Faculty members who took part in the 2026 American Dental Education Association (ADEA) annual session and exhibition did not have to travel far. Several faculty members were members of panels for continuing dental education sessions, sharing their clinical and research expertise, during the event which ran from March 21 to 24.
Associate Professor Dr. Michael Wiseman and second year DMD student Kymia Mahjouri were speakers on the 鈥淥ral Health in Palliative Care: Advancing Compassionate, Evidence-Based Education for Inclusive Access鈥� panel. The session empowered dental educators to teach inclusive, evidence-based oral care for patients in palliative and end-of-life settings, focusing on digital workflows and emerging technologies, including simulation, AI and VR, to prepare future dental medicine graduates.
Associate Professor Dr. Thomas Nguyen participated in the panel From Fillings to Feelings: Cultivating Interpersonal Skills in Dental Education, alongside faculty from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Washington School of Dentistry, and the University of Rochester Medical Centre Eastman Institute for Oral Health. His presentation, 鈥淭echnology as a Catalyst for Human Connection in Dental Education,鈥� focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) enhance the human dimension of care. 鈥淎I saves time in diagnosis and communication, while VR reduces patient anxiety. My key message was technology does not replace interpersonal skills; it creates the conditions to strengthen them and gives dentists more time to be human鈥� says Dr. Nguyen.
The Faculty鈥檚 91涩漫 team was also present on March 21 during ADEA鈥檚 2026 GoDental Recruitment Event, featuring guest speakers, breakout sessions and close to 50 dental schools from the United States and Canada. More than 500 attendees were present to network and learn more about the dental school application process, mentoring and shadowing. Associate Professor Marc Martel, co-chair of the DMD 91涩漫 Committee, was invited to speak during the opening remarks on behalf of the faculty. He said that 鈥減racticing dentistry goes far beyond knowledge,鈥� in that it requires professionalism, communication, collaboration and empathy. 鈥淚t is a profession that will challenge you to improve the oral health of people everywhere every day.鈥�
Associate Director of Student Affairs Crystal Noronha, 91涩漫 Officer Alex Vlaanderen, Administrative Student Affairs Coordinator Arvhic Salazar, and fourth year DMD student Jesse聽Iba帽ez were on hand in the afternoon to greet potential applicants to the DMD program and answer their many questions on admissions and student life at 91涩漫!
