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Dr. Bruce Donoff, former HSDM dean, in front of the School building.

Donoff Scholars DMD Scholarship Reaches $1 Million Goal

August 17, 2020

Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) recently reached a goal of raising $1 million in support of the Donoff Scholars DMD Scholarship. Created in recognition of R. Bruce Donoff, DMD67, MD73, and his 28 years of dedication, innovation, and leadership as Dean of HSDM, the Scholarship will support future generations of HSDM pre-doctoral students who are seeking innovative careers in dentistry by pursuing a second Harvard graduate degree. The scholarship aims to strengthen the School’s mission of developing and fostering a community of global leaders dedicated to improving human health by...

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Abigail Marshall, DMD24, poses in her White Coat.

Abby Marshall, DMD24, Knows the Value of a Smile

August 19, 2020

Abigail Marshall, a graduate of Miami University of Ohio, comes to HSDM from Sunbury, Ohio. After growing up in a small farming town of just 5,000 residents, Marshall is excited to move to Boston in January and start exploring local sights, sounds, and cuisines. During her undergraduate studies, Marshall majored in biology and premedical studies with a minor in disability studies. She was also a Division I athlete, competing on the Women’s Varsity Field Hockey team, where she won three conference championships and made an appearance in the NCAA tournament. She is...

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Headshot of Joe Montesano, DMD24

Experiential Learning Pointed Joe Montesano, DMD24, Directly to Dentistry

August 14, 2020

Joe Montesano, DMD24, grew up in Roxbury, New Jersey, a small suburban town in the northern part of the state. An alumnus of Seton Hall University, Montesano graduated with degrees in biology and philosophy.

Before enrolling at HSDM, Montesano spent a gap year working as a dental assistant in the same dental office that sparked his interest in dentistry several years prior. Even in the midst of the pandemic, this dental office remained open and busy treating patients from all over the state.

In addition to dentistry, Montesano is interested in...

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Getting to Know the Class of 2024: a Q&A with Sapna Nath

Getting to Know the Class of 2024: a Q&A with Sapna Nath

August 11, 2020

Meet Sapna Nath, DMD24, a Long Island, New York, native and member of HSDM's newest class of predoctoral students. A 2019 graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Sapna received a B.S. in Economics with concentrations in Healthcare Management & Policy and Business Analytics and minored in Chemistry. During her undergraduate years, Nath was a research assistant at Penn Dental Medicine in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and the Department of Basic & Translational Sciences. She also conducted policy research at the Leonard...

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HSDM students meeting with participants in the Bridge to Dental School program.

"Bridge to Dental School" Program Goes Virtual

July 27, 2020

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) is offering its Bridge to Dental School program for the second year in a row. The free 10-session program is aimed at encouraging diverse representation in dental school applicants by providing prospective students with mentorship and coaching from current HSDM DMD students. The interactive program held on...

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Volunteers distribute much needed supplies to Kenyan villagers via the Towa Kitu Kidogo project, partly initiated by Ashiana Jivraj, DMD21. Photo credit: Towa Kitu Kidogo

Dental Students Combat COVID-19 Through Volunteerism and Action

June 24, 2020

As Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) students and residents learned that the academic year would take an unprecedented turn due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several jumped into action, finding different ways to turn the challenges presented by the pandemic into opportunities to help. Whether through community outreach, research, or care, they quickly honed in on ways to aid their local and global communities.... Read more about Dental Students Combat COVID-19 Through Volunteerism and Action

David Danesh, DMD20

Becoming the Leaders and Thinkers the World Needs

May 22, 2020

A reflection written by David Danesh, DMD20.

“When the world needs leaders, we will be among them; when the world needs solutions, we will help create them.” Reflecting on the class oath that we took with our Harvard Medical School colleagues during our White Coat Ceremony in August of 2016, this line resonates with me today. The knowledge we gained while receiving our education at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) will help us think about creative solutions to the challenges we face today, and new challenges we will ultimately face in the future. Amidst the COVID-...

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Kristin Sweeney, DMD20

Graduate Q&A with Kristin Sweeney, DMD20

May 21, 2020

Kristin Sweeney, a member of the graduating Class of 2020, reflects on her most memorable experiences at HSDM and how they influenced her choice in career path. An active volunteer in many aspects of the HSDM community, Sweeney served as a member of the Admissions committee, as a Vanderbilt Hall residence advisor, and as a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association. Sweeney also took a special interest in community outreach, volunteering her time with several...

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Dr. Alex Jelicich

Applying Artificial Intelligence to Dentistry

May 20, 2020

Over the last seven years in pre-and-postdoctoral programs at HSDM, Alex Jelicich, DMD17, MMSc20, logged a lot of hours in the clinic. It’s where the MIT graduate found inspiration for a unique business concept that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze clinical dental data with the goal of improving patient care and increasing profitability. As Jelicich prepares to graduate from his Prosthodontics program, he has a chance to launch his concept, Overjet, with funding from the Harvard’s President’s Innovation Challenge, a University-wide venture capital competition in which Overjet is competing as a finalist this week.... Read more about Applying Artificial Intelligence to Dentistry

Jeffrey Taylor, DMD20

A Reason to Smile

May 18, 2020

Jeffrey Taylor’s passion for art and science led him to the field of dentistry where he hopes to combine these interests to make a difference.

After he graduates from Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) in May with his D.M.D., Taylor will pursue a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery where he’ll one day reconstruct damaged jaws, fix life-altering facial deformities, and give hope to those who need a reason to smile again.... Read more about A Reason to Smile

Kelly Suralik, DMD20

Shaping the Future of Academic Dentistry

May 12, 2020

All roads led to academic dentistry for Kelly Suralik, a 2020 graduate of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM). After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry at Middlebury College, followed by a Master of Science in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin, Suralik set her sights on dentistry, bringing her curiosity, passion, and leadership to the HSDM community. The Wisconsin native will return to the Midwest after graduation to pursue a residency in Prosthodontics at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

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Dr. William Giannobile

William Giannobile Named New Dean of HSDM

April 23, 2020

William V. Giannobile, an educator and leader in the field of periodontology and an internationally recognized scholar in oral regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and precision medicine, has been named dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. The appointment was announced today by Harvard Medical School Dean George Q Daley.

Giannobile is an alumnus of HSDM, with an advanced degree in periodontology and oral biology (DMSc96). He completed his postdoctoral training in molecular biology at the Dana-Farber Cancer institute and HMS. Giannobile served as an HSDM faculty...

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Dr. Brittany Seymour at HSDM

Putting Public Health First: Coronavirus Q&A with Dr. Brittany Seymour

March 20, 2020

Dr. Brittany Seymour is associate professor and global health discipline director at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM). With a background in oral and public health, and a concentration in global health and population, she focuses on interdisciplinary approaches for health improvement through prevention, policy, and health promotion. She also conducts research on how misinformation spreads online and impacts important public health programs. She recently shared her thoughts on the spread of the virus as well as the spread of misinformation.
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Sandhya Harpavat, DMD02, PD04, and her husband, Sanjiv, PhD06, MD06, with their family.

Making a Match at HSDM: Alumni Love Stories

February 14, 2020

Many Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) students arrive at 188 Longwood Avenue with high expectations—to earn a degree, conduct research, practice dentistry, or pursue a specialty, among other professional pursuits. What many HSDM students don’t expect, however, is to find the love of their life. Against all odds, and in between pre-clinical lab, classes, and patients, these alumni did just that: fall in love. Whether their romance began at Orientation, or in a study group, or collaborating over a treatment plan, each story is unique and highlights the School’s special tight-knit...

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child patient with dental providers

Making Oral Health Fun for Families

February 11, 2020

The Harvard Dental Center’s Teaching Practices clinic was buzzing with excitement and activity on Saturday, February 8, as young patients streamed in to receive free dental care at HSDM’s annual Give Kids a Smile event. Nearly 40 children ages one to 17 were seen for dental exams, cleanings, and treatment.

“This was a fabulous event,” said Laverne Agard, a parent who brought her two children. “This was their first time at the dentist. The dentists were patient and made it fun.”... Read more about Making Oral Health Fun for Families

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