News From NYSADC

NYSADC applauds Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for a state budget that includes an investment of $750,000 in the Fellowship to Address Oral Health Disparities, which helps expand access to care for patients with special needs and developmental disabilities while strengthening New York’s specialized dental workforce.

The one-year intensive program provides recent dental residency graduates with the advanced training needed to treat patients with special needs, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program creates opportunities for early-career dentists to develop expertise in an area of significant need while addressing a critical shortage of providers trained to care for patients with complex conditions.

Following completion of the fellowship, participants commit to one year of practice in New York settings serving significant special needs populations, while continuing teaching and research activities. By preparing more dentists to care for these patients, the fellowship helps improve health outcomes and expand access to high-quality oral healthcare for New Yorkers. To read the full budget statement, click here.

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: Bridging Gaps in Dental Care through Artificial Intelligence

As part of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series, Dr. Natalia Chalmers of Overjet visited CDM to discuss how artificial intelligence can help improve access to care, support more consistent diagnosis, and strengthen connections between oral health and overall health. The lecture also highlighted CDM’s new partnership with Overjet, which will foster collaboration in AI, dental education, research, and oral healthcare innovation. Read more.

Eastman Institute For Oral Health, University of Rochester: Eastman Institute for Oral Health to Investigate Microplastics

An orthodontist and researcher at the University of Rochester Medicine Eastman Institute for Oral Health has received a grant from the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation to test microplastic emissions from a common dental device. EIOH Associate Professor Dimitrios Michelogiannakis, DDS, MS, will look at whether clear orthodontic aligners—removable trays used to straighten teeth—release tiny plastic particles, known as microplastics, during normal use. Read more.

Commencement

Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine: Dental Class of 2026 Celebrates Milestone, Looks Toward the Future

Years of dedication came together in one unforgettable afternoon as the 44 Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) graduates, as well as 36 residents and four master’s students, from Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine Class of 2026 crossed the stage at the Staller Center for the Arts to receive their diplomas and certificates at this year’s convocation ceremony. From there, DDS graduates set off to join residency programs in five states around the country, obtaining further training in dental anesthesiology, general dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics. Two others will enter private practice. Read more.

Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College: TCDM Graduates Are Forging the Future of Dentistry

Graduate students in Touro College of Dental Medicine’s Class of 2026 celebrated the culmination of years of study and the beginning of their professional careers at commencement on May 18. The graduating class achieved a 100 percent residency match rate, with graduates entering specialties including general practice, pediatric dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

As they enter the profession, these new dentists will help shape the future of oral healthcare at a time of rapid technological advancement, including the growing integration of artificial intelligence and digital tools in clinical practice. The conferral of degrees upon the Class of 2026 represents a significant academic milestone for each graduate and an investment in the future of dental education, patient care, public health, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies across the profession. Read more.

NYU College of Dentistry Celebrates Class of 2026

On Monday, May 18, 2026, the NYU Dentistry Class of 2026 – which included more than 500 candidates for the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Advanced Education Program certificates, MS degrees in biomaterials and in clinical research, AAS and BS degrees in dental hygiene, and Dental Assisting Program certificates – saw their dreams come true as they received their degrees and certificates before an audience of approximately 5,000 people in The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Read more.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: Dental school celebrates Class of 2026 at 132nd Commencement

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine celebrated graduating students in the Class of 2026 during its 132nd Commencement on Friday, May 1, held at the Center for the Arts. Family, friends, faculty and staff gathered to recognize students receiving the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, master’s degrees, advanced certificates and PhDs in oral biology. Read more.

Research

NYU College of Dentistry: Beyond Borders – NYU Dental Hygiene Global Network Hosts Continuing Education Event in Tokyo

The NYU Dental Hygiene Global Network’s “Beyond Borders” initiative held a continuing education event in Tokyo on April 11-12, 2026. Coordinated by Adjunct Clinical Instructor Professor Naoko Fujimori, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Hisashi Yonemoto, and the Team Grin’n team, the event brought together dental hygiene educators and practitioners from across the region. Read more.

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: CDM Alumna Soomin Park Receives Henry W. Thorton/SCADA Fellowship as She Pursues Clinician-Scientist Training

CDM alumna Dr. Soomin Park, DDS ’24, received the Henry M. Thornton/SCADA Fellowship Award, which supports dentists pursuing advanced education and careers in academic dentistry and research. Now enrolled in UCLA’s combined PhD and orthodontics training program, Park is conducting bioengineering research focused on tissue regeneration and innovative oral health technologies while building on the research foundation and mentorship she received at Columbia. Read more.

More News

NYU College of Dentistry PROHmotion Blog: The 8- to 10-Year Advantage: What Medicine’s Present Tells Us About Dentistry’s Future

The latest NYU Dentistry PROHmotion blog post addresses the impact that AI, precision care, and advancements in oral-systemic integrated approaches to health care are having on our profession. Read more.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: Can AI Help Spot ‘Healthy’ Viruses in our Bodies? UB Researchers Probe the Human Virome

When it comes to viruses, it’s long been the case of the naughty kid getting all the attention. For decades, scientists have focused primarily on the viruses that cause human illness, including influenza, chicken pox and COVID-19. Much less is understood about the numerous viruses in our bodies that are not associated with any type of disease. Read more.