Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
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It’s not a well-studied condition, but 5-8 percent of Americans experience temporomandibular joint disorder. Now, a new ...
05/27/2026

It’s not a well-studied condition, but 5-8 percent of Americans experience temporomandibular joint disorder. Now, a new discovery by Professor Jianfu Chen and his CCMB research team, has shed additional light on the condition, which can cause pain in the jaw, face or ears, as well as clicking, popping or locking of the jaw. The new article, published in Nature Communications, identified a lymphatic vascular system in the synovial tissues of the temporomandibular joint. This could mean that one day healthcare providers would target your lymphatic vascular system to more effectively lessen joint degeneration or pain — likely welcome news to those experiencing the painful condition. Read more at link in comments. ↓

Fight on, Jeff and CCMB team!

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Thank you Tracy Pham for capturing the magical moment! ✌️🎓🦷
05/16/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Thank you Tracy Pham for capturing the magical moment! ✌️🎓🦷

Countdown to CommencementSophia Conroy DDS ’26 loved going to the dentist as a kid — so much so that she’d ask her mom w...
05/15/2026

Countdown to Commencement

Sophia Conroy DDS ’26 loved going to the dentist as a kid — so much so that she’d ask her mom would they could go back. “I was fascinated by the instruments and the experience itself,” she says.

Now about to graduate with a doctor of dental surgery degree, Conroy’s childhood dreams are about to become reality as she prepares to begin a pediatric residency this summer.

Sophia says USC’s strength is its community. “I have all these people in my corner who I could reach out to at any time in the future.”

Read more about Sophia’s journey at the link in comments.

Fight on, Dr. Conroy! ✌️

Countdown to CommencementWhen Felipe Martinez DH ’19, DDS ’26 walks across the stage this Friday, he does so with an add...
05/14/2026

Countdown to Commencement

When Felipe Martinez DH ’19, DDS ’26 walks across the stage this Friday, he does so with an added distinction — he is the first person in his family to receive a doctoral-level professional degree (he also earned his family’s first undergraduate degree — a dental hygiene degree from Ostrow).

“My journey hasn’t been straightforward,” Felipe says. “But each step, from being a first-gen student to becoming a dental hygienist and now a DDS graduate, has shaped who I am. I hope to continue growing, giving back and helping others navigate similar paths.”

Now, with a DDS in hand, Felipe plans to work as a general dentist in Southern California and endeavors to mentor upcoming oral healthcare students to help them follow in his footsteps.

Learn more about Felipe’s journey at the link in bio.

Fight on, Dr. Martinez! ✌️

The OKU Zeta Chapter recently held its Dental Honor Society Convocation, where the honor society welcomes its newest ind...
05/13/2026

The OKU Zeta Chapter recently held its Dental Honor Society Convocation, where the honor society welcomes its newest inductees and celebrated this year’s OKU scholarship recipients. Congratulations, and fight on to all!

Slide 1: Congratulations to the 2026 scholarship recipients!

Back row: Ryan Tran, Allen Yaldiko, Carla Kelliny, Yena Yang, Prof.  OKU Zeta Vice-President Linda Brookman, Victory Thapa, OKU Zeta President Enciso, OKU Zeta boardmember Joyce Sumi, Talar Kevorkian and Dean Yang Chai
Front row: OKU Zeta Treasurer Yaara Berdan, Ezinne Abba, and OKU Zeta President-Elect Piedad Suarez Durall

Slide 2: Congratulations to the OKU Class of 2026 inductees!

Front Row: OKU Zeta Treasurer Yaara Berdan, OKU Zeta VP Linda Brookman, OKU Zeta boardmember Joyce Sumi, OKU President-Elect Piedad Suarez Durall and OKU Zeta President Reyes Enciso

Middle Row: Samantha Incognoli, Sandra Shim, Caitlin Tran, Rupika Bither,  Bent ul Huda Yakubi,  Feroza Hayatt, Dianne Bui, Andrea Woywitka and Yuchen Yang

Back Row: Leda Brady, Aryana Zamanifar, Aaron Duan, Eric Duong, Allen Yaldiko, Dean Yang Chai, Brian Wong, Eugene Asabor, Nathaniel Lasalle, Kaveh Mahdavi and OKU Zeta boardmember Emad Bassali

Slide 3: Congratuations to Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry John Morzov, the faculty inductee for 2026, who is pictured here with OKU Zeta President-Elect Piedad Suarez Durall

Countdown to CommencementInspiration can be found nearly anywhere. Just ask Kimberlee Kiep Witthoft DDS ’26, whose child...
05/13/2026

Countdown to Commencement

Inspiration can be found nearly anywhere. Just ask Kimberlee Kiep Witthoft DDS ’26, whose childhood dental hygienist used to encourage her every time she visited the dentist to pursue her oral healthcare dreams. Fast forward to this Friday, and Kimberlee makes good on that childhood dream, earning her DDS degree from Ostrow.

For prospective students, Kimberlee has some advice. “Never give up, even if you don’t get in,” she says. “Everyone’s journey is a little different. If becoming a dentist is your dream — and you’re willing to put in the work — you’ll get there.”

Read more about Kimberlee’s journey at the link in comments.

Fight on, Dr. Kiep! ✌️

Countdown to CommencementBefore joining Ostrow’s ASPID program, Driss Sammari DDS ’26 had already enjoyed an oral health...
05/12/2026

Countdown to Commencement

Before joining Ostrow’s ASPID program, Driss Sammari DDS ’26 had already enjoyed an oral healthcare career that took him to several spots across the globe. But it was at USC, the foreign-trained dentist says, that he was exposed to some of the latest and greatest technology, further strengthening his education.

“[At Ostrow], we had an entire digital lab available to students. Back in my first dental school, there was only one machine in the entire department, and students barely had access to it.,” he says. But access to cutting-edge technology isn’t ASPID’s’s sole strength, according to Sammari.

After graduation, Sammari plans to start a new position with a San Diego-based dental practice.

Read more about his global journey at the link in comments.

Fight on, Dr. Sammari! ✌️

Countdown to CommencementBefore joining Ostrow’s Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists, Osiolelume Uloko ...
05/11/2026

Countdown to Commencement

Before joining Ostrow’s Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists, Osiolelume Uloko DDS ’26 had served nearly a decade providing dental treatment as a civilian staff member with the Nigerian Army.

Now, with all this extensive experience and a top-notch USC oral healthcare education (PLUS plenty of family support), she is poised to take her next step into the oral healthcare profession.

Her advice to other international dentists considering ASPID? “It’s worth your time and growth. It … feels like a short sacrifice for a long, confident career ahead.”

Read more about Osiolelume’s journey at the link in bio.

Fight on, Dr. Uloko!

Countdown to CommencementMeet PhD graduate in craniofacial biology Heliya Ziaei, who represents a “prototype” for the es...
05/08/2026

Countdown to Commencement

Meet PhD graduate in craniofacial biology Heliya Ziaei, who represents a “prototype” for the esteemed and highly sought after clinician-scientist, a highly trained professional who can move seamlessly between the clinic and the lab, applying research findings to patient care and discovering new research questions based on clinical care.

“To me, blending research and clinical work together is such a powerful way to impact patients,” she says. “If you know diseases more deeply, then you can design projects to address patient needs, discover new ways to improve treatment and implement what is known to improve outcomes.”

Follow link in comments to read more about Heliya’s journey.

Fight on, Dr. Ziaei! ✌️

Congratulations, and fight on to Somkene Okafor-Okwuego ‘21, MS '22, DDS ’26, who has earned a prestigious U.S. Public H...
05/06/2026

Congratulations, and fight on to Somkene Okafor-Okwuego ‘21, MS '22, DDS ’26, who has earned a prestigious U.S. Public Health Service Dental Award of Excellence for her efforts to boost access to oral health care for members of the community in which she grew up. “The award brought warmth to my heart and is further encouragement I can make a difference in the lives of others,” Okafor-Okwuego told us. Read more about this honor at the link in comments.

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