UCD School of Dentistry welcomes dental students
from Louisiana displaced by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina pulled no punches as she made landfall Aug. 29 along the Central Gulf Coast near New Orleans, Louisiana, as a category 4 storm. Damages from Katrina are estimated at between $70 billion and $130 billion.
The suffering and damage heaped upon the 90,000 square mile Gulf area was equally shared by the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) School of Dentistry.
In an effort to help – the University of Colorado School of Dentistry has offered a home to seven residents of the graduate periodontics program and the program’s director, Ray Yukna, DDS, for at least one academic year.
“We’ve signed a memorandum of understanding with the LSU school of dentistry to provide a facility for the education of the second- and third-year residents right here at the new University of Colorado Denver campus,” said Denise Kassebaum, DDS, MS, interim dean of the school.
“They’ve lost so much and have so much to do. It’s an unbelievable undertaking for them.”
As part of that initial agreement, the students will be here in Colorado at least a full year and possibly more. Both Dr. Yukna and Dean Kassebaum felt it may be disruptive to move the residents yet again after only a year – so the agreement may be extended if everyone agrees. Patients for the students are coming from practicing community periodontists.
For Dr. Yukna, the Denver/Aurora area is somewhat of a homecoming. He used to practice dentistry in a private practice in Cherry Creek. Dr. Kassebaum used to work with him on imaging of implant patients.
“ Our faculty, particularly Dr. Lonnie Johnson in the Division of Periodontics, and the entire dental community has indicated that they will be more than willing to help out in any way possible,” continued Dr. Kassebaum. “We’re seeing lots of donations of products and equipment that may, eventually, go back to LSU to rebuild their shattered programs and facilities.
“ In the meantime, we’ve set aside four full-time operatories for the students to use as well as office space for Dr. Yukna. We’re just very happy we had the ability to help another school in need.”
Meanwhile, back in Louisiana, the work of rebuilding the school continues. But it has not been easy. According to the LSU School of Dentistry’s Web site, emergency repairs to the roof of the two dental school buildings in New Orleans were completed at the beginning of October, but the rainfall from Hurricane Rita did additional damage to the interiors of those buildings. During Hurricane Katrina, the school received flooding in the basement and four feet of water in its first floors. The damage is extensive, but they still hope to return early next year if all goes well.
Temporary housing in Baton Rouge for students, faculty and staff has taken a significant step forward. A ship has arrived at the Port in Baton Rouge. All of the students and residents who have expressed interest in temporary housing (more than 600) have been assigned rooms on the ship. Room assignments for faculty and staff are now being addressed. Administrators are also awaiting news about trailers provided by FEMA for those faculty, staff and students who require housing for themselves and their families.
Senior dental students resumed their clinical training mid-October in four Louisiana community clinics and in private practices statewide. Everything is not perfect, but interestingly enough, the community model of clinical education fits well as the senior year is primarily focused on a strong clinical experience under the counsel of a general dentist faculty member.
The other remaining dental and dental hygiene students began classes Oct. 3. Lecture facilities have been established in Baton Rouge; first and second-year dental classes will be held in LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Complex and third-year dental classes will be held at the School of Veterinary Medicine. Dental-hygiene classes will be held on the new LSU South campus.
In a message from Eric J. Hovland, DDS, MEd, MBA,
dean of the LSU school of dentistry:
“ I visited our campus in New Orleans for a second time recently. Being escorted by the state police has been great—we are able bypass traffic and reach the school at record speed. The school’s basement was flooded and we received approximately four feet of water on the first floor. Water is currently being removed from the basement which houses dental supplies, central sterilization equipment, clinic instruments and equipment, the biomaterials research laboratories, physical plant support equipment, and the mechanical and electrical systems for the school. All are completely lost.
“ The first floors of both the clinical and administrative building were also in ruin. The patient admissions area, faculty practice clinics, oral and maxillofacial surgery clinics, radiology clinics, clinical research facility, food cafe, campus store, campus credit union, and all our security equipment and telephone support systems were damaged beyond repair due to flooding.
“ The roofs are in very bad condition and will have to be replaced. The good news is the rest of our facilities are in relatively good shape.
“ Although it is difficult to determine when we will return to New Orleans, be assured that we will return. Our hope, if all goes as planned, is to return and begin operations again at the school in January. Many of our faculty, students, and staff have lost everything yet they are ready to continue their LSU careers and education. Our clinic staff and secretaries are scattered throughout the country. Many we cannot locate and many will not return because they have nothing left to return to.
“ Within our dental and dental hygiene classes, we have retained 318 students and only two have transferred. The majority of our advanced education students are continuing their programs in private practices and clinics throughout Louisiana.
“ Although the sadness and devastation is terrible, I am very optimistic about the future of our school. With FEMA support, we will rebuild our damaged buildings—even enhancing and improving on what was there before. It is with pride that I can report that our students and faculty feel good about the future as well. They are our most important resource—because our school is not just buildings, its excellence is due to our dedicated and outstanding students, faculty, and staff.”
