In a day that was filled with hugs, selfies, and catching up with classmates from years past, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) alumni came together on Friday, June 7 to celebrate long-awaited reunions and lifelong connections. More than 120 alumni and guests returned to HSDM for Alumni Day, including reunion classes celebrating their 50th, 45th, 25th, 20th, 15th, 10th, and 5th year reunions.
Miguel Roque, DMD16, MMSc19, president of the Harvard Dental Alumni Association (HDAA), welcomed attendees gathered in HSDM’s Research and Education Building (REB) auditorium and introduced Dean William Giannobile, DMSc96, PD96.
“I have come to know Dean Giannobile throughout my presidency and am impressed by his commitment to students, faculty and staff, and alumni. We are fortunate to have him at the helm of HSDM. He truly values alumni engagement, so it’s great to have such a strong turnout today,” Roque said.
Recognizing Alumni Service and Achievement
Dean Giannobile thanked the alumni who returned for their reunions and recognized the class representatives for each reunion class. He gave a special shoutout to the Class of 2004 who had the largest showing for their 20th reunion— eliciting cheers from the crowd. Giannobile then gave a State of the School presentation highlighting the school’s progress in relation to strategic priorities including the recruitment of key faculty and staff, new research funding, and facility improvements. He also thanked Dr. Roque who is coming to the end of his term as HDAA president.
“I’m grateful for Miguel’s service to HSDM. He’s energized the activities of the HDAA and increased networking and student mentorship opportunities. We’re thrilled that he will go on to serve as HSDM’s representative in the University-wide Harvard Alumni Association,” Giannobile said.
At the end of Dr. Roque’s term, Mindy Greenblatt Streem, DMD05, will become president of the HDAA and Shola Tewogbade, DMD04, will become vice president, joining new and returning board members Dan Cassarella, DMD08, JC Lin, DMD21, Sonia Molina, DMD87, Sadia Niazi, MMSc99, and Matthew Plummer, DMD73.
This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award winners were then recognized by Dean Giannobile. The first recipient, Stephen Sonis, DMSc76, PD76, was chosen for his advocacy and support of cancer patients and survivors.
“Dr. Stephen Sonis is renowned worldwide for his groundbreaking work on oral mucositis and oral toxicities from cancer therapy and is one of the founding fathers of oral oncology,” Giannobiles said, as Sonis stepped to the front of the auditorium to receive his medal.
“Any success I’ve had has come from collaborative relationships with this school,” Sonis said, noting he has benefited from mentors and collaborations within HSDM. “This is truly a wonderful honor.”
The second award winner, Maurizio Tonetti, MMSc89, PD89, was selected for his contributions to improve periodontal risk and diagnosis through his work as a clinician and researcher.
“Dr. Maurizio Tonetti is a preeminent researcher in periodontology and implant surgery with an emphasis on regeneration, minimally invasive surgery, and microsurgery. Maurizio’s cutting-edge research has transformed the way we look at periodontology,” Giannobile said.
Tonetti also attributed his success to his education at HSDM. “I’m proud to be part of the legacy of this school and the Perio program, and I hope to see this legacy spread around the world,” he said.
Looking to the Future
After a short break, a full house packed the REB auditorium for the Alumni Day Symposium, The AI Revolution in Dentistry. Speakers Robert A. Faiella, MMSc85, PD85, and Christina Bonebreak Jackson, DMD14, discussed insights from their work using artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the field.
Dr. Faiella discussed how AI driven tooth identification helps with the detection of bone levels and root surface calculus and is applied to the interpretation of radiographs for enhanced caries identification and implants. He pointed out the advantages of using AI along with the dentist’s interpretation, to help inform a patient’s decision for treatment.
“It gives you more insights and has an impact at the point of patient care,” he said.
Faiella also highlighted how AI is being applied to administrative tasks in dental practices, such as credentialing, and how it can significantly automate and accelerate the process.
Dr. Jackson spoke about the applications of AI in Orthodontics. She demonstrated how 3D applications and AI make it possible to highly customize treatments for each patient.
“Orthodontics is rich with data that can be mined,” she said. With tooth segmentation, she explained training data can come from a machine learning model and inform treatment planning.
Jackson also sees AI applications in dental monitoring allowing for greater efficiencies. Patients will be able to take scans with their phone, generating reports that will allow their doctor to remotely monitor their progress more efficiently.
The speakers joined a panel co-moderated by Dean Giannobile, and Magda Feres, DMSc99, chair of Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, and took questions from the audience.
Celebrating a Prominent Portrait
After the audience spent time envisioning the future of dental medicine, it was time to honor the legacy of someone who was instrumental in the School’s recent past— Bruce Donoff, DMD67, MD73.
“I’m delighted to welcome our alumni and esteemed guests here today to recognize the tremendous impact of Dr. Bruce Donoff and his remarkable 28 years as dean, as we celebrate the reveal of his official portrait that will grace the walls of HSDM,” Giannobile said. Giannobile added it was fitting to honor the former dean in the Research and Education building, a structure that Donoff had the vision to create, doubling the footprint of the School in 2004.
Dr. Donoff, his wife Mady, and adult children Daniel and Elizabeth were seated in the front row of the auditorium across from the covered portrait. Dean Giannobile and Zachary Peacock, DMD04, Walter C. Guralnick Associate Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, stepped up to remove the covering and reveal the striking likeness of Donoff as the audience applauded.
Guest speakers Jane Barrow, executive director of HSDM’s Initiative to Integrate Oral Health and Medicine, and Harvard Medical School Dean George Daley, each came to the podium to say a few words about Donoff’s legacy at HSDM. Barrow recounted Donoff’s passion for integrating oral health and medicine and his support for advancing health equity.
Daley noted Donoff’s steadfast leadership over 28 years and the strong connections between the dental and medical schools.
“It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate Bruce with this amazing portrait. His contributions have profoundly shaped not only the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, but the entire landscape of medical education at Harvard,” Daley said. “His vision and dedication have left an indelible mark on this institution.”
“This is really spectacular. I’m overwhelmed,” said Donoff, as he expressed gratitude to his family, the speakers, and the audience. “I’m very honored by this day and this portrait.”
After the program concluded, alumni and guests gathered for lunch which was followed by student-led tours of the school. At the end of the day, a networking reception gave alumni the chance to connect with current dental students.
