As a result of a number of factors including traditional training methods, administrative requirements, cost and rate of product and procedure development, in recent years dental schools have not been able to incorporate the latest diagnostic and therapeutic equipment and products introduced into dentistry at the same pace. In contrast, these products and equipment are being introduced into private practice as they are released. Therefore, the technology in private practice is usually more advanced than that in dental schools. The result is that dental graduates are often not aware of the latest technologies or procedures as they enter dental practice.
As a consequence, when a recent graduate is hired by an established practice, the practice must allocate time and resources for additional training of the new dentist. What is urgently needed is for dental schools to find a program that offers the ability for them to expose contemporary products, procedures and equipment and to incorporate a method to introduce these into both the basic science and clinical curriculum. This program must be cost-effective and, most important, adapted to the unique requirements of students and faculty at each specific dental school. CRET was founded in 2004 by a group of innovative dental industry leaders to provide dental students and faculty the latest in equipment and products for the treatment of patients.
To achieve this goal, CRET developed a Technology Educational Program (TEP) to transfer
knowledge and competency in 21st-century technology to dental students and faculty. The TEP provides a framework for assisting the dental faculty with the integration of innovative equipment and products into each dental school’s curriculum.
CRET aims to enhance dental student education by promoting collaboration between the members of the dental industry with administration and faculty of US schools. Moreover, CRET provides a clinical setting that will help prepare the dental students for a private practice environment.
For more information, please email: Info@CretDental.org
Denise Terese-Koch, BS, DDS, FAGD, MBA, EdD President, CRET
Dr. Denise Terese-Koch, B.S., DDS, FAGD, MBA, EdD became the Dean of the Lincoln Memorial University – College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) in August 2020. Prior to her position as Dean at the LMU-CDM, she was the Chair of Dental Education at South College in Nashville, Tennessee, where she developed and implemented three dental programs. As a comprehensive general dentist since 1992, she has a vast knowledge of general dentistry, dental education, program development, and implementation. She believes the oral cavity is the intersection between medicine and dentistry and is a window into the patient’s general health.
After being accepted into a 2+4 program at Loyola University School of Dentistry, Dr. Terese-Koch received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Saint Xavier University in Chicago; Dr. Terese-Koch earned her DDS in 1992 from Loyola University of Chicago School of Dentistry. She completed a General Practice Residency program at Loyola Medical Center and earned a Certificate in Hospital Dentistry in 1993. Dr. Terese-Koch spent the next 21 years practicing Comprehensive General Dentistry in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. In 2014, she entered academia as an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry at the University of Tennessee and was the Director of the Faculty Practice. In 2017, she joined the Tomah VA Medical Center to develop and direct the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program (AEGD). In 2017, she developed a Dental Assisting program, Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene program, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program, and directed the AEGD program for South College, where she was a Professor and Chair of the Department of Dental Education. Dr. Terese-Koch holds a license to practice dentistry in Tennessee. Dr. Terese-Koch received her MBA from Belhaven University in 2018. In 2021, Dr. Terese-Koch earned her EdD from Liberty University. She serves as a Site Visitor for the Commission on Dental Accreditation and is a licensure examiner for the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments. In 2023, Dr. Terese-Koch was awarded the Pierre Fauchard Academy Fellowship.
As the dean, Dr. Terese-Koch is responsible for developing and implementing the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry program for LMU, developing graduate dental education, research, and community outreach.
Mia Cassell, BS, RDH, Executive Director CRET
Mrs. Mia Cassell is the Executive Director of the Center for Research and Education in Technology (CRET) and has worked with CRET since 2014. She works as a collaborative liaison between the dental universities, dental industry, and CRET internal operations; including working closely with the CRET board and membership services. Mrs. Cassell has overseen the establishment of three of the five CRET Innovation Center (IC) Awards. Her innovative work ethic has developed new programs such as Student Forums, Expos, Virtual Education, and the CRET publishing company.
Mrs. Cassell practices as a dental hygienist in a Connecticut private practice. As a clinician, preventative specialist, and periodontal therapist she brings a fresh perspective to dental education and industry. Mrs. Cassell has volunteered at several of the annual Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinics and is a member of the American Dental Hygiene Association.
Before entering the dental field she worked as a laboratory scientist at a biotechnology company producing transgenic corn via tissue cultures, DNA transfer protocols, and greenhouse support. She was one of two in charge of diagnosing and containing all contaminated tissue cultures. As a scientist, she received two awards of recognition for excellence and exceeding responsibilities.
Mrs. Cassell earned a BS in Biology from Eastern Connecticut State University, an AS in Dental Hygiene from Tunxis Community College, and is certified to administer local anesthesia. While at Eastern, she conducted team-oriented marine biology research in the Bahamas, and independent research in Costa Rica by designing and implementing innovative research on hummingbirds. She received the Clinton Roberts Foundation Scholarship, and the Dorothy Jean Memorial Scholarship for oral health advocacy and community. Mrs. Cassell was also awarded the Dental Hygiene Faculty Recognition Award for distinguished clinical skills and teamwork.
Eileen Emery, AS, CDA, RDH, Administrator, Innovation Center Operations, CRET
Ms. Eileen Emery earned an Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene from Tunxis Community College and an Associate of Science in Dental Assisting and Office Management from Mount Ida College. She has assisted in the dental field since 1981 in orthodontic, endodontic, and general practices. As a RDH she has practiced in periodontal and general practice.
Ms. Eileen Emery joined the Center for Research and Education in Technology (CRET) in 2018 as the Administrator of the Innovation Center (IC) Operations. After working 38 years in Connecticut she made the move to Manteo, NC to be closer to her son and is presently working full-time as a dental hygienist at Peele Family Dentistry in the Outer Banks, NC.
Quinn Edwards, Associate Director of HR and Events, CRET
Ms. Quinn Edwards is the Associate Director of HR and Events for the Center for Research and Education in Technology (CRET) and began working with CRET in 2022 . Her responsibilities include coordinating ongoing dental educational programs, organization of virtual meetings, management, and oversight of three CRET Innovation Centers and developing and implementing new programs. Prior to joining CRET, Ms. Edwards served as a Senior Executive Assistant in the research healthcare industry providing support to C-level executives and Board members. During this role, she was also the leader of the New Hire Onboarding program implementing new ideas for onboarding while providing a smooth onboarding experience for new staff members during their 90-day probation periods while getting them acclimated on the ins and outs of the company.
Kyrstyn Jenkins, BS, Associate Director of Marketing, CRET
Ms. Kyrstyn Jenkins is the Associate Director of Marketing for the Center for Research and Education in Technology (CRET) and has worked with CRET since 2021. In this role she helps implement new programs, coordinates dental education programs, and assists with CRET Innovation Center oversight. Ms. Jenkins earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Connecticut and will soon be attending graduate school.
Ms. Jenkins has much experience in regulatory and organizational roles as her position at a senior home care agency evolved from receptionist to administration, and responsibilities such as Human Resources and auditing were part of her day-to-day. Prior to joining CRET, Ms. Jenkins gained experience in two behavioral neuroscience (BNS) labs, one studying the effect of addictive substances on memory function and motivation, and the other using animal models of Parkinson’s disease, depression and schizophrenia in drug development trials and neurochemistry runs. She was in a senior position in the human BNS lab, granting her the opportunity to present in a nanosymposium at the Eastern Psychological Association conference and as a poster at the Society for Neuroscience conference.
Since graduating, Ms. Jenkins has held a position as a lead research assistant in a clinical trial lab at UConn which has broadened her professional and research experience as well as allowed her to lead and make decisions regarding participant intervention both in practice and in IRB submission and review. She is also a case manager for a second trial, and a weight loss coach for a third. Ms. Jenkins has become an integral part of data querying, collection, and analysis for the trials which has given her invaluable experience in study follow-through and further enhanced her organizational skills
Edward F. Rossomando, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.S President Emeritus, CRET
Dr. Edward F. Rossomando is the founder and President of the Center for Research and Education in Technology (CRET) since 2004.
Dr. Rossomando is Professor Emeritus in the School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut. He has taught and carried out research at the Dental School since 1972. He has taught molecular, cellular and developmental biology to undergraduate dental and medical students, dental residents and graduate students. He has also taught these subjects in continuing education courses. In 2005 he was awarded the dental school Alumni Award of Merit. After this Alumni Award, in 2022 Dr. Rossomando was inducted into the magazine Incisal Edge Innovators Hall of Fame.
His research has focused on developmental and molecular biology and during his research career federal agencies, states agencies, international organizations, philanthropic organizations, private industry, and private individuals have funded his work. He has published more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals, authored or edited three books, and lectured at numerous universities in the United States and in Europe, Asia and the former Soviet Union. He has been a member of several journal editorial boards and has organized and participated in numerous symposia, conferences, and workshops. He holds a patent for monitoring biochemicals in body fluids including the gingival crevice and saliva and has been involved in the formation of several companies. He has been active in promoting research activities of undergraduate dental students. In 1980 he founded the Dental Student Research Society at the School of Dental Medicine, and he was the first PI on a NIDCR grant to support dental student research.
In 1998, Dr. Rossomando was invited by the Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to evaluate the institute’s efforts in commercialization of discoveries and to develop a program on commercialization of research discoveries. While on a leave of absence from the University, he was appointed Coordinator of the NIDCR’s program on New Products and Technologies. In 2000, Dr. Rossomando received the NIDCR Director’s Exemplary Service Award for his work in developing the Institute’s commercialization program.
Dr. Rossomando earned a BS from the University of Vermont, a DDS degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, a Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biology from the Rockefeller University and a MS degree in Management of Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
CRET Wants To Hear From You!
Learn More About CRET & Request Further Information