Dr. Tien Jiang, instructor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, shares advice for dental patients in a recent interview during National Oral Health Month in June.

“June is one of the best months in Boston. The days are longer and warmer, and the beginning of summer excites us all. So, as you long for melty ice cream cones and juicy watermelon slices, there are practical ways to get your mouth in shape to enjoy a fun summer with delicious treats,” Jiang said.... Read more about Emphasizing Preventative Care During National Oral Health Month

Dr. Alejandro Lanis, a recognized international lecturer in digital dentistry, esthetics, prosthodontics and oral implantology, has been selected to lead Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s (HSDM) Advanced Graduate Education program in Implant Dentistry. He will serve as a member of the faculty in the department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences (RDBS). His appointment will begin in September 2022.

... Read more about Dr. Alejandro Lanis Selected to Lead HSDM’s Implant Dentistry Program

Dr. Donna Hackley is an instructor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM). Her research encompasses environmental, oral health, and overall health. Hackley shares more about the sustainability work she is doing on a national and international level, and what HSDM is doing in the community in the following interview.... Read more about Dr. Donna Hackley Weighs in on How to Build a Sustainable Dental Future

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

A new report exploring America’s oral health over the last 20 years includes noteworthy contributions from 15 current and former Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) faculty members.

“Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges” is a sweeping effort to tell the whole story of the state of oral health in America. Widely considered the most comprehensive evaluation of oral health currently available in the U.S., the report shows that oral health plays a central role in overall health.

... Read more about HSDM Faculty Contribute to In-Depth National Report on America’s Oral Health

Dr. Mohamed Maksoud, lecturer on Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, was recently selected by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchanges, for the Fulbright Specialist Program. He is the first dentist to be chosen for the honor.

The Fulbright Specialist Program provides an opportunity for U.S. academics and established professionals to engage in two-to six-week project-based exchanges at host institutions across the globe. The program matches tenured specialists and educational...

Dr. Reshma Menon, lecturer on Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, will step into the role of society director beginning in January 2022. In this role, she will work closely with predoctoral students guiding them through their academic and clinical development.

Menon has served as the course director for several predoctoral and postdoctoral courses as well as served as the predoctoral discipline director for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at HSDM since 2019. She has also been the chair for the Education Quality...

“As a healthcare provider, the number one call for help, and the most rewarding service that I have provided to patients, is palliative care,” said Dr. Leonard Brennan. Dr. Brennan, a faculty lecturer in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, and expert in geriatric dentistry, spoke with caregivers and health providers in a recent webinar, Supporting Family Caregivers to Provide Oral Palliative Care for Older Adults. He explained how the management of cancer and other serious illnesses may negatively impact the oral health of older adult patients, and how early palliative care interventions can limit severe complications from treatment.... Read more about Supporting Family Caregivers: Oral Palliative Care for Older Adults

Today, Dr. Vicki Rosen, professor and chair of Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s Department of Developmental Biology, announced that Dr. Sercan Akyalcin will join the School as a member of the faculty in the department of Developmental Biology and program director for Advanced Graduate Education (AGE) in Orthodontics. His appointment will begin on March 1, 2022.

“Dr. Akyalcin was chosen for this important role for his vision and enthusiasm as a leader in the field of Orthodontics,” Rosen said. “He will bring innovation to the program, mentor advanced graduate students and...

Should Medicare offer dental coverage for millions of older or underserved Americans? This is the question currently under consideration before Congress.

According to Dr. Lisa Simon, physician, dentist, and educator at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Harvard Medical School, the answer is a resounding yes.

Simon weighs in on the impact that such a dental benefit could have for millions of underserved Americans in a newly published commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine.... Read more about Making the Case for a Medicare Dental Benefit

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...

Dr. Lorenzo Tavelli will join Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s Department of Oral Medicine and Immunity (OMII) in August as a full-time faculty member in the Division of Periodontology. He will teach periodontology, conduct clinical research, and treat patients in the Harvard Dental Center.

Dr. Tavelli graduated from the University of Milan in 2017. He completed his three-year residency in Periodontics and his Master of Science in 2020 at the University of Michigan. His main focus has been to conduct clinical research in periodontal and peri-implant plastic surgery.... Read more about Dr. Lorenzo Tavelli Joins HSDM as Faculty Member in the Division of Periodontology

Tooth loss is often accepted as a natural part of aging, but what if there was a way to better identify those most susceptible without the need for a dental exam?

New research led by investigators at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) suggests that machine learning tools can help identify those at greatest risk for tooth loss and refer them for further dental assessment in an effort to ensure early interventions to avert or delay the condition.

The study, published June 18 in PLOS ONE, compared five algorithms using a different combination of variables to screen for risk.... Read more about Predicting Tooth Loss: Machine-Learning Algorithms May Help Identify Those at Risk