class to pass the
exam the first time. This is good news and reflects the quality of our
students and faculty, he said.
In the past, UNMC students have averaged a 97-percent passing rate on
the national board tests, said Myron Pudwill, D.D.S., assistant dean for
student affairs, UNMC College of Dentistry. The national average of
students in the 55 dental schools in the United States is about 87 percent.
Passing the exam shows the students strengths in clinical performance.
They are clinically competent to practice, Dr. Pudwill said. This is
a tribute to our students who are energetic, self-disciplined, and show
compassion and interest in their patients.
Grade-point-averages of dentistry students entering the college typically
rank among the top five dental schools in the U.S.
The students will take one more test after they graduate in May — a
licensure examination which will test their clinical ability.
Following is a list of senior dental students with home towns:
AURORA — Timothy J. Jones
BENNINGTON — Nik E. Sather
CREIGHTON — Ryan M. Shaffer
FALLS CITY — Laura E. Rothe
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GERING — Mark A. Schlothauer
GRAND ISLAND — LaMont L. Gillham and Jay C. McConnell
HASTINGS — Ann M. Heckman
KEARNEY — Ryan A. Foote
KENESAW — Sean M. Daly
LEXINGTON — Jason J. Carpenter and David J. Maloley
LINCOLN — Karen M. Bober; Martha G. Brackett; Colin S. Gibson; and
Michael F. Iseman
NORFOLK — Corey S. Karmazin
OMAHA — Gregory M. Beals; Kathryn A. Billerbeck; Timothy R. Garofolo;
Zachary A. Graham; Corey K. Karimjee; Jason J. Knag; Mark A. Nielsen; Carolyn
L. Taggart; Michael R. Thylin; and Stephanie A. Vondrak
SHELBY — Melanie M. Kroft
STERLING — Steven E. Weber
HAYS, KAN. — Summer M. Smith
HOXIE, KAN. — Jeff L. Krannawitter
TONGANOXIE, KAN. — Wylie L. Bell
ROCHESTER, MINN. — Mark E. Keller
CASCADE, MONT. — Nathan L. Ahlers
FARGO, N.D. — Craig P. Vacek
ABERDEEN, S.D. — Steven J. Jacobs and David R. Mack
PIERRE, S.D. — Jon K. Schaack
SISSETON, S.D. — Amber L. Marohl
WATERTOWN, S.D. — Troy L. Keyes
RICHLAND, WASH. — Trevor D. Larson
LANDER, WYO. — Andrew N. Young
NEWCASTLE, WYO. — Brian N. Hokanson
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