As New York State’s budget season is underway, the New York State Academic Dental Centers (NYSADC) is urging the legislature to increase Medicaid reimbursement for academic dental centers. These institutions play a vital role in training the next generation of dentists while providing essential oral health care to underserved communities.

Enhancing Medicaid reimbursement will ensure that academic dental centers can continue delivering high-quality care, support innovative treatments, and sustain the clinical training programs that shape the future of dentistry in New York.

Eastman Institute For Oral Health, University of Rochester: Study Shows Teledentistry Boosts Treatment Completion for Rural Kids

A new study has found that 81.6% of children in a rural teledentistry program completed their recommended dental treatments within six months of their virtual consultations. Conducted by the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester, the research highlights the success of teledentistry—real-time video calls between dentists and patients—in improving access to care for children in underserved areas. Read more.

Student News

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: Student Research Day Celebrates Innovation and Discovery

Groundbreaking research is happening within the UB School of Dental Medicine, and it’s being conducted by students at all academic levels, from undergraduates to postdoctoral fellows. On Feb. 20, the UBDSM celebrated their discoveries at the 2025 Student Research Day in the UB Center for the Arts. Read more.

Columbia University of Dental Medicine ASDA Chapter Wins District Chapter of the Year

The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine chapter of the American Student Dental Association, District 2, was awarded Chapter of the Year and recognized with the Outstanding Outreach Initiatives Award at the ASDA District 2 meeting held in New York January 31 – February 2, 2025. ASDA District 2 comprises the six dental schools in New York and New Jersey: CDM; University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine; Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine; New York University College of Dentistry; Rutgers School of Dental Medicine; and Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College. Faculty mentors for the CDM chapter are Drs. Laureen Zubiaurre and John Grbic. Read more.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: Frequent Cannabis Use Can Lead to Cavities, Severe Tooth Loss, According to UB Study

It’s long been known that smoking cannabis can lead to problems in the lungs, heart and brain. Ellyce Clonan, DDS, a clinical assistant professor in the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, has identified another health problem linked to frequent recreational cannabis (FRC) use — tooth decay and severe tooth loss. Read more.

Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine Celebrates Discovery and Innovation at Annual Research Symposium

Continuing its mission to foster discovery and advance the field of dentistry, Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine (SDM) hosted its annual Research Symposium on February 26 at Stony Brook University’s Student Activities Center (SAC), with 46 students – at the undergraduate, dental school, master’s and PhD levels – as well as residents presenting their findings. Read more.

Awards & Grants

NYU College of Dentistry: Dr. Abdulsalam Al Madani Honored with Kriser Medal

NYU College of Dentistry has awarded Dr. Abdulsalam Al Madani with the David B. Kriser Medal — the College’s highest honor — in recognition of his distinguished service to global health care, education, and humanitarian causes. Dr. Michael O’Connor, executive vice dean at NYU Dentistry and co-executive director of its Center for Oral Health Policy and Management, presented the award to Dr. Al Madani earlier this month at AEEDC Dubai, the world’s largest annual scientific dental conference and exhibition. Read more.

Faculty News

Columbia University of Dental Medicine: Pimenta Selected for ADEA Leadership Institute

Luiz Pimenta, DDS, MS, PhD, MBA, professor of dental medicine at CUMC, interim director of the Division of Prosthodontics, Section of Oral, Diagnostic, and Rehabilitation Sciences, and director of Dental/Biomaterials, has been named a 2025–26 ADEA Leadership Institute Fellow. The ADEA Leadership Institute is a yearlong program designed to develop the most promising individuals at academic dental institutions to become leaders in dental and higher education. Read more.

More News

NYU Dentistry Faculty Leadership Institute

Are you a full-time faculty member at NYU Dentistry with some leadership experience seeking further development? Do you envision yourself taking on larger roles and responsibilities, driving positive change within the College, dental education nationally, or within organized dentistry? Read more.

Oral diseases, despite being largely preventable, affect over 3.5 billion people globally, posing a significant public health challenge. Oral diseases lead to $710B in treatment costs and productivity losses worldwide each year. Read more.

NYU College of Dentistry: Building Trust: A Health Care Provider’s Guide to Vaccine Education

Rick Valachovic, DMD, MPH, Clinical Professor and Executive Director of the NYU Dentistry Center for Oral Health Policy and Management provides a health care provider’s guide to vaccine education. Read more.

Touro College of Dental Medicine: How to Fix Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth are a common dental issue that can affect both children and adults alike. Generally speaking, most people see crooked teeth as a cosmetic issue, but that’s only part of the picture. Read more.