Building the Future of Dentistry

Starting in 1989, BUGSDM exposed first-year students to running a dental practice through the APEX program. Building on the extramural program established ten years earlier, students paired with mentors outside the school to learn practice management in their first and second years of dental education.

Eighteen years later, these and other former students and friends of BUGSDM now mentor APEX students in their own practices. The Office of Extramural Programs honored these dentists, shared changes to the APEX program, and solicited feedback at a dinner and meeting in early October at BU’s School of Management.

"Many of our APEX dentists sitting in this room were once APEX student themselves," said Director of Extramural Programs Madalyn Mann to guests. "As APEX mentors, you have not only guided our students in their learning but have also been instrumental in shaping the next generation of dentists." Mentors received framed certificates, stating BUGSDM has selected them to mentor the school’s students, to display in their offices where patients may see.

During the dinner program, Senior Associate Dean Jeffrey Hutter spoke about updates to the school, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone presented curriculum changes, Associate Director of Extramural Programs Meg Loadholt discussed how the school prepares students for APEX, and Assistant Director of Extramural Programs Andrea Dickhaut shared students’ feedback on APEX.

Following the presentations, mentors participated in an open discussion to give their perspectives on the APEX program.

Consistently one of the top reasons students apply to BUGSDM, the APEX program now has 194 mentors in 28 different states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada.

Click here to see more photos from the dinner.