Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Across Harvard, researchers and scholars are exploring the physical, societal, and spiritual dimensions of aging. At HSDM, students and faculty are contributing to this work through education, research, and clinical care.

Informed Aging - Harvard University The Harvard community explores the physical, spiritual, and intellectual aspects of growing older.

Nearly a century after the landmark Gies Report helped define modern dental education, leaders across the profession say another moment of transformation has arrived.

To help address challenges—including workforce shortages, barriers to oral health care access, rising student debt, and disruptive technologies—HSDM convened a two-day summit last week that brought together dental deans from across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom

Working groups focused on developing actionable, consensus-driven recommendations across six priority areas, with the goal of creating a shared agenda for the future of dental education.

Dental school leaders chart a path for the future of dental education | Harvard School of Dental Medicine Dental education leaders from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. convened at HSDM to develop priorities for the future of dental education.

Throughout the weekend, alumni gathered to reconnect with former classmates, exchange professional experiences, and reflect on the relationships and memories that have endured long after graduation during HSDM's Alumni Days and Reunion

The celebration featured a fireside chat with Dean William Giannobile and Mindy Greenblatt Streem, DMD05, followed by the Alumni Day Symposium on The Future of Dental Care: Incubation, Innovation, and Impact.

A highlight of the weekend was the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award to Shahid Aziz, DMD96, in recognition of his leadership in advancing care for patients with cleft lip and palate conditions, craniofacial differences, and complex maxillofacial conditions.

As milestone reunion classes gathered alongside recent graduates, Alumni Days and Reunion reflected the enduring impact of the HSDM experience.

Read more about the weekend festivities: https://www.hsdm.harvard.edu/news/2026/06/across-generations-alumni-reconnect-hsdm

As the U.S. population ages, older adults face a range of oral health challenges—from gum disease and tooth decay to medication-related dry mouth, tooth loss, and barriers to accessing care. Yet the number of healthcare professionals specializing in geriatric care continues to decline.

Integrated throughout HSDM's four-year curriculum, the "Predoctoral Oral Health Education and Training for an Aging America (POHETAA)" program equips DMD students with the knowledge and experience needed to care for an aging population with increasingly complex healthcare needs.

To treat an aging population, HSDM enhances geriatric training for dental students | Harvard School of Dental Medicine HSDM’s enhanced geriatric dentistry curriculum prepares dental students to care for older adults through hands-on simulations, interprofessional training, and community-based clinical experiences.

It's a milestone week for the Class of 2028 as they began seeing patients in the dental clinic for the very first time. Join us in wishing them success as they take this exciting next step in their journey to becoming dental professionals!

We look forward to welcoming alumni back to campus this week for HSDM Alumni Days and Reunion!

Check out the full schedule of events: https://bit.ly/3F1HB3v

During Class Day, Aryeh Iosif, DMD26, reflected on the community, impact, and adventure that shaped both his and his classmates’ journey through dental school. From late nights in the lab and celebrations with classmates to meaningful patient connections and lifelong friendships, his remarks captured both the challenges and the deep sense of connection that defined the student experience at HSDM.

“Impact is not always measured in the size of the procedure, but rather in how people leave the dental chair feeling," he said. "It’s found in the extra moments we take to listen to our patients, the patience we show to ease someone’s nerves, and the trust we can build in one single appointment.”

Iosif emphasized that these moments reflect the deeper purpose students will carry forward into their careers in dentistry.

Following graduation, he will pursue a pediatric dentistry residency at UCLA, where he will continue shaping positive, meaningful experiences for young patients.

We had the best day celebrating the Class of 2026 🙌

On Thursday, HSDM graduates joined fellow grads from across Harvard in Tercentenary Theatre for the University’s 375th Commencement ceremony. In the afternoon, the DMD graduates then took part in Class Day with their MD classmates on the Harvard Medical School Quadrangle.

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine awarded a total of 52 degrees: 35 Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), 13 Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc), and 4 Doctor of Medical Sciences (DMSc). Congratulations to all!

Celebrating a milestone moment for HSDM’s graduates | Harvard School of Dental Medicine HSDM's Class of 2026 celebrated Commencement and Class Day as 52 graduates earned DMD, MMSc, and DMSc degrees. View the highlights.