Our top stories in 2025
Collage of header images of top ten stories of 2025

This year was filled with innovations in care, discovery and learning at the School of Dentistry, and our news stories reflected that. In 2025, we shared 98 stories with you.

As we begin 2026, take a look back at the most-read stories published in 2025 to see what mattered most to our school community.

10. Smiles all around at annual event for kids in need

Dental student, patient and Goldy pose at a dental chair

Each year, dental professionals across the country, including School of Dentistry students, participate in Give Kids a Smile. They provide free dental care to children in need, including examinations, x-rays, cleanings and fluoride varnishes, as well as some follow-up care. This year’s day-long event was held on February 8, when over 100 volunteers, including DDS, dental hygiene and dental therapy students and faculty members from all departments, worked together to provide oral health care to children and their families. The event served 66 patients, even on a day with a major snowstorm.

9. 136th Commencement Ceremony celebrates the Class of 2025

Group photo of graduates taking selfie

The School of Dentistry celebrated its 136th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 9. Graduates, faculty, staff, family and friends gathered in Northrop Auditorium to celebrate the 187 newest alumni of the School of Dentistry. The ceremony featured a keynote from Michael Brooks, Jr., DDS ’13, Dental Clinic Director for NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, who spoke on the theme of “uncharted waters.” 

8. Tamanna Tiwari named Chair of Primary Dental Care

Headshot of Tamanna Tiwari

Tamanna Tiwari, MPH, MDS, BDS, is the Chair of the Department of Primary Dental Care, effective July 1, 2025. Dean Keith A. Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, announced the position in an email to the School of Dentistry community in June. Tiwari is an internationally recognized leader in dental public health, with expertise in behavioral sciences, social determinants of health, and oral health equity.

 

7. How a whole-health approach to dentistry saved one patient’s life

Howard Quinlan Headshot

For Howard Quinlan, a visit to the School of Dentistry did more than keep his teeth clean: it saved his life. Quinlan credits Ellie Fekrazad, DDS ’25, for finding a lump in his neck that was found to be positive for papillary cancer. Ellie, a physician herself, takes seriously the school’s focus on holistic patient care, including a full patient history, vitals and a head and neck examination.

6. Collaboration between Coast Guard, Dental Therapy enhances access to care and force readiness

Photos of Javier Carrasquillo Marrero and Jasmine Champan engaged in activities with the Coast Guard

A desire to incorporate dental therapy into the health care delivery team inspired the Coast Guard to approach the school’s Division of Dental Therapy and pursue a partnership model. Over five years beginning in the fall of 2024, each dental therapy class will include up to two guardsmen.

 

5. DDS Class of 2025 honored at Awards Banquet

Cecilia Lovinger receives an award from Karl Self onstage

Held on the evening before the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, the DDS Awards Ceremony honored and celebrated graduates who received special recognition for their dedication to excellence in specialties, clinical care, research, patient care and more. 

 

4. Dental Therapy banquet honors Class of 2025

Keith Mays giving remarks at DT Senior Celebration

The Division of Dental Therapy celebrated its seven graduating learners with a banquet on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The seven students who make up the Dental Therapy Class of 2025 gathered with faculty and staff to celebrate their accomplishments in advance of their commencement ceremony. 

3. Champion of accessibility: Deaf dentist joins the School of Dentistry

Marcia Campos and Michael Korleski pose together in front of a door

There are many new staff members on campus this semester, ready to contribute to the research, education and care happening in our community. One notable addition to faculty and staff is the barrier-breaking Michael Korleski, DDS, clinical assistant professor at the Special Healthcare Needs Clinic, who comes to the School of Dentistry from the West Coast. Korleski, who was born deaf, said that his journey to becoming a dentist was purpose-driven.

 

2. Sixteen learners join DDS Class of 2027 through PASS

PASS Class of 2027 students standing behind faculty and staff

This January, 16 learners began their journey toward earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree as part of the Program for Advanced Standing Students (PASS). PASS is a 29-month integrated program designed for graduates of dental schools outside the United States and Canada, enabling them to practice general dentistry in the U.S.

 

1. Kantarci named Chair of Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences

Headshot of Alpdogan Kantarci

Alpdogan Kantarci, DDS, PhD, CAGS, is the new Chair of the Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences, effective Monday, January 6, 2025. Kantarci holds a DDS and PhD and is a board-certified specialist in Periodontology and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. He has mentored more than 60 theses and directed and taught in several graduate and postgraduate clinical and didactic dentistry courses.