Christopher Balaban DMD 16 Delivers Third Grand Rounds Presentation

On Wednesday, March 30, 2016, Mr. Christopher Balaban DMD 16 delivered the third presentation in the 2015-2016 series of pre-doctoral Grand Rounds presentations in room G-301 of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM).

Approximately 50 faculty, staff, residents, and students—including Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter—were in attendance for Mr. Balaban’s presentation, which was, like all pre-doctoral Grand Rounds presentations, about a treatment plan he devised for an extraordinary patient at his 10-week Externship rotation site. Mr. Balaban completed his Externship at the Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida in Port Charlotte, Florida.

All pre-doctoral students in all rotations of GSDM’s Externship program present their treatment plans to faculty in the Department of General Dentistry. Mr. Balaban’s presentation was selected to be the Grand Rounds presentation from his rotation.

Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. John Carl McManama moderated Mr. Balaban’s Grand Rounds presentation, which took place from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Mr. Balaban’s presentation focused on the treatment plan he devised for a 13-year-old Caucasian male who presented to the Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida with several dental complications including significant enamel hypoplasia of his permanent dentition. The patient told Balaban he was concerned with how his teeth looked and how the appearance of his teeth affected him socially.

A major complication in all treatment plans is finances. The Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, however, provided the treatment to the patient free of charge, as it does with low-income patients. Balaban said he was especially thankful to the center for covering the costs of the treatment, and that without organizations like the center, children like Mr. Balaban’s patient would not be able to receive the treatment they need.

The recommended treatment plan devised by Mr. Balaban had three phases: phase one involved consultations with an orthodontist, an oral surgeon, and a pediatric dentist; phase two involved adult prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, instructions on good oral hygiene, and a four month recall; and phase three involved composite crowns on nine teeth, including pin retention on tooth number 10, and occlusal sealants on three teeth.

After completing the treatment plan, Mr. Balaban said the patient, who visited the Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida several times for the treatment, was elated with the changes to his teeth.

“The patient was very happy and the parents were extremely happy as well,” said Mr. Balaban. “I certainly could not have done this without the incredible support of the team at Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida.”

Mr. Balaban also said that he is grateful to have participated in GSDM’s externship program, not only because he was able to provide much-needed dental care to a person in need, but for also being able to gain valuable experience working on a complex case.

“The externship experience in particular was enjoyable and it really added a lot to my clinical experience,” said Mr. Balaban. “And it sets GSDM apart from a lot of dental schools that don’t provide the same opportunity.”

Mr. Balaban is planning to begin working as a dentist after graduating from GSDM this May.

After his presentation, a brief question and answer session took place in which faculty members present asked Mr. Balaban several questions about the case, while also praising him for performing complicated dental care that will likely have a major impact on the life of a young person.

“I would like to congratulate Mr. Christopher Balaban on a wonderful pre-doctoral Grand Rounds presentation which showcased the excellent work he did during his externship rotation,” said Dean Jeffrey W.  Hutter. “I am thoroughly impressed with the ability of students like Christopher to rise to big challenges during their externship rotations and accomplish great things.”

Photos from Mr. Christopher Balaban’s presentation can be found on Facebook and Flickr.