Contact
About Lauren Godwin
In addition to instructing students, Dr. Yura sees and treats patients. Her areas of patient care include: restorative (fillings), crown and bridge, restorative implants, removable, esthetic dentistry
Positions
Chair, Department of Restorative Dentistry
Assistant Professor
- Organization:
- West Virginia University School of Dentistry
- Department:
- Restorative Dentistry
- Classification:
- Admin
Center for Dental Innovation Director
- Organization:
- West Virginia University School of Dentistry
- Department:
- Suncrest Town Center
- Classification:
- Faculty
Education
- DDS, West Virginia University
Awards
Fellow American College of Dentists
Pierre Fauchard Special Appreciation Award
Co-Recipient of Faculty of the Year
Additional Info
In addition to treating patients, Dr. Yura is the Director of the Center for Dental Innovation.
She explains excitement about the center and the role it plays in dental education at WVU.
In her own words
I was awarded the position of director in November 2016. In the coming months, the clinical dean, and the director of patient care and clinical education, and myself started designing the Innovation Center. We chose everything from the model of the units, to the counter top colors, to art on the wall, to completely renovate our existing space.
As director, all the materials, equipment, and technology was chosen for the center; input and suggestions were taken from all the department chairs so that their expertise could be implemented into the center.
Our center is unique from the other centers in one part due to the variety and scope of materials. Each of our operatories has a unique set of dental materials so that when the students rotate through each operatory, they can experience a vast array of materials.
Also as director, I am charged with training all the students on the equipment and materials prior to them being in the center so they can be fluent before actively using them on their live patients. During their orientation, the students learn the CEREC system of digitally scanning and milling crowns, learn how to take cone beams x-ray with our 2D/3D x-ray system, being proficient with intraoral cameras, and oral cancer screening devices along with other technology.
Besides the hands on aspect of the innovation center, the students also learn practice management topics and participate in “Friday Afternoon Presentations”. The students present small research or case presentations on either a current material/technology/piece of equipment in the center or one they would like to see brought to the center from one of the CRET members.
The students are then enhancing their knowledge of the materials since they are teaching the other students this material. I want to provide the students with the most cutting-edge equipment and materials so I am constantly researching new technology and materials that can be brought in. The generosity of the CRET member companies is uncanny and has provided our dental students with opportunities that we could have never produced.
Additional Info
Licensure and Certification
- WV Board Certified (2015-Present)
- Laser Certified (2015-present)
- Basic Life Support Provider (2012-present)
Patient Care Information
Medical Specialties
- Dentistry
Additional Info
Dr. Godwin provides comprehensive oral health care treatments including, but not limited to:
- restorative treatments (fillings)
- crowns
- bridges
- restoring implant crowns
- removable prosthetics
- whitening