WesternU College of Dental Medicine Has Strong Presence at 2023 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition

Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine (WesternU CDM) faculty, staff and students presented research and educational programs, provided valuable information to prospective dental students, were recognized for their service and served as a key organizer at the 2023 American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Annual Session & Exhibition.

The annual ADEA event, held March 11-14, 2023, in Portland, OR set the vision for organized dental education moving forward, said Hubert Chan, D.D.S., WesternU CDM Professor and Associate Dean for Integration of Technology, Curriculum and Learning Environments. Dr. Chan served as the Chair of the ADEA Annual Session Program Committee (ASPC). Dental schools and allied programs, including dental hygiene and dental assisting programs, all converged at this event to share expertise and knowledge and to network with one another.

“The College of Dental Medicine is very proud that we impactfully made a mark at the ADEA Annual Session,” said Elizabeth Andrews, D.D.S., M.S., Dean of WesternU CDM. “Dr. Chan’s exceptional and creative style rang through the meeting, where over 2,300 attendees experienced customized and exciting programming. The networking experiences are very important, and we received many compliments from other dental school faculty on the professional and exceptional students that represented WesternU CDM. WesternU Proud!”

WesternU participates in the ADEA Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP), which is an investment in the future of dental education. CDM faculty serve as mentors to students in the program, who enter either a teaching or research track. At the completion of the program, students present posters at the ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition. Five CDM students served as fellows and presented posters.

“Some of these fellows going through this program may one day become dental educators,” said Dr. Chan. “This could be the catalyst for some of these students who never thought a career in dental education would be for them. This would open doors for that possibility.”

The University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Dean Nader A. Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ed.D., served as the 2022-23 Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors. He tapped Dr. Chan to serve as the Chair of the ADEA ASPC.

Dr. Chan ensured Dr. Nadershahi’s vision for the future of dental medicine took center stage at the annual session, in addition to honoring ADEA’s Centennial anniversary. Dr. Chan said serving as ASPC Chair was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“ADEA has been pivotal in my growth and development as a dental educator,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for what ADEA has given to me in terms of leadership development and opportunities to collaborate with others. This was my way of giving back.”

Summary: WesternU CDM Representation at the 2023 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition in Portland, OR

ADEA Student Diversity Leadership Program

Friday, March 10-11

The 10th annual ADEA Student Diversity Leadership Program (ADEA SDLP) took place during the 2023 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition in Portland, OR.

The ADEA SDLP brings together dental and allied students from across the United States and Canada in support of partnerships for action, dialogue and collaboration.

Christopher Jimenez (D.M.D. 2025) and Eboney Hinds (D.M.D. 2026) participated in the 2023 ADEA SDLP.

ADEA Leadership Institute Class of 2023 Commencement

Friday, March 10

The ADEA Leadership Institute is a yearlong program designed to develop the most promising individuals at academic dental institutions to become future leaders in dental and higher education.

As the flagship program for exceptional mid-career faculty and administrators, the ADEA Leadership Institute goes well beyond standard professional development. Fellows who have graduated from the Institute hold positions ranging from department chairs to program directors to deans of dental schools.

Dr. Clara Kim graduated from the ADEA Leadership Institute during a dinner reception honoring the Class of 2023.

2023 ADEA GoDental Recruitment Event

Saturday, March 11

The 2023 ADEA GoDental Recruitment Event was a free in-person event that offered individuals interested in dentistry the chance to meet admissions officers from U.S. and Canadian dental schools and attend interactive presentations to help them be successful applicants.

This dynamic event is geared toward high school, community college and four-year college students, as well as others interested in dentistry.

Representing WesternU CDM and fielding questions from prospective applicants were Jeffrey Turchi, D.D.S., Sean Rowan, Sarah Campos, and Michael Mears (D.M.D. 2023).

ADEA Emerging Leaders Program Symposium

Sunday, March 12

This session showcased the efforts of participants from the 2022 ADEA Emerging Leaders Program. Each presentation within the symposium represents collaborative research conducted by the participants during their time in the year-long program.

Sahar Mirfarsi, D.D.S., and Joori Kim-Cho, D.M.D., presented in this symposium as fellows of the 2022 ADEA Emerging Leaders Program.

Morning Plenary Session at the 2023 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition

Sunday, March 12

Dr. Chan and Seraphina Oney (D.M.D. 2023) were recognized for their service on the ADEA Annual Session Program Committee (ASPC). Ms. Oney served in her second consecutive year as the ADEA Council of Students, Residents, and Fellows (ADEA COSRF) representative. Dr. Chan served as Chair of the ASPC and, along with Ms. Oney, finished their respective terms at the end of the 2023 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition.

Dr. Chan received an ADEA Chair of the Board of Directors Citation for demonstrating exceptional service to ADEA and the dental education community.

Educational Programming at the 2023 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition

• James Borke, M.S., Ph.D., and Mark Mintline, D.D.S., presented an educational program titled “Opioid Prescribing for Dentists: A Standardized Dental Education Program” on March 12.
• Shahrzad (Sherry) Aarup, D.M.D., M.A., presented an educational program titled “Active-Shooter Response at a Dental School: Have a Plan?” on March 13.

Poster and TechExpo Presentations at the 2023 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition

• Alexander Lee, D.M.D., Jeffrey Oyama, D.D.S., FACP, and Joseph Flask, D.D.S., presented at the TechExpo regarding “Making 3D Model Comparisons Possible” on March 13.
• Omid Akramian (D.M.D. 2023) presented a poster titled “Minimizing Aerosols in Dental Practice During and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: Review” on March 13.
• Sandra Farah-Franco, D.D.S., presented a poster titled “Multiple Preclinical Assessment Attempts Leading Dental Students Toward Competency” on March 13.
• Clara Kim, D.M.D., M.S., presented a poster titled “Dental Students’ Perception of Oral Examination as a Learning Method” on March 13.
• Dr. Andrews presented a poster titled “Believing in the Mentor/Mentee Alliance: Together We are Possible” on March 13.

Poster and TechExpo abstracts can be found in the February 2023 issue of the Journal of Dental Education.

ADEA 2022-2023 ADCFP Fellows

The ADEA Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP) was founded in 2006 with the goal of discovering and growing tomorrow’s dental faculty and researchers by providing current faculty with tools on how to mentor allied, advanced education and predoctoral dental students and help them develop their plans for pursuing an academic career.

The program provides each academic dental institution a flexible framework that functions as a window for students into the “day-to-day” life and experiences of dental faculty at academic dental institutions through one-on-one mentorship.

The following ADCFP Fellows were honored at a reception on March 12 and presented posters on March 13.

• Jong Choi (D.M.D. 2024) presented a poster titled, “A Review of the Mechanisms of Action of Flavonoids as Oral Antifungal Agents.”
• Niveen Kryakos (D.M.D. 2024) presented a poster titled, “Developing and Implementing Preventative Education Programs.”
• David Taves (D.M.D. 2023) presented a poster titled, “Does Vitamin K2 Improve Healing and Reduce Bone Damage in Bisphosphonate‐related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw?”
• Andrew Halverson (D.M.D. 2025) presented a poster titled, “Assessment of Dental Students Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of HPV‐related Disease and Vaccination Trends.”
• Erica Franco (D.M.D. 2025) presented a poster titled, “Supporting Dental Educators When Teaching Students on Servicing Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).”

Poster abstracts can be found in the February 2023 issue of the Journal of Dental Education.

ADEA Council of Students, Residents and Fellows (COSRF)

• Andrew Halverson (D.M.D. 2025) completed his term as Vice-Chair of COSRF for 2022-23 and was appointed Chair of COSRF for 2023-24.
• Justin James Donato (D.M.D. 2026) was appointed Vice-Chair of COSRF for 2023-24 and was a winner of the “I Have an ADEA” Curriculum Hackathon event.

The “I Have an ADEA” event was developed as an opportunity for students to create innovative dental curricula. Students are tasked with tackling current issues facing dentistry and dental schools. They have the goal of developing a school that will prepare their students to be successful leaders in their profession.

WesternU ADEA (Local Chapter) received a Gold Level Chapter Award and Outstanding Chapter in Achievement Award.

The Outstanding Chapter in Achievement Award is given to the chapter demonstrating socially commendable actions making a substantial contribution to oral health and dental education. This award was given on the premise of the inaugural Halloween Health fair aimed to increase interprofessional collaboration and provide oral health education to the community around Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine.

About Western University of Health Sciences

Western University of Health Sciences (www.westernu.edu), located in Pomona, CA, and Lebanon, OR, is an independent nonprofit health professions university, conferring degrees in dental medicine, health sciences, medical sciences, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine. WesternU is home to WesternU Health, where the best in collaborative health care services is offered.

Courtesy of Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine

Published on April 12, 2023