New Hampshire’s scenic beauty stretches from the state’s rocky coastline to the majestic White Mountains, however behind its picturesque image is a less idyllic landscape for dental care. Access to care is challenging for rural populations in the Granite State, particularly for those with medically complex cases or special needs. Just last year, the state began to cover basic dental care for adults on Medicaid, yet less than 15 percent of the state’s 850 dentists are participating thus far. With no dental school of its own, New Hampshire is...

What started as a concept aimed at disease prevention and patient retention has turned into an annual event to aid veterans in need. Now in its third year, Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s (HSDM) Give Veterans a Smile (GVAS), which takes place in October, provides veterans with a day of free dental care and consultations, with a long-term goal of creating a dental home for those who have served.

Veterans are provided with healthcare while serving in the military...

For some, the mere thought of sitting in a dental chair can send shivers down their spine and set their heart racing. In fact, nearly 40% of the population admits to having anxiety or fear of the dentist, which can have serious consequences for an individual’s oral health. We asked Dr. Isabelle Chase, a leading expert in the field of pediatric dentistry, where this fear might stem from and how patients and dental providers can address it. Chase serves as...

Building on strong partnerships in Rwanda that led to the launch of a new dental school in the country in 2018, Harvard School of Dental Medicine faculty returned to Rwanda this summer to expand oral health training, this time with a focus on future physicians.

“It was exciting to be involved in this transformative effort to train future physicians in key oral health concepts,” said Dr. Donna Hackley, assistant professor of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology who serves as department...

When learning is immersive, you need to be a sponge—particularly when the average daily rainfall in your learning environment is measured in buckets rather than inches. Seven Harvard College undergraduates, four Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) dental students, and four University of Costa Rica dental students spent their spring break in rural southern Costa Rica for a weeklong field course. Despite unusually rainy weather, a shared interest in global health brought them together to study healthcare systems and left them energized with new perspectives on global health challenges...

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children in the U.S. with an impact that is felt most acutely in low income, underserved areas. On average, children miss 34 million school hours annually due to emergency dental care. The authors of a recent paper in JAMA Health Forum studied the cost-effectiveness of expanding the dental workforce in underserved areas through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to evaluate the potential impact of having more dental practitioners providing care in those communities.... Read more about Study Finds an Expanded Dental Workforce Could Lead to Better Health Outcomes for Children

For many young children it can be intimidating to sit in a dental chair for the first time. Knowing this, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) students created a fun and engaging atmosphere for children to learn about positive oral health habits during the annual Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) event held during Children’s Dental Health Month on Saturday, February 11. More than 60 young patients ages one to 17 received free dental care—a record-setting number.

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With the holidays quickly approaching, we all look forward to spending time with family and friends and indulging in some of our favorite traditions and meals. We asked two experts in oral health, Drs. Tien Jiang and Morgan Glaze, how to maintain a healthy mouth and balance nutritional benefits with a few indulgences. Dr. Jiang is an instructor in Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s (HSDM) Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology. Dr. Glaze is a recent graduate of HSDM’s general practice residency program with...

For fourth-generation dentist Dr. Zerita Buchanan dentistry runs in the family, but it is so much more than the family business—it is what inspires her to make a difference in the lives of young students as a mentor and cheerleader for the next generation of diverse dental professionals. This summer, she began the Joseph L. Henry Oral Health Fellowship which will give her the opportunity to expand on her work as a mentor and an advocate for health equity.

“Every student I encourage to pursue dentistry will result in one more dental provider who can return to their local...