With an oversized toothbrush held high above their heads, and big smiles on their faces, the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) Class of 2019 marched into Harvard Yard for Harvard University’s 368th Commencement on Thursday, May 30. The students cheered and posed for photos as they took their seats alongside fellow graduates from across Harvard in a sea of crimson in Tercentenary Theatre. The ceremony was filled with music, celebratory remarks, and distinguished guests including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

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On Thursday, May 30, Thomas Ferlito will take the stage as HSDM’s student speaker at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Harvard Medical School’s Class Day ceremony. In preparation for that moment, Ferlito reflected on his experiences at HSDM–what they have meant to him, and how they’ll continue to shape him moving forward.

“The connections I have made here have by far been the most meaningful part of HSDM for me. Being able to collaborate with my classmates, faculty, and residents helped me to consider new ideas and think in ways that I never would have on my own,” Ferlito said...

Erica Shapiro Frenkel’s path through dental school took a slight detour when she decided at the end of her second year of dental school to pursue a PhD. Frenkel took a break from her studies at HSDM to study oral microbiology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Ribbeck Lab as part of the PhD in Biological Sciences in Dental Medicine Program.

“I knew when I applied to dental school that I wanted to pursue a combined DMD/PhD program, so the decision to step away from the DMD program after my second year was obvious,” she said. “I had a great experience doing research during college and was sure that I wanted to make research part of my long-term career path.... Read more about Pushing the Boundaries

By Mirissa D. Price
The sun soaked my shoulders. Through my scrubs, I could feel a warmth I had missed, having spent the past five hours in the dental school’s basement lab.

As my eyes adjusted to the light – and the macro-scale vision – I spotted my Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) family, smiling and laughing. I claimed a seat at the table, and together, we fell into a conversation of ‘what if.’

‘What if we were millionaires and could do anything in the world?’ someone posed, imagining for a minute we didn’t have to miss the rest of this...

Jillian Muhlbauer arrived at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) in August of 2015 with certain expectations of what dental school would be like. She understood the academic rigor she would face, the hours of studying that would consume her time, and the mountain of knowledge she would be required to retain, but this May when she graduates from HSDM she will leave most astonished by the relationships she fostered with patients, faculty, and fellow students.... Read more about The Human Connection

As the sun rose over a chilly Longwood Avenue, the Teaching Practices of the Harvard Dental Center was humming as dental students prepared to host Give Kids a Smile. Launched in 2003 by the American Dental Association, Give Kids a Smile is an event held annually that focuses on the oral health of children between the ages of one and 17. This year’s event was held on Saturday, February 9 and was well received by members of the surrounding communities.

... Read more about Building Community Through the Annual Give Kids a Smile Event

When Laura Rushford, DMD17, began her predoctoral program at HSDM she knew she wanted to craft beautiful smiles. A desire to help patients regain their smiles has been a driving force for Rushford ever since. Throughout her DMD training she volunteered with programs like Operation Mouthguard, Project Bridge Clinic, and ACTION Clinic, where she worked with patients who may not otherwise have access to dental care. In the Harvard Dental Center’s Teaching Practices she refined her skills... Read more about Prosthodontics Fellowship Opens Doors for DMD Alumna

Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) was recently honored for its diversity and inclusion efforts, receiving a 2018 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The Award honors colleges and universities nationwide that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

HSDM was chosen for developing a Pathways into Dentistry pipeline program which invites middle school, high school and college students to envision a career in dentistry.... Read more about Pathways into Dentistry Pipeline Program Recognized with National STEM Award

Thirty-six new DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) students arrived on campus in early August eager to begin their dental careers at Harvard. The enrollees hail from 16 states and join HSDM from more than 27 different colleges and universities. They were selected from a group of over 1,000 prospective students, representing just under 5% of the applicant pool.

The morning of August 6, the DMD students joined their HMS classmates for welcome remarks by the deans of the respective schools.... Read more about New DMD Students Begin Their Journey With Gratitude and Enthusiasm

When Erinne Kennedy, MMSc2019, PD18 was growing up in Middleport, Ohio, she never imagined someone from her hometown of 2,500 people—let alone herself—would become the first of anything at Harvard. Kennedy recently became the first post-doctoral student in Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s MMSc in Dental Education Program.

“It’s...

On a picture perfect May day, Class of 2018 Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) students marched down Quincy Street and into Harvard Yard for the 367th Harvard Commencement. Class Marshal Lindsay D’Amato led the way with a giant toothbrush held high.... Read more about HSDM Graduates Poised to Shape the Future of Dental Medicine

Not all health care is administered by physicians. Not all dental care is received in a reclining white chair. And when it comes to coverage, the U.S. does not always lead the way.

Rather, dental care — like health care — is a global issue, and this year, three Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) students got a chance to take that lesson both to heart and into the field.... Read more about Making Global Health a Collaborative Effort

Student Research Day at HSDM is an annual event where graduating dental students present their scholarly work and learn about the investigative work of their peers. This year’s event, held on April 9, provided students with the opportunity to showcase their research in poster sessions and interact with faculty, staff, and peers. ... Read more about Research Day Showcases Student’s Scholarly Work

Five-year-old Ayrum Harris grasped a smiling rubber ducky in one hand while holding onto the hand of a dental student. After getting settled into a dental chair for an exam, the student gave him a pair of brightly-colored sunglasses to protect his eyes and explained how together they would count and polish his teeth, learn how to brush and floss, and fight cavity bugs. Ayrum put on the glasses and beamed in anticipation. 

... Read more about Spreading Smiles One Child at a Time

Dr. Leonard Brennan, instructor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology and fourth-year DMD student, Yassee Pirooz, were recently invited to teach a class of Northeastern University nurse practitioner (NP) students about the importance of interprofessional team relationships in medicine and dentistry.  

The presentation by Brennan and Pirooz explored the importance of the NP/dental collaboration in depth. ... Read more about Interprofessional Team Building with Nurse Practitioner Students