Strong GSDM Presence at the 2013 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition

Several members of the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine’s (GSDM) community attended the 2013 American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Annual Session & Exhibition, March 16-19 in Seattle, Washington. The theme of this year’s Annual Session was “Landscape of Learning.” The theme encompassed key issues and future-oriented concepts in dental education. Educational sessions focused on: curricular change with a focus on interprofessional education, various pedagogical approaches especially related to learning how to teach to inspire and motivate students as learners and future professionals, and methods of effective reflection and positive self-assessment.

Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Paul Farsai and Catherine Sarkis, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research, Assistant Dean for Admissions, lead the session, “Background Checks and Screenings in Dental Education: Establishing Professional Standards.” The presentation included a continuum of information about ethical behavior and conduct of undergraduate pre-dental students, to dental school applicants, to matriculating and continuing dental students, to licensed professionals. A rubric was presented as a tool to make determinations regarding professional standards. Ms. Sarkis received the ADEA Council of Sections Award.

“I was grateful to ADEA for the Council of Sections award and to the distinguished panel of speakers for their participation and for the important information they provided,” said Catherine Sarkis. “Arguably the reputation and future of the profession depends not only on the knowledge and skills of its members, but also on the values and conduct of its members.”

Kathleen Held, Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry, Assistant Director of the Office of Extramural Programs and Ana Zea, Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of General Dentistry, presented a lecture entitled, “’GLOBAL’: What’s in it for your school, students and communities?” The presentation identified benefits and challenges in the creation of a global health program, discussed important considerations for the planning and implementation of global missions, and reviewed evaluation strategies for key stakeholders.

“It was our goal when presenting at the ADEA conference to highlight GSDM’s programs aimed at addressing global oral health disparities,” said Kathleen Held. “By taking the lead we hoped to provide tools to other dental academic institutions also committed to fostering an understanding and helping disadvantaged populations both domestically and abroad. We look forward to working with the other dental schools who participated in the session and supporting their global initiatives in the future.”

All four GSDM representatives for the ADEA Council of Students, Residents and Fellows (CoSRF), Arsalan Elahi DMD 14, Kelsey Hill DMD 14, Emma Lattouf DMD 15, and Andrew Soule-Hines DMD 15 attended education sessions with other dental school CoSRF representatives. Lattouf and Soule-Hines are new CoSRF representatives and this was their first ADEA Annual Session.

“I had a great time. I learned about the structure of the ADEA, had a chance to try some of the newest preclinical teaching systems, and perhaps most importantly, spoke with other students about their experiences in dental school,” said Andrew Soule-Hines. “It can be difficult to gain perspective on what other dental schools are like but the annual session allowed us to do just that.”

Emma Lattouf added, “I’m looking forward to sharing this new knowledge with our classmates and hope to work more closely with the faculty to better our school and dental education.”

A fifth student, Marc Horton DMD 14, attended the Annual Session as a participant in the 2013 ADEAGies/AADR Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP).

“I am so proud of the faculty, staff, and students from the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine who attended and participated in the ADEA Annual Session,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “You are exemplary representatives of our School.”

GSDM also hosted an alumni reception at the Columbia Tower Club. Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, Stacey McNamee, Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving, and GSDM Annual Session attendees greeted and mingled with local alumni.

“It was a wonderful evening,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “The faculty, staff and students from the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine enjoyed having an opportunity to meet with our distinguished alumni from the Seattle area.”

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.