West Virginia University School of Dentistry welcomed two new residents, Dr. Bayan Abuhalimeh and Dr. Hammad Ul-Haq, to the advanced education program in prosthodontics this summer.
Abuhalimeh is from Jordan. She graduated from the University of Jordan School of Dentistry in 2017. Haq is from Karachi, Pakistan. He graduated from Dow University of Health Sciences in Karachi, Pakistan in 2015.
In July, the two began the 34-month master of science program designed to educate future prosthodontists in clinical practice, teaching and research.
Abuhalimeh and Haq join residents, Dr. Zana Al-Saloum, Dr. Rubinya Iyer and Dr. Thomas Stanley.
Dr. Al-Saloum is from Detroit, Michigan and graduated from WVU School of Dentistry in 2021.
Dr. Iyer is from Mumbai, India. She graduated from Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai in 2016. Dr. Stanley is from Wheeling, WV. He graduated from West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 2022.
Successful graduates are considered board-eligible with the American Board of Prosthodontics, the certifying board of the ADA recognized specialty.
"The didactic and clinical experience provided in an Advanced Education in Prosthodontics prepares the individual with the knowledge and skills to manage and deliver complex, multidisciplinary restorative care," Dr. Shelby Alexander, program director, said.
Already licensed dentists, all five future prosthodontists work with patients through WVU Dental, the clinical and patient care component of WVU School of Dentistry.
Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes. Prosthodontics is divided into four branches, Fixed, Removable, Implant and Maxillofacial.
Under the direction of program director Dr. Shelby Alexander, they are developing expertise at WVU Dental in procedures that include:
- Crowns, bridges, veneers (fixed prosthodontics)
- Partials and dentures (removable prosthodontics
- reconstructive treatment of congenital or acquired oral defects (maxillofacial)
- Any of the above combinations with implant therapy
"We balance our patient’s needs and desires to deliver care that will improve their quality of life. We counsel them on esthetics, phonetics and function—the three pillars of oral function—and determine how to plan and execute the best care to fit their specific needs and desires," Alexander said.
Read more from Alexander in her online feature.
Patients who are seeking a prosthodontics provider can request appointments at WVU Dental at 304-293-5831 and learn more online.
Dentists and dental students interested in pursuing prosthodontics can learn about the School of Dentistry prosthodontics program and apply online.
Providers who are interested in referring a patient to WVU Dental Prosthodontics can find a link to the form at https://wvudentalcare.com/patient-resources/forms-and-policies/. Once completed, the referral form should be emailed to sodreferrals@hsc.wvu.edu.