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Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine

Patrick M. Lloyd, DDS, MS Photo provided by Ohio State University

Stony Brook University has named Patrick M. Lloyd, DDS, MS, as Dean of the School of Dental Medicine (SDM). Lloyd’s appointment, effective July 1, was announced by Hal Paz, MD, executive vice president of health sciences at Stony Brook University and chief executive officer, Stony Brook University Medicine. Lloyd joins Stony Brook after a decade spent as the dean of the College of Dentistry at Ohio State University.

Dr. Lloyd succeeds Margaret M. McGovern, MD, PhD, who was named Interim Dean of the School of Dental Medicine on Dec. 1, 2021. While at Ohio State some of Lloyd’s accomplishments included increasing college funding support for student research, forming a college-wide workgroup to identify priorities and develop strategies to improve the school’s environment, and initiating the CARE (Commitment to Access Resources and Education) program aimed at recruiting and supporting dental students from underserved communities in Ohio, and oversaw the planning, design, and fund raising for a ninety-five million dollar expansion and renovation of the college’s clinical and administrative facilities.

Dr. Lloyd is an international lecturer on a variety of issues related to geriatric dentistry and has published widely on treatment strategies for the aged dental patient. His diverse clinical experience includes private practice in prosthodontics with an emphasis on care of the older adult and educating and training students in the area of special patient care.

Dr. Lloyd is a graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry and earned his specialty certificate in prosthodontics from the V.A. Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as a master of science from the Graduate School of Marquette University. After completing his specialty training, Lloyd served as chief of dental geriatrics and directed a fellowship in geriatric dentistry at the Milwaukee V.A. Medical Center.

In 1985, he was appointed to serve as national coordinator for geriatric dental programs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 1992, he joined the faculty at Marquette University, where he was head of the Special Patient Care Clinic. He held that position for four years before being named executive officer of the Department of Family Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 1996. In 2004, Dr. Lloyd was named dean at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry before heading to Ohio State University, where he has been the dean of the College of Dentistry since 2011.

“Dr. Lloyd’s vision and extraordinary experience positions him well to lead the next era of Stony Brook’s School of Dental Medicine and build upon the School’s focus to advance its dental education, research, patient care, and service to the community,” said Dr. Paz. “He has the strategic acumen and leadership skills to ensure we meet the highest professional standards, provide the best education and training experiences to our students and residents, and high-quality care for our patients.”

 

Students Joseph Masseli and Nicole Bittlingmaier remove custom trays from a 3D printer. Photo from Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine

Recently, the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, which offers treatment to more than 15,000 patients a year, officially opened a state-of-the-art center for digital dentistry on the SBU campus, the Center for Implant and Digital Technology.

While computer-aided design and manufacturing technologies have existed for some years, these advances in dentistry can still be out of reach for many patients. The cost of CAD/CAM equipment remains a barrier for many dentists, limiting the accessibility for those interested in offering these services.

Jasmine Sze and Mojtaba Wali begin the milling process for a crown within the Center for Implant and Digital Technology. Photo from Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine

Traditionally crowns and bridges were made using uncomfortable impression trays. The entire process can now be done digitally and quickly within the CIDT. From start to finish, the creation of a dental restoration can be completed entirely onsite and in less than 24-hours.

Non-invasive, high-tech scanners are used to electronically capture images of a patient’s teeth and gums in real-time. This information is then immediately transferred to sophisticated software used by dental practitioners to design crowns and bridges three-dimensionally. Finally, designs are translated to in-house 3-D printers or milling machines for the production of the final restoration to be delivered to the patient.

The School of Dental Medicine has continuously been at the forefront of the adoption of digital dentistry technology and education and was chosen in 2017 to be one of five academic institutions nationally to implement a digital dentistry curriculum by the American College of Prosthodontists.

“The Center for Implant and Digital Technology is not only a means of providing invaluable educational opportunities for the next generation of dental professionals, but also an example of Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine’s role as a pioneer and innovator in the digital dentistry space,” said Dr. Mary Truhlar, Dean. “This Center allows us to provide excellent, state-of-the-art care to the Long Island community.”

According to Dr. Ann Nasti, Associate Dean for Clinical Education, “the addition of the CIDT is mutually beneficial for the education of future dental professionals, and for the quality of care provided to patients.”

“Our patients will quickly receive high-quality, precise dental appliances to enhance function, guide surgeries, and restore their smiles,” explained Dr. Truhlar. “Simultaneously, our students are educated using the latest technology and are well-prepared to enter a dynamic and changing profession.”

CAD/CAM technology can make dental care more accessible to many patients. The high-precision of scanning and design eliminates the need for multiple impressions, saving on materials and time spent at appointments to the dentist. Replicating restorations in the event of a chipped crown or lost appliance is also simple thanks to digitally stored records.

While the latest advances in treatment are significant improvements in patient care, the School of Dental Medicine will use the center for translational research.

“I believe that through digital dentistry, I can make a difference in treating patients with craniofacial anomalies,” said student-researcher Shradha Duggal. Duggal is currently studying 3-D printed prosthetic devices used to correct the defects of the lip and palate in terms of more efficiently and comfortable treating patients.

Other research projects underway at the School of Dental Medicine include the generation of data that will be used to improve the design and performance of dental implants.