GSDM stands out at first-ever virtual Yankee Dental Congress
The 2021 Yankee Dental Congress may have looked a little different this year, but members of the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) still found a way to show up and stand out—albeit in a new format.
Due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Yankee Dental Congress was an all-digital experience, held on a virtual platform.
“While I am disappointed that we cannot meet in person this year, I am certainly glad that we were able to not only connect virtually, but to celebrate members of our community,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) did an incredible job transitioning the event into a virtual event, and I think I speak for all of us in thanking them for all of their hard work to make this new format a success.”
Read on for highlights from this year’s event.
GSDM faculty appointed president of the MDS
During the 157th Massachusetts Dental Society House of Delegates Annual Session held on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, Dr. Meredith Bailey, clinical instructor in the GSDM Department of General Dentistry, was sworn in as president of the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS). Dr. James Lee DMD 14 was sworn in as MDS secretary.
“I am honored to represent over 5,000 dentists across the state as the 76th President of the Massachusetts Dental Society, and the youngest person to hold this office in its history,” said Bailey. “The theme of the 2021 Yankee Dental Congress is ‘Changing the Game,’ and there could not be a better choice for this first ever virtual meeting. Advances in technology will continue to change our clinical practice and business models and the continuing education courses at Yankee will help dentists stay informed and ahead of the game.”
GSDM faculty and alumni recognized as 10 Under Ten
Five GSDM faculty and alumni were recognized with the Massachusetts Dental Society’s (MDS) “Ten under 10” award, which recognizes dentists who have been in the profession for 10 years or less and have made a significant contribution to the profession, their community, and/or organized dentistry.
Alumni Jasmine Khedkar DMD 17, Sirisha Kovvali Rao DMD 14, and Garrett W. Wingrove DMD 17, and Vasiliki Maseli and Pinelopi Pani, both clinical assistant professors of General Dentistry, were honored on Saturday, January 30, 2021, during the virtual Student Debate.
In addition to the 10 Under Ten winners, Ronald Fried DMD 83 received the Clinician of the Year Award from the MDS during Saturday’s virtual Student Debate. Fried, who maintains a private practice in Periodontics and Dental Implants in Brookline, Massachusetts, and teaches at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, has served as a lecturer at the Yankee Dental Congress for over two decades.
State of the School
The annual GSDM alumni reception at Yankee Dental is one of the school’s most popular events. The event looked different this year, but was still popular with alumni who logged on for a virtual “State of the School” on Friday, January 29, 2021.
“I know this has been a very challenging year in many respects,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter in his opening remarks. “But I am so proud of all of our school’s alumni, faculty, staff, students, residents, and patients for the optimism and commitment they have demonstrated throughout this time.”
Attendees received updates on the Addition & Renovation Construction Project, the 2020-2021 academic years and beyond, the current admissions cycle, the GSDM Advisory Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and current and future research at GSDM.
“I was so glad to see so many familiar faces during the State of the School presentation,” said Stacey McNamee, director of Alumni Relations. “While I wish we could have met in person, it was still so wonderful to see so many of our alumni tune in for an update on the school.”
DMD students recognized
Two GSDM DMD students received scholarships as part of this year’s Yankee Dental Congress.
Julia Geaumont DMD 21 received the American College of Dentists (ACD) Senior Student Award, while Joseph Absi DMD 21 received the Matthew Boylan Scholarship, which is presented by the MDS and Eastern Dentists Insurance Company (EDIC) and is granted to a student or students who have provided distinguished service to organized dentistry and the community.
“In addition to being excellent students, both Ms. Geaumont and Mr. Absi embody our School’s core values of respect, truth, responsibility, fairness and compassion,” Dean Hutter said. “It is wonderful to see them both recognized in this way.”
BU ASDA debates area schools
On January 13, representatives from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine American Student Dental Association (BU ASDA) chapter participated in the first-round of the ASDA District 1 Student Debate. Julian Jackson MED 20 DMD 24 and Amelia Wilson DMD 23 debated discipline-based numerical clinical requirements against a team from the University of New England ASDA chapter.
Also recognized during the student debate was GSDM student Ana-Gabriela Benghiac DMD AS 22, who participated in the graduation of the 2020 First District Leadership Academy, a leadership development program offered by the MDS. Benghiac, who was the recipient of a scholarship to attend the program, was the only dental student who participated in the leadership academy.