Veterans from all branches of the U.S. military came to the Harvard Dental Center on Saturday, October 22 for a day of free dental care provided by Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) students and faculty. The second annual Give Veterans a Smile event, organized by HSDM students, was a chance to give back to those who served their country by providing them with dental exams, oral cancer screenings, and specialty consultations at no cost.

...

After an extensive national search, Fadie Coleman, PhD, has been named Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s (HSDM) new Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB).

“Dr. Coleman is an accomplished educator, researcher, and leader who is passionate about advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Dean William Giannobile. “I’m confident she will bring great insights and expertise to advancing important diversity initiatives at HSDM.”

... Read more about Dr. Fadie Coleman Named Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at HSDM

On Saturday October 2, 2021, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) opened its doors to veterans for free dental care and consultations during the School’s first Give Veterans a Smile event.

Similar to HSDM’s annual Give Kids a Smile event, the event was organized by dental students with the goal of providing care to the community and addressing gaps in veterans’ access to oral healthcare. Over 30 predoctoral students volunteered for the event along with residents from AGE specialty programs, faculty, and Harvard Dental Center staff members. Veterans from several branches of...

Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s Bridge to Dental School Program has been named a recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award. The Award recognizes programs that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Bridge to Dental School Program, now in its third year, is aimed at helping pre-dental students navigate the process of applying to dental school. HSDM’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) student fellows organize the program and serve...

Beginning this year, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) will be able to offer scholarship support to dental students from underrepresented minority backgrounds with financial need through the Freeman, Grant, Franklin Scholarship. The endowed fund was recently activated with a capstone gift made by Colgate-Palmolive Company. It has also been supported by HSDM alumni and community members dedicated to expanding diversity in dentistry.

... Read more about New Scholarship Represents a ‘Decisive Step Forward’ Toward Greater Equity in Dentistry

Drs. Siobhian M. B. Sprott, and Shelly D. Taylor were recently awarded the Joseph L. Henry Oral Health Fellowship in Minority Health Policy for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Joseph L. Henry Oral Health Fellowship in Minority Health Policy, awarded each academic year, is an academic degree-granting program with the goal of preparing the next generation of leaders in minority health, health policy, and oral epidemiology. The program is named after Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s first African American full professor, Joseph L. Henry who also served as the School’s interim dean from...

Fifty years ago, Dolores Mercedes Franklin, DMD74, PD76, became the first woman of color to attend Harvard School of Dental Medicine and one of the first five women to earn a DMD degree. A trailblazer throughout her life, Franklin, a global leader in oral health policy, achieved many firsts in her career, paving the way for future generations of women and individuals of color in dentistry.

Today, she sees a pressing need to address racial inequities in oral health care in light of COVID-19. She...

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...

Dr. Vincenzo G. Teran joined Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) earlier this year as director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and instructor of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology. He also serves as an instructor for the Department of Psychology at Harvard Medical School and a staff psychologist at the Cambridge Health Alliance. Dr. Teran shares more about what drew him to HSDM and his thoughts on creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment in the following Q&A interview.... Read more about A Q&A with Dr. Vincenzo Teran Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion